The Jay and Amanda Chronicles: Vermont to Alaska: February 2012

Hello, since getting back from Hawaii we have been laying low. However, I think we brought some warm weather with us, it has been 20-30 each day. It still snows everyday but the sun is staying up longer and we can "see an end" to this long winter. Last weekend we did some spring cleaning and went skiing between Anchorage and Wasilla in a little place known as Chugiak. This place has an excellent trail system and a chalet. It was such a change to ski with sun light since we have been skiing most of the year in the dark. The warmer temps helped too. We each fell a few times and felt it for 2 days. enjoy

Chalet

The Subaru is a tank. I have owned a bunch of subaru's but with the studded tires this is the best vehicle I have ever driven in the snow.

wide trails with a "classic" track on the right and a "skating" track on the left.

So many miles of trails.

Amanda has the maps and we got the car with Hawaiian plates

And we drive straight to the only brewery

Sweet view and some great beer. We love 3 hour happy hours with $3 pints.

Dog the Bounty Hunter

We asked the bartender where we should go for a hike. She said we should hike a mile to the lighthouse. It rained, it poured and we hiked. "no rain no rainbows"

Yoga - sun salutation.

We had planned on camping our way across Oahu. We found out we had to get a permit from the state. so we went to the Federal Building and got a permit. However, to deter the homeless on the beach there is no camping on Wednesday and Thursday. So we headed to the campsite for Tuesday a little defeated. Once we got there the place was on the beach but it was a dump, trash everywhere, and 10 homeless folks sleeping in the bathroom. We decided then and there this was not for us and we were on vacation. so we checked online and the only place was Turtle Bay Golf Resort. It was $400 a night. Amanda called them and they gave us a room for $169. I will dream of sleeping on that many thread count sheets for the rest of my life.

View from our room.

Amanda meditating in the few rays of sun, with a beer...pure bliss.

So, the only place the owner of our company suggested to check out was the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was a really cool spot. However it is owned by the Mormon Church (which our boss is affiliated with). Despite feeling cheated into this experience and paying $50 each, it was super cool that the church supports the preservation of all the cultures of the pacific.

We also booked our spot to come back to the center in the evening for dinner and a show. Both of which were great. I have never eaten more glorious pork and bountiful amounts of fruit.