My full time job requires me to travel all over the United States (I know, I'm pretty lucky). My latest travels brought me to Alaska. I was able to hike (which I would later discover, was more of a casual walk up a path than a hike) to the Byron Glacier right outside of Anchorage, fly on the smallest plane of my life to Cordova and then hop on over to Kodiak to visit with my brother and his girlfriend Margo! I have tons of pictures of my travels, but I've decided that I'm happiest sharing my pictures that include people in them. I think that people tell a story and it's pretty amazing to look back on photos and remember the exact moment the shot was taken, what was being said, how the "pose" happened, etc. The pictures I'm about to share (except for the last 3) were taken on what Marg and Rog had told me would be an easy hike. Not exaggerating, 2 minutes into the hike I was questioning my decision to embrace mother nature - heart racing, sweating, legs burning - yes, I'm only 24 years old - shocking. My older brother clearly found humor in this, but as it turned out the beginning steep incline to start the hike was the most difficult part of the hike except for when I ran across a log and took a tree branch to the forehead. Oh memories in Alaska. Did I mention that on my "hike" to the Glacier, I slipped on a wet rock and fell camera first to the ground... scariest.moment.of.my.life.... I think I laid on the ground a good 30 seconds before I could look at my camera and see if it had survived the (graceful) fall. Luckily it did and now my camera has a slight battle wound and a story to go along with it!
Here's Margo:
In this picture Roger has one of the really long, slimy, slippery (okay I fell on this hike too) pieces of seaweed that wash up on Kodiak's shorelines.
Haha, I love this picture. Margo has her pocket knife out ready to cut the hammock down and Roger is just relaxing loving life.
This hammock was about halfway through the hike. I took Roger's pictures quickly, so I could lay down and mentally prepare to continue on. I have gained a new respect for photographers who have the drive to go to uncommon places for photo shoots.
The leaves in Kodiak were without a doubt the largest leaves I've ever seen. The colors of the foliage in Kodiak were pretty incredible along the whole hike too.
Roger learns a lot from the TV shows he watches with Margo. He kept telling me he was listening to Tyra Banks and "smiling with his eyes".
The next three pictures are Roger showing off his Coast Guard Officer strength. Haha, I love my brother.
Now he's just being awesome:
Push ups on the log:
Margo and Roger. Look at the color of the water, so amazing.
Being Kodiak is such a damp place, moss grows all over the trees. Moss's real purpose in life is as facial hair:
This not so little guy was just chilling on the side of the road when we drove through. I love how he stared right at the car:
Kodiak has their only brewery. They brew a "Sara PALe Ale".
Dead Salmon line the waterways in Kodiak. I will never forget the smell of these fish, ever.
Thank you for a wonderful visit Roger and Margo. And thank you for being such wonderful models. :)
xoxo
Loved Wrigley Park. Chicago does not mess around when they say "ultimate hot dog":
Loved Wrigley Park. Chicago does not mess around when they say "ultimate hot dog":
I can't wait for Rio 2016. :)
