Pre Memorial Day: Nature Center & Golf... finally!

Cody was able to take yesterday off (finally!) and after breakfast, we headed north to Eagle River. I'd heard good things about the Eagle River Nature Center so we headed up there to do some hiking/sightseeing. It was a great hike, and we spent some time just sitting by the river (until I was so impressed with Cody's rock-skipping that he had to demonstrate some more). We finished up a movie back at home, while Cody got his first nap in months. Then we headed out to the course so Cody could finally play through a few holes.

Cody had to feel the water

We found the river... which was just breezy enough not to harbor misquotes

We just camped out here for awhile... beautiful 70 degree day

Skipping rocks

I love the mountains reflected on the water

Shortly after this pic, my camera fell out of my sweatshirt pocket and landed right on a rock. I didn't realize it until we got home, but the screen is damaged where you can't really tell all of what you're taking a picture of. At least it still works. Just bummed. (immediately thereafter, I burned my bagel and broke the chain on my necklace... it was a bad few minutes.)

Have a great Memorial Day!

Hiking bug

I'm officially back to work: working 3-4 shifts a week and loving it. The unit is great, and we are having plenty of deliveries, so I certainly shouldn't be bored. The course has been equally busy this week as well. We had 4 days of 70 degree weather, which made for 300+ round days at the course. We were able to hike Flattop Mountain last weekend. Some reports said people have completed it in flip-flops, but I have no idea how. We encountered ledges of snow/ice and basically did some rock climbing to make it to the summit. It did snow at the top and we saw a rainbow along the way. Cody LOVED it, I was a little less certain: perhaps we should have waited until next month (there appeared to be trails, but they were covered in snow/ice, so who knows).

A view over the inlet- we were about half-way to the top

Rainbow

Finally found a less windy spot

Yep, rock climbing

Getting closer...

One kind soul snapped our picture

At the summit! Very windy!

Cody's photography work

View of downtown on our descent

And if you're starting to think: "hmm... isn't that what Cody's been wearing in every picture in the last few weeks?" You are right... it's all he wears.

Cody made his big car purchase this week. We found a great deal on a 2001 Taurus. At least it will get him from point A-B.

Burst O'Progress

Warning: wedding progress has been made!

We've officially moved the date, changed venues, booked a reception location, and hired a photographer! Yes, you all must be impressed given the lack of planning prior to this.

Date: Sept 2 (not the 3rd anymore!... turns out locations are more available for a Friday wedding, especially Catholic ceremonies)

Venue: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Anchorage, AK (we found a parish we love!)

Reception: O'Malley's on the Green, Anchorage Golf Course

Someday we'll get invitations out. maybe. Other than that, we're looking at price-effective options for pew decorations, centerpieces and the like. Any ideas welcome :)

New Favorite Words: 'Glacier-fed Lake'

Cody and I went on our first day-cation here in Alaska, and we tried to pack everything into just a few hours. We left sunny, warm Anchorage about 9:00 yesterday morning, coffee in hand. Our first destination was the Portage Glacier. Of course it turned cloudy and starting raining about 20 minutes from Portage. We still enjoyed the visitor's center, complete with a great video about glaciers and lots of things to see and touch (including a penny press!). We braved the rain briefly, then drove a smidge further to catch a glimpse of the glacier (which is apparently only visible from the boat tour since it's been receding in recent years).  We drove out of the park, saw Middle Glacier and a few trails that would have been lovely had it not been raining.

Leaving the park, we decided to drive down to Seward. Little did we know what a gorgeous drive it is (Scenic Byway, etc). Reading a few travel books we packed, we decided to head to Exit Glacier, just north of Seward. It was amazing!

Then we ventured into town, checked out a few little shops, and ate dinner at the Showcase Lounge- was quite an experience. We gassed up (@ $4.59!) then headed back. We stopped by Girdwood to see the chapel, resort and a waterfall before making it back to Anchorage. Perhaps some of your eyes will glaze over with the scenery pictures, but they really don't do it justice...

Very sad it was raining so much

Very happy to have happened along a penny press--- which imprinted on both sides!

Kayak much?

Checking out an otter's vision

Portage Lake

Cold and rainy

Toe-in Portage Lake

The blue sliver-looking ice in the middle is Portage Glacier

Middle Glacier

First use of the Sibley book

One of many waterfalls along the road

One of the most beautiful spots we stopped at... unmarked, just a random pick

Glacier melt makes all the rivers/lakes a gorgeous blue

One of my favorite pictures

Classic

Kenai Lake

First hike with our new Camelbak! (Found at the BX for 1/2 price!)

First view of the glacier

Exit Glacier

It was amazing to see how much it has receded in the last 100 years, even the last 4 years

Cody wanted to hike all the way to the top (8.2 miles roundtrip) but we saved that for next time... perhaps with the family in September?!

We now know lots of glacier terms, like firnification, ablation, and why the ice has a blue hue

It was about a 2 mile hike, and besides sitting in a puddle, it was a great trip

Super excited to find this at the Seward Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Seward, Alaska

Beauty on the way back too

Virgin Creek Falls in Girdwood, AK

 Wildlife count:
3 rabbits
2 bald eagles
1 huge mosquito