Alaska Bound!

I'll be honest, I've been on the East Coast now for almost 4 years, and I never changed my Alaska drivers license.  I just couldn't do it.....Its still home!  The next few posts will be quick, but I couldn't resist sharing the magic and beauty of this truly amazing place that still feels like home!

Roadtrip to Seward, Alaska!

Going to Seward is one of my favorite Alaska adventures.  We stopped at Beluga Point, and saw Belugas.  We stopped in Girdwood for coffee and treats.  And then a stop in Portage!  I love seeing the glaciers, and the salmon were still running too!   A little rainy, but that didn't stop us!
 

The Seward harbor close to sunset.
 

 

Seward at sunrise.

 

 

Tanya and Suresh smiling to be on the boat cruise!  And to have such amazing weather! 

 

 

 Andrew and I did a quick hike up to Exit Glacier.  Then it was back to Anchorage for Moose's Tooth pizza!!!  YUMMY!!!

The Snowbird Hut Adventure! Hatcher's Pass, Alaska

Hatcher's Pass, my FAVORITE place on Earth!
Ryan, Sherrie, Milo (the mountain dog), Andrew and I had been planning this overnight before we even arrived!!!
 

So when we showed up and it was pouring rain....well, we just popped open our umbrellas and headed out!

 

See, look how much fun we are having!!!
 

We made it to the hut in fine time....probably because as we got higher the rain turned to snow and it was too cold to stop!  Andrew did an AMAZING job making his way.  Super slippery, very wet, and chilly conditions!
 

Milo admiring Sherrie's jump shot! 

We had a great night in the hut....we stayed warm and our clothes dried.  We woke up to a serious blizzard, so we decided to hunker down and chill out for a bit before heading out.  Early afternoon we decided to go....just as we did the clouds lifted, the snow stopped, and we had amazing views!  It was back to town for some good warm food!! 

 

Off the Beaten Track. McCarthy, Alaska

Andrew left on his birthday to head back East.  Ryan took off to the field for work.  So Sherrie, Milo and I headed out to McCarthy.  We stopped at Gun Sight Mountain.  I have driven past this mountain so many times, but had no idea how beautiful the views were from the top.  Definitely fall in Alaska.

You have to drive 60 miles down a dirt road to actually get to McCarthy....but it is certainly worth the drive.  Our first views....AMAZING!  From McCarthy its a five mile road to get to the little town of  Kennecott.  Kennecott was mined for Copper back in the 40's.

Our perfect campsite....I ~heart~ car camping!

We had great weather the next couple of days as we hiked around.  Cooler temps, but not much rain. 

Can you see the building in the upper right?   An old mining building.
 

Beautiful views!!

Another beautiful view!!

And another!!

 

And another!!

Local Anchorage Hikes!

Artic Valley!

Mile High!

Hillside...My favorite set of stairs to run!
 

Mount Baldy!

 

Highland! 

McHugh!

 

Wolverine!

The Dome!

Alaska comes to an end!

Needless to say Alaska was amazing.  Andrew had an amazing time, as did I.  It was soo good to see friends that I consider family, it was great to feel connected to the mountains, and of course I was completely physically wrecked by the end of it all! Till next time!!