Edge of Town...Anchorage

In my previous posts, I have headed either south or slightly northeast of Anchorage to take pictures.  Early this evening I headed west along Northern Lights Boulevard.  I stopped at Earthquake park: 

Earthquake Park along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail

I headed east on the Tony Knowles coastal trail.  I saw a few joggers and folks on bikes heading in that direction.  So, I followed on foot.  About 1/2 mile into my walk, I found a clearing and a great photo opportunity. 

Downtown Anchorage with Chugach mountains in the background

Pt Woronzof

Chugach mountains

I've managed to take ~500 pictures on this wonderful trip.  It was an awesome experience!

The Hotel-Embassy Suites

Today was a down day for me and I did a little shopping for my family.  Basically, no pictures were taken.  I thought I would do a quick post of the hotel I was staying at.  This Embassy Suites was unusual  from the normal ES I'm used to seeing.  There was no atrium filled with tropical plants and the furnishings were more rustic looking.

Work area

Living area

Spacious

Bathroom area

Bathroom

Shower

Bedroom

Lil' Moosette guarding the jacuzzi

Lounge area

Lobby

Lobby

Another Day in Alaska

I headed out to the Arctic Valley, northeast of Anchorage, as the clouds were coming in and the sun was going down.  As I drove up the mountain, I captured these shots: 

Here at the top, I found the Arctic Valley Ski Lodge...closed until the beginning of November:

Taking My Breath Away...Alaska

I'm in Alaska taking lots of pictures when I can.  I have my D7000 and 18-200mm lens with me.  Today was the first time I saw the sun come out (after 1-1/2 days of rain and thick clouds) and I took a drive on Seward Highway heading south.

I didn't get very far as I kept stopping at every parking area along the way.  I stopped at the entrance to the Turnagain Arm hiking trail and saw this beautiful surprise: 

 

As I was watching the sun starting to set further in the sky, I decided to head back and stop at Potter Marsh (bird sanctuary) for some picture opportunities.  There were plenty.  The white snow capped Chugach mountains are majestic.  The scenery just took my breath my away:

Boardwalk along the marsh

Beautiful!

About Potter Marsh

About the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge

Sunshine!

Early this afternoon, the dark gray clouds parted and the sun decided to come out.  It seemed like for days  we were living in cycles of of drenching rain, thunder, and dark gray skies.  You couldn't even see a break in the clouds.  I can't remember the last time I saw the blue sky.  It's been a bit depressing around my neck of the woods.  Today, the county schools were closed due to flooded roads.  A rare event especially when school started on Tuesday.  

There have been pictures of the area where water was everywhere.  A picture that caught my eye was a parking lot flooded with water.  Some cars were under water...I could see only the flat roofs of the cars.

The last remnants of tropical storm Lee had vanished.  Now, we have this:

26mm, f11, 1/500, ISO 100

The 12+ inches of rain was much needed here.  It feels good to be outdoors and in the sunshine.  It feels good to get some vitamin D.

Blueberry

That's the color I see when I look at my hubby's truck.  After taking several shots at different angles, I saw variations of the blueberry color.  Is that possible?  Yes, of course!  I tend to see different shades/hues within a single color.

200mm, f3.5, 1/125, ISO 110

Speaking of blueberries, that's what I currently have in my oatmeal for breakfast.

Local Farm Market

A quick post for today about a local farmer's market that hubby and I went to visit last week.  Buckland Farm Market.  We bought some peaches, sweet corn on the cob, watermelon, and sweet cantaloupes.  

Naturally, I have a sweet tooth and hung around the sugar aisle:

Look at all the beautiful colors!

Inside their bake shop

There's an onsite bakery.  More baked goods on display

Refreshment area.  Notice the metal wash tub...

...where these little baby chicks were keeping warm

They carried several different brands of honey, jams, jellies, salsas, sauces, snacks, and candies local to the area as well as produce from the local farmers.