Valdez: "Mineral Creek Canyon"

I've mentioned before how BIG everything is in Alaska. The flowers are huge (you can see my little hand below). The animals are gigantic and the scenery is larger than life.

When I was in my hometown 2 months ago, I took a drive back Mineral Creek Canyon. I don't know why they call a 'Raging River' a Creek. I guess because we have 8 of the 32 largest rivers in the US, in our state, and Mineral Creek isn't one of them. I didn't take any photos of the river, it was too grey, cold and menacing to immortalize. I did take some of the scenery along the way, but first, let's go back 25 years:

Here's a photo of my dad and the oldest 5 (I'm the nerd on the back) crossing our favorite bridged waterfall, back Mineral Creek Canyon! The bridge is all decayed and washed out now.

The waterfall it crossed is still there and just as beautiful. I'd guess about 20 waterfalls feed into Mineral Creek.

The northernmost point of the coastal Pacific temperate rain forest is in Valdez, on Blueberry Hill, not too far from Mineral Creek Canyon. You can tell from the lush, 6 foot fern growth, that Valdez has a rain forest climate. It's so temperate and wet.

My mom used to hike back here, when she was ready to go into labor. It seemed to work! I loved seeing the steep mountain walls and the "Avalanche Area" signs! There is still snow on the mountains in July!

The best part of Mineral Creek Canyon is the Salmonberry bushes. Profuse, if you can get to them before the bears, and not a thorn on the stalk. The fruit is mouth watering and makes great jelly.

This was a really rainy year in Alaska and not much fireweed was blooming. I did see a bit, covered in raindrops, that made my day, but it was nothing like last year's "Crop." I spent one summer, between college semesters, digging up Wild Iris's back Mineral Creek Canyon. I then transplanted them to my yard.

This is what they looked like, although they weren't in bloom when I was there 2 months ago (maybe because I removed them ALL, 20 years ago??!!)

It was so comforting to visit places I'd love to explore as a child, places I frequented as a teen-ager. Of course, Emily (my Best Friend) and I didn't go back TOO far into the canyon. The bridge was washed out and we didn't want to be reminded of our 4-wheeling accident back there. I'll post about that someday, when I get up my nerve!!

Date with Mamma Mia!

My mom and I went to the movies last night. She has helped me so much with my kids this summer, it's the least I could do. Of course, she paid. And then she took me out to ice cream, after.

I saw this play on Broadway in NYC last spring, and I went to see the movie 4 days ago, on opening night in Anchorage, with Emily. I love ABBA and I love musicals. This movie is getting mixed reviews, but I loved it. I have got to go to Greece now, after "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "Mamma Mia!"

I bought the soundtrack and now my kids are learning these songs, to add to their Broadway Showtunes repertoire. I don't think "Mamma Mia" tunes will replace our ultimate favorite, "Wicked," but it is fun to hear Ben sing, "Mamma Mia, Here I go again, My, My, how can I mist you?!"

Valdez: "Book Obsession Beginnings"

This is where it all started. The therapist inside my head says that in order to confront my addiction and start the recovery process I must go back to the root of it all.

It was here, at the Valdez Consortium Library that I began my love affair with the written word.



I would bike 3 blocks from my home (now, a Mexican restaurant and hairdresser!) to the local library and sit for hours in THE PIT.

The colorful carpeted area used to be a sunken step-down lounge called THE PIT. I would spend hours there, reading and laying about, avoiding chores at home. And getting out of the rain.

Apparently, too many tourists (probably from Texas) fell in the pit. They would be looking up at the murals, and let's face it, Texans are so IN AWE of all things Alaska, and sometimes they are a danger to themselves! So it was filled in.

My first stop after getting off the ferry in Valdez was the Valdez Library. I scanned the shelves for the Raggedy Ann series that I spent time devouring as an early reader, but had no luck. Don't pity me, I convinced my mom to indulge my obsession a few years ago and she bought me every book in the series on EBay.

(FYI: Mom, the therapist in my head says you have to quit enabling me to be an OC 'Obsessive Crazed' Reader, but I didn't listen and neither should you!)

