We went to Alaska - Part 2

We enjoyed uncharacteristically good weather in Juneau during our stay, 80 degrees everyday.  We only got sprinkled on when we went to Auke Rec for a BBQ lunch.  We roasted hot dogs, ate watermelon, and skipped rocks on the beach.  It was great fun with Joan and Gordon and JJ and the kids!

























David assured me this next hike on the West Glacier Trail was just a nice walk through the woods.  For the first mile or so it was a flat, easy walk on a dirt trail.  We avoided the Devil's Club which was all over and it was cool to see the glacier from a new perspective.  





















Then at about mile 2 we saw this sign and naturally David thought going to the caves was a good idea.



There were pink ribbons tied in trees which marked the path.  The brush and trees were so thick that you couldn't see the skyline and picking out those ribbons was hard too.  We came to a river and I thought we couldn't go any further.  Then David dangerously (in my opinion) lept to a rock, grabbed a low hanging tree branch and disappeared on the other side. I was thrilled when he reappeared, but not thrilled to follow him.

 

We made it to the top of the rock field and I thought for sure we couldn't go any further.  Wrong again.  How could we come so far and not go to down to walk on the glacier?!?  We maneuvered the boulders and headed towards the little pond of water to get onto the glacier.

Proof we made it.  Definitely worth it, but not sure I'd do it again.

We followed some pink ribbons on the way back that got off us trail.  We said a quick prayer and then out of the woods came a couple people who pointed us back in the right direction.  Whew.  We did see these mountain goats in our wanderings which were really cool.  They were literally just clinging to the side of the rocks, somehow.

We were a sweaty, hungry, ready to use the bathroom sight to see 5 hours and 7+ miles later!  But we lived to talk about it, which at times I wasn't sure we'd be able to do.  

Other trip highlights:

• Playing Scrabble with Eric at The Waffle House
• Chinese food with BJ and his family
• Hanging out with family
• Joan's breakfast burritos
• Sleeping in every morning
• Church at David's home ward
• Tupou's mission farewell
• Eating crepes and chocolate with JJ and Romney
• Board games with BJ & Eric
• Helping clean and pack David's parents house

We love Alaska and hope to get many  more opportunities to go back!