About the Author

Alicen Kym Hutcheson

the purpose of Wistful Wanderings is to share my experiences
photos, stories, poems
facts I learn, how I feel
hiking, traveling, wandering
wondering

Alicen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 2019

Alice with a N.
Alicen.
I was named after my Grandma Alice.

Alice, baby Kay (my mom), Wesley
Spokane, Washington, 1948

Allison is how everyone wants to spell my name when they hear me say, “Alicen.”
Alicia is the most common pronunciation when someone reads, “Alicen,” and then speaks my name aloud.

I was named after my Grandma Alice.

Alicen.

Growing Up

I was born in 1976 in Spokane, Washington.
Most of my childhood I lived in Spokane or in towns around Olympia, Washington.

I have one brother, two sisters and I feel fortunate that my parents shared their love and enjoyment of the outdoors with me and my siblings.

I must have been around the age of ten when it became normal for my dad to take us out to the mountains, the woods, or the ocean. Some road trips we were able to experience all landscapes in the same day. It really just depended on where we were living at the time. We would explore, snack, play, hike, swim, or just stroll the Pacific beaches.

My family moved to Central California (1988-1990) for a couple years, and then we moved to Port Angeles, Washington.
I stayed in Port Angeles for 11 years.

Alicen, age 18.
Port Angeles, Washington, 1994

I was homeschooled.
I went to public school until 1989 and was homeschooled until 1994.
I received my GED in 1995.

1999

I met my husband in 1999. Although we got married in 2017… and it makes me smile.

Alicen & Nathan
Port Angeles, Washington, February 14, 2000

Me and my husband on our wedding day!!
Verbeck House, Ballston Spa, New York
September 13, 2017

My husband!
Saratoga National Battlefield, Stillwater, New York, October 2015

College Days

I was a non-traditional student. I began my college career when I was 30.

I received my associate degree with highest honors from Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, MA, 2009.

I received my bachelor degree magna cum laude from Simmons College in Boston, MA, 2011

Currently residing in Saratoga Springs, New York

Continuous curiosity!

I’m a little quirky.
Awkward, nervous, depressed.
I’m a little dark.

obsessive and prone to brooding

I have an insatiable need for knowledge and understanding.

My life’s few enjoyments

Traveling.

Me in front of the House of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads – Tallinn, Estonia, 2018

My husband and I in front of Havis Amanda – Helsinki, Finland, 2018

Hiking.

Me at Monument Geyser, Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, 2013

Me and Michelle on Sleeping Beauty, Adirondacks – Fort Ann, New York, 2015

Me at the summit of Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin – Maine, 2017

Sewing.

Music festivals.

Just for fun, some Messe des Morts Festival, some Heavy Montreal

Oration Festival 2017 – Reykjavik, Iceland

Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, Maryland

I love my cats!

some little facts about me, Alicen.

Purple is my favorite color
Winter is my favorite season
I love stories about vampires
My all time favorite movie is for sure “An Interview with the Vampire”
My favorite tv programs are “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” & “Rick & Morty”
I enjoy walks in old cemeteries, burial grounds, graveyards…
I’ve been a vegetarian for over 20 years
I love geology. Rocks. Mountains. Erosion. Volcanoes. Glaciers.
Old castles and fortresses are some of my favorite things to explore.
I love tangible history.