I did this entire 1,000 piece puzzle on my ferry ride back from Homer to Kodiak. I am a puzzle beast. I also did not throw up from seasickness. Ferry ride success. 
Sunday, June 19, 2016
June 4, 2016: FlatTop the Mountain, not the grill
Today was Jo's last day in Alaska. Before she flew out, we hiked to the top of FlatTop Mountain. This hike was awesome! We had to crawl on our hands and knees for the last 20 mins before reaching the top. The view was spectacular, and from one side of the mountain you could see the entire city of Anchorage. It is said that on clear days you can see all the way to Denali. Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy, so we didn't get to see the tallest mountain in Alaska. That will hopefully be my next summer's trip (anyone want to join me?!)
After the hike, we showered and headed to Moose's Tooth. I have heard from nearly everyone in Kodiak that Moose's Tooth is the best restaurant in Anchorage, so I was really excited to try it. Their pizza was just as good as everyone said it would be. And we even ran into our glacier guide there too! After we ate, I dropped Jo off at the airport and headed back to Homer. The last time I left Jo, it was right before I moved to Kodiak. Our final goodbyes that night consisted of us sobbing while we ate Taco Bell on my empty living room floor. I am happy to say that when we said goodbye at the airport today, there were no tears. We get to hang out again in a few short weeks when I head back to Chicago! 
June 3, 2016: whale watching
Seward: I love you. Today Jo and I ate huge crepes at this Belgian barn, went on a whale watching tour, and bummed around the harbor area. This picture was taken from the boat we were on. The cliffs are covered in birds and bird poo. DISGUSTING!! If you didn't know, I am terrified of birds. I actually love living in Kodiak because the birds here seem to stay away from you, unlike the pigeons in Chicago. Even though the birds completely grossed me out, it was really awesome to see so many of them nestled into one cliff. I hadn't seen anything like that before.
We saw an adolescent humpback whale. I was shocked at how close to the shore he was swimming. Jo and I were the only two people on our boat tour, so we got to ask all of our questions about humpbacks, orcas, sea lions, homesteaders, and all sorts of other random Alaskan wonders.
After we left Seward, we headed to Anchorage. That drive is gorgeous because it takes you right along the shore. There are mountains, wildlife, and water the whole drive. This trip has been one beautiful scene after another. 
June 2, 2016: Exit Glacier
Obama hiked here with Bear Grylls. That is awesome.
I loved this hike. We went with guides onto the glacier. Our group was funny. We spent a portion of our time remembering all of the great 90s songs that have wilderness references in them. We witnessed a man get airlifted off the mountain next to the glacier. He had fallen down part of the mountain and thought that he broke his back. He ended up being ok. We learned about the insane rate that the glacier is melting. We heard countless stories of adventure from our two guides.
On the glacier, I fell in love with the deep blue color of the ice. Most of the glacier was a brownish white color (the sand sediment mixed with the ice) but in certain parts, the deep, toothpaste blue color brilliantly pops through. I love it.
As you can imagine, there are no ladies' rooms on a glacier. Really difficult to pee in a barren ice field without men being able to see you. So I held it. We were out there a lot longer than anticipated because we had to wait to make sure the guy who fell was being taken care of. So by the time I got back to the ranger station, I was in pain from holding my pee for so long. I had to unclip my backpack from around my waist because it was pushing up against my bladder. I started power walking when I saw the restroom ahead of me, only to be stopped by a few rangers. A moose and her calf were blocking the bathroom! While this was a majestic thing to witness, I was weighing my options: death by moose mauling if I attempted to get to the bathroom, or death by public humiliation if I waited it out. Luckily the moose got out of the way after a few seconds and I was able to get to the bathroom before my bladder burst.
June 1, 2016: Seward
Day 2 on the mainland: Jo is pissed and ready to go home.
In all seriousness, she was having a good time. Today we spent the morning in Kenai. We toured the oldest part of the town and got to see the five oldest cabins in Kenai. My mind was blown when our guide told us that Kenai got its first doctor in 1960!!! The same time that the Beatles were making it big. Talk about Alaksa being the "Last Frontier!" Makes me feel a tiny bit better about the fact that we don't get movies in our theater until a month or so after it comes out in the lower 48.
After touring Kenai, we drove to Seward, stopping along the way at various places along the road to soak in the scenery. Gorgeous!!!
Once we made it to Seward, we set up our campsite and made dinner. Then we went to bed. I promise, this girl is having fun, despite her mean mugging. 
May 31, 2016: MOOSE!!
I really, really wanted to see a moose this week. We don't have them in Kodiak, and I have wanted to see one in the wild for years. Last summer, we caught a glimpse of one's butt on our way to Kodiak. I didn't count that as a moose sighting. On our first day in Homer we saw these two guys (well, gals I guess) grazing in the field. Matchbox 20 was playing on the radio and we were mid jam when Jo spotted them. I may have said a bad word out of excitement.
Other trip highlights today:
We saw a beautiful Russian Orthodox Church. We tasted delicious beer at the Homer brewery. We met our good friend Kathy's cousin and cousin's husband and stayed with them for the evening. It was a great first day on the mainland!
May 30, 2016: best place on the island...
Alanna and I took Jo for a hike along Termination Point. This is my favorite view on the entire island. The water is always so many different colors, and the mountains so lush and green.
As we ended our hike, we walked into what must have been some bear spray. I am guessing someone in the woods sprayed some and it drifted down to where we parked. I thought I was going to die. I immediately began choking and dry heaving into the bushes. I could barely see because tears were streaming out of my eyes. Soon after, Jo had the same thing happen to her. I now get it when the bear spray can tells you to make sure that the bear is downwind from you when you spray it. I'm still not sure what you do if the bear is upwind from you when it charges you... Dodge it then spray? Jump over it? Barrel roll under it? Just die? Thankfully, most bears aren't going to charge a person. They leave you alone as long as you aren't threatening them. But every once in a while you hear those stories about the aggressive ones who just won't leave someone alone.
I haven't thought about this too much, I swear ;).
Tonight, Jo and I jump on the ferry and head to the mainland! 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)