The Great AK

It has been surprising for me to learn that Alaska (Anchorage) isn't really any colder, nor does it get more snow than Michigan. However, their winters are much longer (October-April) and they have the whole 'lots of day light in the summer' to 'hardly any day light in the winter' thing going on. While we were there, the sun came up around 8:30ish, they said in December it won't come up until about 11:30 and then it sets around 4pm!

We had a a few good days to really explore the beautiful scenery through lots of hiking. Everyone we met there was so hospitable and wanted to show us around their home state (and I thought Texans had state pride!?!?!). We spent one day exploring with the director of Activities and a couple of students from UAA. They took us south on the Seward Highway to Windy Point for a hike...


On our drive we saw this marshy area with about 40 wild swans in it! Mike told us that it was a very unusual thing to see this many in one place...here's a photo of some flying in...

Our next hike was at Flat Top...another beautiful view!


We had a great lunch at the Glacier Brewhouse, where they not only have the freshest of seafood options, but they also have housemade rootbeer and cream soda!
The show at UAA on Friday night was really really good! The guys were totally on in full humor mode about conquering the world, one non-contiguous state at a time. AND, jewelry sales were up as well!! We sold 3 necklaces and 2 pairs of earrings!

On Saturday, we met up with Amy, we first met her last fall at a show in Washington, however she is from Alaska, so she flew home for the weekend so that she could see RH play in her hometown, Palmer. We started our morning with brunch at Gwennie's...complete with the Alaskan treat of reindeer sausage...I know, it sounds mean, but I promise Santa will still be able to fly his sleigh...it was actually really really good!


Our next stop on our trip out to Palmer was at a Glacier River surrounded by mountains. Ryan and I competed at skipping rocks...I think we about tied...

Then Ryan and Cameron practiced throwing rocks with their left hand...neither one of them even got as far as runner-up. There's Amy in this picture...can you tell she's the Alaskan with her gaucho pants and flip flops in 30 degree weather!

There was a cute reindeer farm that we stopped at...


Our next stop was at the Butte...Amy taught us about riking (run/hiking)...I think Ryan outdid us all with endurance...

From the top, we had a beautiful view of Palmer...


Saturday night they played to a packed house at Vagabond Blues, a club very similar to Passim (veggie restaurant/coffee house).

Amy joined them on stage for a Nickel Creek Song...the three of them together harmonized sooo beautifully! Here is a picture from soundcheck..

Just before the show...we saw a beautiful sunset that turned the mountains purple!

We took the red-eye flight home last night...so we're feeling a wee bit sleepy today!