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.

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

La La Land

A close friend of mine got married last weekend in Southern California. I was fortunate to be able to travel to Los Angeles to spend some time with her and her family and attend the wedding as well as have a little vacation. This trip was much needed, for I have been very busy and I just needed some time away.

My friend's wedding was gorgeous. She put a lot of effort into making it her dream wedding and to make sure the guests enjoyed themselves. The wedding was in a quaint church in Orange County with the reception at an awesome venue down in the Newport area. I am truly happy for the bride and groom. They are one of those couple that are 100% made for each other.

Ceremony

Reception

After the wedding, I spent two days in Hollywood with a very close friend of mine from San Diego. We haven't been friends for very long but have a connection of life-long friends that I just don't find very often. We have a lot of the same views of life and have been through very similar circumstances. We spend the entire two days just talking, and some some sights here and there. We spent the afternoon at The Getty, ate at an awesome restaurant (Gladstone's) in the Pacific Palisades,  walked around Venice, got lost in downtown Los Angeles, and (of course) watched the painted California sunset.

The Getty

View of Century City from The Getty

Patio at Gladstone's

Venice Studio Shop

I had a phenomenal time. The weather was perfect, there was so much to do, and I had great company. I now understand why so many people choose So. Cal as their home and as with most of my trips, I want to go back.