Part 1: The Fjords

We booked the five-hour expedition on the water with Kenai Fjords.  The cruise took us past glaciers to cliffs brimming with life.  We spotted a nest of three eaglets, crowds of puffins, and other birds, and we saw multiple orcas leaping across the ocean's surface. Halfway through the day we stopped for lunch on shore.  The beach was made up of smooth, flat stones perfect for skipping, and Beckham giggled when Dallin threw stones while holding him.  

When the boys left to go fishing for a few days on the peninsula, Rachel and I brought Beckham along for our own adventures.   We turned on a podcast and drove past through emerald terrain to the ruins of Independence Mine.  Where men once mined for gold now lay shambles of buildings amidst tumbling waterfalls and purple fields of fireweed. Unfortunately, we were only able to view stroller-accessible areas because it was too difficult for me to carry Beckham in his hiking backpack. Nevertheless, what we saw was breathtaking, and Beckham was more than happy to kick his feet up and enjoy the ride.

My sister Rachel and her husband moved to Alaska last summer, and I'll admit it's been a lonely year without her being down the street to call up any time I want to run errands or watch a movie. Rachel and I are only 14 months apart, and now she is due with a baby who will be 14 months younger than my baby.  We finally made the trip to visit them this last August.