It’s already the third month of a new year, but I find myself still writing 2012 on letters, checks, and postcards. Perhaps it’s because I’ve just been too busy to notice that little detail. Or maybe – just maybe – I’m still recovering from all the whirl-wind adventures of 2012.
At the start of last year, I made the steadfast resolution to make the most of Alaska. For me, this meant meeting new people, learning new things, deepening my relationship with myself and God, and attempting a new adventure each day.
2012 was the year to discover that Alaska is both a fairly SMALL state and also a BIG state. We all know Alaska is HUGE (bigger than Texas), so there's countless adventures in every nook and cranny of the state. And Alaska's small because it's actually easy to get involved in the community and acclimated to the culture. Making friends up here is a breeze as long as you keep an open mind and show folks just how excited you are about living and playing in the Last Frontier.
Close friendships with real Alaskans can make all the difference in whether or not you love living here. In fact, my love affair with Alaska has been spectacular first and foremost because of all the terrific people I have met. So to the folks who made 2012 so awesome, here's a big THANK YOU for impacting my life, in more ways than one.
Here is a recap of
the top adventures, fun introductions, and all around take-your-breath-away
moments of my 2012. Because there were so many spectacular experiences, I am sectioning this recap into two parts. This blog is a synopsis of January - June 2012. Enjoy!
Above the Arctic Circle in Kotzebue.
Donning ski goggles for my first snowmachine ride in Alaska.
Charlie's Angels on the frozen Chukchi Sea.
Scaling an iceberg at the Mendenhall Glacier.
Running with the Reindeer, alongside Wonder Woman.
Celebrating survival! Post-reindeer-run at Humpy's in downtown Anchorage.
And then there was IDITAROD 2012!
Iditarod 2012 Winner, Dallas Seavey.
No, I did not wet my pants. This is the "after-shot" from the splash action video above!
End of season fun at Eaglecrest Ski Area.
Rogue drivers beware in Homer!
Kayaking at Echo Cove near Juneau.
Finding little treasures while tide pooling at Shaman Island off the northern coast of Douglas Island where I live.
No wildlife were harmed in the making of this photo.
Rainbow over Juneau - a common sight.