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! 

Roadtrip Alaska

Hello!

Welcome to the very first Believe blog post .

If you follow the Believe Studio business a bit you are probably already in the loop... But we are making a huge move. Our family, and of course business , is relocating from Southern Arizona to Fairbanks Alaska ! The last frontier is a place my husband and I have dreamed of since our first dates over 10 years ago, and thanks to the US Army along with God's grace this dream is becoming a reality. Now back in 2005 we probably never imagined we'd be taking this adventure in our loaded mini van with two and a half kiddos in tow but here we are loving every second of it !

 I'd love to share some of the journey through my lens a bit whether it's through the trusty 'ol iPhoneography or some simple downloads from my camera edited by phone when possible. It may not be too fancy but my hope is to inspire some of you to keep capturing the light no matter what equipment you have on hand! The beauty in this messy life is all around us friends , sometimes we just need to open our eyes a bit to see it .

Th first day of travels was just about this and more of this. Joshua trees, desert , and cacti gets a little dry after 7 hours of driving ( pun intended )

On one of our many bathroom breaks this tiny desert bloom caught my eye. Not until I was close enough to get a good shot did I realize the little friend hiding inside!

Night one called for pizza at the tastiest place in downtown Las Vegas, Pizza rock!  

Downtown Las Vegas has a fun new colorful vibe going on. We mostly go to visit family anyways but staying downtown is a bit more kiddo appropriate with the new container park play area and less congestion than the strip . 

This is how you eat breakfast in the hotel on Day 2 when you're a wild 4 year old boy. Coffee for Mama is a non-negotiable . 

Our oldest had a special treat getting to watch his uncle at work making delicious smoothies for us. Another must have in downtown LV is Grassroots juice bar! 

I am a huge sucker for vibrant wall art. The leftover murals from a recent festival were too perfect not to capture ! Life is ABSOLUTELY Beautiful. 

  

After leaving Las Vegas we made the trek clear across Nevada. I thought west Texas highways were the most desolate but Nevada is probably  at the top of the list now . Just before the end of our day's drive we were completely awestruck by this old mining town of Virginia City. Old Americana beauty was on every corner from the old churches to quaint but empty downtown . Apparently it's a well known "ghost town" but it's charm totally drew us in for a quick drive through . 

Tonight we say goodnight to Reno ending our long 2 day stretch of desert. The national forests of Northern California on the road to Oregon tomorrow are going to be a breath of fresh air, figuratively AND literally.