Alaskan author Kim Heacox spoke last night in the season's final "Wildlife Wednesday," a multi-agency lecture series sponsored in part by Conoco Phillips. Hailing from Gustavus, population 440 or so, Heacox is one of Alaska's most notable nature writer/photographers. His books include The Only Kayak and In Denali.
Personable and sincere, Heacox read, with commentary, from his essay "Thirsty in the Rain: Reflections on Restlessness." He spoke with genuine love of Gustavus, a place where "green is more than a color - it's a texture," a place that's "the perfect mix of imperfections."
Where he lives, Heacox says, "Nature isn't just another channel on the TV. If you're not smart, it will kill you - and we like it that way." It's an attitude that comes off as arrogance when some folks hop on their homespun soapboxes and rail about Outsiders who should have known better.
Heacox turns it full circle, making us wonder about ourselves. A weird, sick part of us does like it that way. Or maybe it's not so weird. It's how we channel our restless spirits to Nature, who isn't so sure she wants to make friends.
"Alaska's still a frontier," Heacox says. "As such, it's transformative." If we allow it, and sometimes when we don't. Mostly when we stay thirsty, even in the rain.
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We met Kim while celebrating my 50th birthday kayaking in Prince William Sound with the Nature Conservancy. What a truly lovely person. One late evening a storm came up as we were crossing the sound. I hope my memory isn't exaggerating that there were three foot waves and small craft warnings. I was so afraid, but paddling as fast as I could and very tired, the only woman in a group of four men. My heart eased when I heard another kayak behind me with a click, barely touching mine enough to let me know I was not alone. It was Kim and I'll never forget it. When Joe and I saw you tonight on the PBS series about Muir and the National Parks we wanted to say hello and that we haven't forgotten you. All the best to you and Melanie. Mary and Joe Dudley
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