300 Days of Sunshine

Happy summer!  During weeks like this I'm extremely grateful that we had the wisdom to install air conditioning when we bought our house.  It has been 90 degrees and sunny in the afternoons and I feel the overwhelming urge to do nothing more than lie on the couch after walking the dog around the block.  It is sure nice to be home, though, after two weeks of travel.  We had a laid-back 4th of July.  I worked my normal schedule at the hospital and Jaycob and Ady enjoyed Pancakes on the Plaza.  That evening we made dinner on the grill and went out to hear live music on a patio at a brewery before coming home to comfort a  frightened dog during the fireworks.  I'm not that enthusiastic about the 4th of July lately, maybe because of the state of the country or maybe because I find fireworks irritating, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it more when Ady is old enough to enjoy the fireworks and festivities.  What I do feel patriotic about, however, is the US Women's Soccer team!  

We just returned from Alaska, a trip of a lifetime.  I  am in awe of this beautiful, massive state and all the unique wonders and experiences it has to offer.   I think it requires an extended period of travel to truly experience a change of perspective and renewed sense of self, and I'm so appreciative to have had two full weeks away from home to broaden my horizons.   We traveled between Anchorage, Denali, Seward, Juneau, and through the inside passage to Vancouver, and despite all of our many adventures and excursions I still feel as though we only experienced a very tiny piece of Alaska. Our trip started in Anchorage, where we explored the city and learned a bit about its history.  We stayed at the Lakefront Anchorage , located on Lake Hood, which happens to be the busiest seaplane base in the world.  The rugged, lodge-style hotel is also conveniently located near the airport.  During our time in Anchorage we  took a long walk along the coastal trail, ate salmon and reind