In 2011, Nancy Hummel retired from her job as a seventh-grade Social Studies teacher in Fairbanks, Alaska, after 27 years. Now, she and her husband Marc are enjoying retirement, traveling around the United States, and visiting with friends along the way.

In April 2021, the couple ventured to Utah for a camper van road trip to visit the “Mighty Five” National Parks—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. They found themselves in awe of the stunning beauty of Utah’s harsh, fascinating environments that included arches, fins, deserts, canyons, and pinnacles. Nancy and Marc stayed active and on their toes, hiking 70 miles in 16 days, at times reaching 9,000 feet above sea level. They even got caught in a lightning storm that sent them hustling back to the safety of their camper van. The two also spent time with friends around the campfire and celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary in Bryce Canyon National Park’s historic lodge, with the park’s COVID-19-friendly “take-out/dine-in” style of bringing your own food but enjoying the beautiful space.

Nancy and Marc spent November 2021 in Tucson, Arizona, thanks to friends that loaned their second home to them. They enjoyed the peaceful scenery and wildlife that included hummingbirds, quail, lizards, javelina, coyotes, hawks, and owls. Nancy kept their son Scott up to date with photos and videos of all the hummingbirds they saw. “Different climate, same pastime, eh?” he replied. To beat the heat, the two started their days early, hiking the many trails of Saguaro National Park and enjoying the whimsical saguaro cacti. Despite hiking nearly every day for a month, the strenuous exercise left the couple stiff at the end of each day.

In the future, Nancy and Marc plan to visit New Mexico to see White Sands National Park and Carlsbad Caverns. They also plan to do some horseback riding with family in Santa Fe and a side trip to Big Bend National Park.

When the couple isn’t traveling, they are home in Fairbanks, enjoying some meditative snowshoeing.

“The beauty and spiritualness of the outdoors are magical; the close encounters with moose are NOT… or are they…?“

If you would like to learn more about how your State of Alaska retirement can allow you to enjoy a comfortable retirement, please contact the Division toll-free at (800) 821-2251 or at (907) 465-4460 in Juneau.

Inspired to share a story of your own? We'd love to hear it!