Alaska

It was our first visit to Alaska, the land of wonders big and small, of vast spaces and tiny details, all breathtakingly beautiful.

Big wonders, vast spaces:

Byron Peak & Glacier

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the Harding Icefield

Back on earth (Moose Pass) after we soared on seaplane

our ticket to the sky

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Small wonders, tiny details:

dwarf dogwood

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wild roses

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an intricacy of ferns

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a natural plush carpet

on which I walked barefooted

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And then, the unexpected, like my first visit to an orthodox church, in Kenai.

Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, Kenai

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First, we drove from Anchorage to Homer. Then, from the Homer Spit, a water taxi brought us to Tutka Bay Lodge...

our room was upstairs

where friends old and new made every hour so special I wanted to make time stop all the time.

late evening view from the room

Blessedly long days still were not long enough...

early morning in the kayak

for kayaking, writing, hiking, chatting, following bald eagles fly from treetop to treetop.

sight (and sound) of morning grooming

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One afternoon, story-teller extraordinaire Clem Tillion kept us riveted as he recounted episodes of his long life, peppered with historical references from anything between the Roman invasion of England to American Civil War and salted with distilled words of wisdom.

And that evening, the magic of poetry enveloped us all, seated around the table set on the deck of the lodge.

table set for LongHouse

Poetry, the enchantment of words you listen to with close eyes and open heart. When you come to, your perspective has shifted a notch or two.

Fisher poets Meezie Hermansen and Erin Fristad, and "poet of witness" Carolyn Forché read to us words that rang like crystal in the golden evening air.

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With sparkling eyes and lighter soul, we retraced our steps, across the Kachemak Bay to the Homer Spit, then from Homer to Anchorage, carrying with us lots of memories, some writing in our notebooks, the echo of laughter and the lasting warmth of friendship.

Many thanks to Molly, Carolyn, Will, Kirsten and the whole crew of the Tutka Bay Lodge, and my fellow travelers.

Hope to see you all next year.

Have written or spoken beautifully about their recent experience in Alaska

• Lynda of Taste Food
• Annelies of The Food Poet
• Kathy of Here & Now

A few more links:

• the Chugach National Forest
• the Harding Icefield
• the Grace Ridge Trail (we hiked part of it)
• Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge (Anchorage)
  

Comments

[Annelies]

Simona- I love your descriptions, both visual and verbal of your Alaskan experience. The glacier and ice field photos are particularly stunning!

[Tamara]

che meraviglia, come vorrei essere lì adesso, fotografie eccellenti....un saluto

[Lynne]

Exquisite photos- what a wonderful vacation. I loved Alaska, too!

[Deb in Hawaii]

Such beautiful pictures Simona--it looks like you had a wonderful time. I have never been to Alaska but you make me want to go. ;-)

[brii]

So beautiful Simona, so breathtaking.
I always imagined Alaska a special place and you words and photo says it is so.
I've been as far north as Newfoundland, but just for a stop over going from Milan to Cuba
(yes I know that was a crazy trip!!!)
Alaska is on my wishlist!!
baciusss

[Delaware Girl Eats]

I can't decide whether the eagles, the cooking or the total detox of the experience was most exhilarating!

[Kelly]

Wow, gorgeous photos! I loved the vast expanses of snow and untouched land!

xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes

[Simona Carini]

Thank you, Annelies. I am glad you enjoyed the photos.

Grazie, Tamara. Non vedo l'ora di tornarci.

Thank you, Lynne!

Thank you, Deb. After my brief experience, I recommend you go.

Ciao Brii. I thought about you during our trip: you'd like Alaska. It's quite spectacular. Maybe, next year, during your summer break you can visit it ;)

We certainly have a nice list out of which we can choose, Cathy!

[Katie]

Gorgeous photos - I've always wanted to see Alaska. Your trip sounds wonderful.

[Simona Carini]

Thank you, Katie. Based on my experience, I highly recommended. I can't wait to go back.

[Simona Carini]

Thank you, Kelly. It is certainly a land of big spaces.