Another Ali and Alicia Adventure!

Ali, my roommate from Alaska, and I always are up for adventures. Considering we only live 4 hours apart we decided that that we would have yet another adventure. So, I packed my bags and headed to Utah. This time my adventure included a stop to Sarah and Jimi's so that I could meet little Gracie.

It was so good to see this little girl. Everyone in the family has been waiting to meet you ever since we heard the great news. I especially loved this part of my trip because I got to talk to Sarah and Melissa about my Grandfather's funeral. It was really good to hear their memories. Sadly, I was unable to attend because I was in Alaska working. While talking about the great memories we have of our Grandpa we also talked about the special connection Gracie has with Grandpa. Just another reason to love this baby.

Meeting Gracie! So Adorable, I love her crusties and all.

The next day Ali and I geared up to go four-wheeling! We got up at 7 which was not fun considering we stayed up talking! We headed to Ali's dads work to pick up the four wheelers. At first Ali's dad seemed concerned with my driving, but then he chuckled and said, "I guess if you can drive a bus, you can handle one of these little things." I thought it would only take an hour or so to get ready, it took about 3. After all the business of getting ready, we finally hit the road. Here are some of the pics from the day.

Ali and I 20 minutes in and already dirty!

Our great Lunch. Chase took care of us!


Apparently you're not supposed to put sunscreen on right before you go out. Because all the dirt will stick to you!


I look like a little Kid. All Dirty. Actually this is my first time riding a motorcycle.


Proof that my teeth would be whiter if I had darker skin.


When we got back Ali broke off this branch with the trailer. We later hid the evidence!

Culture Shock

Some of the words you can hear coming out of my mouth, "It's been an amazing summer." I will truly attest to that. I'm sad to see summer leave, but something new will start. As I left Skagway, I was truly saddened to see it go. Skagway had some really ugly weather the last few weeks but my last day was perfect. The perfect goodbye. I was really sad to see my simple but yet amazing life left behind. I am really going to miss hopping on my bike and riding to wherever I need to go. Going out for walks and hikes, just to enjoy the beautiful mountains.

When I got Juneau. A friend let me borrow her car so that I could say some goodbyes to some other friends who lived across town. I hopped in her car and was not accustomed to such a small steering wheel and listening to the radio, a good radio station for that fact, was a lot of fun. This was the start of merging into a crazier form of life.

Then next day was the killer. I went back to the airport to start my way to WA. The airport in Juneau was my last goodbye to Alaska. As I sat and people watched, there was all the classic Alaska people. Men with beards and Xtra Tuff rain boots. Patagonia fleeces, and hiking boots. Hippies with unshaven legs. Once we landed in Seattle everything was instantly crazy.

As I walked off the plane I was assaulted with crowds of people. My next terminal was all the way across the airport and I had to take 3 trains to get there. I couldn't believe it. It was really funny going from hippy to fashionable. Chacos to stiletto heels. I couldn't believe it. Stilettos while traveling! Yuck! My life is changing. I'm going from simply driving a bus and giving a tour, to running late for class and juggling 16 credits and a social life. I'm going from amazing to crazy! I keep finding all this hesitation in me because of starting another school year. I just want to run away and do the easy simple things again.

Here is my motto for the year, Keep Moving Forward. I can do it, and I will do it.