Alaska

Ok, summer has officially ended without another post. I'm the worst! But fortunately I took lots of pictures. Summer was really highlighted by our amazing trip to Alaska. We had the best time. Otto was terrific on our flight there despite a several hour delay. We got in very early in the morning, had a short sleep, and got picked up in a huge "Monster Truck" as Otto calls big pick up trucks and taken to a small bush plane airport. Otto was THRILLED and ran up to each one inspecting the wheels and propellers. We got in our airplane and flew about 60 miles north to our lodge located right in the middle of nowhere. It was a absolutely perfect day-very clear, sunny, and warm. And our first order of business-a fabulous lunch followed by a helicopter ride surveying the region (glaciers, ice burgs, trees, rivers, and TONS OF EMPTY LAND) and salmon fishing on the rocky bank of a pristine river. Every day brought more helicopter rides, fishing, and delicious food. We were unsure if Otto would enjoy the fishing but he loved it. He had fun sailing down the rivers in boats and loved playing on the banks and loved spinning the reels and playing with the the lures. And of course, who loves helicopters more than Otto? He squealed and kicked his feet when we were on the helicopters and talked about them when we were not. Another added benefit of the lodge were all the 4-wheelers, tractors, snowmobiles, and big farm and building equipment on sight. It really was a vacation dreamed up in Otto's head. Unfortunately we had to leave the lodge but we still had a day and a half in Anchorage which was really fun. By then the weather had turned pretty chilly and overcast so our hike to the city's overlook took place entirely in dense fog and a bit of rain but it just made for a more dramatic feel. We still had a great time and stopped for pizza on the way back. The morning before our airplane took off back for LA we met up with my high school friend, Amanda Loach, and her family. We went on a long walk along the coast and stopped at a playground. All in all, Alaska was a really perfect family vacation! Here are a few pics.