This Chapter is Over. Over and Out.

Let me tell you a little story about me. During the summer between 1st and 2nd grade, back in 1985, I went away to girl scout camp in upstate NY. I am not really sure whose idea this was, but I am sure I wasn't forced into going.

I cried the entire time. The entire time. I cried so hard the counselors put me in time out. I refused to participate in activities and I refused to make friends. I think I remember one song from that week (something about Joe working in a button factory).

I am sure none of those counselors would believe that twenty-three years later, that same homesick girl would move to Alaska, all by herself. Knowing no one.

Sometimes I am not really sure I believe it.

Obviously, I still get horridly homesick. Half of me can be a complete homebody, at ease only in familiar surroundings. But the other half constantly wants to know what is on the other side of the fence. Or on the other side of a mountain. Or on the other side of the country.

Basically, I always have that mental turmoil. I want to settle down forever and I don't want to settle at all. One thing is for sure, as much as I have loved Alaska, from Day One I knew I couldn't settle here. Sure, I wavered every once in a while. Thought about giving it another year.

But let's face it, I am constantly thinking about other people and other lands...back east.

But I did it. I did it without too much kicking and screaming and crying. No one had to put me in time out, although I am sure some people thought about it. I made some great friends and I took more wonderful photos than I ever thought I would. I learned a lot about the culture and the history of Alaska. I survived the winter. I did something I have wanted to do for over ten years...see what is on the other side of that mountain.

So we're at the end folks. I leave in just a couple of days. A few things:

*All pictures and stories are MINE and I can easily prove they are mine. If you are wondering about the pictures please leave a comment below....I still get them!

Alaska Smorgasbord

During our 2 week tour of Alaska, I took no less than 900 pictures. Because of costs and space, I am only allowing myself to develop 200 of these pics. HA! I took 200 on the bus tour in Denali alone! But really, do I need 32 pics of the same bear? No. So this week I have been weeding and thinning my collection.

Here are a few that didn't make the blog the first go around. (I think, maybe they did and you are seeing them twice. Whatever):

Columbia Glacier Ice Fields

Close up of ice. This was taken with my old camera, which is doing way better now that it has duct tape on it.

Snow markers on Thompson Pass

Flower on the Mt. Healy Overlook trail in Denali.

Grizzly Mama in Denali.

Grizzly not wanting to show his face, Denali.

Coach (on the ridge on left) on rocky formation at Savage River, Denali.

The other mine at Hatchers.

The other mine at Hatchers.

The view from Homer Spit.

Walking the beach at Homer Spit.

Beluga Point.

Runoff from Byron Glacier.

Winner Creek Trail, Girdwood.

Winner Creek Trail, Girdwood.

Potter's Marsh Stroll

On Saturday, Coach's last day here, we wanted to do something simple, yet still get out and enjoy the gorgeous Anchorage weather. She was about to spend 10+ hours in airports and airplanes, so a nice walk on the Potter's Marsh boardwalk was perfect.

I have driven by this place on the Seward Highway about 90 times, but never stopped.

We talked to other tourists and watched the birds.

So, to recap, while my friend was here we went to Portage Valley, Girdwood, Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park, Flat Top Mountain, Homer, Hatcher's Pass, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, North Pole, Valdez, Potter's Marsh, and all points in between.

We went hiking, sea wildlife watching, glacier touring, camping, land wildlife touring, (she went flight seeing, I did not), driving, kayaking and probably 9 other things I can't think of.

We saw orcas, sea lions, puffins, moose, a black bear, a lynx, harbor seals, humpbacks, grizzlies, wolves, a coyote, foxes, snow shoe hare, dall sheep, and probably 9 other things I can't think of. We saw an orca eating a sea otter, a lynx stalking a hare and a grizzly chasing a moose.

It was a very good 2 weeks. I am still exhausted and I have officially caught the cold everyone is passing around. But it was worth it! Thanks, Coach!

Discoveries

I woke up very early this morning to the discovery of the dreaded dry thickness in the back of the throat. I have been around some sick people lately (all who have been in airplanes). Luckily I fell back asleep for 4 more hours, and woke up feeling a bit more refreshed.

