Whistler, BC

We decided to skip over Vancouver so that we could spend some time in Whistler. Patrick's aunt and uncle have a beautiful home there that they were so kind to let us stay. It was one of our favorite places on the trip and if we didn't have a show in Anchorage to make it back to, we would have stayed longer. Here are some photos of some of my favorite parts of the house, as well as the village and an amazing BBQ restaurant we spent an afternoon at.

Vancouver

We passed through Vancouver, only stopping for dinner. We got there just as Vancouver beat Boston in the second game of the Stanley Cup. It was pretty crazy everywhere-so glad we weren't there after they lost.

Portland

I am not sure how, but we made it through Oregon and Washington with only a couple of photos. While in Portland, we got to see several of our Oklahoma friends who now live there. The night we arrived we had a bonfire at Jessica and Daniel's house.

California

We had a blast driving up the coast of California. We drove to LA and then headed straight up. The drive was gorgeous and we were graced with beautiful weather the whole way.

everywhere, california

Mission Park, Santa Barbara

Right out of a Steinbeck novel

a brief caravan with Keith and Portland friends

Highway 1

seals

Camping in Santa Cruz

strawberry fields

passing through San Francisco

Patrick's twin

Redwood National Forest

Arizona

It was my first time to Arizona. I loved all of the red. Places we stopped for a bit: the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona.

Painted Desert

Arizona boasted beautiful sunsets.

Grand Canyon

Patrick is standing in the upper right corner.

more delicious food in Sedona

Sedona jewelry market

on the road again

Grand Canyon

Below is a photograph of my father from 1970 at the Grand Canyon, with his dog, Rusty. I was recently reminded of this photo when my little sister blogged about it here. It is a family favorite and I wish I would have remembered it when I was at the Grand Canyon a few weeks ago. I would have loved to have replicated it with me and Gus. My fear of heights kept Gus in the car, though, because I was irrationally afraid he would fall into the canyon. The second photo is the closest photo we happened to capture while we were there.

New Mexico

Santa Fe and New Mexico in general was one of our favorite parts of the 5000+ mile road trip we took back to Alaska. The food was so delicious and the landscape was beautiful and so different than what we are used to. 

best green chilies ever

bringing home some chili powder

Santa Fe Railyard

Gus loved Santa Fe

Delicious

Shopping for some wood