Denali Highway Trip

So, when I got back from Texas in June, Tony planned a camping trip for the two of us. I have been wanting to see Mt. McKinley since I have been up here and so we drove the Denali Highway. The trip runs from Paxon to Cantwell, Alaska and is 134 miles long. We left for the trip on a Wednesday and came back to Anchorage on a Saturday so it did not take us too long. 

It was a very relaxing trip and I finally got to check off my Alaskan bucket list seeing Mt. McKinley (Alaskans call Denali) up close. 

We camped one night in a campground, the Brushkana campground and the other nights we found little pull offs of the highway to camp on. One of the pull offs we found was this spectacular lake spot that was completely private. It was the perfect camping spot- we got to fish and shoot and cook yummy camp food.

This drive is actually rated one of the most scenic drives in Alaska. When you are driving, all around you is mountains it is absolutely breathtaking. There is a lot of tundra and little hiking pull offs as well. I would definitely highly recommend this trip if you have an RV (we just went tent/ car camping). 

I wanted to share one of our favorite trips in Alaska with you! It's been a fun summer.

Our lake pull of spot- Tony is fly fishing as the sun was setting. So beautiful.

This is how we camp: pack it all in the car and set up the tent! We got to use our five person tent for the first time this summer which was awesome. We loved it. We kind of call it "car camping" because you aren't necessarily back packing where you have to transport all your things with you and its not an RV. It is nice having everything in the car to grab when you need it, and we love our new tent.

River from our trip

Me and Sagey girl chillin around the campfire, making s'mores!

This was our picture from Mt. McKinley! Beautiful.

Tony is a pro at getting our campfires goin.

Mountain views :)

This igloo has such a strange interesting history. It was once built as a hotel but the owner couldn't afford to keep building it. It was passed to a different owner who then tried to slowly renovate it but with the price of fuel to get to NowhereTown, Alaska, they just couldn't cut it. It now sits as a kind of landmark. So, I guess there really are igloos in Alaska (but not the kind everyone thinks of). 

Tony bought a new dutch oven to cook with. We loved it on our trip! We have really enjoyed learning how to cook different camp foods. One night we had steak and potatoes, or we just have fun, simple things like hot dogs and s'mores. We made pancakes and eggs one night and it was so yummy. This is a picture of Tony's pineapple upside down cake he made in this dutch oven and it was amazing. 

All in all, it was a restful, incredible, beautiful trip. I highly recommend the Denali Highway to all visitors and Alaskans. 

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90:2

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A Little Texas Fun

So, at the beginning of the summer, I got to take a trip to Texas to see the fam- SUCH a blessing. Lots of rest and time with family and friends. I felt God really moving in a way of just rejuvenating me and reminding me of how He provides for my family and just having sweet time to catch up with good friends and be encouraged and reminded of truth. I also LOVED being able to be able to be a part of my sister's gender reveal party for her baby #2, a GIRL! Living in Alaska, I hate that I can't be a part of those kind of family events. It was such a blessing to share a big moment with my older sister. I couldn't be more excited by the news and love being able to watch and learn from my sister as she learns how to be a mom to now TWO babies :)

Here are some highlights from the trip:

Out to eat at Chuy's for some amazing Tex Mex
Me, Brannon, Mom and Em

Always feel torn between Alaska and my family in Texas. My sister is so good about helping me feel welcome when I come back and celebrating each moment! I feel like I have a 1/2 Texan, 1/2 Alaskan heart. 

Time with friends! Got to catch up with my Banders who is in medical school right now and also have a mom/ daughter date. 

One of the highlights of my trip: My friend Liz had her first baby, a sweet girl named RYAN! I was so so happy to be able to visit her in the hospital and be a part of this moment with her. She is the first of my group of best friends from my hometown to have a baby. I couldn't be more thrilled for her. And Ryan is so beautiful!!

How can you resist little Branny's face? My nephew is the best.

I DID get to experience a little reminder of Texas summers. SO HOT.

And of course, I went to Chick Fil A at least three times. I loved it so much I brought myself back some Chick Fil A sauce to Alaska. Alaska is incredible, but one main thing it lacks is CHICK FIL A. Seriously, I would quit being a teacher to start this chain up here. LOVE this place. Gimme some waffle fries, a nice fried chicken sandwich, maybe a milkshake.... now we're talkin.

