Apr 30, 2011

My Annual Itch for Alaska


Although we moved down to the 'lower 48' the fall of 2004; it's at this time of year I get the itch to move back up to Alaska ~ but just for the beautiful summers. I don't miss the 50 some below zero weather at all. But I do miss the summers. I miss our halibut fishing trips out of Valdez harbor. We would whale watch and enjoy the sea otters drifing along. And I miss our fishing trips at Chitna where I would take breaks reading on the banks as my husband spent hours on end 'dipping' for salmon.






 And I miss when we would take our lunch breaks from the office; go grab some sandwiches and go to Creamer's Field on the edge of Fairbanks to watch the sandhill cranes migrate through in the spring and fall.

 And come winter we did do a few things to pass time like going to the Yukon Quest dog races even at -35 to -50 degrees. And the end of the winter bought the World Ice Art Championships. It blew my mind what they can do with ice, chainsaws and chisels. 

 And nothing beats having moose set up housekeeping in your own back yard.  This cow and calf settled down in ours for a couple of months. We had to watch close as we opened the doors. 
 And of course traveling always had some snapshot moments. Caribou, moose, black and grizzly bear, etc. 

But most of all we miss our good friends who shared in some of these adventures.

9 comments:

~mel said...

Well if you get that goofy notion to move back up there ~ remember the reason you moved back to the lower 48 :) ~ We LOVE having you a little bit closer to home!!! Some day I'll let you take me on a road trip and show me your Alaska up close and personal; but for now ...

Cher' Shots said...

Mel ~ Not to worry, we love being closer to family - our reason for moving closer. But I get this yearning every spring. I'll get over it once I can get my fingers dirty in the garden. '''hugs'''

TexWisGirl said...

those are beautiful shots of a lovely (but rugged) place. my youngest brother lives in juneau and loves it. he's never coming back to the lower 48...

www.thewhitefarmhouse2.blogspot.com said...

I would love to go and see Alaska. It looks like such a beautiful and magical place. My hubby would be in heaven with all the fishing and hunting. I would definitely be a snow bird though. I couldn't handle those winters!

Lynilu said...

I've always wanted to visit, but as White Farmhouse says .... I couldn't handle those winters!

Anonymous said...

This is one of the major items on our Bucket List...get to Alaska. How fortunate you were to have had that experience. It would be hard to give it up.

Dar said...

Love that you had the chance to be there, see it, do that, but glad you are home again.
BlessYourHearts

Remington said...

GREAT pics!

Paula said...

John has two sisters in Anchorage. They come here to visit in January so they have the best of two worlds.