Summer 2016 has been one for the traveling books.  It’s the first summer that we have taken trips with two full-on kids.  No diapers, no naps, carry your own backpacks, get dressed yourself, walk on your own two feet kids.  Sure there’s the occasional whiny fit, there are still meals and snacks that only Mom and Dad can take care of, tired feet call for piggy-back rides and the kids fell asleep in the car a few times (they are only 4 and 7 after all).  But traveling with kids is soooo much easier than traveling with babies.

We learned this on our big summer trip to Alaska.  We hiked, we explored, we stayed in a couple of different places, we ate at restaurants, took early flights and  stayed up late talking around the campfire.  We had long conversations about big issues.  The kids handled it beautifully.  I think we all enjoyed ourselves.  Not to mention, we all got to fall in love with one of the most beautiful places on earth – Alaska.

The flight to Anchorage started with a disturbance in the seat next to J.  Fortunately it was resolved quickly and efficiently and we continued on our way.

Where we were met by an enthusiastic welcoming committee and that beautiful Alaska scenery.

The reason for the trip was Grandma T’s long-awaited retirement from BLM.  We attended a really lovely retirement party for her and then got outta town to a little cabin in Hope, Alaska.  The cabin was appropriately rustic and relaxed, so we built a campfire and enjoyed long days and light-filled evenings of stories and laughter.

We drove out to Seward to explore the aquarium and the coast.  We took a train to Whittier and had clam chowder against a rainy backdrop.  We checked out Alaska wildlife at a rehabilitation center.  More than that, we soaked in the incredible Alaskan scenery and time with family.

It was a lovely time.