2 years in Alaska!

It was 2 years ago today (JULY 26th!- wow, time flies!) that I crossed the border into Alaska, and ohhh my, has it been a journey!  I moved up here with only what I could fit in my old jeep, Sparky.  I had no where to live.  I only knew one person.  I, thankfully, had a job lined up with an awesome company (CRW Engineering Group) but really nothing else.  The first 6 months were extremely difficult.  Not only was I immensely home sick but I also managed to dislocate my elbow and shatter my arm, leaving me pretty much inactive for 2-4 months.  My surgeon told me no skiing for the season.  Well we ALL know that didn't happen!  Alaska had record snowfall my first winter up here and I had an amazing year skiing, bum elbow and all!
Reflecting back on my time here, I can say that moving to Alaska was one of the best decisions I've made. It has truly been the adventure I was looking for.  I have met friends that I now consider family and I am so grateful for them in my life.  Alaska feels like home.  I especially am thankful for my wonderful living situation.  My roommates are some of my best friends, there's always beer in the fridge, food in the garden (or in the oven), and someone around to chat with.
I felt that I should do a quick recap on my two years here.  I narrowed it down to 14 pictures in somewhat chronological order.  I think these pictures give an overall view of all the fun and crazy things I've done since I've been here. Again, this is only a QUICK peak into my life but I feel like they do capture a lot and there's a good story with each of them.

McCarthy, Alaska for labor day weekend.  Cait (far right) and I moved to Alaska together in the summer of 2011.  We decided to drive out to McCarthy for the long weekend and randomly met these two amazing women (Meaghan-left and Irene-right) at the camp site.  They are, to this day, still two of my best friends here and I honestly don't know what I would do without these three ladies in my life. Who knew all you needed to say to make some life long friends was "Hey, do you guys want a some tequila?"

So this happened.... dislocated elbow & shattered radius left me pretty immobile for awhile when I first moved here. I spent almost 5 months in physical therapy trying to strengthen my elbow and surrounding ligaments and muscles in what was easily the most traumatic injury I've ever had.  Being injured is never easy, especially when you are used to being so active on a daily basis.  2 years later, I have limited range of motion (still working on it!) and I still feel it every day.  I haven't let it slow me down though; I'm still skiing, playing contact sports and even rock climbing.  Oh and thank god, three of my best friends are physical therapists up here (Mike, Robin, and Tarah)! 

Challenge Alaska is an adaptive ski and snowboard school at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood.  I have spent a lot of time over the last 2 winters teaching ski lessons here to people of all ages with mental and/or physical disabilities.  If you've ever worked at Challenge or even walked through the building, you know the strength of the community that surrounds this program.  We are truly a family with a passion to ski, play outside, and share the joys of the snow with everyone.  Every lesson at Challenge is different but they all share the same goal: to have fun.  I have met some amazing skiers/snowboarders and even better friends through this program and I cannot wait for what next year brings.  The picture above is from an instructor clinic day at the beginning of the season last year (I am in the middle, red jacket, kneeling down).

In April of 2012, my good friend and bad ass skier, Mike Records, came to visit for a few weeks to shred some spring powder with his friend Nick.  We got a few days of local back country skiing in, followed by 4 days at Thompson Pass for Tailgate Alaska.  This photo is from a day at Hatchers Pass, just north of Anchorage.  We came up to this rock outcropping just when 2 grizzlies popped out.  They were slow moving but I'm sure very hungry.  Needless to say we avoided this area for the rest of the day.  Also was the day I realized that avalanches were not my only concern in the back country... haha. Oh, Alaska.

When I was recovering from my injury, I got a 6 month pass to the Alaska Rock Gym and started climbing almost every day after work.  I got more into climbing after dislocating my elbow than I ever was before.  I started climbing outside in Alaska last summer.  The rock here isn't great, but the scenery is always beautiful and the long days make it easy to get a lot of climbing in.  This photo is from a backpacking/climbing trip we took up by Eagle River.  Right to left: Alyse, Buddy the dog, Eugene, me, and Shey, photo by Seth.  The rock in the background is where we climbed! 

