Alaska Aurora! It Begins… Watch out for Iron Amy

I am excited to be returning back to Alaska after almost 15 months! As usual Amy has a great itinerary in store for us and a new cast of characters, Dali, Paul, Vivian will be joining us from San Francisco. This trip will be quite different from the past given it’s in the middle of winter and based out of Fairbanks. Lots of snow, very cold- highs expected no more than 10F!
Of course the biggest thing about this trip is that we are in the prime season to view the aurora borealis/northern lights. I have been practicing and geeking up on the photography challenge (I will need a sturdy tripod and some serious patience in the cold!). I downloaded the iphone app and even joined the Aurora notification Facebook group!
Let’s pray the weather is good during our time in Chena Hotsprings to get a good viewing- weather is definitely going to be a big factor as always with Alaska, but luck has always been on our side.
I grabbed this midnight sun photo from that last trip- which brought back some great memories of Angie and Amy.

Amy couldn’t resist boasting about her Dog Sledding win- Iron Amy… Who will challenge Iron Amy to a race?

Everyone is enroute to Anchorage where we will meet up. I am passing through Seattle where I originally met Letitia who then lead me to meet Amy on my first trip to Alaska 4 years ago. This is my 5th trip! I must be an honorary Alaska resident at this rate. I can't wait!

Photo Highlights: Scenic Sunny Drive McArthy to Anchorage

Photo Highlights- Food Tasting @ McArthy

Photo Highlights- Kennecott Mines Day

Photo Highlights- Rafting & Flying in McArthy Day

Photo Highlights- Valdez to McArthy

Photo Highlights- Whittier & Valdez

Photo Highlights- Fishing & BBQ

Photo Highlights- Kenai Arrival

Building bridges

I took over 3000 photos on this trip and in the midst of even trying to organize them all whilst continuing on my journey to London, I thought it best to pick out one photo for today that sums up the trip for me- this is not the best photo, just one that resonates with me at this point in time…

It is all about building connections to new experiences

This wooden tristle once connected the remote copper mines of Kennecott in Wrangell-St.Elias Park with the main railroad route, it was said to be an impossible project given hardships such as bitter winters and shifting glaciers… but this bridge opened up the copper route during the industrial and “electrification” revolution to wire up the world. This is exactly what I believe my whole Alaska experience to this point with 4 trips so far, building bridge to rich and unknown lands- that connection for me was Letitia, a friendly artist I bumped into and had a drink with in Seattle airport who invited me to Alaska, which then lead to meeting Amy “AlaskaAmy” who motivated me to return more than once through shared passions, interests and a great friendship. This in turn led to me to inviting Aleksander and Deborah this year and 2 other friends last year- together we have uncovered deep riches through experiences that this trip has brought- I can’t thank Amy enough for making such a fantastic trip possible yet again (bar keeps keep getting raised with each trip!) and I hope to continue to build connections in future- Alaska and beyond.

You will have to wait until I get to spend more time organizing the photos on the plane to London before you get the full set. It will be good- I promise!