Glacier Flightsee Adventure with Era Helicopters

​I can't imagine a better way to spend a sunny Juneau afternoon than by going for a helicopter flightseeing tour and landing atop a glacier.  Today, with temperatures in the high 60s, I was blessed to fly with Era Helicopters on their Juneau Glacier Adventure tour.  It was by far one of the best trips of my life! 

Era's Juneau base is just down the road from my Douglas Island home, and I've been saying for years that I need to go on one of their once-in-a-lifetime adventures.  Plus, the Taku Glacier (namesake for the infamous Taku winds that sweep through Juneau in the fall) isn't far from home either - only it's not accessible by car!  So, today turned out to be a perfect day to play in the sun.  On a glacier.

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8th Annual Island Pub Pizza Recipe Contest

One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Juneau is The Island Pub, located not far from my home on Douglas Island.  Perhaps my heart has a soft spot for this place because it was the first restaurant I dined at after moving to Juneau in February 2009. 

If you ever have the pleasure of visiting this hot spot for a meal, you'll notice a few special pizzas on their menu, special because they're past winners of the Island Pub Pizza Contest.

This year marks my third time serving as an official pizza recipe judge.  Basically, this involves putting my taste buds to work and scoring 12 different slices of pizza.  Yes, I said TWELVE.  And yes, I'm still stuffed.

This year's top three pizza recipes were: 

#1. South Douglas Fisch Slap (Alfredo sauce, Asiago cheese, red onion, smoked salmon, capers, and spinach)

#2. Fredo-Town (Alfredo sauce, parmesan and mozarella cheese, raw garlic, Italian sausage, bacon, sun dried tomatoes, and spinach) 

#3. Mother Lode (Alfredo sauce, house cheese, Asiago cheese, roasted garlic, Italian sausage, artichoke heats, Crimini mushrooms, pine nuts, and Canadian bacon)

If you find yourself visiting Juneau, I highly recommend a stop at The Island Pub.  Try their steak sandwich, their Napolitano Alfredo pizza (a 2005 pizza contest winner and menu mainstay) , or any of their other gourmet speciality pizzas.  You won't be disappointed!

Doling out the pizza, one slice at a time.

If a judge only takes nibbles of their judging portions, this is what their plate will look like at the end.  I am not one to take nibbles.​

​Here's a snapshot of the score sheet of the judge next to me.  This young judge was beyond adorable.  And I agreed with her rankings most of the time.  Some slices were way too "spisey" and we didn't care for the "unuens"!

​Smoked salmon on a pizza?!  Yes, please.

Mimosas + pizza = a winning combination.​

Heat Wave in Juneau!

Last week, there was a heat wave in Juneau.  And by heat wave, I mean it was sunny for more than a few days in a row AND temperatures were in the mid-60s.  It was downright BALMY - and a perfect reminder of why we live here.​

Switch the 6 and the 3, and that's a more common temperature you'll see in Alaska.​  I ain't complaining!

​I awoke one morning to find Sonny Bunny lounging in the sun.  Yes, my hardwoods really are that clean.

Bluebird skies = perfect flying weather!​

The sun compelled me to construct a small cairn on the beach on Douglas Island.

​A lovely after-work hike, followed by a nap in the sun.

​Great evening view of the float planes while on a hike at the Juneau Airport Dike Trail.

The MV Malaspina's Golden Voyage

It's no surprise - Juneau and Southeast Alaska are the epitome of maritime culture.  Boats, fishermen, salt in the air, and harbors galore!  Each spring, Juneauites take pause to gather on the waterfront for the Blessing of the Fleet. It's a mainstay event - one that draws locals and tourists alike.  For me, it's a signal that we're finally done with winter and ready for a fun-filled summer on the water.

This year's festivities were extra special.  The Alaska Marine Highway System celebrated its 50th anniversary, and downtown Juneau, as well as the Gastineau Channel, received a long awaited visit from the 408 foot long MV Malaspina ferry. 

Check out my video and photos below.  Casey Kelly with KTOO also wrote an awesome synopsis here: Hundreds gather in Juneau for Malaspina tours, blessing ceremony.

View of the Blessing of the Fleet congregation as seen from the MV Malaspina.  Photo courtesy of Becky Nelson.​