A Beautiful Winter Day on the Palmer Hay Flats

Yesterday, the sun was shining, and the skies were a brilliant blue. After church, my friend Nikki and I decided we needed to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Our decision: to go snowshoeing on the Palmer Hayflats. We live only about 10 minutes from one of the access points to the flats, so its not a far drive. Its a beautiful and tranquil open space that is gorgeous throughout the year. Click on this link to learn more about the flats! http://www.palmerhayflats.org/seasons.html

Here are just a few pics from our walk yesterday. Hopefully they'll give you an idea of just how gorgeous this place is–even in the middle of the winter! ENJOY!

Mary, Nikki, and the dogs, Kiana and Osa, getting some rays on a clear day. 

BLUE skies looking North toward the valley.

Another magical sunset. Thank you, Lord, for creating Alaska.

Excited to be using my awesome new snowshoes! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Back in the Groove

So, I know I have not been doing a very good job with this blog, but I want to get better at it! So, I am going to give it one more try :)

So....since I last wrote....I went home for Christmas break to Colorado, which was wonderful. My brother Brian was home too, and so the four of us were together for an entire week. It was so great. Relaxing, and great. I was able to go skiing once with Brian at Breckenridge, and though it was freeeeezing cold, we had a great time and were so glad to have gone. I also was able to see friends and family and catch up a bit, which is always a good thing. Its a bummer to only see people twice a year, but I still really look forward to the times that we can get together and see each other face to face.

I was sad to leave my family and the wonderful state of Colorado, as I always am when I leave, but I was also getting anxious to get back to Alaska. On the drive back from Anchorage to the Valley, I was glad to feel like I was coming "home", or at least coming to my "other home". Always a good sign.

Now I have been back for a couple of weeks, and am fully back in the swing of things. Work is going well, and I am enjoying seeing the sun stay out for longer and longer each day. In only two weeks, it will be light for 30 minutes more than it is right now! Awesome.

The only down side of being back is that my roommate, and dear friend Brittany, is headed back to Chicago today for a job at Lake Geneva Youth Camp to be the Associate Director of Programs. It is her dream job, and so though I am so excited for her, I am sad for her to leave. It is bittersweet, for certain.

To celebrate her time here in Alaska, we took a drive to Beluga point south of Anchorage, and then went on to Girdwood, and Alyeska ski resort. It was a beautiful drive as the sun peeked through the clouds, and it was a great way for Brittany to bid farewell to Alaska, and visa versa. I can't wait until she comes back to visit!

Ok, so now that I am caught up, I will try to be better about posting on a regular basis to keep everyone up-to-date on what's new with me and Alaska!

Until next time,

Lauren

Electric Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs!

Skiing in the Horseshoe Bowl at Breckenridge.

Family Photo! Christmas 2010

Back in Alaska. Walk on the frozen hayflats near my house!