We spent the first few days around Anchorage.
Saturday, July 15th:
Today we ventured to downtown Anchorage. I picked up my race packet for my half and loved the banner they had hanging. All runners were featured and it was broken down by state. I was the only representative from Utah.
Then we went to the Anchorage Market, which is like a large outdoor craft fair and farmer's market.
We have always loved the flowers in downtown Anchorage.
Our last stop was one of our favorite places to go downtown--Humpy's.
Sunday, July 16th:
Today was the day of my half marathon! It was awesome! It will be that much more memorable due to a roadblock in the trail. A group of us joined together and kept our distance as we proceeded on the trail. All was good!
That afternoon, we had a BBQ at our friend, Annette's, house (where we stayed while we were in Anchorage). It was so much fun to see people we worked with up there, along with some families of those we taught.
I was a special education teacher when I worked in Anchorage. Roger and Betty were two of our teacher assistants. Jan was one of my past students.
Monday, July 17th:
Today we took a walk down memory lane and sprinkled some of Cooper's ashes at some of his favorite places. But first, we fueled our energy with some breakfast at Gwennie's.
1st stop: Connor's Bog Park
Phew! My emotions hit me hard as we drove into the parking lot. We took Cooper here almost daily.
2nd stop: Kincaid Park's Little Campbell Lake
3rd stop: Hiking down to the beach at Kincaid Park
Emma discovered a tree where you could write notes and tuck them into the tree. Very cool!
The girls loved playing on the beach!
We made sure to stop and show the girls where Andy and I taught (and met)--Kincaid Elementary.
4th stop: Sand Lake
Cooper loved swimming in Sand Lake. In the winter, we would cross-country ski around the lake.
We concluded our trip down memory lane with a stop at a favorite local restaurant--Tastee Freeze.
It just wouldn't be a trip to Alaska without a stop at Moose's Tooth, where it's completely normal to have a 1 1/2 hour wait for a table, no matter what time of day it may be. That is how good it is!
Tuesday, July 18th
After a trip to the grocery store, it was time to pick up our motorhome. For the first two nights, we stayed at the Russian River Campground. The girls and I didn't see any bears, but when Andy went down to do some fishing he saw a mama grizzly with 3 cubs and a black bear.
driving down the Seward Highway
our home for the next 10 days
We made good use of our rain gear those first couple of days.
walking the trail that parallels the Russian River
fishing
Thursday, July 20th
Today we drove down to Homer. We stayed at the Homer Spit Campground and, even though the sites were close together, the view was so worth it.
our campsite in Homer
our view for the next 2 nights
Salty Dawg Saloon
Eating fish and chips is a must!
Friday, July 21st
Today was a day full of adventure! We kayaked around Halibut Cove, followed by a hike up to a glacier.
Our guide picked us up in the harbor. It was a 30-minute boat ride to where we would start our kayaking.
We saw so many sea otters on our boat ride.
Emma was a great paddler!
Abby insisted on doing some paddling on our way back. She did great!
a view from our hike
taking the water taxi back to Homer
That night, we walked around the Homer Spit. Emma was so curious about the fish filleting.
The girls' sleep schedule was a bit thrown off by the daylight. These next 3 photos were taken at about 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 22nd
The next morning, we spent a couple of hours walking along the beach before heading off to our next destination.
jellyfish
Abby wrote her name in the sand.
chasing the seagulls
All ready to move on to our next adventure--Soldotna.
In Soldotna, we stayed right on the Kenai River--world famous for fishing. We could literally fish right out our front door (of the RV, of course).
Once again, Emma LOVED watching the fish filleting process.
Sunday, July 23rd
Today we met up with some friends from Anchorage and floated the Kasilof River. It was an absolutely beautiful day to be on the river.
It's amazing how floating a river can be so exhausting. The girls needed a little nap.
Yummy! That night, we had fresh king salmon over the fire.
catching salmon on the Kenai River
Monday, July 24th
Andy went out fishing with a buddy today so the girls and I stayed back at the campground.
more fishing that evening
Tuesday, July 25th
Before heading to our last stop, Seward, we had breakfast at this amazing little bakery, The Moose is Loose.
Once we found our campsite, with a gorgeous view of Resurrection Bay, we walked to the Alaska SeaLife Center.
walrus calf
We ate dinner at the Seward Brewing Company and then wore off some energy at a local park.
Like in Homer, the RVs were close together but the view was well worth it!
Wednesday, July 26th
We spent our last full day in Seward on a wildlife cruise.
humpback whale
sea lions
We also saw harbor seals, puffins, bald eagles, and coastal mountain goats.
At the end of the trip, the girls got to go into the wheelhouse and sit in a captain's chair.
Oh Abigail...never a dull moment!
Along with her curiosity for everything Alaska, this little girl found a love for photography.
Thursday, July 27th
our last breakfast in the motorhome
walking along the beach one more time before making our way back to Anchorage
On our way back to Anchorage, we stopped and hiked up to Exit Glacier. It is crazy how much this glacier has receded.
Before heading to the airport for our red eye flight, the girls had to play a little more badminton.
Well, there you have it--our 2017 Tullis Alaskan Adventure! Andy and I have decided that we will be going back for another visit in 3 years. Thank you, Annette and Jerry Alward, for your hospitality while we were in Anchorage. What a wonderful family!