Then, as if in a dream, I walked upstairs and went right to a shelf, quickly finding a favorite book. It was in the exact same spot as when I used to look it up 20 years ago! I frequented this book like a drunk goes back to the same bar. I loved all things Diana in 1988, as a Junior High Nerd.

Luckily, on this trip home to Valdez, I was able to confront two obsessions: Reading in THE PIT and the Diana book that started my Complete and Total devotion to all things PRINCESS. I think I might be beyond help. Especially if I keep hearing a therapist in my head!

Valdez: "Laughing it up!"

Yesterday Emily and I left Valdez. We spent 3 days in our hometown and had a great time! We camped, ate fried fish EVERY DAY, visited old friends and hiked.


OK, so it was too cold and misty to really go hiking, but I did find a snowbank to hike (as pictured above) What a crazy thing, snow still hanging around in July! I don't know if dirt is tossed on it to help it melt, or if the dirt/snow is plowed up, with the snow blowers, during winter???

This must be the dorkiest picture of me, EVER TAKEN!! And that includes all my BIG HAIR photos! My mom says I look like a rabbit sometimes, this must be the look she's talking about! I think I might need to reconsider laughing so much, if I look like I'm about to explode when I do it. WEIRD.

Emily told me I HAD to post this, to KEEP IT REAL. Thanks for the bad advice, Em!

My geophysicist brother, Jonathan, in living in Valdez as he mines for Gold under receding glaciers. He has a camera crew from LA following him, making a documentary. They gave him the night off, to go out to dinner with me and Emily. The speed at which I shovel food into my face would alarm the general public.

It was great to see him. I'll post about his movie later. Unless they use my interview footage. Then, I'll just curl up and die. They interviewed me in the rain and I look like a DROWNED rabbit.

My favorite part of my hometown visit was seeing old friends. We visited yesterday afternoon with my fellow HS lifeguard/co-captain of the Swim Team, Jennifer. She has 3 adorable boys and it was fun to meet them! We laughed so hard, catching up after 14 years. Then, we went to visit her parents. I haven't laughed that hard in FOREVER!

I'm on my way home today. I'm excited to see my family, but will miss Emily and my Alaska Adventures! I still have LOTS of photos to post and things to share, so keep reading!

Alaska: Part Eight "Bitter Cold Adventures"

(Mrs. Mauldin, when I write, I often think of you. I think, "I wish I would have paid more attention in English class, rather than flirting with Lance Bowen so much!" Now, as I write about your granddaughters, the possibility that you might read this haunts me. I'm sorry, I still use WAY too many commas!)


This is the beautiful Mt. McKinley . . . the tallest mountain in North America. It's Native Name is Denali or "The Great One." That's also my sister's middle name . . . Briana Denali. What a cool thing to be named for! I have to say, the name Denali makes me think cold thoughts.

I like my middle name, too . . . Sarah Chanel. Chanel is an overpriced, stenchy brand of perfume. I've smelled them all, while in France, and I'm not impressed with the product, but the name has served me well, I like it. It's classy and cool.


I'm just not a huge perfume fan, but I digress.

My Best Friend, Emily took all these photos. She lives this Alaska life, having bitter cold ADVENTURES with her cute family. I stole these shots off her memory card.

These pictures are so beautiful, in an icy way. I wish I could describe how COLD it can be in Alaska. There is no air, quite like cold Alaskan air. It's very DRY and BITTER. It smells SO nice, even though it can hurt the inside of your nose a little bit and freeze your nose hairs!

Here is Emily and her little 3-year-old, gearing up for a snow machine trip. Look at all the trees in this chilly part of the state . . . They don't even grow normally, they're all dwarf-like and covered in snow, kind of Dr. Seuss looking!

My little Alaskan sweetheart . . . can you just feel how cold she would be without all that warm subzero-gear? The rosy glow in her cheeks is so cute. When she exhales, it looks like she's smoking, the steam from her breathe is very warm compared to the outside air!


Emily's two daughters,are all bundled in their snow gear, making tracks while they wait for their snowmachine rides.

Move backwards girls, you're in the shade and it's below zero there! Into the light, girls!! Save yourselves!

