Way back in 2002, Chris and I took a breathtaking 10-year anniversary cruise through the southeast Alaskan coastline. After several days on our own in Anchorage and Denali National Park, we embarked directly out of Juneau, stopped in Skagway, Haines, Metlakatla, and Sitka, and ended in Ketchikan. The scenery was unbelievable, and I wish had the blog back then because I could write for days about the details. Two months after we returned home, I found out I was pregnant with Jackson.
Fast forward 16 years. We are thrilled to return to Alaska with our now 15-year-old son. This time, we will explore more of the interior on a two-week road trip. I started planning this trip last September and find it hard to believe that it's finally here. On the itinerary this time: a bush plane flight into the remote Wrangell-St. Elias National Park where we will stay two days, a July 4th Parade in McCarthy with their 28 permanent residents, gold panning in Fairbanks, strapping on crampons to walk across glaciers, paddling close to the sea life in Kenai Fjords National Park, and hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias and Denali armed with a can of "bear spray," just in case.
An added bonus: Jackson will be writing some of the blog posts, so look forward to Alaska from a teenage perspective soon.
I think I've said this before, but I'll say it again. Jackson, get ready for another trip of a lifetime. I am completely overcome with gratitude and awe!
