Historic Words

President Barack Obama arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, on Monday.  He got straight down to business and delivered valuable, long-awaited remarks at the Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience (GLACIER for short). 

His speech was peppered with insightful, astounding facts and an aching of urgency.  His words were a call to action, hopefully inspiring concrete, lasting change throughout the Arctic. 

Referencing climate change deniers, he stated a favorite quote of the evening: "Those who want to ignore the science, they are increasingly alone. They’re on their own shrinking island."  Read the full transcript at the Alaska Dispatch News.

Aerial photo from Southeast Alaska near Admiralty Island, home to one of the world's largest concentrations of brown bears.

Ice, Ice, Baby

Landing atop a glacier is one of those indescribable experiences where it's just easier to tell friends, "You'd have to be there!"  TEMSCO's Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour and Guided Walk was recently featured on "Good Morning America" and has ranked as Juneau's #1 rated excursion.  It's one of my favorites, too.  If you're visiting Juneau or already call Southeast Alaska home, check out TEMSCO and their truly remarkable tours.

May Delight

I remember May like it was yesterday. And it was - by far - the best month of May of my life.  Maybe it was the fact that May 2015 was Juneau's driest May on record.  Or maybe it was because every single day held an adventure that stirred my soul.  Who knows why I loved May so much - but I sure know May loved me back tenfold.

Why was May 2015 so incredible?  Well, let's see.  It started out with a fun photo shoot at Eagle Beach with friends, Becky and Kerry.  Not long after, I bought a roadster hybrid bicycle and spent sunny evenings exploring North Douglas Island at sunset.  The Alaskan Brewing Co. rocked my socks off at their Spring Fling event, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute fixed the pit and hosted their grand opening of the Walter Soboleff Center.  Cinco de Mayo didn't disappoint either, especially since Juneau had weather reminiscent of South of the Border.

I spent a wonderful weekend in Anchorage, catching up with foodie/bestie Sharon, multi-talented blogger Gretchen, and my incredibly hospitable host Cyndi.  Cyndi is one of the best cooks I've ever had the pleasure of knowing - and that's saying a lot. 

Back in Juneau, I hiked with old friends (Denali the Dawg) and made new friends (Sarena's precious Momma, Maggie, visited Juneau from Fairbanks).  One of my closest confidants, Michelle, celebrated her 50th birthday, though she doesn't look a day over 32. 

I kayaked the golden hour with award-winning nature photographer, Daniel Buck and cherished an action-packed weekend at the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) event at Echo Cove. 

Temperatures were regularly in the high 70s, and I couldn't resist soaking up the sun.  I spent lots o' time in and around hawbaws (harbors) - like Auke Bay, Douglas, and Harris Harbors.  To round out the month,  I got my sealegs aboard the S/V Arcturus while sailing with Captain Louis Hoock of Alaska Adventure Sailing.  As for the ICE-ing on the cake, I took a TEMSCO helicopter up to the icy blue Mendenhall Glacier for a Sunday afternoon walkabout, a trip that never gets old.

Every summer has a story - and this has been mine.  Juneau in June is back to her rainforest self, yet adventure awaits around every corner.  If there's anything this month has taught me, it is this: I am ready - rain or shine.

Fun with Becky at Eagle Beach.

Kerry in my hands.

With two amazing women, Becky and Kerry.

Representin' the blue helmet on North Douglas Island.

North Douglas Boat Launch at sunset.

With the ever fabulous Gretchen.

Site of the Walter Soboleff Center.

Siesta with sassy Sarena.

Cheslea and Aileen rocking the sombreros.

Happy Cinco de Mayo from McKenzie and Candice (photobomb by Sonny Bunny).

Sharon in Anchorage with her tempura fried green tea ice cream.  Yummo!

With Cyndi, the hostest with the mostest.

A feast compliments of Cyndi.

Sunset somewhere between Anchorage and Juneau.

Denali the dawg.

Sarena and her sweet Momma, Maggie.

With Michelle on her 50th.

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Proof I'm not making up this temperature thing.

TEMSCO helicopter on Mendenhall Glacier.

Quenching my thirst with glacier water.

Auke Bay.

Harris Harbor.

Harris Harbor.

Cruise ships in the Gastineau Channel.

Harris Harbor.

Harris Harbor.

At the helm of the S/V Arcturus.

At the bow of the S/V Arcturus.

Sunday Stroll to the Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves

What's one of the advantages of living in Juneau when the temps drop below freezing?  Trekking across the frozen Mendenhall Lake, of course.  This latest adventure involved joining friends for the two mile icy jaunt and into one of the lower Mendenhall Glacier ice caves.  It was a rare rain-free day, with the sun peeking through snow clouds on occasion.  What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

(click the photos below to expand)