C'est La Vie

So, ever since Todd and I got here, we haven't had many days off together, and the days we do get off together are usually Sundays. So, in some serious need of some time together, we both asked for the 9th off, and we got it!


And it was wonderful!


We started the day off with the Best of Juneau tour which took us to the glacier, and then whale watching. We weren't so keen on going to the glacier yet again, but it was the only way we'd be able to go whale watching and do all of the other things we had planned.


C'est la vie.


So we woke up bright and early (we basically never sleep in), and hopped on one of the coaches to go to the glacier. Instead of looking at, or taking pictures of the glacier, we went bear hunting! To no avail... It seems like Todd and I are the only ones who haven't seen any bears this summer, and we go looking for them all the time! Maybe not the smartest, but I think they run away from us anyway :(. Yet again, c'est la vie...


On the whale watching tour, we saw quite a few whales. We didn't really get any good pictures or video, but it was still great. Then, the boat took us to a little lodge at a point only accessible by boat. They fed us a lovely lunch, and then we rode back into Juneau.

Right after lunch at Orca Point Lodge

Once we got home, we quickly changed our clothes and hopped on our little scooter to drive way out to the West Glacier trailhead. Yes, we went BACK to the glacier that we're so sick of. But, it is way more exciting when you get to hike to the glacier, and crawl around in ice caves! It was a pretty relaxed hike that was uphill and downhill pretty much the whole way. We didn't know where the cave exactly was, and almost turned around, but luckily some kind hikers kindly pointed us in the right direction. The cave was SO pretty! And SO blue! 

This is our awesome scooter! It reaches a max speed of 35mph, and barely fits two of us :)

Todd and his very nice wind-blown hair

On the hike to the glacier

In the caves!

By the time we got home from our hike, it was getting late. Good news is, it stays light here until about 11 at night! We were left with plenty of time to head down to the tram. Since we had hiked up there before, it wasn't all that exciting at the top, but we basically wanted to ride it just to be able to say that we did it :) So we rode to the top, took a few pics, and rode back down. 

To finish the day off, we came home and feasted on some chicken burritos.

The day ended up being a success. The best part was... the only thing we had to pay for was our meal at the lodge! If you're jealous, just come up here, and we can hook you up with fun and free things too!! We are so blessed that we get to live in such a beautiful place, and experience all of these things without spending an arm and a leg. It amazes me how much these tourists spend on some of these tours. Hopefully we'll get a few more days off together to do some more fun and free things. 

That's all for now. We love and miss you all and wish you were here with us!

With love from the Most Triumphant Brooks-ies

The fun continues

So last Wednesday was great! 

It was my day off during the week, 

so I tried to take the time to relax. 

Apparently that's super hard for me though. 

I woke up early because the Alaska sun

doesn't like me to sleep in :-p

I hate not being productive,

so I went on a run

 (and died), 

then I walked to the grocery store

 (and died going up the stairs). 

Around noon I came to the realization that

I had nothing else to do for the rest of the day.

I sent Todd a text hoping he'd let me go see him at work and 

ride along for one of his tours. 

Luckily he had one starting at 3:30, 

and got permission for me come along.

So then I went down to the dock and hopped 

on Todd's coach for his most excellent

Hatchery/Glacier/Glacier gardens tour. 

His commentary was basically the same

as last time, but it doesn't get old for me :)

At the glacier this time we went exploring a bit

and found this awesome swimming hole!

One of Todd's co-workers told him about it. 

We can't wait for a warm (ish) summer day 

to go there and go cliff jumping! 

And it doesn't have to be SUPER warm, 

because we know that will never happen,

 but maybe just sunny. High 60's would be nice :). 

So after the tour,

 none of the tourists wanted to get dropped off downtown,

so I just went back with Todd to his work 

to walk home with him.

Before that, though, he had to park his coach 

and do his post trip inspection. 

However, his coach had to be parked

 in one of the most difficult spots to get into. 

Then, once Todd masterfully maneuvered his way in,

we found that the spot was basically a lake...

There was seemingly no way to get out 

without getting our shoes sopping wet.

Todd got creative.

See video:

And photo:

Todd got out, got the stool out of the side compartment for me,

then I climbed out and onto the stool, 

and then got out dry. 

Todders finished off the job by putting the chalks out, 

and shutting off the battery without getting wet.

Well, aside from the first time.

Anyway, it was a pretty funny little dilemma.

Made it out alive!

Success.

Believe it or not, we do have some sunny days.

It just doesn't happen as often as we'd like. 

Today, for instance, it's super nice out.

Yet I'm sitting indoors, waiting for the hubby to come home.

 A little over a week ago it was actually super nice out

and I found out that my work has

Tram passes that we can check out. 

Todd and I tried to go on the tram that day,

but we got there about 15 min after it closed :(

It was alright though because we got to have

a nice meal at Pelmeni's right before.

Pelmeni's is a Ukranian restaurant, 

and Todd said it tasted authentic!

Too bad they only serve one thing ;)

After dinner we walked down on one of the docks 

and took a few pictures.

More to come soon! 

We just got our scooter, and it is super little. 

We went on a joy ride last night.

Let's just say we got a lot of looks,

because the scooter is much too little

for two tall-ish people.

I'm hoping to get some pics soon.

Love and miss you all!

~The Most Triumphant Brooks-ies