Alaska Adventures

A few weeks ago my in-laws, Lance and Mary Jo, came to visit.  We went north of Anchorage for a long weekend.  It was fun to see a part of Alaska that we haven't seen yet.  Alaska has so much to explore, it's hard to know where to start.

We stayed in a cabin in Trapper Creek, which was a small mining town (using the word town very loosely) about three hours north of Anchorage.  The cabin was in an amazing setting.  They were the only things around for miles.  Our cabin sat right on the edge of a lake.  We also went to Talkeetna, which is the town the television show Northern Exposure was based on.  It was a cute little tourist town.  Last, we drove a few hours north of Trapper Creek to Denali National Park.  We wanted to see Mount McKinley, but it was cloudy the whole time so we couldn't see it.  The national park was gorgeous!  You are not allowed to drive your car very far into the park so we just were able to see the beginning of the park.  It was still worth it.  If you want to go all ninety miles into the park, you have to ride one of their buses.  The bus rides are at least nine hours long, so there is no way we could do that with Jackson right now.  Although, in September, they have one weekend where people are able to win a permit to drive your personal car all the way into the park.  Luke and I won that permit, so we are SOOOO excited for September to come.

After that long weekend up north, we came back home and explored Anchorage.  There is a lot to do and see right in Anchorage.  It was a great week!  

Here are some pictures from the week:

Jackson waiting for his grandparents to come.

A view of Anchorage from Flattop Mountain

Ready to explore Talkeetna

Talkeetna, AK

Playing in the back of the car after being in the Ergo all day.  

A real sign we past when driving to our cabin.  I don't think you see these in OK or TX.  

Our cabin in Trapper Creek, AK

Canoeing on the lake behind our cabin

Hanging out with Grandad

Tasting a rock while enjoying the scenery at Denali National Park

The Family at Denali National Park

Hiking at Denali National Park

Hiking wore him out!

Amazing scenery - The clouds looked like they were spilling over the mountains.

Mirror Lake - outside of Anchorage

Swinging with Daddy at Mirror Lake

A view of downtown Anchorage - The tallest, tan building is where Luke works.

Grammy Jo pushing Jackson

Jackson loves being outside.

He also LOVES throwing balls!

I'm a big boy!

Girdwood, AK - Alyeska Resort 

Family

Hanging out with Grammy Jo while Grandad hikes up a mountain.

Showing off the piece of wood he found.

Alyeska - This is where we ski in the winter.  It's about 45 minutes from our house.

If you look between those mountains, there is a glacier.

A few of the wildflowers at Alyeska

The zoo in Anchorage... Daddy's ears make a good handle to hold onto!

Holding Daddy's ears again

It's hard work being a bear in the zoo.

The family at the mudflats in Anchorage

Jackson and Grammy Jo and Grandad