Anchorage, Alaska!

Today we woke up at 7:15, had breakfast in the cabin (cinnamon rolls, cereal, milk, and hot chocolate), and then I took lots of pictures and a video of our cabin.  It was so adorable; I wish we could have stayed longer!  We also went out and met the llamas; one of them came to the fence and I petted it.  His fur was so soft and I loved how he held his head up so proudly.  By 9:30, we were all packed up and headed out, sadly bidding farewell to our wonderful hostess and the beautiful little cabin.

We arrived at Kenai Fjords National Park just in time for a guided hike up to Exit Glacier.  It was about a mile-and-a-half and the ranger stopped several times to tell us about glaciers and the plants surrounding us.  We walked back down on our own; in all, it was about two miles of walking.  I loved it!  When we got back down to the Visitor Center, I got my National Parks Passport stamped, and we bought hatpins and postcards.  There had been many bear sightings recently, so I definitely believe it was a good idea to go in a big group of 20 or so up to the glacier.  I don't want to be attacked by a bear.  The glacier was so interesting, and although we couldn't touch it, we could get very close and take plenty of pictures.  It rained/drizzled the whole way up and down...what a bummer.  That makes three straight days of rain!

Then we went to Alyeska Ski Resort.  We rode the tram up to the top, had lunch (hot chili on a cold mountaintop day...there were even a few snowflakes falling!), visited the museum (it had some old Ski Patrol-related items, my favorites), got a few items in the gift shop (two postcards and a book), and touched the mounds of snow.  You could have skied in several places, and if I'd had my skis, you can be assured I would have!  Instead, I had to do "boot skiing," which is not as fast nor as smooth as downhill skiing.  But, nevertheless, I did get to "ski" somewhere besides Hidden Valley in 2012, and I was happy.  I wish I could have taken some snow with me because I loved it so much.  We rode the tram back down after all that, walked around the resort at the base and took some pictures, and rode it one more time up and down because we had unlimited riding for the day.  Riding the tram was great; boot skiing was even better.  I just love snow, skiing, and mountains, and I definitely want to go back to Alyeska someday...to actually ski! :)  It has some really awesome-looking runs.

We are staying with friends of Grandma's; they are very nice, welcoming, and friendly people.  They fixed us a terrific supper of marinated flank steaks, baked potatoes, salad, and watermelon, which made a delicious end to yet another really wonderful day.  Enjoy the pictures!

Moosewood Guest Cabin, where we stayed last night.  It was great!

Hiking up to Exit Glacier.

Exit Glacier

Looking down the tram cable.

Just so everyone knows, tomorrow evening we fly into Nome.  Then, for three weeks, we'll be at Salmon Lake Bible Camp...BUT, I will be posting on the weekends.  I will post tomorrow night, Saturday night, and hopefully Sunday afternoon.  I'll let you know.  Thanks for reading, everyone!

~Anna~