Preview: Denali Road Lottery

More pictures to follow of the amazing experience of driving through Denali Park Road:

Start of the beautiful scenery

Grizzly on Polychrome Pass

The mountain and I (she peaked out for us on the drive in!)

Mt Baldy

Another clear, sunny day

With wonderful views of Denali

Wilson and I headed up Mt Baldy (it was less woodsy so less likely to find bears!)

Wilson and his accompanying shadow

View of the valley

Made it to the top!

Snow covered mountains

Another view of Wilson on top of a mountain

Wolverine Ridge

Cody and I set out yesterday for Wolverine Peak, but discovered we were neither in good enough shape or with enough time to complete the hike before Cody had to get back to work. So, we renamed the hike to the point we did make it to, Wolverine Ridge. We were blessed with a beautiful, clear sunny day and Denali made herself known all day. However, there was a clear fall chill in the air, accompanied by a brutal wind closer to the ridge.

Enjoying the sun and a few hours together

Confirmation we were on the right trail

Wilson ran ahead just to get in the picture

Berries!

We had several comments on our happy dog, including how well groomed he was... we just laughed

Denali and accompanying range

View from the ridge

THERE SHE IS!

Resting and digging

Cody's shots of the golf course

Dinner Pride

My first fruit pie, my mom's recipe. I obviously still need work on my crusts

A meal I was particularly proud of

I was nervous to see what he thought: he said it was delicious!

Snow on the mountains: Sept 5

The Great Windstorm of 2012

We had a crazy windstorm a couple nights ago that left 200+ trees down at this course and several of our coworkers without power for 15+ hours. Luckily, our cable only flickered and we never were without power (although I did gather our flashlights and candles). The course was actually closed for part of the day as everyone pitched into clear the debris. See pictures below (Cody's not here to identify which hole is which, so just guess).

First Anni- Part II

At the Alaska State Fair Beard competition

Watching the logsmith show

World record cabbage

The the giant pumpkin

Unsure how this cake will taste

It was well wrapped...

And enjoying our tasty dinner, one of our favorite recipes

Hoping to start a new tradition

Cutting the cake, one year later

We had the setting of the camera on rapid fire, hence the different expressions

Delicious!

And where's Taya to eat the fondant?

First Anniversary- part I

Watching the Huskers

With his collar hit: so handsome

so bored

Headed out to Talkeetna

Poor Wilson in the window's left behind

Leaves are already changing!

Boy was I happy to see this instead of constant rain as forecasted

Berry picking!

Berry tasting

Berry identifying (or so we think)

They were sour

We found Wilson's doppleganger

Utilizing our remote

Food stand sign in Talkeetna

And checking out the Talkeetna River (flowing very quickly!)

Dinner at Twisted Creek

And dessert at Wildflower Cafe

More berries!

And more posing on our walk after church

Berry identifying, again

More to come...