Alaska or Bust

It's hard to believe how long it takes vacation to arrive and how quickly it goes. My week in Alaska was the shortest of the year. It was a great time...an opportunity for Les Trois Soeurs to spend time together, exploring more of Cmt's backyard. She and her roommate were gracious hosts and took us all over the state, literally. Five women and three large dogs crammed into a Dodge Durango with camping gear and groceries was quite a sight. We encountered just one burly, now-Alaskan man on our travels (let us not forget the firefighters - thanks T) and drooled all the while. I did see moose this year - my first spotting was on the way into Palmer, fighting long blinks after our flight...I looked up and hollered, "MOOSE!" just in time for Cmt to avoid more than sightseeing. We saw a lot...took a mini road trip to Portage (where Portage Glacier sits), Girdwood, and saw Hatcher's Pass (once a mining town - my favorite). We went to Denali National Park and camped outside the park, a beautiful place. We enjoyed a nice hike and a bit of wildlife....on the way back to the car I mis-stepped and saw my life flash before my eyes. Not quite sure what happened, but remember thinking, "Dear Jesus..." "I don't want to die, or break anything, or eww bugs..." I think I did a full somersault and the brush stopped me. Cat and T said it didn't sound good. <My ankle is still sore and I'm trying to remember if it is the same ankle I fractured in the 8th grade - note to self: do not dance to La bamba while going down the stairs...dangerous.>
We went up to Fairbanks and camped on the Chenu River. Camping is a blast and I have decided I want to do more of it. It is not a past time to feel pretty or like a girl, or even good for one's complexion- but it is great to get away and sit around the fire. After discussion the next morning, we decided a moose had come very close to our tent, there was snorting and breathing and, yes, fresh moose poo the next morning. We went to Matanuska Glacier - after signing a waiver explaining we may DIE, we went out and walked on the glacier, I think I could've stayed out there for hours, but the rain game and a moving land form didn't seem like the place to be standing.
Hours before leaving we ate a good meal at the Glacier Brewhouse. I went all out again this year and had crab legs!
It was great to see Cmt and T and meet T's friend. They were great hostesses and really went out of their way to show us around. You should be proud of your home and backyard... it is a great place and was a terrific trip.
-J
This trip sponsored by mom and dad - thank you very much, wouldn't have happened without your generosity.