How have you been finding strength and hope during these challenging times? By connecting with the places that matter to us, our Pursuit team members are building resiliency. Here's Amanda's take on the power of the "Tall One."
Last summer, I took a trip to Alaska. It was my first time exploring this beautiful place, hopefully not my last. And during that trip, a lot of unpredictable things happened. I experienced a flood in Denali and forest fires in Seward and Talkeetna. There were scary moments then, and there are scary moments happening right now.
It feels as if travel, as a concept, as a dream, as a business has just disappeared. And depending on what you read, who you believe, it could be gone for a while. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. I am, we all are. For me personally, it hits really close to home since this is what I do for a living. You don’t choose travel as a career to get rich financially; you choose it for the richness it gives you.
In these uncertain times, I am looking to Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, for hope.
As I saw when I was in Denali National Park last year, it's a steadfast giant who only shows its face to a lucky few. But whether you see it or not, you know Denali is there. Unchangeable and sure, it's a rock-solid anchor to tie to and a beacon to look to.
I hope you are finding your Denali right now. I hope that memories of an unforgettable experience in an iconic place brings you comfort the way Denali does for me. And I hope you promise—as I have—to return. I will go back to Denali and it will still be there, towering and majestic. Let's all commit to returning to the places like Alaska that ignite a fire in our hearts and inspire us.
Like the clouds that blanket Denali, this too will clear. For now here are some images from that fateful trip. Hopefully they bring you hope they way they have me.
Do you have an amazing memory from Alaska to share? We'd love to hear about it. Send it to us at [email protected].
About the author: Amanda Hudson Cassell is the Brand Services Manager at Pursuit. She lives in Calgary, AB with her husband and Siberian husky Kavik. Amanda’s life in tourism began with a love of skiing and has evolved over the last 10 years into a passion for crafting brands that do justice to the amazing experiences found throughout Pursuit. Venturing beyond her desk, Amanda likes to take long wandering walks with her dog, no destination in mind, and listen to true crime podcasts.
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