Emily and her little one, having a great time, racing around on the frozen wasteland we call Alaska! I wish I could just spend one day a year in that cold. I really do love the way the air smells there, but one day would be plenty for me!

Emily and her family often go to watch the Iditarod Sled Dog Races . . . just another Bitter Cold Adventure!

"Hey Momma! There's the RACE DOGS!!"

You know, sometimes my spell check pics up my last name and suggests Iditarod, and sometimes it's mean to me and just suggests "Idiot."

True Alaskans at their best!

"Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!!"

How many of you have ever seen A Christmas Story??

I asked Emily's daughter to tell me about ice fishing. This was her explanation, "The school bus takes you to the farm at about 7am, but only in the winter. There is no room for parents on the bus, so Moms and babies have to go in the car. So they can take pictures. When you get there, you try and catch little fish. I caught one, but then I didn't roll it up the right way, so the fish got away. It's OK if you catch one or not because I still got a fishing necklace. It was purple, my favorite color!"

Home-Made Parade

OK, Normally I wouldn't post photos of myself unless I DON'T look absolutely stupid, but I'm breaking all the rules. First, no lying in my posts. Now, ugly self portraits . . . but I had so much fun participating in this parade with the girls, I'm sharing ALL.

First, Emily's oldest gave me 3 flags to wave AND an Umbrella. So one flag went in each back pocket, to be shaken and shimmied with my "Hips Don't Lie" moves. Her little daughter picked out a lovely hat for me, just enhancing how FAT my head is.

Then, we "Paraded" around the living room and the girls tossed candy at their parents, true to Alaskan Parade Form. In fact, the basket of candy came from previously attended parades attended by the girls.

Then, we all laughed and ate the chocolate, while trying to pawn the nasty candy off on the kids.

Alaskan Cuties

I've been in Alaska one day and it's been wonderful!! Emily and I stayed up WAY to late and then, she let me sleep in until 11am. Or I should say, her girls did. They are so sweet and cute (and that's true EM!)


She noticed, as we talked last night, that I tell a lot of lies on my blog. I'd tell her something and she'd quietly bring up that I misrepresented the facts on a previous post. So, I'm turning over a new leaf of HONESTY. For this post.

This was Little Miss Cutie's response to telling her that suckers turn her teeth black.

Miss Adorable and her poochie, Charles. Chuck wears doggie diapers and that's no lie.

Miss Cutie is still not sure if my photographer jokes are appropriate, although telling her that her daddy's feet are stinky did elicit a giggle.

Emily is a mean mom. She hasn't introduced her kids to WEBKINZ, although Miss Adorable has one (the toy in the middle). She just doesn't know that she can play "online" with her toy. Wait, maybe Emily doesn't fully understand the free babysitting this type of toy can provide. We'll have something new to talk about tonight.

Miss Cutie is finally warming up to my odd sense of humor. Sort of.

Miss Adorable is a natural poser. I think I see a modeling career for this one, in the future.

Her sister will be a tough rival, in the fashion business. Or maybe the hairdressing business. I got them both to do my hair for about an hour today. This is my type of vacation . . . two little servant girls brushing my hair for a whole hour. HEAVEN.

Miss Adorable in her outfit for 1st grade. She and my Katrina are the same age and I really hope they'll get to meet each other. Emily is talking about coming to visit ME next spring.

"AND SHE BETTER BRING ME TO AUNT SARAH'S! OR I'LL TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE ZIPPER INCIDENT!"

"If I sit around here looking cute, I'm sure Mom will bring me. I'm just too dang adorable for words."

Finally, a full smile. Ahh, life on vacation is good. The kids like me and they don't drive me crazy, since they aren't my own!

Devouring Books

Here I am, in Alaska, and I had SOO much time to blog and read. . . it took 8 hours just to get here!

I've found more to add to my "Favorite Books Ever" Shelfari list: Before Green Gables (A Prequel to Anne of Green Gables) by Budge Wilson. I 'heart' Anne Shirley and this book really does justice to her beginnings. It's a very sweet read that transports you back for a little more of her lovely story. If you adore Anne, you'll love this book.

