Another intro to the people I will be "close" (location) to...

and how they have fun:

http://ericwillblowyourmind.blogspot.com/2011/07/seal-hunting-videos.html

Farmers Market.

Yesterday we headed out to the Farmer's Market downtown. After enjoying the honey samples and handmade crafts, we headed to the theater and watched Transformers 3- my last movie in a theater for five months, sigh.

And b/c I am enjoying the rain and relaxing on my last day of freedom, I am going to just post the pics. Enjoy!

















And a wonderful Halibut dinner to end the day!

You know you are in Alaska when...

Starbucks has a roaring fire going & it looks like this outside:

RoadTrip

Serene. Sunny. Salty. Seward, Alaska.


Sarah drove us out 2 hours through some amazing scenery in order that I may see my first glacier & possible a bear. Well, all I can say is that this girl delivered.

We started out at 10 a.m. with a full tank of gas, coffee, and last night's leftovers cause it's a drive.

The first thing that she shared with me is the fact that I need to be prepared for a slamming of the brakes. There is so much wildlife around and when spotted, people slam on their brakes and pull over. The problem? There really isn't space and therefore it makes it the most dangerous road that is well-traveled coming out of Anchorage.

She then shared with me that the body of water to our right is very rarely seen with boats just b/c of its' dangerous tides and very sticky mud ( people have lost limbs being pulled out by rescuers:( )

Ok then. Good to know. After that I kept my eyes off the road and on the scenery.




First stop: Exit Glacier. What was neat about this particular spot was the fact that there were signs posted on the side as we drove up to the glacier showing dates carved into them. These represent the edge of the glacier at that time.









Oh, and b/c Sarah was raised here, she knows just about everyone. Yesterday we ran into a couple that she knew on the hike. We also made a connection b/t my Aunt Diane's sister Irene and Sarah's family. Today we ran into one of her colleagues on the glacier trail- go figure:)











Coming down on a different trail we saw a crowd of people pointing up at the side of another mountain. Can you see what it is?



A mother black bear w/ 3 cubs.










And after getting in the car and heading out to Seward we spotted two bald eagles.




























A very relaxed sea otter.



And since I am an Alaska Certified Teacher, I am able to get into certain places of interest for free. Today...the Seward Sea Life Center.




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There's just nothing like it.

My first full day in Anchorage was perfect.

No stress.

A little family time. A little prayer time w/ ladies that were kind enough to let me sit in on their study. A little bit of nature & good food. A little bit of trivia about Alaska.

A lot of time taking pictures. A lot of time chatting it up with Sarah about our time in Morocco, even though she was there five years ago, it was as if she was there this last year. A lot of me thinking in my head, "Where are the bears???" / "Can we raft that river?"/ "What time IS IT???"


So here it is in a little more detail before we take off today to go learn a little bit more about Alaska by looking at the animals...just not sure where or what this place is. Oh, and to get my yellow card that shows I am a teacher from the Anchorage School District..that should be fun.


This is Sarah.




She took me to Thunder Bird Falls.



















Fish in the river. There are apparently five types of Salmon in Alaska: King, Red, Dog, Pink & Silver.
























Love the pop of color amongst the green plants.

















Me. Looking a little out of focus. But still quite happy.














On the way to Irene's place.








But first a quick stop at a home that is right up the street from Irene's home- a place that belongs to Sarah's Aunt & Uncle.

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And then onto Irene's place.




Yes. A little blurry. I will conquer this camera and its settings, just not right now-lol.

Welcome to Alaska

Here are my first shots.


I didn't get any shots on the flight over here...it was SO bright that my pics wouldn't have come out.


Only a couple casualties of war...my clipboard & my fall decorations, but all else made it!


10:25 pm. (taken with my Moroccan camera, forgive the black spot)


On the way to Sarah's apt.


We fell asleep around midnight & I woke up to an 5.0 earthquake at 6 am. I was so tired... I just ignored it & fell back asleep.

Today is Bible Study w/ Sarah's friends & then off hiking around. This time there will be no more black spots:)

1 day left...and I still

haven't packed my suitcases. I am a little scared that what I need to take up with me won't fit...so why face that sad reality now? I'd rather not go there just yet.



I did shipped these bad boys up w/ the essentials, you know, Mac&Cheese, PopTarts, granola, flour tortillas,refried beans...stuff that'll bring a little bit of comfort when I am two weeks in and my food/ tubs have yet to arrive.

35 lbs. for $41.00..and it should arrive this Thursday. I'm not holding my breath.

But I'd rather be doing this:


or this:





My nephew and I have a love/hate relationship right now. I love him even though he screams and runs in the opposite direction whenever I come around.



I think I am standing 5 feet away from him- 5 ft. perimeter seems to do the trick.



or this:



At least Raymond ( nephew ) loves me enough to be silly with me:)

or this:



So many wonderful opportunities to meet with good friends, read good books, and drink good coffee.