Have I ever mentioned that I love Alaska?

This trip has already been pretty epic, and we've been here for less than a week! The first 5 days were spent in Anchorage with Nate, who's a bush pilot and flight instructor there. Five days weren't enough. We packed a ton into that time but you always wish for another evening to chat, another day to bum around A-town or hike the woods.

And it's amazing...My 88 yr. old Grandpa joined mom, dad and I on this trip! Is he a trooper or what? He's having the time of his life. Having him along on this trip is so meaningful to all of us.

When we stepped off the plane in Anchorage, and were plunged into fall. (Is it really still summer back home?) In Alaska the tundra is changing to a thousand shades of gold, red orange and yellow.... and some of the highest mountaintops already have a dusting of snow.

Okay: I'll quit talking now.

Pictures do more justice. :)

We loved visiting Alyeska Resort and taking the tram to the top of the mountain.

Gorgeous scenery.

We stopped for lunch before heading out to visit Portage Glacier.

It's hard to describe the massive size of what you're looking at here... so incredible!

Nate saved me from being eaten by a bear.

What a brother!

And speaking of "What a brother," not everyone has a bro who can take them on a flight over glaciers and mountains! How fun!

This is the airport at which Nate teaches, Merrill Field.

Refueling the plane

Mom hates to fly, so she was pretty brave to go up. Go mom!

(I did notice that she kept clutching at the door of the plane though... I wondered if she planned on jumping in case of emergency?)

(Of COURSE Gramps and I weren't nervous!)

We flew over the Knik Glacier. Over 5 miles wide!!

It was cool to see bear, moose, and beluga whales from the air.

The 6 hr. cruise out of Seward was also a highlight of our time. What a spectacular harbor!

The first half of our cruise was super rainy but Nate and I loved the rough seas. :) The second half was beautiful and we saw a ton of wildlife!

A fleeting glimpse of a humpback whale
Two seals... can you believe how they blend in? :)
A rock full of lazy sea lions

Driving along the Seward Highway we saw a bear.... MY FIRST BEAR!!!

How fun is THAT!? We were pretty much ecstatic.

Nate was ashamed of his touristy family. (Snobby sourdough!)

A parting shot...

Well golly, whoda' thought I'd see my good pal Sarah Palin while shopping?

She said she's heard of my famous Sarah Palin Imitation and begged me to do it for her.

She loved it.

She actually endorsed it.