Northern Lights

More than anything, I have been wanting to see the Northern Lights. I got a small glimpse when I was in Fairbanks but I had no idea what was in store for me. I have an app on my phone to let me know when the conditions are most favorable and had been watching them increase over a few days. It said it was very probable on Friday night so I drove up to the top of Hatchers pass and waited. Unfortunately they were not visible. The next night I went to some friends house for saint Patrick's day dinner and on the way home I started seeing them. By the time I got home the app stated a "storm" was on the way. I stood out in my driveway for over an hour and was a Popsicle but I couldn't stop watching. I have never seen such beauty and wonder in all my life. It was amazing how the colors would just dance and swirl.  It was like God took his paint brush out and was just painting the sky. Unfortunately you need a tripod and know something about cameras to get pictures so needless to say I did not get any, fortunately my friend Jessica did. They said this was the biggest and best storm in many years and I was blessed to see it. Another bucket list item checked off!

 

 

As wonderful as these pictures are they are nothing compared to the seeing them in person. It is something I will never forget!!  (Thanks Jessica for sharing your pictures!!!)

SPRING BREAK BABY!!!!!

Another perk of working in a school district is spring break. I barely had time to recover from my two weeks off at Christmas and now I have another week to play! I can't remember when or even if I ever had a spring break. I always worked even in college. Most people go to warm and sunny places for spring break but being new to this I decided to go to Fairbanks...  a couple of friends and I piled in the car and headed north. The dry was beautiful. The sun was out and the sky was clear which gave us an amazing view of Mt McKinley.  From what I understand it is usually hard to see due to clouds so we were especially blessed to see it there AND back.

 This picture is from several HOURS away!

 

 While in Fairbanks we went to the international ice carving festival. Unfortunately is was soooo cold we didn't spend much time at each display. We took a few pictures and moved on to the next. They were beautiful! We did warm up enough to play on the giant ice slides and mazes. They did have these large ice bowls that you sit in and then spin. I always loved spinning and the faster the better...those days are over! I sat in it and my friend gave it a small push and I thought I was going to die! I started screaming for it to stop and couldn't get out fast enough. Lesson learned.

We also visited North Pole AK. We were going to go to Chena which is a hot springs but the thought of stepping outside even for a moment in a swimsuit was more than we could fathom.

This is a shot of smoked salmon vodka...not bad, a bit smokey.

 

 We did get a sneak peak at the northern lights but the real show was just a few days away, stay tuned!

Iditarod 2013!

I had been looking forward to this since I found out I was coming to Alaska. I was a bit nervous that it would be moved to Fairbanks to start due to the small amount of snow that had fallen. Luckily there were a couple of snowfalls just in time.

 There was a ceremonial start in Anchorage the final Saturday of Fur Rondy. The mushers and their dogs take a leisurely jaunt through Anchorage. Fans line the route and the mushers high five the fans as they go by some even stop and grab a beverage from the many parties going on along the trail. I was invited to a large party know as the "trail-gate" They had built a bar out of snow to serve bloody Mary's and beer. They also had a DJ and grilling hot dogs.

 

The following day I headed out to Willow, Ak where the official start is. Nineteen years ago a co-worker and her family took out 2 pink flamingos and set them along the trail. This year they have almost 400! Many of the mushers look for them every year and it is know as "camp flamingo" We set up just a couple of miles from the official start.  In addition to seeing and cheering on every team I also go to experience my first snow machine ride. I also learned not to step off the trail. I was setting out a few of the many flamingos and one step and I was up to my waist in snow!  I also got to meet and share a cookie with Sebastian Schnuelle. He is a famous musher and was covering this year's play by play.  Maybe next year I can go to Nome for the finish!

 

 

 This was such a fun day. You could tell the dogs live to do this, they were soo happy. Another bucket list item checked off!!