Another I read is #6 in The Sisters Grimm Series by Michael Buckley. I started this series Feb. 07, on the way to NYC and have anxiously awaited each installment. I love fantasy and these books are delightful. They are about adventurous sisters (desendants of the Grimm Brothers) who live amongst all the Fairy Tale Characters in the modern times. These characters are always getting into mischief and the Sisters put them in their place. Now I'll have to wait at least 6 more months for book #7!!

I'll report on more books as the week goes by, but also, I'll be sending you some SWEET photos of Alaska. . .

Goodbye Home, Hello Alaska!

Well folks, today I am taking a vacation from all my vacations! After Girls Camp, The Pioneer Handcart Trek and various family trips, I need a break all my myself . . . so I'm off to Alaska again.

I'll be visiting my BFF, Emily and her cute daughters. I'll be selling cotton candy with them this weekend at a local fair. It really is fun therapy to make, sell and taste test the stuff. And Emily is always creating new flavors and packaging, that I feel obligated to give my opinions on. I do love giving my opinions.

Then, Emily and I are headed to our hometown, Valdez . . . I'm sure I'll tear up as I see it again. It's been 14 years and I really have missed it, so much! I hope to take a ton of photos and post each night about my adventures . . . keep checking back for new posts!

Alaska: Part Six "Little Switzerland"

My hometown has a nick-name: The Little Switzerland of Alaska.

Valdez (named after a Spaniard, but pronounced with a hard "e") is nestled in a fjord. Fjords are also found in Switzerland, Italy, Scandinavia, Canada, New Zealand, Croatia, Maine and Washington (basically, all the most breath taking places!) Fjords are long, narrow inlets with steep sides, created in a valley carved by glacial activity. It rains so much in Valdez, that everything is always very green and you can see snow on the mountaintops, year round.

Valdez is the most beautiful place in the world and I get misty eyed and heart palpitations, just being in love with that spot! Isn't it so adorable, hugging the mountain as if it would fall into the sea? Wait, it did that once, actually.

On Good Friday 1964, a 9.2 earthquake caused the land Valdez was built on to liquify, dropping into the sea. The displaced water formed a 30 ft. tsunami, killing 32 people on the dock, as they were waiting for the supply ship. Sixty remaining houses were moved to the present site of Valdez, a site which was not built on glacial silt.

OK, so if you look out where the sound meets the ocean, you can almost see where the Oil Tanker Exxon Valdez ran aground in 1989, spilling 10.8 million gallons of crude oil. The oil coated the an area of the Alaskan shore the size of California, killing all the wildlife . . . just imagine sticky, black oil floating on top of the sea water with dead animals washing up for miles. Lovely.

OK, I've let the two infamous things about my sweet little town out of the bag. Let's move on.

I've always loved the Anne of Green Gables books and wished I could see Prince Edward Island in Canada . . . but today I realized that Anne's got nothin' on us, baby!

So here's my EXCITING NEWS!! I'm headed to Alaska 4 days after I get back from the Trek! I only have to pay $100 because we had enough frequent flyer miles. I'll stay with my best friend, Emily and her family. I'm thrilled to spend more time with her adorable daughters. This is the response I hope I get when they see me, so start coaching them now, Em!

"Yay! Aunt Sarah is here! Take us for a ride in Daddy's 'Stang! He parked it right behind us, just for you!"

(Maybe you can work this out with Brett, Em!!)

Emily and I will sell "Tundra Cotton Candy" at her local fair one day, with our two midgit assistants. Then, we're ditching her family and taking a "Girl's Trip" on the ferry, to Valdez, for about 2 days. I haven't been to my hometown since 1994 and I am so excited! I know Emily will miss her little cuties, but I'll try and keep her busy enough that she doesn't cry herself to sleep at night.
Yes, we'll be leaving, you too, little Miss Serious! Don't give me that look!

I leave Wed. July 16th, arriving in Anchorage at 7:31pm. I go home Tues. the 22nd at 1:45pm . . . the perfect amount of time to rejuvenate myself. I only wish we had enough miles for Damian to go, too. After this trip, I'm going to start saving my miles for 2012, my 20 year class reunion. I really want to take my whole family to that.