Avalanche Zone

Hi all,

Well, it's avalanche season! A couple days ago, Mandy and I were stuck south of an avalanche with only WHITTIER to visit, and we had just been there! When we realized that we were blocked from returning to Anchorage, we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to visit with our friend Christi and wave at our animal friends. Then we checked the 511 website and realized it was going to be a LONG time! So we went on back to Whittier, where we had been earlier checking out some possible summer operations, to have lunch. Turns out we weren't the only people that figured that out, because it was SO crowded and they were out of burgers, which of course was what I craved at that moment. We considered driving to Cooper Landing, but I really wanted to make it to my dinner plans!

So just a quick note: this is a week of avalanches... be careful snowmachining, skiing, and even driving.

-Candice

Warm and Cozy

Wow, it's SO much warmer today! But not as pretty outside. Sun = cold in the winter, but oh so crisp and lovely looking! That smell of fresh snow is gone but I hear it will snow again. Bring it on!!

The ice sculptures are in town square - they weren't carved yet when I left on vacation so I had sort of forgotten about them. They're so beautiful! Please don't melt! Please don't melt! The Anchorage Downtown Partnership is calling the display "The Crystal Gallery of Ice" and it truly is like crystal! They have colored lights set up so at night it's SOOOO cool. This picture doesn't really do it justice - I need to go take some of my own. But you can see more at http://www.anchoragedowntown.org.

The Smell of Fresh Snow

So after returning from a month's vacation, I was disappointed at the lack of snow. Anchorage looked pretty much like it looked when I left, which was dismal in comparison to my expectations of fluffy snow and a nice winter. Luckily, it started snowing right away, as if to welcome me home.

Last night I went to the birthday party of one of my lovely employees Nicole, who we affectionately call "COCO". As I was leaving the party, the smell of fresh snow hit my nostrils and I said aloud, "Finally! This is what I have been waiting for all winter." For some reason I hadn't found that smell yet this year, even though we've had snow. There's just something about it, you know what I mean? Crisp, clean, and... snowy? Will someone please help me with a more descriptive word?

Many of our guests are quite afraid of the snow. People think "Cold, wet", but not so! In fact, snow can mean warm! It's true! When it gets super cold and dark, it doesn't snow and winter starts to feel long and dismal and the streets look dirty. Then it warms up a little and life looks all rosy and the classic light, large, quiet flakes float to the ground like they did yesterday and all is right in the world.

My First Blog - and of course it's Alaska!

Hello all,

Well, not so true to form, I have decided to follow a trend and start a blog. Is this even "the cool thing" to do anymore?

The truth is, my little business and my tour descriptions just aren't enough! I have more to say! I want to talk about the REAL feelings I get when I enjoy Alaska - the REAL experience and the details that make it all so. I want to share what it's really all about, more than I can put on my tour website (www.salmonberrytours.com). Although that's a place for people to get started on making MY Alaska into their own Alaska, this will be the place to see how my Alaskan day really went and what it is about this place that makes me so happy, contented, excited to show it off.

I'll start by warning: this blog will have photos, personal opinions, personal information, personal feelings, business plugs for my business and others that I support, and links to whatever I feel fits.

Thanks for reading!

Candice