Roadtrip Alaska Pt 4

We have officially been Alaskans for a grand total of 5 days!

The road trip was epic but we are definitely still adventuring around this new town we call home.

I have to admit, I had very different expectations of Fairbanks. Everyone warns of the extreme temperatures, obnoxious sunlight ( and lack thereof ), nothing to do... but so far it has been nothing but peaceful to be completely honest. Having lived in such a busy city for years left us all aching for some small town living. The people around base on Fort Wainwright and in town have really warmed our hearts in the kindest way. This place is pretty easy on the eyes as well, let me show you around a bit!

My husband was pretty excited to earn the title " Arctic Warrior"

A little peak of what will be our new neighborhood through the bare trees of Alaska springtime

Light shining through the pines first thing in the morning 

There are no shortage of neighborhood playgrounds around Fort Wainwright,

 Trails leading through the forest and along the Chena River are exactly what my running soul has been begging for. The kiddos are really getting used to life outside the desert.

Signs of spring emerging are everywhere. Apparently May is spring in most places ! 

There isn't a huge downtown area but the few shops and restaurants surround the historical area near the river. I love the corners of art tucked all around the city. I mean, really, what how adorable is this  bear and moose dancing under the northern lights ? 

Even when it reaches a warm 60 degrees mid day, these two managed to find the last remnants of snow while visiting their Great Aunts cabin in the woods. 

Because, dirty snow is apparently for eating. 

" A TOILET OUTSIDE ?!?" 

This filthy faced little boy insisted on using the outhouse near the cabin. My Aunt is a talented local artist and every part of their property shows just that. This should win an award for most adorable outhouse in town! 

There were mentions of the last Aurora sighting of the season coming last night which is very uncommon this late in the spring. After setting my alarm and tracking the moving lights, it was just too blurry and bright out still to see anything... what a bummer! Once fall rolls around you can guarantee I will be sharing as many Northern Lights shots as my lens can capture. This purple cloudy night with a little lens flare will have to do for a night shot this week. 

Thank you friends for following along on our big adventure! 

I've loved being able to share some of this beautiful place with y'all and can't WAIT

 to get buisness up and running finally in ALASKA.

Roadtrip Alaska Pt3

GREETINGS from Fairbanks, Alaska!

The plan to share along the journey didn't go as... well... planned . The whole three days without internet and then 2 days through Canada made it a little challenging , who knew? I have to say though it was the most peaceful chunk of time being with such limited technology. Mostly it gave me more time to capture the beauty of Alaska by sea, let me share some of that beauty with y'all.

After months of waiting, hurrying up, waiting some more THIS moment was huge. Getting those tickets in hand to finally get on the ferry was surreal. 

After driving our loaded mini van onto the car deck we happily made the Malaspina our cozy home for the weekend. 

 

 As soon as that ship set sail the winds were intense, of course it didn't stop these crazies from adventuring around the upper deck.

Can't leave out documentation of our little Lady along for the ride! 

Somehow the 10 x 10 living quarters with two bunks and a tiny bathroom was a perfect fit for our family of 4.5... window watching became our favorite past-time ( besides sleeping. AND eating.)

These views though! 

Breakfast at the window 

There really is something about lighthouses. My Grandfather had a thing for photographing lighthouses that I never really understood growing up, maybe it's aging me a bit but Grandpa Squier-  I so get it. One of my favorite worship groups has a popular song called my lighthouse and everytime I see this image the lyrics play over and over in this busy brain...

My lighthouse

My lighthouse
I will trust the promise
You will carry me safe to shore
Safe to shore

I won't fear what tomorrow brings
With each morning I'll rise and sing
My God's love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea
You are the peace in my troubled sea

Fire before us You're the brightest
You will lead us through the storms

- Rend Collective

A little freezing rain doesn't stop these two. Wind. FREEZING Rain. These two were just prepping for becoming Alaskans ! 

Getting off in Ketchikan was our first stop. What a magical little town that is! We took turns logging miles through town while the other adventured with the kiddos. 

Bald eagles. 'Merica. 

Ketchikan was so beautiful that it even made these two love each other for a little bit ! No prompt necessary.

Later that afternoon while the tiny one napped, this view totally melted my mamas heart. Our little kindergartner reading away 8 star wars books all on his own. 

The last night was spent with a quick stop off in the town of Petersburg Alaska. Such a disappointment only having 20 minutes to spend but we were blessed with a quick driving tour from a fellow NAU sorority sister that has become one of the towns 3,000 locals ! She drove us through the quaint town that her and her sweet family get to call home. Deporting just at twilight left us with twinkly views of the marine station. 

Monday we woke in Haines ready to start the drive into Canada.

Thank goodness for spring because immediately after crossing the border we nearly became ice road truckers in the Yukon. This place was otherworldly! 

  

Our oldest tends to wear this favorite shirt of his more than cleanliness allows. The irony of it as we stopped for treats in the Yukon Terrority almost passed us, sorry Canada. Not sorry. 

One quick night spent in Canada and off we drove straight into Fairbanks after 9 days of adventures!  

I'll have to round out part 4 of Road Trip Alaska with some sights of our new home of Fairbanks, can't wait to take in some of the beauty this town has to offer. There will be no shortage of light to capture as the season of the midnight sun is already here! 

Roadtrip Alaska Pt 2

Hello from the Pacific Northwest!

The past two days have been a LOT of driving, a lot of quick stops to visit friends, and so much green we can hardly contain ourselves. Nothing makes our mountain-loving hearts sing like damp pine in the morning... and a perfect cup of coffee . Remind me why we have never lived here?

This view has not been terrible for the past 4 days. 

Let's be real for a minute... having boys is the best! No idea what we are going to do when adding our little girl to the mix. 

Crossing over from Nevada to Oregon is when the scenery turned awe-inspiring. There really is magic in that sweet sweet state! 

Spending a night in adorable Sisters, OR was such a nice breakup in the trip. The sound of second cousins giggling and playing together probably made our Papa beam down from heaven. 

OREGON!!!  That is all. 

After some quick stops in Portland and Tacoma we made it to the Seattle area to visit some more family. Tomorrow the real Alaska adventure begins! We will spend the morning exploring Seattle and then finally boarding the Alaskan Marine Highway ferry until Monday. The idea of waking up on a boat and looking out into the Alaska waterway is leaving me completely giddy. With no internet or cell service  ( GASP!) There won't be any updates for a few days but I GUARANTEE that there will be some epic documentation of the weekend. 

Have a beautiful weekend friends!