Happy New Year

It’s hard to believe this is the last day of 2011.  For us, it has been a fantastic year.  We feel truly blessed.  Gene and I have this little thing we do just about every day.  One of us asks the other “what was your favorite part of today”.  We started asking this question on our first long section hike on the Appalachian Trail.  It helped keep us focused on the fun part of the day and not on the pain in our feet or backs.  Since then, we’ve kept up the practice.

When I asked “what was your favorite part of 2011”, after a little thought he had these things to say:  The Alaska trip had some highlights.  The most notable and by far his favorite was seeing the humpback whale breach, the Icefield Parkway, and the Johnson Crossing cinnamon rolls.  Of all the places we went to in Alaska, he liked Denali National Park best.  He says he likes the motor home better than the 5th wheels and he enjoyed the experience of boondocking which we did a lot of on that trip.  Aside from the Alaska trip, he liked the fact that I didn’t have to have bypass surgery which we thought was a very real possibility when we were in Colorado.  He is also thrilled with becoming a hiker again.  We’re both enjoying that.

For me, I had a tie for first place.  We were in Alaska, after all, and the natural beauty of that expansive landscape was awe-inspiring.  That was hard to beat, but, I love my family and friends, so I also had to say the time spent with the people who are important in our lives also got a “favorite” vote from me.

Independence Mine, Alaska

We covered a lot of ground this year beginning in Bushnell, Florida last January, driving back to Nashville in March, then heading to Alaska by way of Arkansas, Oklahoma, a tiny bit of Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon.  Our return trip saw us in Yukon, British Columbia, and Alberta again, as well as Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky.  We saw a lot of stuff along the way and took thousands of photos.  Occasionally, I’ll get a shot that I really like.  These are my favorites for this year.

Lucille Lake, Wasilla, Alaska

Paper birch

We wish everyone a very happy, safe, and blessed New Year.  We sincerely hope our paths will cross during 2012.  And, even though I say it at the end of every post, we are truly thankful that you’re tagging along.

Trout lily

Cadet Chapel, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO