Beth, Lisa, and I went to Alaska for Elias Christian's wedding in September. Somehow I forgot to write this post! We stayed in an Air BnB near Patty and Peter with Liz and Jim (brave Jim to stay with all of us women!). SO MUCH FUN.
We flew out together on Wednesday.
When we first arrived at the AirBnB, we thought we were in someone else's driveway. Then we realized we were not renting a whole house. Uh oh. But actually, it was great. We stayed in the downstairs with a beautiful view.
Liz and Jim hadn't arrived yet, so the next morning we set out by bike to ride the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail on Cook's sound. Bike's courtesy of Pablo's, where we lost our first pair of reading glasses (I think we lost 3 or 4 pairs between the three of us).
The ride wound through wetlands, forest, and coastal beach. I tried not to stop too often to bird, but we did see a sandhill crane wading in the sound for a treat right off the bat. (no pic).
I stopped to listen to birds and got this text from Lisa.
This is the zoomed in view.
The view includes Dghelishla, or Sleeping Lady, or Mount Susitna.
...a beach! I didn't know that was coming.
We stopped in Anchorage for lunch after the ride and had the most amazing scones known to man at Fire Island Bakery. This is a must-go if we're ever lucky enough to go back.
After driving around Lisa's old stomping grounds in Anchorage in the afternoon, we returned home and had snacks for dinner in front of our amazing AirBnB view. Word had it we might see a Moose meander through the yard, but no such luck.
Our backyard view in the morning.
We stopped by the Christians Thursday evening to say hello. Liz and Jim joined us late.
The next morning, we set out early for our boat ride to the Portage glacier so we could sight see along the way. We spotted these two weirdos in a gift shop.
After spotting the Moose with her young on the bike ride, we didn't expect to see whales at this popular viewing sight--Beluga Point, but guess what? (we caught a quick glimpse once or twice).
I've forgotten the name of the hike we did at the Wildlife Conservation Center, but everywhere we turned, there was another breathtaking view.
We had to time the trip to Whittier right because there is a one way tunnel that opens on the half-hour, so missing our turn would mean an hour delay.
The town of Whittier was tiny and picturesque. The captain and mate of our boat were both young women. They lived in what looked like an old office building or hotel along with everyone else in town. It amounted to a dorm.
And we were off. It was rainy and cold, but we persevered. Thankfully, Beth lent me a pair of jeans to go over my leggings. Layers were key.
The roomies in front of the Portage Glacier.
Ice floated in the water around the glacier, which actually calved while we were there--and Lisa caught it on video!
There was a water fall too!
We went ashore in the Chugach National forest to see this fairy land camping area where a boardwalk protected the mossy landscape. We saw a few bald eagles too. And the boat captain pointed out numerous birds I'd never seen (will have to return with those details sometime).
A quick change in the car to remove our soaking and freezing clothes, and we were off to the rehearsal dinner at a brewery in Eagle River.
The next morning, Beth, Lisa, and I rallied for a hike before Elias and Grace's afternoon wedding. We scampered up Mount Baldy and sang Sound of Music tunes to ward off bears as we navigated the high brush at the outset.
Then we popped out of the treeline and enjoyed the views. It was a beautiful morning.
The colors made it seem like spring, but these were actually fall changes in the greenery.
We discovered a sizable cairn at the top and decided to make only a small contribution. For some reason I didn't take a picture of the whole pile for context.
You can see where the hike gets its name.
The little surprises kept coming.
You were supposed to be able to see Denali. The clouds parted and closed, parted and closed. Maybe we saw it, maybe we didn't.
We read a little Tolkien in honor of the Christians and Elias and Grace's desire to climb mountains and read poetry. Two of my favorite things as well.
Lisa must have taken this of me on the way down.
More colors...
Home for a shower and we changed for the wedding in a small ski lodge on a hillside. No pics allowed during the ceremony.
Proud Peter making his toast. Liz's excellent pic captured Patty and Peter and Elias and Grace. Orion, and the side of Brooks's head (you can't have everything I guess).
I flew to Dallas the next morning where Connor picked me up for the drive home (the end of his season in Fort Davis).
And that's 35 states!
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