A Weekend Full of HOPE. Twin Lakes Trail, Hope, AK

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread." - Edward Abbey

The summer keeps getting better and better! I knew it would be difficult to top my birthday weekend in Talkeetna, but I would say we did a pretty good job of that this weekend.  Two great nights of live music by a favorite local band, the Denali Cooks, at one of my favorite Alaskan bars, the Seaview.  AMAZING weather. Great company. Hiking, sun, skinny dipping, bonfires, camping, fishing, and inevitably someone losing their car keys in the process of all of this.  I am still so blown away to be living in such a beautiful place.  Alaska, you really have stolen my heart.

One of my favorite things about small town Alaska is that barely anything is regulated.  There is a campground in Hope, there are "technically" some camp spots and fees, but really... no one cares.  Or maybe it's just that no one minds?  Park before the dirt ends for there are no lines.  Camp where gravity first throws your tent.  Yep, that looks good... and isn't it nice not to worry about rules?  Alaska... a land where the only things to worry about are bears and the tide (not intended to be an understatement, but you get my point). haha :)

Saturday was one of the better hikes I've done this summer.  It was a last minute decision to change our plans of hiking Point Hope to hiking Twin Lakes. We had only heard about this hike through word of mouth. Luckily, the local coffee cart gal in Hope knew which way to point us.

Drive up Palmer Creek Road

Start to a beautiful day! 

Not too shabby

One of my favorites...  hydration is key! 

The first small pond, beautiful colors!

Heading up to the lakes

Sam, looking back at the first pond

Still some snow melting out in the stream bed

Typical Saucy Squirrel action... 

Almost to the first Lake

At the first lake

Stunning!! Becca and Claire by the first lake
the peak in the background is the one we hiked to

Hiking above the lakes

Bex! 

Twin lakes! So beautiful. 

Hiking up to the peak!

Someone's skied this recently... 

Almost to the top, scouting potential ski zone for next season

Scramble to the top (photo: Bex)

Sam, being Sam... 

Summit nap time (photo: Bex)

Enjoying the view (photo: Bex)

Snow field we slid down :)  (photo: Bex)

Alaska shower time (photo: Bex)

Back in Hope

The best bar in Hope (the only bar in Hope)

Dinner time... mac & cheese, accidentally dumped on the ground

Denali Cooks show!
"We having so fun"

love. 

Adam, the dog whisperer! 

Sunday morning hungover coffee and bagels

Playing in the packraft, looking up at Tenderfoot

Becca getting a mud facial from Sam, haha

Another great adventure!  I have exactly one month left in Alaska before I start on my journey South. I am trying to take advantage of every day here. I can't believe how time has flown since I moved here.  I have to give thanks to everyone I've met up here and the personal journey I've taken in the last two years.

Life is GOOD!!!