WT Day 6

Mt. Alyeska (Aleut for Alaska meaning "great land" "mainland") is home to the Alyeska Resort.  World class skiing occurs here,  double diamond runs and in the off season, wacky adventure seeking daredevils bike down the mountain. Obviously, I participate in none of these activities as I still have my legs and brain functions :)  Above a view of Turnagain Arm at low tide.

A couple weeks earlier we came for dinner at the 4 star restaurant, Seven Glaciers where a spectacular dinner was had with Rob's mom and our friend Kevin that you can read about here.  Today we were settling on the Bore Tide Deli as my mouth was watering for Seafood Soup in a bread bowl...the only thing I have ever ordered here as it is fantastic.

Thanks Ryan for this Amelia pic :)

The only way up is on the tram.  

When we came with Grammy, the hiking trail was closed off.  I emailed Alyeska to make sure it would be open for our next set of visitors and learned it was closed for cable repairs on the ski lift that day...so we were good to go. 

Yep, I said hiking.  

Amelia was running for the first part and both her and Andrea were doing great with the short hike up.  Think we will make it.

Then...about 3/4 of the way up, Amelia wanted to be carried.  I would have if Andrea wanted to continue, however, Andrea turned around and started walking back down the minute I said "Andrea want to go back down?"  It was music to her ears :)  Bye Ryan and Liz...will meet you on the flippity flip :)

It's not a long hike and by the time we got back down, goofed around a bit and Amelia and Andrea plopped their butts down to "rest", Liz and Ryan had come full circle on the other side of Mt. Alyeska bowl where we were waiting.

Let's get some soup!

After a refueling, we headed to the Roundhouse Museum and gift shop that is atop the mountain, where I  purchased a few Christmas gifts :)  Then back down the tram for a bit more shopping at the resort.

Where there is a mirror...there is dance.

We pondered Gold Mining at Crow Creek Pass, however, the shopping wasn't complete, so headed to Anchorage where we  found lots of treasures at the Saturday Market...held Saturday and Sunday for local finds and foods.  Truthfully, I am not a big fan of the market, however, most of the guests I bring to it love it...so I am still trying to see what I am missing.

John Schwieder is one of my favorite Alaskan photographers.  Liz and Ryan seemed to think the same.  I have several of his books and wish I could spend a day just trailing behind him picking up photography tips.  Well...er...not when he is hiking Denali...I would skip that trip.

He has a shop in downtown Anchorage, as well as, appearing here at the market and all the Christmas markets too.  He usually mans his booth, so you get his inside view and stories behind some of the shots. 

We had to cut our shopping short as we had a crab leg dinner waiting for us back home and unfortunately, Rob had to go to work the next day so we couldn't eat too late. 

I put the above pic in to show you the face of the one who wouldn't eat crab.  She said she liked the taste but seeing how it came out of the shell...no way.  This is the same girl who LOVES anything Salmon...including the rancid dog food smell of Salmon Jerky.   I heated up some Chicken Noodle Soup and a slice of Moose's Tooth Pizza that we had left over. 

Liz on the other hand ...

Has the stab wound to prove she is an Alaskan King Crab lover.  Sorry only pic I had of the puncture...think I had a bit to much Pinot Grigio.

 

Amelia did a sticker face of Liz and Andrea that now hang framed in her room. 

 Tomorrow...packing day for a 7 am flight out of Anchorage tuesday morning.  Pondering :  Seward, hike up Flat top Mt. for Ryan and Liz only ... obviously, or finish the shopping that we cut short today....hmmm...let's sleep on it.