Remember that time I moved BACK to Alaska

By popular demand…. Ok not overwhelmingly popular demand but like three people requested it so I figured I would go for it.  I am going to attempt to make some interesting posts about Alaska for my peeps in Tennessee. I did this before at http://atcalaska.blogspot.com/ but, I figured since this is a new day I would start fresh. 

So let’s catch up.  My life is constantly proof of the adage “If you want to hear God laugh, tell him YOUR plans”  I am so glad that he has a better plan for me than I have for myself. I moved back to Tennessee (kicking and screaming to be honest) and worked for two years at Union.  In that time, God gave me a wonderful husband, Zach,  and then thankfully saw fit and allowed us to move back to Alaska. That is the short story.

Fast forward to August 2015

I decided when we moved this time I would take the long ride from Jackson to Anchorage.  In my mind, it is a rite of passage to drive the Alcan Highway. It was very beautiful but, I am GLAD I do not drive for a living.  This was the second time Zach did the drive and he loved it. He wanted a picture of everything. The sound track to my road trip was “ Take a picture Allorie. Did you get a picture of that? Why do you not have the camera on? Did you take a picture?”  I probably should have driven and let him run the camera. The best part is that I got to travel through two states I had never been to before, Montana and Wyoming.  This means my total state tally is now 47 out of 50. I still have to hit Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.  I have been in airports but, I do not count that as a state visit. I feel like you actually need to walk on the ground and visit a “landmark” for it to count.

Now for what you really care about… Pictures.

I love this picture. It just looks so wholesome for some reason to me. 

Always something to remind me of friends, This one is for my favorite Snyder's

My husband was very excited to get to stand by the Lane Frost statue... We watch 8 Seconds frequently

Another rodeo picture

By this day of the trip, I was feeling a little like a crazy woman

Zach got super excited about the huge bulldozer and I was instructed to take a picture :)

Why not put a smiley face on the side of your barn in Alberta, Canada. A nice welcome to Canada after crossing the boarder

I was feeling kinda good about my photography skills on this one.  

This looks like an idyllic farm life. 

These folks are super into their oil

The Hubster is still loving every minute of the trip.

Well there are no words... Just a giant beaver

The agriculture loving hubby made me take some photos of hay

Finally made it to the highway

A very few people will understand why I was super excited about the Timmy's

At this point, I was thinking "Pssht, there ain't no Bison on a highway"

.... I was required to take more hay pictures :)

Some of our trip was on gravel roads

There is peace in the valley

Zach's photography skills, I think he is more artistic than me

Our little cabin in Toad River... Yep that is a name. Sort of like Frog Jump

The view from our little cabin in Toad River

Some friends on the road

I am amazed at the color of the water. 

.... And here is where I ate my earlier words about no bison on the highway

"Like a Good neighbor state farm is there... In my office" All of the sudden that commercial doesn't seem so rediculous

My favorite part. This is literally in the middle of NO WHERE and all of these people have contributed signs

.... Rows and Rows of signs

I found this one for Dad. He loved living in Daleville, Alabama

Do you see the Anniston sign.... Many good memories for me in Anniston Alabama with my grandparents and cousin

LOOK LOOK LOOK!!!!! RIPLEY, TN!!!! I wish I knew who brought it!

Look it got down to 1 degree... (celsius, but still)

I think that this looks like a scene out of a horror movie

Beautiful

More Gravel.... Makes me feel like I am back on Calvary Hill Ln. 

WE MADE IT!!!

Here is the international boarder. It is called the longest undefended boarder in the world

Love this state!

After we arrived in Alaska we did some hiking around our new home.  We visited thunderbird falls which is a nice hike that ends a a waterfall. 

We attempted a selfie.

The UUSOP made it all the way to AK

Now for a few moments of sappiness. Please just close the computer window if you were just here for the pictures. 

Moving back to Alaska was a very hard decision.  I love this state and all it has to offer. I love my job so much.  I have worked a variety of jobs but, this one by far is my favorite. I am getting to work on the critical care team, which is a dream. It really is true that if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.   On the flip side, I left a lot of people behind and more so Zach left some behind.  I feel guilt about that everyday. I personally miss my brother and my best friend and her family daily. I probably miss them more than I share with them.

Finally, this fella I am married to is the best person for me.  I just look at my life and am eternally grateful for my blessings. They are much more than I deserve.  I look at the picture below of my favorite person, in my favorite place and realize that for the moment I am right where I am suppose to be.

Until Next time,

Allorie