Our voyage to Alaska was an exercise in overload: On stunning scenery, exhilarating activities and of course food. But that’s another post.
Mt. Rainier was ‘out’ on our approach into Sea-Tac airport. A good omen.
We feasted our eyes on spectacular sunrises…
…and sunsets…
…with plenty of glaciers in between. Mom Nature (bless her heart) dazzled us with temps in the mid-70’s and lots of sun. Rare for Alaska, I am told. But it wasn’t all fun and games. Ok it kind of was, except some of our games were a little scary. You may know that water and I don’t mix. So when I learned we had a kayak trip on the docket, I was a tad (ok mega) concerned.
Somehow I overcame my trepidation and managed not to capsize. We came within 10 feet of a bald eagle who’d just caught a salmon. Seals popped up their heads from the water all around us. Alas I didn’t dare retrieve my camera from the dry bag so those images will live in my memory. It was a magical day and a good workout too.
My cockiness from the success of the kayak trip vaporized when we reported for zip lining duty…I mean fun…the next day. I pretended it was no sweat while images of body bags danced in my head.
We warmed up on various aerial ladders, beams and the like. Thing 1 was fearless and cat-like.
Thing 2? She. Was. Mortified. Refused to don the helmet even. I resigned myself to staying on the ground with her. The rest of the group went on. But then? On went the helmet. Then the harness. Somebody was exploding out of her comfort zone.
Thing 2 watched all of us cross…
…and then? She threw her fear to the wind and went for it. With no hands! Before the day was over she was heading the group, no zip line too long or too fast or too high. It was a freaking amazing day…now that I lived to tell about it.
Next it was on to musher’s camp in Juneau. Each sled has 16 dogs. It’s a job taking care of our 2 dogs. Cannot fathom 16!?! If you thought sled dogs were Alaskan Malamutes (like I did) you’d be wrong. They’re cross bred with greyhounds, shepherds, a variety of things really, to enhance their speed and endurance.
I succumbed to the call of the musher’s parka. BTW the entry fee for the Iditarod is $4,000. Suddenly NYCM doesn’t seem so bad.
I won’t bore you with more pic overload, but Alaska was fab. Better than I imagined, and I had high expectations going in. A bucket list destination for sure! Looks like the heat and humidity have finally returned to Chi-town–just in time for the kids to head back to school this week. Ha!
Have you been to Alaska? Done something that scares you? Are you settling into your ‘fall’ routine?
Ive ROCKED the stuffs which scare me lately—but long to git to alaska.
LONG.
L-O-N-G.
I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska and would love to hear someday (like, when going is actually possible for us) how you organized this trip. It looks perfect to me!
My aunt and uncle live in Alaska, but I’ve never been. Your trip sounds amazing!
I went to Alaska once 🙂 My sister got married there (in Anchorage – she was stationed there at the time). I saw approximately zero of it tho – our first morning there, Jenna (who was about 5 I think) came down with some serious stomach flu. So I spent my Alaskan vacay in a hotel room with a puking child. A mom’s life is so very glamorous 🙂
I’ve never wanted to go to Alaska because I don’t like cold but this sounds wonderful. I love how Thing 2 stepped outside her comfort zone and then really got involved. She’ll remember this the next time she is scared and muster up courage to move forward. And I like all the pics!
Wow! Sounds like an amazing holiday. I just loved the story about Thing 2. It always gets me excited to hear about people doing things that they’re scared of – especially little people. She has the heart of a lion.
What I loved about your trip to Alaska is that my friend was doing an across the country trip to Alaska and Canada at the same time on a motorcycle. He even took a pic of a cruise ship in port about the same time you were taking pics. It was pretty cool!
I haven’t been to Alaska since a cruise we took when I was very little, so I guess that doesn’t really count. Looks like you had a great time though. 🙂
How awesome?!! I’d love to see Alaska one day!
On my way to Alaska next summer and I cannot wait! You could not show too many pictures. Love the ziplining story.
What an absolutely amazing trip…wow!! You make me want to visit Alaska (in the summer) 🙂 I’m really glad you enjoyed your vacation!
I read a few back posts…I really hope all is well with your heart…that all sounded a little scary. Looking forward to an update.
How amazing!!!!!!!!!! I have heard nothing but great things about an Alaskan trips = so want to go – so happy you got to do this!!!
I thought about you a ton while you were gone and hoping you had an amazing trip. Sounds like you did! I know you’re on return from vaca over-load right now so won’t bombard you with a zillion questions about the trip – just drop me a line and tell me about it when you get a chance.
The boys started their SENIOR year today…whaaaa.
I was in Alaska 10 years ago…did not have the same adventures as you as I was in Anchorage and north up to Denali – but it was pretty cool nonetheless. Minus the bugs (in MAY!).
WOW! That looks like an awesome adventure! We haven’t been to Alaska, yet…
That looks like soooo much fun! Your sunset pictures are gorgeous! I was just like Thing 2 when I was little…hugging my mom’s leg at anything new…then jumping in like a wild woman as soon as I’d watched everyone else do it and knew it was ok. Good for her!
That looks awesome. I love that Thing 2 went for it and wound up running the show on ziplines!
I ran the Midnight Sun Marathon in 2007 to pace a friend. We loved Alaska. We hiked in the Harding Ice Field AMAZING and successfully avoided being eaten by bears! Love Alaska – so beautiful and the salmon – YUM!
So jealous! Definitely a must visit state for us sometime! Love the photos, don’t worry about photo overload! And I love the dogs, so cute!
I am so happy to hear that Alaska was fab and you even did some things that scared you and lived to tell the tale! I have heard so many great things about Alaska… and the pics aren’t boring! Keep them coming! 🙂
Wow–it looks amazing! What a cool trip for your family. Alaska is on my radar for one of these days For now, I’ll live vicariously through you!
Wow, wow, wow!! Talk about some stunning views! So glad you had such an amazing time. My in-laws want to do an Alaskan cruise sometime, and maybe have all the kids and families come along. It would be amazing!
Welcome back to the lower 48, Marcia!!! Looks like you had a BLAST. I loved the pictures of the sled dogs, they are so adorable. $4K though for the Iditarad!?!?!? YIKES!!! All of my complaints about the $175 Chicago Marathon registration fee just went out the window. =)
What can I say? I am wordless!! Wonderful, I want to visit Alaska!!! (impossible dream).
how awesome! i want to go to alaska too. did you plan it all yourself or was this part of a ‘package’ type thing? i always try to DIY but i’m no travel agent… sounds like you had an amazing time and really lived it up!
Lindsey it was a Celebrity cruise. The ports are such small fishing towns, I didn’t see anything besides the tiniest of hotels so I can’t imagine how you’d put together a similar trip without cruising. Plus much of the beauty of Alaska is in the fjords, which need to be cruised anyway.