Sunday, August 2, 2009

Into the Wild

Alex with cousins Raymond and William at Potters Marsh in Anchorage, Alaska. Many thanks to Cousins Christine, Bill, Raymond and William, Uncle Ray and Aunt Sally. We had a fabulous trip to Alaska to kick off the summer.As mentioned we started off the summer with a trip "into the wild." We have been planning a trip to Alaska for years and finally got around to doing so. What a beautiful place. We hiked up green hills, drove to Denali State Park, smam in the rivers of McGrath, visited a glacier and bonded with family.
A lot of the 5 1/2 hr car ride to Denali state park was rocking out to Abba (the original Mama Mia soundtrack) and taking pictures out the window. Thus the blurry trees. Everything was so beautiful we had to keep trying for a good picture!

The kids dipped them selves (up to their waists) in that cold little river.Who say's you have to be 16 to drive? What helmet? So after 4 days on the wheeler, Isaac was not happy to go back to his carseat! We spent 4 fabulous, hot days in McGrath with Aunt Sally and Uncle Ray. I learned to make Alaskan blueberry pie and cowboy beans. We got around mostly by four wheeler and boat. Look Ma, the big one that didn't get away! We ate that 32" Pike for dinner. It was delicious!

Having fun at Father's Day Island. It was so peaceful. We learned the meaning of stillness. We paddled a way off the shore and just sat in the silence. The only thing to destroy it was the constant buzzing around our heads. Between mosquitos and biting flies we were swatting and scratching all day and night. Happy 4th of July. We were in a parade with most of the town of McGrath. We decorated the wheeler and wagon and hit the streets. We were supplied with candy to throw out to the bystanders. Only problem is most everyone was in the parade. So we went back afterward and collected most of what we threw out! Too fun.

We picniced on the grounds of the Anchorage Temple one day. It's small but lovely.
roarrrr
I found the spot I'd live in if we were to move to Alaska. Seward is beautiful. It is a couple of hours from Anchorage. It reminded us of a town like Mukilteo. We stopped in at the sea life center and this is the view!Exit Glacier
It was a great little hike to this glacier just out of Seward. Alex got quite sick with a fever and body aches just about an hour previous. Some dinner, tylenol and a nap and he was up for the hike. What a trooper. It was a little windy but not really cold.

The land of the midnight sun. It was great. We were able to pack so much into everyday. The sun set right around 11:45pm and stayed dusky. We were never up, but we hear it rose again about 3:30-4:00am.


3 comments:

Melonius said...

that looks like an amazing trip. and how hilarious about the parade!

Paige said...

beautiful pics...would love to go there someday.

Rachel Goodwin Williams said...

Didn't even know you had family up there. Would love to visit Alaska sometime (during the summer). Love the pic of the kids on the 4th!