A little more Alaska...

The mighty Mendenhall Glacier.

A simple hike one day, here was our lunch site. Pretty nice view huh?

This whale was so close to the shore...and if only I'd walked around a small cove I would have made it in time to see the whale from the stretch of rocks you see in the picture! Oh well, next time.

Brian getting squished by a rock, poor guy.

Glacier Bay National Park

The first of many vacations with the Felix Family.  Brian's stepmom, Aran was very excited for us all to come to Alaska and head to Glacier Bay National Park. Brian and I flew to Juneau and met up with the family. Then we journeyed there via ferry early Wednesday morning.

The city where my husband and I met. :) A good place to be. 

Off the ferry, heading to the big green bus which would take us to the Lodge in Gustavus. 

Below: is the view of the lodge from the beach.

Our gang: Eamon, Matt, Sarah, Aran, Wendy and Brian. All in front of Marjorie Glacier.

The ride from the Lodge to the glaciers took a few hours. But along the way there were a lot of fun things to look at! Including seal lions hanging out on rocks!!!

Puffins! Not the best picture, but a puffin none the less. 

Mountain Goats along the cliffs!

And the glorious mountains were spectacular along the way. Especially with the lovely blue skies God blessed us with.

A few bears along the ride too!

To the glacier! A cruise ship was there first viewing the glacier calve. (See below)

Boston Part 2

Continuing on the Freedom Trail that Brian and I walked...

we have the Old State House, built in 1713. 

Set in the midst of skyscrapers! 

Inside the Faneuil hall, used as a meeting place and market since 1742. 

Brian really liked this picture of Abraham Lincoln. 

Onward to Paul Revere's House. The original house was built around 1680 with a few revisions along the way. 

Here is how one follows the Freedom Trail, 2.5 miles along this red brick trail. Makes it easy to follow. 

Ending at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill. This 221 foot granite obelisk was built between 1827-1843. The battle that happened here was the first major battle between the British and Patriot forces in the American Revolutionary War.

It takes a little work to climb the 294 steps to the to, but the view is well worth the effort. Plus, it's free to climb! Not a lot is free anymore!

After this long, warm walk through Boston, we found the number two rated restaurant in Boston by Trip Advisor. Regina Pizzeria. AMAZING PIZZA.

Here are our delicious pizzas. 

Boston: Part 1

After the Rochester, NY trip I headed to Boston to meet up with Brian and see our good friends Sarah and Jeff Kirksey and their four children. We had a blast seeing them, going to the beach (I forgot my camera that day), having some good fellowship and of course spending one day in Boston.

The Freedom Trail

Starting with the Massachusetts State House: Built between 1795-1798

Above: Park Street Church-fun fact, this church was the tallest building in the United States from 1810-1846.

Below: Old Granary Burying Ground, founded in 1660.

Many famous people are buried here, including Samuel Adams, Paul Revere (below), and John Hancock.

Next up: King's Chapel, first founded in 1686 as an old wooden chapel. In 1749 construction began on the present day stone structure. 

Below are small booths that were purchased by families. They would sit in them all year, each church day. 

Notice how attentively Brian is paying attention. 

More to come in the next post!

Wood Working World

While in Rochester, we headed to a museum where my friend, Lisa Ewing's dad has all his work. He does amazing work. Full size items, and some bigger than real life items. We were lucky to have him as our own personal tour guide too!

This car was one of our favorite items to see. Many different types of wood, it took him FIVE years to complete. 

More wood items, all fun to look at, and below is a full size motorcycle he built.

My friends, Linh and Kelly next to a door knob. 

First stop for a visit: Rochester, NY.

A few weeks ago, I (Wendy) went with my friend Linh to visit another friend, Kelly. We used to work together on the cardiac floor at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. Kelly has since moved back to her original home with her husband: Rochester, New York. 

First "touristy" stop: Niagra Falls.

Sun and heat had just happened here in NY. It was an especially cold winter with a ton of snow, as you can see, this is the beginning of May and there is still some snow down there by the falls!

We wandered over to see the Horseshoe Falls, but the walkway was all blocked by snow. So this is the best view we got of this famous section of Niagra Falls. If we'd had our passports we could have ventured into Canada to see the other angle. Next time!

Kelly and Linh.

Lake Ontario- A great lake!

And a trip for some custard!