Elizabeth DowningThe CrownI’m wearing a crown, but it’s not made of the kind of gems queens carry. It’s fallen snowflakes melted by the gentle warmth that wicks from…Apr 4, 2023Apr 4, 2023
Elizabeth DowningOh, The LightI arrive at the top of the mountain and the valley beyond is covered in clouds. I only see the mountaintops. It’s as if I’m in the…Mar 28, 2023Mar 28, 2023
Elizabeth DowningBreakupSpring is supposed to be a renewal, an awakening of life. But in Alaska, they call it breakup.Mar 21, 2023Mar 21, 2023
Elizabeth DowningIf the Sky Turns Green“If I come back and my lights are on, you need to get to the bathrooms quick,” said the Park Ranger. He was talking to us out the window of…Mar 14, 2023Mar 14, 2023
Elizabeth DowningLayeredHere, in the deepest part of winter, the roads and the paths and the trails are framed by walls of snow. Even from a moving car, the…Mar 7, 2023Mar 7, 2023
Elizabeth DowningFalling & FailingWhen it comes to doing something that counts, they say to not be afraid. To jump. That you’re not afraid of heights, you’re afraid of…Feb 28, 2023Feb 28, 2023
Elizabeth DowningUntaken TrailsTwo weeks ago, I pulled a thick stack of trail maps from a dusty box in the closet. A pang of nostalgia for life on the road had me running…Feb 21, 2023Feb 21, 2023
Elizabeth DowningAn Ordinary LoopI have walked thousands of loops in my time. Some were around the mile-long circle we lived when I was younger, others were on the concrete…Feb 14, 2023Feb 14, 2023
Elizabeth DowningHow to Cry in the MountainsLet’s say for a moment that you’re an adult. A full-fledged, no doubt about it, grey hairs sprouting on your visible hairline adult.Feb 4, 2023Feb 4, 2023
