I miss Alaska every single day. I end up talking about it every single day. We got cable yesterday (yay!) and the guy that came to install it for us, asked if I'd ever had Dish before, when I replied yes but no one came to install it for me, he wondered why and that lead me to tell him that I lived in a village in Alaska and no one was going to fly down there to install the box for me. That sparked a game of 21 questions, which happens pretty much every time my time in Alaska comes up and as most of you know, I don't mind talking about it one bit.
I figured while I'm still on summer break for a few more weeks, I'll finally post about my trip this past summer to Alaska and Washington! I got to visit some awesome friends and see beautiful views. Another state I got to visit and cross off my bucket list.
Last June (or July... I can't remember!) I was planning on going to Washington to visit LeEsia, Ryan and Riley (Reminder since it's been awhile: they're my friends that took me in and treated me like family while I lived in Manokotak) and I had it booked for quite a few months. A little over a week before I was heading there, I decided since I was heading across the country, I might as well head a little farther north and go to Alaska to spend some time with Kasie since she was still up there. A perk of having summers off, I could just pick up and go. So I got a plane ticket, changed some of my other flights so I could head to Washington from Alaska and I was off two days later. I won't be able to do that forever, in fact, I can't even do that now due to bills and other responsibilities, so I figured while I can I might as well go for it!
Kasie picked me up from the airport after a long day of travel (but thankfully no complications like some of my flights had been before). It's always a tearful reunion with her... happy tears of course! Well we had no idea what we wanted to do, no plans of where we were going, etc. We decided to hop in the rental car and drive down the Kenai peninsula for 6 hours to head to Homer, where neither of us had ever gone. It was a long drive, especially after my plane travels all day with the views down the Kenai and getting to catch up with Kasie for all that time made it go quick!
On the way down the peninsula, we made a quick stop in Girdwood to visit Alyeska resort. Which, if you've been following me since 2013, you know that's where my journey started in Alaska - only difference was that the last time I was there, it was January and covered in snow. It was just as beautiful during the summer and it brought back so many memories. Kasie and I explored a little and even took the tram to the top of the mountain to eat some lunch. I wasn't able to do that when I was there the first time because the tram was under maintenance so this was a nice treat to be able to get to the top. The views at the top did not disappoint and they were just as amazing as I'd imagined. Mike and I was going to head there this winter when we go for Christmas. :) I cannot wait!
Heading up!
Hiking trails up the mountain.
Most beautiful water I'd ever seen was a constant going down the peninsula. Water from the glacier runs off and causes it to be this beautiful turquoise blue color.
Heading into Homer!
View of the Homer Spit.... end of the road, AK!
Driving down the spit in Homer, there are so many cute little shops and tiny little restaurants. Really a place of it's own!
This bar is about the size of a shed - I mean you can really see it all in the picture - and it's covered in one dollar bills that people have signed and pinned to the wall. It's a dark, small bar but it's pretty cool and everyone was so nice. We stopped in for a beer and to take in all the scenery in the walls and the ceiling... I had to get a coozie as a souvenir too. :)
While in Homer, we got to stay with Cal and her husband, Ed. They recently retired but Ed was a principal in one of the villages in the district and Cal was a guidance counselor for the district as well. They let us stay with them in their BEAUTIFUL home and showed us around Homer while we were there, not to mention they fed us some delicious food. It was so great to get to visit with them and I can't thank them enough for taking us in.
Homer has easily turned into one of my favorite places in Alaska. Obviously the two villages that I lived in have special places in my heart but as far as visiting AK, Homer pretty much wins. The laid back atmosphere, the unique little shops and restaurants and the views are absolutely breathtaking.
See?
A little pit stop to put our feet in the Kenai River!
Kasie and I took the train from Palmer to Talkeetna one day and spent the day in that cute little town... another one that I loved!
Cutest little town!
On the train we were able to see Denali out the window but everyone was running over to the side of the train to see it and get pictures and it wasn't the greatest view, well Kasie and I were walking around Talkeetna and saw a path through the woods so we walked down it (it was short, no worries) and the trees opened up to this view.... Denali in all it's glory. It's not usually so visible because it has it's own weather system up there but it sure was beautiful that day, couldn't of asked for a better view.
I put my feet in the Kenai river earlier in the trip, this time I had to put my feet in the Susitna River, too! Very cold but refreshing on that warm Alaskan day!
A little reindeer chili in Homer... always love eating all of that fun stuff when I'm in AK!
Halibut capital - Homer, AK with Kasie and Cal!
Kasie and I also spent time in Palmer with our friends Kitza and Mike and their granddaughter! As always I'm so thankful that they let us crash at their house all the time... such great friends I was able to make over my time in Alaska. Seriously very lucky for that.
After I left Alaska, I flew down to meet up with LeEsia, Ryan and Riley in Seattle, Washington. I had been to the airport in Seattle for a quick layover but I was glad to be able to get out and explore another state!
The one day we took the ferry from near their house over to Seattle to explore for awhile.
Pike Place Market!!
The line for the very first Starbucks, ever.
So very, very crowded but a cool place to explore.
Mt. Rainier in the distance is another hard to see mountain but I was on a roll this trip and got a pretty clear view of this one, too!
Leaving on the ferry provided some pretty amazing views itself.
They drove me a few hours out to the coast to see the Pacific ocean for the first time!!!! It was kind of chilly and the water was cold but we made a fire on the beach and hung out for awhile. It was a beach that you drove right on and down until you found the spot you wanted to stop at. We spent the night there and ended up heading to the casino for a few hours too... it was my first time ever at a casino and it was fun!
Might as well keep up with the tradition - feet in the Pacific ocean this time!
A night out playing darts!
Relaxing before my red-eye flights!
I've said it so many times so I apologize to those who have to keep hearing (or reading) me say it but I have met the most amazing people in Alaska while I lived there, or even since I've visited and most of which I still keep in contact with. I am so thankful that they all let me come invade their lives and spend time with them. Not everyone can say they lived in Alaska for two years and not every one can say that they know peole in some many different states now... I'm one lucky girl and I wouldn't trade any of my time up there for anything.
I cannot wait to go back to AK in December and show Mike all around my second home. ;) Sorry for the long post but it was LONG overdue. I'm thinking I'll have to start doing this more often... I miss it!
Oh and of course I can't have a post without updating you all on Macy... she's doing wonderful. Spoiled and sassy as always and loving her new brother, Ace. They are two peas in a pod and I'm so thankful for that.
Until next time!
