That one time I use to live in Alaska

This is how I know the Northwest and I were meant to be. I miss Alaska. While a lot of sadness belongs in my memories when I think of that place, a lot of beauty is there also. Stumbling along in my passport to get a few pictures of my son, I came across these photos that I took while there. I mean, sure I have a ton but I'm not about to fill up this entire page with such beauty (or am I?). A lot of you remember my blog days as My Dear Jenn/ A Cup of Jenn, so I'm sure you'll remember these pictures but let's reminisce on the prettiness, shall we? I mean, how many of us can say we've been to Alaska as well as lived there for well over a year? I can and I think it's a highlight in my life so far. One deserving of being re-lived. 

The above picture is what interior Alaska looks like in May. My sister and I took one last road trip before leaving there to come back to Texas. I loved taking dashboard pictures. These pictures will never be able to justify how big and grand those mountains were. Alaska's mountains were the first ones I've ever experienced seeing & they are absolutely the reason why I'm in love with mountains now. Forget the ocean, the mountains are where it's at. Do you get overwhelmed seeing majestic parts of nature? I do. I whimper like a little puppy. 

Speaking of majestic things that make me cry, look at this crappy picture of what made me scream at nature for the first time in my life:

No, really. I rolled down the window and screamed in excitement. OOOHHH MYYYY GODDD!!!! <--That's me, screaming out the window. The Northern Lights. If only I knew what the hell I was doing with my camera then. If you'd like to see better pictures of the magic the aurora borealis provides, click here. <--I highly suggest clicking there to experience the awe before continuing on. Susan actually lived in the same location as I did when I was in Alaska and I found her while browsing for local bloggers. Her images are breathtaking!

I remember taking a lot of my pictures on this trail in my backyard where I would walk down to my sisters house. Many memories reside here. It's the place where I discovered that low and high bush cranberries smelled like wet dog & where my sister had her first encounter with a moose. 

Let's throw in my sisters cute puppy for the heck of it:

Fourth of July at my neighbors house:

And a few more pictures I love to tie up this post:

And last but not least, my favorite picture from Alaska. It was the first time I had ever gone to Mt. McKinley and the first time I saw mountains up close and personal. While I'm sure it's not the best picture that I own, it will always be my favorite because it was the first. It was the first picture I used to identify myself with the blogging world as well. It will always have a special place in my heart. 

I always use to think that I would move back to Alaska. I changed my mind after visiting Washington state. It was like a mini Alaska with an upgrade! Not as cold the entire time, more sunlight in the winter and natural beauty much similar to this, if not better. So now, Washington will eventually be my home. I love you Texas and you will always be my first love but the North West Coast in where I'll end up. How can you say no to trees and mountains? No really, how? Oh, I completely forgot one last thing.

No Alaska post would be complete without one of these guys. Okay, I better stop moosing around before I overload this post with ALL of the awesome pictures I have on my passport. I'm forcing myself to leave you guys. Pulling myself...away....from...the computer.........as.......I.....type

Damn, I should print these out.

Okay, no really, BYE!

**Steal these pictures, I will chop off your fingers. Ask before using, please.