- Kelsey

Indescribable

       The beauty of everything in Alaska is indescribable. For Susan Swidersky, it’s one of the main reasons she’s been here almost her whole life. She first came to Alaska when she was ten years old. Her father, who was petroleum engineer, accepted a job in Anchorage. It was a definite change from her former home in New Mexico, but she soon learned to love Alaska. 
            In her childhood, she left Anchorage for only a short period of time, to attend college, but she was sure to return as soon as she could. She found a husband there, who she’s been happily married to for twenty-eight years and has had three sons with. Shortly after their third son was born they moved to Seward, where they are currently residing.
 Living in Alaska, hiking has always been a large part of Susan’s life. She told me, “ I used to take a thirty minute hike up a near-by mountain, every night before dinner, just for the exercise.” She also learned to enjoy boating a lot when she married her husband who has always had a great love for the water. For a living, she manages the two “ Once in a Blue Moose” stores and her husband and her own three cabins in Humpy Cove, which they rent out to people.
Because both of her jobs are only summer businesses, the winters in Seaward can get a little long. She told me that time passed much quicker when her sons were younger and still in school because she was constantly traveling to take them to sporting events.  Her three sons are now all finished with college. “ Now, without the kids around, it’s just long”. She explained.
 Ever since she was a child, Susan has painted to keep busy, and she is extremely talented. She mostly paints the landscape of Seward because she’s convinced it’s one of the most beautiful places in all of Alaska. She also knits and does anything else she can do to stay occupied when the weather won’t exactly cooperate. “ The winter beauty is phenomenal, but it is lonely here”. She said.
            Her husband and her also love to travel. She expressed to me how much they enjoy the east coast. They’ve visited places like New York because the big city is a nice escape from their small town life, and they’ve spent some time in Florida because they love the heat and the water. Susan told me that if she ever moves out of Alaska, she would have to live near the east or west coast, so she could be near the water.
            Almost everyone who steps foot in Alaska is shocked by it’s breath-taking beauty. Some, truly fall in love with it, and just don’t leave. Susan Swidersky is one of those people. Here, she has found everything she needs; a beautiful landscape to paint, water to boat on, and a loving family. She’s proud to call Alaska her home state.