Adventures!: Tangle Lakes/Upper Delta

...Or what I did 4th of July in 2009.

Living in Alaska afforded many a great adventure, and I haven't even begun to get the all laid out here for you. Over my first two years in AK especially (2009-2010) I look back and see that I did a ridiculous amount of magical things. No modesty here, they are wicked cool, and I kind of am awesome for having done them. Point blank. I DO wish I had continued to do as many amazing things in my final two years there, but life can happen sometimes, and so it goes.

Over the 4th of July weekend in 2009 a group of 7 of us embarked on a 29 miles float through the Lower Tangle Lakes/ Upper Delta river. 

I don't remember how many days we took...2? 3? It really doesn't matter, now does it? Highlights of the trip though: The majestic beauty! I mean just look at these pictures! Having to portage, which was a pain in the ass, but also let us tramp through secret rock staircases, and come out of hidden coves like we were in Neverland. Two of my friends SAVING THE LIVES (eh...helping out some stupid stuck people) in the river, riding their one person kayak with two people all ridiculous like. Sailor Jerry and Cherry coke, always sailor and cherry. Learning I will NEVER obtain the skills that a fellow adventurer has as I watched her effortlessly pee over the side of a two person canoe without ruining anything. ANYTHING. 

Before this trip I had never gone on a canoe trip. Yes, I had been in a canoe, and in a kayak ( I mean, I was a camp counselor, PSSSHHH). One of the things that always amazed me most about the wonderful group of friends I somehow smuggled myself into (yes, smuggle. Like I was a stow away. They just didn't notice I was sticking around, until I laughed. Laughing always blew my cover...) Anyway, what I loved about them was the fact that they never really questioned how much skill I had with anything. I said I could do it, or wanted to go, and they were like always just okay with it. Summit a mountain? SURE. Float down a river for 3 days, portage, etc? Why not? IT WAS WONDERFUL.

Adventures!: Hatchers pass Hike x2

When I've gone a long stretch of not having any sort of adventures (ohhh summer 2013. LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE) I get all nostalgic like, and start dreaming of my old adventures. I thought since I was already dreamin' I should maybe articulate some of those thoughts into a new adventures post, because Sharing IS Caring.

So sit down churrin' and let me tell you of the times I hiked my favorite spot in Alaska, a magical place north of Anchorage named Hatchers Pass. *ohhhhh ahhhh*


The first time I went hiking on Hatchers Pass was August of 2009. I wasn't even a year into living in Alaska, and had been down in Anchorage visiting other AmeriCorps VISTA members, as well as having my rad friends Matt and Krista up from the lower 48 to visit and explore with me. One of the Anchorage VISTAS was all about the hiking and suggested Hatchers Pass, which I had never heard of, but was totally game. A group of 8 of us headed out, and man it was magical. As I have learned from most Alaskan outdoor experiences, words usually don't do the justice that pictures can, so I present to you my first journey:

The view from the trail head and The group as we begin our hike. For the first hike we headed out in EARLY August, and it couldn't have been better timing. The Fireweed was in full force, and everything was so green and lush it seemed like Dinosaurs should be behind each dome, and frolicking in the valleys. But, I kinda think that about Dinosaurs on EVERY hike I go on. SO WHAT, I want Dinosaur hikes. Doesn't everyone?

At the end of the 'trail' (used VERY lightly), there is the most awesome, glowing, glacial lake. Doesn't it just look so inviting? It is ALSO cold. as. shit. but, it's a glacial lake, and you've now been hiking for 5 miles, and know you have 5 miles back. Basically, you HAVE to jump in. But because of the aforementioned 5 miles hike back it means you have to jump in sans clothes. It all makes sense in the end. I only use logic. 

So, in the end, the trip was glorious, and I talked about the hike year after year. Finally, in August 2012 my sister came to visit me in Alaska, and we were down in the Anchorage area to see The Avett Brothers at the Alaska State Fair. I knew it was meant to be, and since I had another willing group of 6 or so people, we headed out to hike Hatchers Pass once more! (I want to note, that I know I keep saying Hatchers Pass, but the exact trail we hiked was the Reed Lakes Trail. for clarification purposes.)

