Our Life in Alaska and Beyond

The main reason Chrissy came to visit us was so that we could visit Lake Clark National Park. This trip took several months of planning, and was so, so worth it! It was short (only 24 hours), but probably the best 24 hours of my life, no joke! It truly couldn't have been better and I loved every second. We took Ruby (part of her 12th birthday present) and Scott stayed home with Noelle and Robyn. It was very expensive, but in my opinion, definitely worth it, and definitely something I want to do again. 

We stayed at Silver Salmon Creek Lodge, which I highly, highly recommend. We flew from Anchorage on the morning of July 4th on a little float plane, and landed on a lake near the lodge. We then got on a little boat, and then we were taken on a 4-wheeler to our cabin and the lodge. From there we started our bear viewing (with a very experienced guide), with breaks for lunch and dinner, and then out again after dinner for more bear viewing. We slept very well in our cabin that night, and the next morning we got to do more bear viewing, followed by breakfast, and then sadly it was already time to go home. The next time I visit I would love to stay longer. But I have no complaints about this trip and really feel that we just lucked out with beautiful weather, lots of bears (no cubs, but that's ok), an incredibly knowledgeable and kind guide, amazing food (I don't think I've ever eaten as well as I did on this trip), and super comfortable accommodations. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This first post will be all of my cell pics, and then I'll do a separate post with all the pics I took from my big camera. I also have some great videos on my IG! Enjoy the bears and the beauty of Lake Clark NP! 🐻🏔️

About to get on our float plane at the Lake Hood Floatplane Base in Anchorage. We learned this is the busiest and biggest seaplane base in the world!

My favorite race day of the year! I love this race, and Farmington, haha! This race is so fun, and the breakfast afterwards is so good! Scott and I ran the 10k; and Chrissy, Ruby, and Grandpa B. (pushing Robyn in the stroller) ran the 5k! Everyone ran great! See results here. 

After the race we met the rest of the family and had a delicious breakfast in the park! Then we walked over to the parade. That afternoon just our little family met up with Ryan and Jill and cooled down at Causey Reservoir. (Post coming soon!) That night we met back up with my family and went down the park and watched the fireworks. So fun! Yay for long summer days! 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🎆

We had a fun filled family day on the 4th of July! Andy, Ali, Chrissy, Scott, and I started the morning off right by running up to Flag Rock. It was a beautiful morning, and a great way to start the holiday! Later that morning we met Sam and Sadie in Kaysville and watched the parade. And then that evening we went for a power wagon ride and then hung out at my parents'. It was a great day! Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸

My favorite race of the year is Farmington Festival Days! My dad, Chrissy, and I almost always run it, and this year we recruited some of Jake's family to run it too! Scott and Ruby ran again as well. Everyone did amazing! Chrissy, Scott, and I did the 10k. And my dad, Ruby, Jake, Deron, and Chase did the 5k. (Robyn got to be pushed in the stroller by my dad!) See results here. Chrissy medaled! Yay! Unfortunately, Scott and I both placed 4th in our age groups so we just missed out on getting a medal, lol. We'll go for it next year!

Grandma and Grandpa Hadley and Noelle were there to cheer everyone on, and then we all had breakfast right after the race. After breakfast we walked over to the parade and watched it all together, which was so fun. And Ruby was in the parade! She did a mini dance camp with her friends through Farmington High, and had a lot of fun. We loved seeing her!

This year seemed to be a bit hotter (the race and the parade), but we still had a super fun day! (Grandma B. had covid so she was at home and missed out. 😞) After the parade we all went home to cool off, and then that evening we watched the fireworks from our front room window. Happy Festival Days!

Right after finishing. So sweaty, lol!

It's so fun to not only be back in Utah, but back in Farmington! I grew up going to Farmington Festival Days every year, and it was so fun to go this year too! Chrissy, my dad, and I would usually run either the 5K or 10K, and then we'd all go to the breakfast afterwards (free for all racers!), followed by the parade (which I was in multiple times as a kid), and then fireworks at night. So fun! We did all those things this year too, and it was so fun! 

We started the morning with the races. Ruby ran her very first 5K! She was going to run it with Grandpa, but I guess after starting she decided she wanted to go faster and she finished before anyone else! Scott and I both ran the 10K, and we both placed top three in our age groups so we got medals! It was so fun! See results here: Holly 50:05, Scott 43:56, Grandpa 45:10, Ruby 36:51

After the races Grandma met us at the park with Noelle and Robyn for breakfast, then we all walked over to the parade and met Sam and Sadie and watched it together. At night we went back down to the park and watched part of a Beatles concert, and then fireworks afterwards. It was a fun and busy day! (We also painted all the ceilings in our house during the day, haha. Now that our house is pretty much done, I'll have to do a post showing all the renovations we've done!) 

Just finished!