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*)

Oh Hey Guys, I've Been Livin' Life

Part One: BONNAROO

I went. It was fun. I saw Nick and Brady. And R. Kelly. Nothing else needs to be said. 

From my work shifts in the Artist Compound and the boys sleeping off late nights at our campsite before the day REALLY begins...

Waffle House Swag

Volunteer Camping Area

Just your everyday attractive model-esque people

Can you spot the healthy items!?

Part Two: ASHEVILLE

I also recently went to Asheville with my friend Zac. I camped. I hiked. I feel in love with a city. I changed my future. You know, just another day.

There were taps and a bar in the bike store. 'Nough said. Also, this was just a VERY SMALL snippet of an installation in the Asheville Art Museum

Every Car that travels for miles should have some car flowers as a thank you!

One of Three Breweries we visited that day, French Broad Brewery. This tasting flight only cost $7. BAM! Also, (you can barely see) they have a disco Ball hanging in their brewery. Look Closely behind Zac's head, I swear it's there.

Random Asheville Street art off of one of my fav. streets there, Wall St. (It was like a Harry Potter alleyway!)

A random residence in an alley way. I want to live there. 

Part Three: RANDOM DAILIES

Mom and Dad celebrated their 30th wedding Anniversary just days before Hayley's 19th birthday

I got this sunflower, and it made my life. It is taller than me. I also took a random selfie, b/c I do that. A lot.

PEOPLE LOVE ME. I also got this badass care package in the mail this week. ALL MY FAVORITES. ESP. Don's Mug.