Skagway Bella

When Jeff and I landed in Skagway, after our long ferry ride, we went immediately to the annual solstice party at Jewel Gardens. It is always thrilling driving through that tiny town. It brings back so many memories. When we parked at Jewel Gardens, I was alarmed at how many people were there. We walked through the gates, and I saw hundreds of familiar faces and facebook friends from spending seven summers in Skagway. I was breathing through my mouth and squeezing Jeff's hand, until everyone else became a blur-and I saw my dearest friend, Meredith.

Once we hugged, it was on. Together we navigated the crowd under the midnight sun, and saw some more dear friends-like Margeaux and Charity and even some new sweet madams. I was still overwhelmed with faces from summers past, but I was only in town for day-and chose to focus on m'dears.

Charity, Meredith, and Me

After the party, Jeff and I set up camp in Meredith's "yard." She lives in a cabin by the Skagway River (Meredith and I lived in that cabin-known as "The Cowboy Condos"-in summer of '08). Jeff, Oscar, and I fell asleep to the sounds of mosquitoes and the Skagway River.

Meredith, parked on her porch.

Saturday was a day of friends and food. We spent the morning on the porch of the cabin, watching Oscar play with Margeaux's dogs. We ate some incredible crab eggs benedict at the Fish Co with Aaron, Meredith, and Margeaux. We were even lucky enough to snag Cori, Daniel, DonNelson, and Liz for some added love. Jeff and I checked into our hotel, rested, then spent the afternoon at the Red Onion with the addition of Charity. We ate dinner at the always delicious Stowaway with Aaron, Mer, Ray, Char, and Liz. Then I finished off the evening at Margeaux's with the female heroes of Skagway, while Jeff and Aaron duded it out at the Cowboy Condos.

Emile greeted us back at our hotel, and after an amazing day of laughing with friends in my first Alaska love, we all drifted happily to sleep in our comfy hotel bed.

Oscar, perched on the top of the spiral staircase at the Cowboy Condos.

xo

Alli