sand chick Posted March 2, 2011 Share Posted March 2, 2011 My Parents have been bugging me for years to get up and see them in Alaska. But I have never taken the time to do so. But recently, I have decided that life is just too short to say “some other time, maybe next year.” You just never know, tomorrow could be your last! So I sucked it up, got over my fear of flying (with the help of some Dr prescribed medication ) and hopped on a plane bound for the frozen tundra of Alaska! I was expecting a week of chillin and hanging out with my parents, relaxing and enjoying their company, but I had no idea that what was in store for me was an experience and adventure of a lifetime! Just doing things and helping out with the daily living of them and some of their friends in the little town of Trapper Creek, AK. pop. Less than 500! I land in Anchorage at 8:45pm Sat. night. So Sat evening was spent in Anchorage visiting at my Gma’s place for a couple hours before hitting bed. It’s about 2.5 hours from Anchorage to Trapper Creek. I rose early on Sunday morning and caught about an hour or so of the Daytona 500 and seriously debated hanging out and to watch the race, but Alaska beckoned me, so off we went to do some shopping and sightseeing. The first thing that caught my eye was this sign and we were leaving my Gma’s place: I was enjoying my visit with my mom and all the scenery that I forgot about taking any pics, the mountains were spectacular and I saw a couple of bald eagles and a far off moose. She decided to show me one of their properties, so we stopped by and I got my first moose sighting!!!! Twin calves! As she stopped for me to take some pictures, she warned me as I leapt from the truck: Careful momma moose is around here someplace!! I looked around seeing no sign of momma and walked a short distance away from the vehicle to take some shots of the moose (I was kicking myself for not taking the good lense with me ) Suddenly I heard a noise from behind, momma moose on the other side of the road, and I am in a very dangerous spot, between a momma moose and her babies! So I take a quick shot of momma and hop back into the safety of the truck! We reach their place and spend the evening relaxing and enjoying the views with the snow falling. I had picked up some refreshments while in town, knowing my parents were not big beer drinkers. But they were warm, and how does one chill a beer quickly in Alaska in the winter? Why snow bank of course!! Just don’t leave them out there too long! Monday my stepdad had to run some things over to the next town – Talkeenta, he is on the search and rescue team and also one of the paramedics in the area. So how do we get there? Why snowmobile of course across the Susitne River! While there I walked around the little town taking in the sights, while he took care of business. Before heading back home we had planned to have lunch at The West Rib Pub and Café, which was featured on the Travel Channels “Man vs. Food” show, but they didn’t open until 4pm. So we opted to stop in at the local brewery the Denali Brewing Co. to sample their offerings! Yum!! I had the Purple Haze which was spectacular! Tuesday my stepdad was going to be heading out to do some ice fishing with one of his buddies to stock up their freezer. So we drive to one of the many small lakes scattered throughout the area and snowmobile into and across the lake! I caught dinner and them some with 3 decent sized Pike! Mmmm fresh fish n chips! As we headed home Mt McKinley finally comes out from behind the clouds, just as the sun is setting. As the night draws to a close, we take the dogs out for their night walk and far off just faintly in the distance, I can see the Northern Lights aka: Aurora Borealis! So we talk about the Northern Lights and make reservations at Chena Hot Springs for Thursday night to try to get a better chance to see them. Wednesday morning I arose to the most incredible sunrise I have seen yet! No enhancement needed! The adventure for this day? Helping one of my parents friends, Francine, exercise her sled dogs! Part 2 to follow shortly.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand chick Posted March 2, 2011 Author Share Posted March 2, 2011 Part 2..... Thursday was up early to make the trek to Chena Hot Springs, which is about a 7 -8 hour drive. The views along the way made it even longer with me saying STOP! STOP! STOP!! The pics don’t come close to doing justice to the breath taking mountain views, and frozen lakes, rivers, and creeks! We arrive late at the hot springs, known as one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, the place is all lit up with white lights on the paths and they even have an “Aurora Wake Up Call” since the best time to see them is between midnight and 2am. We soak in the natural hot springs water and head back to our room to rest and wait for the wakeup call. Before they can call, I can hear some hustling and squealing and laughter outside. I grab my cameras and rush out to see the most spectacular view I have ever seen in my life! I start to take pics, but nothing but a blur or darkness comes out! I look around and notice TRIPODS!!! Everyone has a tripod! Huge lenses! I am completely ill equipped for taking any pictures of this event! (I kick myself again for not bringing the good lens and the tripod! ) But this was an unexpected adventure, besides pictures could never do justice to seeing the Northern Lights flit and float across the sky in the wonderful brilliant colors! MAGICAL! But a nice guy let me take a couple of shots though his lens, so they are crappy pics, basically of pics, but it is awe inspiring to see them live!! Friday morning we have a scrumptious breakfast at the restaurant and enjoy the view from the hot springs, there had been a light snow so all of the trees looked like they were dipped in frosting, then sprinkled with sugar, before heading back home. I had seen so many moose during my trip, but had yet to capture one out of the obscured view of the birch trees, but on Fridays trip back, I had my chance! We passed a momma and baby and we stopped and backed up the road. I was thinking to myself, they will probably go back into the birches just like all the others, and they had, so disappointedly I took a couple more shots of moose obscured by birch trees, when suddenly momma moose heads back down the hill and baby follows! FINALLY got my clear shots of moose! Saturday would be my last and final day in Alaska, and what a time it had been! We make the journey back into Anchorage to spend the day (my flight left at midnight) watching some “Rondy Fur Festival” sled dog races and events. What a remarkable trip! And to think I almost didn’t go again this year! I hope you enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunefreak Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 WOW!!! What a trip that must have been. That's so cool you went up and did it. That looks like so much fun! Like you said, life is too short to keep putting it off. Good for you, Jodi! Quite a change of scenery from the desert we live in for sure. I would have been going NUTS with my camera up there. damn. Great pics and well written story. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptNkllm Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Great write up!!!! We did the Alaskan cruise and It has to be my all time favorite place on earth and what beauty...... Awesome pics and awesome write up.. Capt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ynot Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I have been there twice but always in August for the silver's run. I am now going to have to make a winter trip. Great pictures and story Jodi. And your right as I have learned in the last 6 months that things can change in an instant and chances for that last hug go away quickly. Glad you made the trip and I am sure your parents are too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raspadoo Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Wow, those pics are beautiful, especialy the beers we took a cruise up there as well, my son (12) has been planning on moving there ever since. Gods country for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE14SAND Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 verrrrrry nice, THANKYOU. i worked the winter of 04 up there and almost didnt come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand chick Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thank you guys! Yes I almost didn't come back either! My parents have three places up there! And Pete I was totally going crazy with all 3 camera's I took a little over a thousand pics with all three of them! If anyone cares to take a look at the 352 that made the cut as being the best I finally have them all in my photobucket. Alaska Trip 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAlaskan Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Nice write up and pics Jodi! Always cool to hear of someones trip up to my home state and his awesome it was. You made me homesick with the pictures of the northern lights lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Rhino Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 amazing trip Jodi!!! anybody else watch that Alaskan Trooper show? CRAZY MO FO's up there lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazeeMyke Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Great trip report Jodi! !! Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunefreak Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 Great trip report Jodi! !! Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk Yo Mike this is off topic, but try the mobile version of DDR. Much better than tapatalk in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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