The Alaska Adventure: Who needs Hawaii?

THOUGHTS. So back when Team Leslie first learned that J had scored his teaching job in Kenai, we had two thoughts:

Thought #1: Yee ha! We're heading to Alaska!
Thought #2: Yee ha! During the long, dark, cold winter in Alaska we'll take a vacation to Hawaii!

As the move progressed and we checked in with our checkbook, Team Leslie discovered that Thought #2 was going to need a revision. Something along the lines of:

Thought #2, Take 2: Maybe we can tape up some pictures of Hawaii on the wall of the bathroom, blend some fancy bevs with little paper umbrellas, and put on our "imagination caps" while we're in the tub.

So no, we did not leave our new homeland over the holidays. Instead, we embraced the here and the now and got our Alaska Adventure groove on with renewed vigor. And thank goodness we did! Honestly, J and I have both declared several times over the past two weeks that we can't remember a more magical holiday season. Among the highlights...

SOLSTICE. Again, these sun-moon-and-stars kind of holidays hold a big weight for our family, especially this year when the shortest day and longest night were quite dramatic - sunrise on December 21st was at 10:12AM and sunset was at 3:53PM. In honor of this humbling day where the sun slid across the sky just barely above the horizon and the temperature topped out at negative five, we focused on fire. Candle making, fire pits, and flame-lit ice skating sessions helped us glow.

Beeswax candle making a la Gran and Grandfather.

Staying warm while we skate.

Team Leslie enjoying the shortest day of the year in Alaska.

Also of note, a handy tip if you ever find yourself wanting to sip a peppermint Schnapps hot cocoa from a stainless steel coffee mug in superbly cold temperatures - just like the tongue to the flagpole, your lips stick. Same goes for emergency whistles on backcountry backpacks... in this odd case, plastic is a good thing. We're learning.

CHRISTMAS. A weather treat like no other... nearly a foot of fresh fluffy white snow in the morning and bright sunshine in the afternoon. And of course a shiny new sled from Santa helped the cause.

Pure childhood joy.

Sledding at our beach.

Christmas snow angel.

Indigo protects Mom from getting snow in her face.

Happy Alaskans.

Crab!

SKI-FEST.
Okay. So your family may or may not celebrate the act of skiing, but as you may have gleaned, we certainly do. J, a Christmas elf, kept himself busy in our garage attaching bindings and waxing new skis for Kim (yes!) and we loaded up Icecream Newton with just about every piece of gear we own (that's a lot). Unfortunately the avalanche danger on the Kenai is among the worst it has ever been in recorded history - not good for those of us who like to travel off-piste. Fortunately, there are always safe places to tour about and find turns. First up, swooping in our backyard on Christmas Day. Next, a backcountry yurt trip to explore Manitoba Mountain and play, play, play. Finally, a venture out to Girdwood to give Alyeska Resort a try. Trips report: Who needs Hawaii?!?!