Summer 2013 (Part 1)

Me and Tyler, one afternoon hiking around Glacier Creek with Disco

One of my favorite things about Alaska is that we can get to the backcountry just by going out the back door. Especially here in Girdwood, it does not take long to get out of the town and into the wilderness.

Hiking to Byron Glacier

One of the first days after my interns arrived, I took the guys (Ben and Nate) out to Byron Glacier in Portage Valley. It's a relatively easy hike that gets you up close to the glacier. Aryn had already started work, and Mary Kathryn hadn't gotten in yet. Later that afternoon, once she was off of work, I took Aryn out there as well. When we get blue skies, we always want to be out and about- not cooped up inside!

Ben and Nathan

Aryn and me

The first day everyone was here and had a day off, we were fortunate to have great weather again! This actually ended up being an abnormally warm and sunny summer for us, and I'm glad they got to enjoy more blue skies than we're used to. I took all four up the tram, then over to Whittier. We met up with Scott and his girls (Andrea was working!) and got the grand tour. It was important to me for my interns to be familiar with Girdwood and surrounding areas. Throughout the next couple of weeks, we got together and hiked as much as possible, enjoying the Winner Creek trail, Virgin Falls, and Mt. Alyeska. 

Mary Kathryn, Ben, Aryn, and Nathan

Everyone with Scott, Kelsey, and Stacy

Me and Nate on Mt. Alyeska

Aryn, Nate, and Mary Kathryn enjoying some SNOW! 

June 15th I was up early and on my way to Anchorage for The Color Run with some friends and co-workers. This was an insanely fun 5K. Every 1K you get a new color of "paint" (colored, powdered corn starch) thrown on you. At the end of the run, there's a big party with music, more color packets, and dancing. At like 9am... who knew that could be so much fun!!

Color Run - Before and After!

Another Before-and-After with Emily and Megan

Later in the month, Tyler, Emily, and I took the interns to the Russian River for a hike and some salmon fishing. Due to time constraints, it ended up being more hiking than fishing, but it was still a lot of fun. 

Em, me, Ty, and Dozer

Mary Kathryn, Ben, Aryn, and Nate

Mary Kathryn loves creeks/river beds, so we had to check out Virgin Falls- a beautiful spot just off one of the roads in the area (less than a quarter mile hike). Again, it's pretty amazing how easy it is to get to such beautiful wilderness. 

me and Mary Kathryn at Virgin Falls

Me and Aryn at Virgin Falls