14 Things I love about Alaska

Six months ago today we said goodbye to our family in Florida (sniff, sniff) boarded a plane and flew to our new home in Alaska. You can read more about our trip here.

Today in honor of our six month anniversary I thought I would share fourteen things I love about Alaska.

#1 - The Mountains

Anchorage from the airplane. Our first view of our new city.

Oh the mountains, the beautiful mountains. Probably my favorite thing about the amazing state of Alaska.

#2- The ice cold water straight from the tap.

#3- The breakfast burritos. There's this breakfast burrito you can get from the local grocery store that is huge. It's loaded with eggs, bacon, this yummy creamy sauce and potato wedges. Delish!

#4- The coffee shacks. These drive through coffee stands are all over the city. We love our coffee.

photo credit: google

photo credit: google

#5- The Weather

We've had a beautiful summer. I've been told it's not always this sunny and warm in the summer. Some years can be pretty wet.  "If you want the rainbow you've got to put up with the rain." Speaking of rainbows. There's been some gorgeous ones! 

Ethan keeps asking me when it's going to snow. The boys can hardly wait for it to snow. (neither can I!)

It should be here the end of October. There's usually snow for Halloween, I'm told. 

I just hope the boys are still as excited about the snow by the end of the winter!

#6- The thrift shops.

They have been helpful when setting up a home from scratch again in a place where everything is more expensive.

#7- The Hiking.

Anchorage has excellent trails for biking and walking. There are wooded trails all over the city. 

If you want to get out of the city there are parking areas and trails along the highways. 

It never seems crowded. 

I love that if you want a hike in the mountains there are mountain hikes close by...

great for wearing out your children

Or if a wooded walk is more your style there are those too...

Or if you'd rather walk by the water, we can do that...

#8- The Space

It seems so big and open with space to breath.

#9- Homeschooling

What a blessing to be able to homeschool and not have to worry about the funds.
We have the opportunity for reimbursement of educational expenses through one of several State organization. We've signed up with IDEA. They have been so wonderful to work with and very helpful in getting started homeschooling here in Alaska.

#10- No bill boards

#11- the Sky

I love the sunsets we can see from our window. We live in the middle of the city which has been an adjustment for these country folks. :) But we could do far worse than this view. 

I'm thankful for our cozy apartment with the big windows that allows us to enjoy the sky and light.

#12- Driving

Just going for a drive is amazing with the mountains views and wild life. You never know what you'll see.

We've seen mountain goats, moose, beluga whales, bears and lots of birds and eagles.

#13- Changes of Seasons

#14- The smiles on my family's faces

And yes, Sarah Palin lives in Wasilla which we have visited and love (maybe live there one day?) but no we have not met her. ;)

Love you all! Thanks for coming along on this adventure with us!