To Alaska!
/I have been twice. Once for an entire summer working in Seward with my husband and again a couple years later for a 3 week excursion with my in-laws hitting several popular and a few very remote places. Both times, I was in awe of its wildness and splendor. Mountains, bays, islands, glaciers, fresh fish, playful otters, harbor seals, eagles, wild blueberries, fireweed, oh....and bears... oh my!
If you like picture books versus chapter books, this post is for you! I would like to share some of my adventures through images with you in case you find yourself there one day or even if you have already been and would like to take a look how I saw Alaska.
If you plan to go make sure to bring your rain gear, your camera, and consider picking up a can of bear spray.... 😉
Ptarmigan Creek - North of Seward
Ptarmigan Creek
Ptarmigan Creek - Catching Dolly Varden
While the men fished, I worked on the art of spear-making.... ;) Because let's be real, I could only take so many pictures of them fishing.
These next several images were taken in the Kenai Peninsula along the Cook Inlet/ Sterling Highway but I cannot think of the specific place for some reason! I believe it is a beach near Homer.
Those colors!!! It was hard to walk away from these gorgeous stones as thoughts of bringing them home tempted me.
Oh Seldovia, what a magical place. You can only get here via boat/ferry and you can stay in little b&b's that are stilt houses along the slough.
Here you can see how the tide has pulled the water out of Seldovia making the stilt houses look unnecessary.... but in just a few hours they will be "floating" homes once more.
Deanali National Park - A rare day when the peak is actually visable! What a treat!
Danali National Park - Brown Bear Sighting
Denali National Park - Carabou Sighting
No worries here... I was actually quite far away from this Moose. :)
Driving through the park
A different day in Denali National Park.
Hunting for blueberries!!!
Fireweed! You will see places that actually turn this into different products like fireweed jelly!
The Alaskan Railroad which sort of runs parallel to the Seward Highway.
We found these magnificent mud-men while strolling along a beach in Anchorage.
Watching airplanes fly in over the beach in Anchorage.
Sockeye Salmon that we saw while hanging out at the stop below.
Along the Seward Highway / Turnagain Arm stretch you will find these amazing pull-off areas that you can explore and just take in the jaw-dropping scenery. Right. On. The. Highway. It is usually a long drive to .... anywhere.... so stop at these and enjoy the journey.
One of my favorite stops is Beluga Point on "the arm". You cross the railroad (illegally, I believe) and explore the other side by the water. During a short time of the year (mid-July through August) you must keep your eye out for Belugas making their way through while the salmon are running.
Beluga Point
Here, Benjamin is filleting his customer's fish at the Seward Military Resort.
Benjamin, the deckhand!
Mount Marathon in Seward is breathtaking. It is quite a hike but gives you the most amazing view of Seward down below.
Lowell Point (just outside of Seward) gives you an incredible view of Resurrection Bay. You MUST take a drive out there if you are in Seward. The summer that we lived in Seward, we spent a lot of time at Lowell Point.
If you find yourself in Seward, be sure to stop by the Alaska SeaLife Center! Always worth a visit especially if you are having a bad weather day!
The ever-famous and adorable Puffin
This octopus, is worth going and observing all by itself for as long as you can get away with it. He is utterly fascinating.
Thanks for perusing through my images! If you love adventure and wildlife, go buy your plane ticket to Alaska right now! Then come back and tell me all your favorite spots for my next visit!
