Halibut Cove

While my friend was visiting we also ventured down to Halibut Cove for a day of kayaking.  We were dropped off at the public dock by the water taxi just outside the cove, kayaked around the remainder of the cove, and then made a stop over for lunch.  Here are some of the sites that we saw.

Floating coffee shop.

"Parking lot" for our lunch spot.  Notice our red and green kayaks.

Hearty lunch of salad with halibut and goat cheese, and Alaskan Amber.

Oyster farm, which looks surprising like a race course.

Happy Birthday America

A few weeks ago one of my college friends came to visit.  So, in honor of her visit, we decided to head over to Seward for the famous Mt. Marathon race.  Here are some of the sites that we saw.

In our hotel lobby

Fireworks at a dusky midnight

Mt. Marathon is a race that takes place every year on July 4th.  The race is 3.1 miles and 3022 ft. and is not for the faint of heart.  This race started as a bet in a bar, where many great ideas are formed.  I really want to run this race, but can't seem to make it through the lottery.

Those tiny specks on the mountains are racers

Ascending the mountain

Some dress in "happy birthday america" attire

Racing to the finish!

Adios Seward!

I ♥ the Midwest

So I know that I said that I was back to blogging, but I really am this time.  After a very busy month of work (I'm talking 80-hour work weeks here people), I took a much needed vacation.  I headed back to the midwest to visit family and to witness my college roommate get hitched! 

Though I think Alaska is one of the most beautiful places ever, I think the midwest is also quite beautiful, but in its own way.  I especially love the PEOPLE.  I can't really explain it, but I have met some of my favorite people & my coolest friends in the midwest.  Without further ado, snapshots from my week away.

And here are a few from the wedding.  I had a fabulous time, and really enjoyed catching up with some of my friends from college.  We are all heading in different directions now, and it was nice to just hang out again.  Cake is always an added bonus.

I was very happy to be part of the whole shin-dig.

The bridal party is taking a spin.

Two of my favorite people/bridesmaids.  I was so jealous that their super cute (j.crew) dresses had pockets!  I had pocket envy...

Too cute.

Back to the U.S. and to Blogging

So as you may have gathered I am back in the U.S.  I made it back after over 40 hours of travel.  I made it all the way back to Anchorage with no delays, but then had to sleep in the airport.  My 10 hour flight from London to Chicago was great.  I was fed three meals, four+ rounds of drinks (including free alcohol), and watched three movies.  In contrast, my seven hour flight from Chicago to Anchorage flight included 0 free meals and only a couple rounds of drinks.  

I have been back for about seven weeks now.  I have finally gotten back into the flow, and have also done some traveling around Alaska.  Here are some photos of my journeys.  

This was one of my many meals served on my London to Chicago flight.  I was slightly skeptical of the "Dairystix," but used it anyway.  

University of Alaska, Fairbanks Graduation

Mt. Redoubt, our local volcano, about to blow again.

View from my room.

Homer, Alaska.

Homer Docks

Halibut!

While I truly miss Geneva, I am very happy to be back.  I hope that at least one person (you know who you are) is happy to have me back on their google reader!  More posts to come soon.

I Think I'm Allergic to France

So clearly I'm not allergic to France as a whole, but just some of the trees in it.  Last weekend I made a day trip to Lyon, and had a very unpleasant, but minor, allergy attack.  I recovered on the train on the way back to Geneva, but would have liked to stay longer.  I left early on Saturday and the city seemed to be just waking up.  I wanted to see more (and eat more), since this town is known for the food. 

I'm not really sure what happened, but I ended up in a mall while trying to find a shortcut back to the train station.  

Lyon Opera House.

I fully intended to hike up the hill to this church until the whole allergy thing.

Just wanted to show you the trees that I am allergic to.

Houseboat!  This reminded me a little bit of London.

.

This train was going to Evian...like the water.

My fabulous lunch!  The sandwich and pastry cost less than six Euros total.  So delicious.