Fourth of July, Small-Town Alaska Style

July 14, 2013

There's a whole slew of Fourth of July events in Juneau each year. But none are as unique and Alaskan as the parade on Douglas Island. Check out my photos, and don't miss the video below - the kiddo's expression at minute 2:18 is PRICELESS!

To get to the parade on Douglas Island, one must first drive across the Juneau-Douglas bridge.  OR you can run across it, like these fellas. — To get to the parade on Douglas Island, one must first drive across the Juneau-Douglas bridge. OR you can run across it, like these fellas.

With Parade Grand Marshal, Jeff Brown.  He's a legend! — With Parade Grand Marshal, Jeff Brown. He's a legend!

Cozying up to my friend, Kathy, who's wearing the beautiful kuspuk my mother made especially for her.  She looks amazing! — Cozying up to my friend, Kathy, who's wearing the beautiful kuspuk my mother made especially for her. She looks amazing!

Photo of me strolling after the parade, courtesy of my good friend, Kerry Howard.

Steaks before the hot grill.  Yummo! — Steaks before the hot grill. Yummo!

I was craving The South - so I made an apple crumb cobbler.  And by "made," I mean I opened a cardboard box and popped this in the oven.  It was awesome. — I was craving The South - so I made an apple crumb cobbler. And by "made," I mean I opened a cardboard box and popped this in the oven. It was awesome.

A deliciously sweet ending to a tremendously awesome day, celebrating our nation's independence.  MERICA! — A deliciously sweet ending to a tremendously awesome day, celebrating our nation's independence. MERICA!

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Alaska Style!

June 28, 2013

Talk about the sky being the limit! Alaska Zipline Adventures certainly knows how to pump up the adrenaline and make the spirit soar! Voted by National Geographic as the "Best Thrill" in Alaska, this zipline tour gave me the thrill of a lifetime and sent my heart aflutter - both literally and figuratively. I loved every second of it. Check out my videos and photos below, and visit Alaska Zipline Adventures to book your own breathtaking experience!

The Welcome Center is located at the Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island.  Picture perfect location, if you ask me. — The Welcome Center is located at the Eaglecrest Ski Area on Douglas Island. Picture perfect location, if you ask me.

Catching my breath after crossing the suspension bridge.

I soooo wanted to take this cup home with me!

Several of the tree-top platforms were themed to give visitors a little insider knowledge about Alaska.  This informational sign featured my favorite Alaska sport: dog sledding. — Several of the tree-top platforms were themed to give visitors a little insider knowledge about Alaska. This informational sign featured my favorite Alaska sport: dog sledding.

I was tempted to wear my stilettos, but alas - my Vibram FiveFingers were the footwear for the day.

I had the pleasure of being on the tour with a few fellow Southern Belles.  They were easy to spot in their Alabama and Auburn shirts.  Hearing their Southern drawls brought back fond memories of home - and prompted my own Southern slang t… — I had the pleasure of being on the tour with a few fellow Southern Belles. They were easy to spot in their Alabama and Auburn shirts. Hearing their Southern drawls brought back fond memories of home - and prompted my own Southern slang to come back to the surface. Yeehaw!

The Thunder Rolls in Juneau

June 17, 2013

Juneau experienced a rare - albeit thrilling - thunderstorm this afternoon, complete with an impressive lightning show. I've lived in Juneau since February 2009, and this was my first time hearing thunder and seeing lightning in Alaska. Needless to say, it brought back memories of Alabama and the torrential downpours that come right before a tornado. It goes without saying: I'm glad there are no tornadoes in these parts.

Everybody Loves Whales

June 2, 2013

When visiting Juneau, try to include a visit to see our local celebrities - the humpback whales! I recently toured Alaska Travel Adventures' Whale Watching Adventure and Salmon Bake, and I was blown away with the sights and sounds of our very own backyard. I even went home with a full belly after the trip's all-you-can-eat salmon feast. Yummy!

I've been on many whale watching excursions in Southeast Alaska, but this one was unique. On board, we had folks from the Seattle television show, Evening Magazine. Their crew was here to showcase Juneau, and I even had the delightful opportunity to sit down on camera with Emmy award winner and Evening Magazine host, Meegan Black! Unfortunately, my interview was cut in the editing room, but I still had a blast bragging on camera about Juneau. At the end of this blog, you can see the footage from our trip, which originally aired in Seattle. Watch closely - you just might see a familiar face, too!

There are plenty of sights and sounds on the waters of the Inside Passage. You're bound to see bald eagles, fishermen, lighthouses, and if you're lucky, Dall's porpoises racing small boats.

Sea lions can generally be found taking a snooze on this gigantic red and green buoy near Auke Bay, Alaska.

The cameraman from Seattle's "Evening Magazine" films the occupied buoy.

Did you know whales can be identified by the unique black and white pattern on the underside of their flukes? There's even an online catalog identifying many of the whales that frequent Southeast Alaska. The Fluke ID Catalog contains images of almost 1,900 different humpback whales. Check it out - maybe you'll even find in the catalog one of the whales below!

Our boat passed by a noisy, albeit entertaining, sea lion haul-out.

Auke Bay is the starting and ending point for most whale watching cruises in Juneau. It's also homeport to the United States Coast Guard Cutter Liberty.