Last Saturday, during a freak thunderstorm, I wandered into an art studio in downtown Anchorage and was taken back by the beautiful works of Katie Sevigny. My new apartment, where ever that may be, will have these two amazing prints on the walls. I could have easily spent $100s in there, so I am glad she has a website for further shopping.

Yes. Yes, those are birch trees.

I have also finally discovered the joy that is The Office. I know, I know, it has taken me long enough. It took seeing Ed Helms in the Hangover and wondering what else he has been in to finally get around to watching seasons 1-4 on DVD. Can I help that they put it on at the same time as Grey's Anatomy? I think not.

Other discoveries: I have finally figured out how to delete more than one picture at a time from my massive collection of Alaskan photography. This is hugely convenient to me, seeing how I take 50 not so good pics for every one keeper.

Speaking of my Alaskan photos, I have discovered that shutterfly is going to be the way I go to make a photobook of my year in Alaska.

Finally, I leave you with this conversation, which strikes a cord with me after driving around The Great Land last week:

Tourist: Where are you from?

Me: New York, by way of North Carolina. But I've lived in Anchorage for the past year.

Tourist: So, when are you moving to Alaska?

Sea Kaying out of Valdez

The Drive from Denali NP to Valdez

After our bear chasing moose experience, we were quite ready to get out of Denali. Of course, we stopped at the Salmon Bake for breakfast, then headed towards Fairbanks in the slightly pouring, slightly drizzling rain.

Sorry, no pics of Fairbanks. It was cold, and rainy and foggy. But the people were really nice and helpful.
We continued on to the North Pole. I love this hoodie I purchased for my friend's little girl. She probably won't fit into it until 2011, but oh well! I should have taken a pic of it next to my brown North Face hoodie. Maybe I will get one in red so we can be twins!

Believe it or not, it actually took us a minute (or 20) to find Santa's House.

Everything in town has candy cane posts:

We continued on, and in Delta Junction we turned onto the road less traveled. We made sure the gas tank was full, and the sun greeted us as we headed south on HW 4, or the Richardson Highway.

When people come into Alaska, they can take HW 1 towards Anchorage or HW 2 towards Fairbanks. Therefore the 4, which connects the two, is not driven as much. I seriously can say we saw less than 20 cars and/or RVs in the 3 or so hours we drove it.

Of course, highway in Alaska means your average back road in the lower 48. So pretty. People should take the extra time to drive it.

(de)termination dust!!

The obligatory pipeline photo has finally made my blog:

Past Glennallen, a small town where HW 1 and HW 4 meet, we still had awesome views. The road skirts Wrangell - St. Elias National Park:

The closer to Valdez, the prettier it gets:

An uncommonly beautiful day on Thompson Pass. From what I hear, they get some wicked weather up there:

And waterfalls as you come down off the mountains and approach Valdez:

Best Story of the Week

Wednesday. July 24th. 6:45 am.

Riley Creek Campground, Denali National Park.

Pouring rain.

We are up early because we are going to attempt the very long (and very scenic) drive from Denali to Valdez. After doing the early morning walk to the bathroom and back, I find Coach has done everything except take down the tent.

With a yawn and a stretch, I bend down to pull out the first stake. As I do, I hear a loud thump, thump, thump, thump from behind me. Knowing there are campers in RVs behind the trees, I think nothing of it.

Then a running moose catches the corner of my eye to my left. "Look, look, look!!" I yell to Coach, who is doing something in the car. The moose, who came right through the back of our campsite before I noticed it, careens effortlessly through trees and turns to her left, disappearing into the woods.

"Well, that was weird." I say.

"Wonder what it is running from." Coach says.

The thing is, we didn't stop to think that moose are not afraid of much, so it could possibly be running from something big. I just shrug and turn to pull out the stake again.

But as I do I look over my shoulder into the direction the moose must have come from. And there, running on padded feet, as silent as possible, is a grizzly.

"Get in the car! Get in the car!" I yell, and run over to the far side of the car to jump into the driver's side. As soon as I have the car between me and the bear, I watch as it gracefully flies through the trees in the exact same pathway as the moose.

Thankfully, he didn't decide to give up the moose chase and turn towards us. He had the look of determination, for sure.

Surreal.

It doesn't occur to us until later that most likely there would be tracks in the muddy ground from both animals.