Alaska Part 3 - Where to now?

Maire DeCioccio
Nov 1
3 min read

Updated: Nov 18

November 2025:

November has been very busy so far and we're only halfway through!

I am just amazed by everything here in Alaska. I could honestly go without the snow and ice on the roads, but otherwise, I can't complain!

I was able to wild ice skate for the first time. Let me tell you, as beautiful as it is out there and having some of the proper safety gear, it is still a sport where you have to have heightened awareness. There is always the possibility of falling in!

Lady Aurora. I was worried that being so far south in the state that I wouldn't be able to see her. I had multiple nights in a row where I was lucky enough to see the magic. The green wasn't as green as the pictures make it out to be, but the red was red to the naked eye. Locals here say that it's extremely rare to see her red. It was just after sundown when she appeared. I could've stayed up all night watching, but with the cold temperatures nature wasn't going to allow that.

I have been shown such kindness since I moved down here. It is pretty amazing how people have such a love for this life and they just want to share it. They find such joy in spreading the happiness and ask for nothing in return. The universe has placed me in an awesome spot, despite these last few months of difficulty.

Let's see what else this month has in store!

ovember I:

Saw Lady Aurora at least six different times (every time she was different and YES, visibly red!)
Baked two sourdough loaves
Watched a hockey game
Went for a run along the coast with views of belugas in the distance
Drove in snow for the first time!
Saw caribou 3 different times
Got to see my first sunrise here in Alaska
Went wild ice skating!
Met some awesome people (two of which gifted me fresh salmon)
Played pickleball for the first time
Watched a momma moose and her baby eat the pumpkins we carved for Halloween

October 2025:

October, so many good things happened.

I wanted to start with the biggest change: ending a relationship that wasn't physically abusive because MY needs weren't being met. I didn't leave because he hurt me, I left because I noticed my cups for my wants and needs weren't being filled even when I gave a detailed roadmap on how to get them met. I went from feeling very confused and sad to feeling free, a bit more confident, and definitely UNCOMFORTABLE. Change can be very scary. It took me months to come to the decision to leave and I fought myself hard on it, gave him extra time to adjust and make changes but ultimately I had to come to terms with what was really happening.

I moved 8.5 hours south to a town called Soldotna. It's closer to the beach and I have already made some friends being here for about 3 weeks now. I have downsized in living space, but that's alright! I hope that winters down here will be less harsh than in Delta Junction, but time will tell. No snow so far and that could be good OR bad.

The other highlight was my sister and I taking mom to her very first concert, and it was Paul McCartney. Incredible show! He performed really well and you can just feel his love for the other members of the band.

This month brought a lot of learning, a lot of firsts, and room for more soul searching. This soul searching is different than before though, I finally recognize what my wants and needs are in a relationship AND I know that bare minimum from my partner is not an acceptable place to stop. The next guy will have to really put in effort, no more fooling me!

Cheers to recognizing what I deserve