Alaskan Destination Photographer // Trip of a Lifetime!

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do.  There is so much to see in the world and I want to be able experience it all….ok, maybe not ALL of it, but all the good stuff!!

Last week, Joe and I traveled to Alaska and other surrounding areas with my parents.  To say we had a blast would be a major understatement.  This is by far my favorite place I have ever been, and I knew it would be long before I stepped foot onto that airplane.  Some people love hot sunshine, sandy beaches and cocktails for days.  Not this girl!  I love the untouched wilderness and the deafening silence that only places like Alaska has to offer.  Lots of mud, cool temps and the occasional wildlife spotting are my happy place….

We heard from many people that visiting Alaska is best by cruise ship…so we tried it!  We traveled with Holland America Cruise Lines and loved it!  It’s so nice not having to worry about where to get food, when you have to be here or there or other tasks that you deal with daily. 

The photos just don’t do it justice….

We went through Tracy Arm to see a glacier…I think the trip in was just as amazing as seeing the actual glacier itself..

The photo below includes a boat to show the size of these chunks of ice…..they were HUGE!

They say the chunks of ice that fall off the glacier are the size of houses sometimes…crazy!  When ice falls off, it’s called calving and it makes this loud thunder-like noise. 

A small camp of scientists studying the glacier’s activity.

Those tiny white dots on the right are goats.  I still wonder how in the world they don’t fall off those ledges!

This part of the trip was one of my favorites.  We saw SO many whales…probably 50 during the sunset.  What an amazing night!

Our first stop was Juneau.  There were bald eagles flying everywhere as if they were pigeons.  So neat to see that!

Whale watching was quite the experience too.  Look at that thing….bigger than the boat we were in!

Aren’t these guys cute..?!

After the boat ride, we hiked a short trail…..simply gorgeous!

Some of my top ten favorite people below!

I really wanted to see a bear, I guess this will have to be good enough for now..

While Joe and my dad went salmon fishing, mom and I went on a hike in Sitka.  Sitka was by far my favorite place! 

Someone suggested turning this old lighthouse into a bed and breakfast….new business venture maybe…?!

From one adventure to the next!  Two person karts into the mountains…I don’t think I have laughed this hard in a long time! 

Our last port on the cruise was Victoria B.C.  We went and visited Butchart Gardens.  I think it was one of the prettiest places on earth.  Joe and I both think that heaven will look like this place someday!

We took an evening tour….the whole place was lit up with perfectly placed lighting.  Even a fireworks show after dusk.

I kept wishing I had a bride and groom with me…

Seattle was a pretty neat place too!

Then there were these fish throwing guys….

The flowers at the market were so pretty and SO cheap!  I kept thinking my florist friends would be in heaven!

Going to the top was pretty scary….

All in all, this was an amazing trip!  We were so fortunate to be able to create some new memories ourselves and with my parents.  I will cherish this time all of my life <3