Seward, Alaska... I venture to Seward quite often in the summers.  It's a beautiful place located right on Resurrection Bay and surrounded by mountains and glaciers.  It's one of my favorite places in Alaska. This is a photo of Irene, me, and Becca at our camp spot on the beach during one of our Seward weekends.  Connor, Nate, Becca and I hiked up to Exit Glacier and the Harding Ice Field that day.  Over 30 glaciers flow into the Harding Ice Field that covers over 700 square miles.  The photo below shows Nate, Connor, Becca and I trail running down the trail with the Harding Ice Field in the background. 

This photo was taken Christmas 2012 back in Boulder.  One of the most important things about my 2 years in Alaska is that even though I'm thousands of miles away, I still get home to see my family pretty often.  I have been able to fly home 6 times in the last few years for holidays and weddings.  I know I wouldn't be where I am today without the endless support and love from my family.  There really is no place like home. 

Speaking of family! Here's part of my Alaskan family.  In March of this year, I rented the CPG hut in Girdwood.  It's a 4.5 mile skin to the hut from the resort.  We skinned into the hut at night towing sleds full of gear, beer, and food.  Becca and I got a few hour head start but ended up getting extremely lost in the pitch black of night (and a blizzard).  We were rescued by Brian and Mike and then two beers left in the trail by Tarah and Max revived us back to life! haha! Seven people and four dogs made for a cozy cabin.  We got some great powder turns in, as well as some naked night skiing... of course.
This was just one of the amazing hut trips I got to do this year.  There are cabins all over Alaska that are available for use year round for a very small cost (sometimes free).  I am excited to see where we end up playing next winter! 

Oosik Classic Ski Race! March 16, 2013.  Irene and I rented a room and had a girls weekend in Talkeetna for the ski race.  This was my first classic cross country ski race ever (and only the 3rd time ever on classic skis).  The race was on the Susitna River and through the wilderness around Talkeetna.  The race was definitely a challenge.  I realized that maybe it was not the best idea to start my cross country ski racing career with a 25 kilometer race... haha.  I was definitely hurting afterwards. The group of girls in this photo stuck together the whole race and crossed the finish line dead last (but proud)! Our favorite part, of course, being the whiskey/bacon station at kilometer 15, which we stayed at for more than an hour (haha... maybe why we were last?) The day ended with an after race party with live music at the hanger.  Robin and I also poached a mobile hot tub (on the back of a trailer) and watched the northern lights dance across the sky.  Photo from left to right: Moriah, Diane, Becca, Irene, Brianne, Jess, and Robin.  Photo by: ME :) Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and Denali in the background.

Slush Cup at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, April 2013.  This is the end of season party at Alyeska.  This photo is mainly a shout out to my current roommates (Annie, Diane, and Alex).  My overall happiness in life doubled when I moved into the Sunflower house.  I am so sad to be giving up my room there but I also know that I will always be welcome home (whether gear room or couch- ha!).  Love you guys! 

Memorial Day weekend 2013.  Sadie Cove across Kachemak Bay from Homer, Alaska.  We got a group of >20 people out to a yurt in Sadie Cove for a weekend of skiing, hiking, fishing, and sea kayaking.  Five of us (3 on skis and 2 on foot) hiked to the top of the mountain.  After a quick summit nap and beer, Max, Sam, and I decided that if there was going to be a naked ski day, this was the day!  So we stripped down and skied out completely nude.  I also took the best fall of my entire season and double ejected while naked. ha!  This photo just captures so much about Alaska:  1) the fact that you can swim in the ocean and ski an epic line all in the same day  2) how after dealing with an Alaskan winter, ~50 degrees is warm enough to be comfortable skiing naked  3) how crazy/adventurous/silly my friends are!
Photo left to right: Sam, me, Max (dogs, Nuna and Shiner) Photo by: Jess 

Hope, Alaska. July, 2013. Becca, Sam, Claire, and I did the Twin Lakes hike outside of Hope.  We summited the peak in the background, slid down a snow field to the left, and ended the day with a "hobo shower" in the lake.  This photo is one of many that captures this summer we've been having here.  The weather has been INCREDIBLE and every weekend has been full of amazing adventures.  I feel so lucky to live here!!!!  Photo: Becca (left), Claire (right). Photo by: ME.  

Again, this is only a snapshot of the Alaska life, but I think these photos capture a lot of what I've been doing up here in my free time.  Hope you enjoyed! IT'S BEEN A GOOD TWO YEARS!!!!!!!!!  Excited for the next two! :)