Last Skagway Summer

My last summer in Skagway was the most eventful and adventurous summer I've had. I feel so lucky to have an active boyfriend, who won't settle for just sitting around eating and watching TV. He keeps me constantly motivated and excited about new adventures.

Here are a few snippets of my favorite moments of my 2010 summer. I know there are a ton of pictures, but indulge me...

Jeff's handsome cat, Emile. He's very photogenic, even though he's a bit chubby.

Camping at Herbert Glacier.

The cold, roaring river and glacier mist felt refreshing after a hot, sunny hike.

Hike up to the gorgeous Salmon Creek Reservoir.

I'm pretty much pretending to fish, but it gave Jeff a chance to take some pictures.

Hiking all the way up to Devil's Punchbowl at the top of the mountain. Almost to the ice-fields.

View of my beloved Skagway.

Oscar got a little wind blown.

Holla! I did it!

After our incredible hike up the mountain, we celebrated Summer Solstice.

(I think this is a photo of us laughing at a three-legged-dog.)

Lovely hike and picnic to Sturgil's Landing, which is just south of Skagway.

Proof we were there.

My dearest friends, Aaron and Meredith kept me sane all summer.

We spent an evening wandering through Jewell Gardens, which is on the far north point of town.

Happiest 4th of July!

It was the modern day, 30th Anniversary of the Red Onion. Our float was a mini-false-front of the Red Onion building....and we won "Most Patriotic Float."

Oscar was an honorary madam. Or, I guess, "pimp."

He's a star.

My closest girls in Skagway. Margeaux & Meredith.

Southeast Alaska State Fair!

We fell in love with Haines.

I am so inspired by this sweater Aaron got at the fair. Check out that braid!

They're not the brightest geese. But are geese supposed to be smart?

Rain didn't stop us from enjoying the festivities.

After the fair we fished and camped at Chilkoot Lake.

Jeff caught a salmon, but he released it. This kind of salmon isn't very tasty.

Jeff woke up very early, and caught us breakfast.

We ate it with some scrambled eggs, and it was crazy delicious. Eating delicious breakfast outside is one of my favorite things to do.

Finished up our Haines trip hiking along the south shore.

The annual Red Onion Drag Show easily inspired the madams to dress in our own version of drag.

My friend, Don Nelson. The drag show is his favorite time of year. And YES-that's a blowup turkey attached to his head.

In Juneau, Jeff brought me to spot bears at the Mendenhall Glacier. It's like a zoo, but the bears are wild. I was scared.

Taking a picture break from spotting bears.

I am going to miss these ladies most of all. These are my dear ladies of the Red Onion. We posed for this picture right before we boarded the Carnival Ship for an end of the year soiree.

Jeff and I took a spontaneous trip to Atlin, British Columbia.

The drive was endlessly gorgeous.

Big puffy clouds and vibrant fall colors kept me wide awake and smiling.

The grizzly bear family on the side of the road made me very nervous, though.

Oscar loved the ride the most.

I have just two weeks left in town, and Jeff and I are still planning on hiking the Chilkoot trail. It is the 33 mile trek the miners took in the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. I'm a little nervous, but I think it will be the perfect culmination of the Skagway era of my life. I can't wait.

Endings

Is it really time to jump again on the blog wagon? I sure hope I stick to it this time. Because....I quit. That's right. I just resigned from my sweet gig up north. I have just about two weeks until I tie up the loose ends and head to a full time life-aka "year round life"-in Juneau. It is a bit of a bittersweet time, and I haven't felt such love for Skagway since my first summer here eight years ago. This spot of land has been my everything. I will always be in love with my Skagway, but the little village seems proud of me and the mountains are moving out of the way for me.

Suddenly I don't have any conflicts in the summer. I mean sure I have a job, but I don't have the intense obligation to dedicate six months of my life to a whorehouse. Literally. My love affair with Alaska is expanding, and I am inspired to explore my creativity with knitting, performing, and diving deep into the Juneau community.

I can't wait!

The Allisons Knit

Did you know that there are TWO chicks named Allison that live in Skagway just a down the alley from each other? Not only that, but they are BOTH thoroughly obsessed with knitting. And "they" are US.

Allison Haas works for the incredible White Pass Railroad here in Skagway. I literally get all giddy when I see the steam train in town. She is an award winning knitter, and together we love stalking all knitting sites online.

IF you knit (and I'm betting you don't, because I don't get many blog stalkers), check out her original knitting designs. I was lucky enough to test knit a pattern of hers over the winter, and she is beyond talented.

She has an awesome giveaway, and I dare you to check her out. But not too many of you, because I sortof want to win.

Ok, enough blogging....now for some more knitting....

Sturgil's Landing

We spent Jeff's last day in town hiking out to Sturgil's Landing. We hiked through the woods for about three miles...

...and the trail spit us out onto a little beach near an old sawmill on the water.

We had a lovely little picnic, and watched the storm clouds roll in.

We didn't eat Oscar for lunch.

Once again, I can't wait for another visit!

Solstice

Every year the city of Skagway throws a big Solstice party where everyone hangs out on the softball field to enjoy the midnight sun.

I am so glad I got to spend it with my favorite people.

"The Schmidts"...

...and "the Dudes."

Devil's Punchbowl

Jeff came to Skagway for the weekend. We climbed three miles up the mountain to "Devil's Punchbowl."

Oscar had almost no trouble.

View of Skagway from the summit.

Jeff kindly kept me moving.

Oscar loved the snow.

I struggled a bit at the top to keep going, but Jeff pushed me to the end.

I'm glad that we got to see a little bit into the "punchbowl."

I said, "Yep, there's the punchbowl. Let's go back down now."

Juneau Weekend.

My summer in Southeast has been glorious so far, and I am discovering my little granola side. That's right, Mom. You're daughter likes to camp. Last weekend I took a trip to Juneau to visit Jeff, and we spent almost the entire time outside. We hiked up to the Salmon Creek dam and went fly-fishing. Plus we hiked up to the Herbert Glacier and camped by the river.

I can't wait for more time outside with Mr. Rogers. I think this will be a perfect summer.