All of the lights.

As the summer winds down, our pursuit of adventure has only increased. And so began the hike out to 8-mile lake to find the small cabin situated right on the water - this cabin is owned by a local in Healy, Alaska who keeps it well stocked (and unlocked) for wandering hikers.

So a group of us decided to check it out.

Thinking it would be a quick walk from the Stampede Trail, 7 of us piled into two vehicles and loaded down the pick-up truck with wood, camping gear, tents, and beer (only the essentials here), in case this elusive cabin turned out to be just a myth we wanted to be prepared to tent it. As we set out, there appeared to be some kind of ATV road, but for some reason or another we decided to bushwhack across the plushy, wet tundra, and make what we believed to be a bee-line for the little cabin. Darkness set in, which we are just recently becoming acquainted to again, and the strain of all the firewood, gear, and beer began to wear on us. But after about an hour of hard work and aimless wandering, the silouhette of the mysterious cabin finally gave way.

Upon swinging the wooden door open, we discovered a quaint, rustic cabin with a loft, matresses, a couch, stove, cast iron stove, and enough marshmallows to last us the week. We threw our gear and firewood to the ground, and excitedly explored the cabin and its beautiful surroundings.

That night we caught our first glimpse of the Northern Lights -- just one more reason to stay up late and explore. Alaska continues to surprise and amaze us.

Check out our photos:

Jessica and I enjoying a beer before setting out!

Rick, play us a tune.

We made it! That fire felt so good.

Drying all of our wet clothes from the hike

The loft - so cool

The Cabin on 8 Mile Lake in the morning

Yessica being a goon

Friends :)

Northern Lights - beautiful.

Mt. McKinley came out the next morning!

Old time photos are the best.

Happy adventuring,

Jenny & Justin

changing colors

Since the last update it seems that so much has changed here in Denali but nothing more than the colors. Magnificent yellows and reds grace the tops of trees, hillsides and mountaintops. Blueberries are ripe for the picking, and the fresh, crisp smell of fall air is enough to make us fall in love with Denali all over again...

We had an AWESOME visit from Justin's Mom Lynn and her friend Sara a week ago here in Denali! They arrived just in time to see the colors changing, with a visit into the park, a trip to the husky homestead, an adventurous trip down the Nenana river, and a beautiful hike to the falls & one ultra-tacky yet hilarious photo session at the Old Sourdough Studio (see below), we were certainly on-the-go. These women cannot be stopped, my friends. Justin and I couldn't help but feel energized by another fantastic visit from family & friends. What's funny is that while showing them around Denali, they actually showed us Denali. It's so easy to fall into complacency when you've been in that "new" place for a few months. But Lynn & Sara's appreciation for this treasure of a place opened our eyes once again to the beauty of Denali.

We had a blast - and judging by the pictures below, we think they did too.

With just 3 weeks left of our Alaskan summer, these times (and colors) they are a changin'.

Carpe Diem!

Jenny & Justin

Too few & far between.

July Update - Part 1

As of late we have slacked in our summer blogging, so this is going to be an attempt to catch up and reflect on the month of July.

July 14th: My parents arrive in Alaska!

July 15-16: Kenai River Fishing Trip with the Wesser family

I believe I can speak for both Justin and I in saying that this was one of the highlights of our time in Alaska thus far- "The Fish are In the River!!" was the theme of the weekend. Following a negative salmon report that we had not timed it quite right and the salmon were not yet running the Kenai, it was to our exciting surpise to find that the fish were running, and in fact the fish were running at record-breaking numbers.

http://www.adn.com/2011/07/18/1973774/salmon-surge-into-kenai-river.html

Prior to arriving in Soldotna, Wendy was our wonderful guide for the day, and took us to tour Seward and Exit Glacier on the Kenai Peninsula. Pictures tell the story much better than I could:

Team Seward bundles up and departs Anchorage earlier than the other Wesser Men, who are disheartened by the diappointing fish report.

Mom & Dad- so happy to have them in Alaska

A bit of a nervewracking drive up to Exit Glacier - roads were flooded

A very rewarding hike to Exit Glacier...just don't touch it!

Dad finds a piece of Exit Glacier floating down the river & becomes quite attached.

More Seward Fun :) Many laughs and jumping pictures later, Team Seward receives a call from "the Brothers" saying "The Fish are in the River." Team Seward departs Seward after purchasing appropriate fishing licenses.

"The Fish are in the River" - Wesser Men are focused and strategizing at 5 am

Kenai River Boat Launch - We're ready!!

2 hours later, all 6 fishing licenses were maxed out: 18 red salmon.

All the men with all the fish

After a spectacular weekend with family on the Kenai, Mom and Dad headed up to Denali to stay with Justin and I for the second half of their Alaskan adventure....