We are going to start this blog off with a bang and it all starts on Wednesday evening. After a fun-filled day with Sydney at Hatcher Pass and the State Fair we headed home for some dinner and rest. The sky was clear and the weather was nice and soon we were alerted that the aurora was supposed to be active that night. Around 11 o'clock it was dark enough that we decided to go for a walk. Not expecting to see much we only brought our flashlights and bear spray. We feel pretty comfortable on the trail but it is a whole new feeling to walk it in the dark. After a few minutes of walking we finally made it out to one of our viewing decks and were soaking in the beautiful star studded sky. When our eyes finally adjusted to the darkness we say a faint band running across the sky, trying to determine if that was the milky way or the aurora we looked around to see faint green light getting brighter as it was coming over the mountains. We could not believe that we were seeing the aurora for the very first time! We dashed back to get the camera, blankets and a radio so that we could use it to deter animals and headed out for one of the further viewing decks. Standing out in the valley we could see the northern lights dance across the sky in the most beautiful way. What surprised us most is how fast they move! They were constantly shifting and flowing across the sky. The best way to describe it would probably be a ribbon of light flowing fast above us. After we finally got the camera set up we heard a twig snap in the trees next to us...that set us on edge a bit and we decided to leave-quickly. We packed up and moved a bit closer to home but stopped to take in some of the fading northern lights before we went to bed. Never in our wildest expectations did we ever imagine that we would see the northern lights light up the sky with the big dipper in the background while in Alaska. It was a dream come true and truly one of our most favorite nights ever. *Unfortunately we were not able to get any pictures of it. Taking pictures of a faint light in the dark sky is harder to do than we thought.
After some sleep we hit the road the next morning to show Sydney the Kenai Peninsula by driving down to a town called Seward. Once there we had lunch at a local brewery and headed to the Alaska SeaLife Center. There we got to see all kinds of sea life including seals, sea lions, puffins, oystercatchers, salmon, octopus, crabs, rockfish, and much much more. It was so cool to see all of the creatures and they even had a touch tank where you could gently touch sea stars, sea urchins, hermit crabs, and other small wildlife. When you touched your finger against the sea urchin spikes they would actually lean up against your finger giving you a "hug". The SeaLife Center even had a back patio that overlooked all of Resurrection Bay. We stood there for several minutes soaking up the sunshine and beauty of the area.
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| The view of Resurrection Bay |
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| It is really sunny out and we are lovin' it! |
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| Goofing off at the SeaLife Center |
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| Sea Urchin Hug |
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| This tufted puffin was showing off for us |
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| Man, seals have giant nostrils! |
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| The artwork in downtown Seward |
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| Exit Glacier-The past week a big chunk broke off on the front leaving a big ice cave! Ashley desperately wanted to go inside but it was not really manageable. |
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| Super Windy and Sunny |
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| Downstream of the glacier |
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| Rock Climbing-aka hugging the rock |
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| All the ice chunks washed up on the edges of the stream! |
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| Looking out across the braided river |
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| Adam unsuccessfully trying to stand on chunks of ice |
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| The view on the drive home |
We had decided that on Sydney's last full day here in Alaska that we would drive back up to Denali so that she could really experience the park since her time got cut short the first time around. So we started early in the morning and made the drive back up to Denali. Somehow every single day Sydney was here the weather was clear and beautiful. Usually only 30% of people who visit the park will see the tip of Denali, and even then it could only last a few minutes or hours. While she was here we saw the entire mountain and mountain range every single day all the way from Eagle River! It was that clear! She definitely brought the good weather with her because it had rained for about 3 weeks straight before she came and has proceeded to rain every day since she has left. But none the less the drive up was amazing and when we got to the park she got the chance to check out the Visitor Center, Murie Learning Center and we got a chance to hike all of the Savage River Loop. Even on the drive into the park we encountered 3 moose on the side of the road having a mid-morning snack. There were all kinds of people pulled over on the road, outside of their cars not 5 yards from the moose trying to get pictures of it so we drove by and rushed to the Visitor Center to let them know of the situation. Up here in Alaska moose are considered more dangerous than bears so to be that close to a mama moose with two calves is about the stupidest thing you can do. After a fun filled day in Denali including Sydney becoming a Jr. Ranger as well we headed back towards Anchorage for one last dinner before we drove Sydney to the airport.
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| Moose time! |
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| Fall colors! |
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| Savage River where we hiked |
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| Another beautiful day with this beautiful lady! |
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| Gorgeous day for a hike |
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| Rocks! Who doesn't love rocks! |
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| We certainly do! |
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| The view from up top |
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| Denali National Park in all its glory |
We had so much fun with Sydney while she was here and are so sad to see our last visitor go but the excitement never stops here in good ol' AK, tune in next week for our next blog....hint-it involves State Troopers and Alaska Mountain Rescue Group!
-The A-Team
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