There is definitely a different tone to these pictures than the last grouping. It was LATE August this time when we went, so it was significantly cooler than 3 years prior, plus it was just sort of an overcast gloomy day. In the end though, it was none-the-less magical.

(We still swam, I kinda said we HAD to, even though it was a little chilly to begin with. But COME ON, glacial lake swimming. It doesn't happen everyday. And I think I just like making people strip. *shrugs*)

Fashion: Chambray dreams

Im at this weird post where I am getting back into a good healthy gym routine, and trying to eat a little better, and so I feel like I don't have any clothing in my closet. By this I mean, it all technically still fits me, but most of it doesn't fit optimally. Stuff is either a little too snug, or a little too loose (as I bought things when I was not at MY optimal).  Then there is the pile at the top of my closet that all fit me once...but looks ridiculous on me currently. Oh to be a clothes whore...



So, here we have a half-assed outfit. It was comfy, it didn't look TOO ridiculous on my body, and the t-shirt and shorts were only slightly too small for me. This counts as fashion, right?

Chambray top: Buffalo Exchange
T-shirt: Old Navy
Shorts: Old Navy (hemmed)
Tights: Freds
Socks: Gift
Boots: LL Bean (gift)


As the weather slowly lightens, and my body load lightens as well, I promise a more fashion conscious Katie, b/c who am I kidding, I love wearing ridiculous outfits that make no sense in my surroundings. That is when I'm not in tight charlie pants.

Bring on the Spring (Goals...)!

*Finish the book 'Boss of You' and do outlined steps towards a business plan/etc. This book has been by far the easiest to understand in the whole business jargon aspect of creating something from nothing. I am only still on the 4^th chapter, simply b.c I wont let myself read on/ahead without actually implementing the tactics they speak of in collecting data/writing a business plan for an upstart business.

*Keep up with THIS blog. I had just recently not posting in two months. I cant let that happen. Even if it is just two posts a week, I need to make sure the content of this blog stays current, find a voice for this blog, talk about Alaskan adventures/tie it into my work ventures, etc.

*I have at least 4 big DIY before and afters to do, that deal with my future shop. I want to make sure I get these tackled. These wont be until later in the spring, simply b/c a lot of t hem deal with spray paint, and I live in a one room cabin where it is too cold to open the windows and ventilate...haha

*and more on a personal goal level, I want to make sure I am keeping myself healthy/preparing myself for adventure club this summer. SO, I want to make sure I am going to the gym taking a yoga class at least 4 times a week. I have started this habit, but I want to write to you all at the end of the spring and be able to say that minus the 3 weeks in march when I was on vacation, that I kept to this schedule.

I LOVE FOOD

Alright y'all, I hope everyone has a zillion and one things to be thankful for today! But more importantly, I hope all of you, near and far, are eating some might might mighty delicious food today. 

My big thanksgiving will be taking place tomorrow in the form of a 'Hook' (the movie) themed dinner party, and yes there will be plenty of pictures to come!

Love, love to all!

LuLu's Alaskan Style

LuLu's Alaskan Style by campyattributes featuring sheer tights

So, I recently Entered a contest to win a $200 gift card to LuLu's online, but more importantly, my winning styles could be featured on the blog Orchid Grey. I checked out my competition, and as of now, there isn't another like mine, but there are about 4 other really strong outfits.

*fingers crossed*

Fashion: Cameras add layers not pounds

About... 2 weeks? A Month ago? Sometime in the recent past my camera just decided to stop working. lens error. for. no. reason. Now, I take a lot of pictures and this... this made me pretttty sad/mad. Now, I have an awesome friend who just gave me his old digital camera, and that is what these pictures are taken with. Sadly though, I became spoiled with my last camera, and ...its just not the same. Cue me finding the funds to buy a new camera...a pretty and fancy one maybe even. Because, man, good pictures are just...so important.  right?

Headband: Forever21
Dress (as skirt): Transfer Site
Striped Button down: Old Navy
Brown Cardigan: Wal-mart
Yellow Belt: Transfer site
Navy Tights: Fred Meyers
Fuchsia Socks: Swap with friends
Boots: LL Bean Deerfields

(The list is only going to get longer as the layer become more ridiculous and extreme y'all)

Here's to me find a great deal on a bangin' new camera before I decide to photograph anything again. (So....hopefully SUPER soon)