Maximilian

It's been awhile since I've posted and a few things have changed in my life... quite a few very close friends leaving Lexington (and a couple returning) and a new addition to my immediate family... MEET MAXIMILIAN!!!

Max, as I call him, was a stray I adopted from a friend in southeastern Kentucky back in October. He is a Basenji, Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) mix... and boy is he a handful! But he is so sweet and I have bonded with him very quickly. 

I'm excited to have a new best friend/son in my life!!!

The Unexpected

Last month I traveled to Austin, Texas for a work training conference with the U.S. EPA. I had never traveled to Texas before and had many preconceived notions about the Lone Star State. What I experienced while I was there surprised me, a lot and in all honesty I may have fallen in love with the place.

Austin Skyline from Auditorium Shores Park

View of Lake Austin at the Hula Hut

Barton Springs

If you know me, I know you're thinking "You fall in love with every place you go", but this runs deep into many aspects of live in the city. The climate is warm and the attitude is very relaxed and beachy (even being 3+ hours from the coast). People are friendly and there is tons to do between the lakes and rivers in the area, the natural springs, the music scene and nightlife, the food trucks, and activities around the Texas state capital. Who knows, may one day I'll get to experience life there. =)

The Last Frontier

Alaska is a very special place. I'm sure hundreds one people have written about its vastness,   innate beauty and serene wildlife... and they're all right. While there, I covered a lot of ground but barely even saw half of all there is to offer.

I flew into Anchorage to meet my aunt, we did some grocery shopping and then drove up to Denali National Park where we hiked, took a tour of the park, and spent endless time viewing wildlife. I can't even express how vast and awesome the park is, not to mention the vast differences in landscape in the 6 million acres. It is truly awe inspiring.

View from Teklanika River Rest Area in Denali

Caribou Grazing in Denali National Park

After a few days in Denali, we headed south to the small port town of Seward on the Kenai Peninsula. The landscape here was also awe inspiring, but full of water, mountain views and glaciers. We filled our time with tons of kayaking, hiking, a glacier tour, and some more wildlife watching. We saw orca whales, sea otters, humpback whales, puffins, walrus, and sea lions.

Otters Swimming in Resurrection Bay 

View in Resurrection Bay

Humpback Whale in Aialik Bay 

The Aialik Glacier

I have to say that out of all our activities, seeing the glaciers was the most impressive thing for me. To see such a pristine landscape and the massive geology that contributed to making it all was just awesome... and I have to admit, I was really sad to see how these glaciers have receded and melted. I definitely hope it's in the cards for me to return and hike a portion og the Harding Icefield some day.

One month +

I never have "good" excuses on why I haven't blogged. Nevertheless, I have still been on many adventures and in my true nature, wanted to post a map of everywhere I've been this past month.

I do love a good map. More entries to follow.

Feel Good

Rozalla - Everybody's Free (To Feel Good by Hakunamatata67

Photos from Across the Atlantic

I returned from vacation to the Netherlands on Tuesday. While there, I took a quick jaunt with my family to London. Here are a few photos I wanted to share.

Spui, Binnenstad, Amsterdam, NL

Graffiti on Mauritsstraat, Rotterdam, NL 

City of London from Hay's Galleria,
Southwark, London, UK

Here Lately

The fact that Americans work too much is completely true, especially for this American lately. The 76 mile stretch of Interstate 64 between Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky have become a very familiar commute for me in the past few months. Juggling projects and meeting major deadlines have kept me busy, but I honestly cannot complain. I enjoy what I do and everyday is a new challenge that is fun to tackle. For that, I am lucky and continue to work onward and upward while enjoying life.

I must say among all the work I have found plenty of time to enjoy the warm weather we have been having. A few weeks ago I spent hours downtown for Lexington's St. Patrick's Day Festival with friends, doing the Run/Walk in the morning and drinking green beer all afternoon. This past weekend I celebrated my 25th birthday with my mother and friends on the patio. 

St. Patrick's Day Celebration with friends

Rainbow Birthday Cake (!!)

It has been glorious taking advantage of this weather and spending as much time as possible outside! I am heading on vacation later this week, but hope to be posting regularly upon my return.