Fair Weather Auroras

I was lucky to get to my northern lights viewing spot early, just in time for the biggest show of the night. I stayed longer but it never got as good again and word had spread that the lights were out and hundreds of other people showed up. They left their headlights on or their foot on the brakes. They used flash photography to try to capture the flares. It was still easy to enjoy and appreciate the show but it definitely ruined the chances of taking any more photos! I'm used to freezing my buns off in the middle of the night with 5 or 6 other people so it was interesting to be part of the "fair weather" aurora borealis fans. It was fun to hear the gasps of people seeing them for the very first time. A few people even took pictures of my camera screen so they could share what they were seeing with others (it was impossible to get these on your phone, I even tried).

(I'm still working on technique, obviously. I'm slowly figuring out how to eliminate the graininess.)

Sun Flare

I'm so happy my iPhone cooperated and the pictures turned out just the way I was hoping. I love how each of their personalities shines through no matter what we're doing.

Reflections Lake and Wetlands

We were supposed to meet some people at Reflections Lake as part of a Mom's Club activity but looked too late to see that it had been cancelled. Oh well! Since we were already there we went for a hike just the three of us (me, Andi, and Kit) and didn't regret one second of it.

We've been to Reflections Lake before but this time we veered off the main path to explore the wetlands. I was very grateful that Andi and I were wearing our mud boots.

 

I carried Kit over the worst of the mud but I had to let her get her feet (and pants, and hands, and coat) a little dirty, right?

 



They love to hold hands.

Cleaning Out the Phone

Some of these pictures I already posted to Instagram but wanted to save them here, too. Some of them didn't make it to Instagram because I've been pretty busy with the start of school. Well, busy getting back on a routine.  :)

 Lots of baby selfies and funny faces.

South Fork Eagle River Trail - To the Bridge

We got together with friends for an attempt at the South Fork Eagle River trail. We made it to the bridge which is a popular turning around point but are making plans to return with more food and time so we can hike all the way to the lakes.

It took me (and Andrew) a while to narrow down the pictures. Autumn is in full effect here and I took so many photos it was hard to choose.

Now we're just crossing our fingers for another nice weekend this year so we can go back and try the whole thing!

The Blacktails

This is the very beginning of the hike. All the greenery is in stark contrast to the alpine tundra.

And here we are above the treeline, overlooking the Knik Arm. Mt. Baldy is the bump at the far left. It's so neat to see the tundra changing colors with the seasons - the white stuff is lichen.

At any chance they could get the girls were stuffing their faces with berries. Andi found a pretty big blueberry patch here, but mostly it was crowberries. We collected so many blueberries and crowberries (in my hat) that we came home and made a crumble with them. I wish I would have had a bucket!

Looking back towards Eagle River and Anchorage.

The Blacktails. It was a perfect day for a hike.

Arlie lost her tooth somewhere on the hike, she has no idea where. She was very concerned that the tooth fairy wouldn't be able to find it and kept reminding us to keep our eyes peeled for it on the hike down. Luckily the tooth fairy left a note last night saying she found it and had it with her for safekeeping. Whew!