I also had a layover in Los Angeles and got to visit a friend who lives there. We took a short trip to Venice beach and saw the sights. Really interesting place to visit! Would love to have more time to explore that city.

Also a highlight: getting to catch up with my dear friend Stephanie! She was the maid of honor in my wedding and just a friend who is always encouraging, kind, and points me to truth. Such a blessing to get to visit and catch up with her. 

Also had a much needed SISTER day of pedicures and hair and everything girl. 

My Aunt Beth surprised me and the family and came to Texas while I was there which was so so nice. Loved getting to visit with her because it just seems like so long in between the times we get to talk and see each other :)

Of course I had to take a trip to get some barbecue. My brother in law Joe took me to the second best barbecue in Texas, a place called Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, Texas. We waited in line for about an hour and half but it was SO worth the wait- the brisket was INCREDIBLE. I would HIGHLY recommend this place if you are ever in Dallas, Texas.

Such blissfully good times with family and friends. 

And the best part of my trip: my little Branski. My nephew has such a happy, joyful disposition. LOVE being his aunt. 

Texas, I miss you. Thank you for your wonderful food. And most of all for being a place I can visit people that mean so much.

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A New Season

Every summer I have lived in Alaska, I have loved where I live more and more. With each Alaskan summer comes more camping, fishing, hiking, and sunshine than the last. (Literally, more sunshine. It is 9:17 and still sunny right now)

So much has happened this summer and it has been a blast! 

In June, I went down to Texas to spend time with family and friends. I got to see my sweet nephew Brannon. I loved getting to be a part of my sister's gender reveal and found out that my sister and brother in law Joe are expecting a GIRL this November :) My niece's name will be Kelley Kay and I am excited that Tony and I will be able to be in Texas for Christmas so I will get to hold my little Kelley as much as I want. Perfection. 

Me and the Brankin

In June, Tony and I also took a four day camping trip down the Denali Highway in Alaska. We got to stop and take pictures at Mt. McKinley (which Alaskans call Denali). Denali means "the great one", which makes sense as it is the highest peak in North America. We also got to use our new cool camping gear, including our new five person tent (with extra room for Sage) and our new Dutch oven (Tony made apple pie and pineapple upside down cake with it). It was a trip we both have been wanting to do for awhile and we loved it. (Post to come on that later)

From our Denali Highway camping trip 

Just some hints if you are considering taking this trip: http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/recreation/denali_highway.html

Great tips to remember including WHEN you should go, what to bring, campgrounds along the way, etc. If you have never been to Alaska, it is an INCREDIBLE view and great trip!

Also in June, my mom and friend Art visited which was super fun! My mom, Art, Tony, and I all ran the Mayor's half marathon together. Training for the half was a great kick in the butt to get in shape this spring and it felt great to complete that goal. 

June was a month of just resting and family and a little Alaskan travel. It was wonderful.

For July Fourth, we took a trip down to Seward (about 2 hours from Anchorage, and on the coast, called the Kenai Peninsula). The road to Seward is very beautiful is and is well known for its incredible view. You drive next to the mountains and ocean. Highly recommend. :)

We got to camp in Seward for the holiday. We also got to see a friend run what is called Mt. Marathon. Mt. Marathon is a 5k event where racers run up a mountain and back down, ending in the town of Seward. It is definitely a coveted event because you can only enter through lottery. I am definitely going to try to enter next year, we will see :)

Mt. Marathon Race in Seward Alaska- Independence Day

In July, I also decided to work part time doing social work again. It has been a good way to feel productive, help people in a needed field, and make a little extra money. Tony and I are trying to save for some of our travel goals (Israel and Italy). :)

Some of our biggest and most recent news is that Tony got a new job!! Which is exciting. Tony is moving from his job doing Emergency Management on base to working at the airport. Tony is going to be doing a sort of catch all/ public relations work there. He will start in August. Yay!! God is so good. He always answers our prayers in his time. 

And in other news with Tony: my hubs just enlisted in the National Guard TODAY! I am still learning what it means and how it will look realistically but he will have to go to Basic Training in Georgia starting in January. He also will commit to working once every weekend out of the month. I am so proud of my soldier. Again, God is so good and the giver of all good gifts.

Well, I think that updates all on the Luiken family. Change is good and I praise God for it. We are enjoying summer and rest. More summer posts and updates to come! Thank you for all prayers. 

"Behold, I am making all things new."

Revelation 21:5

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