We hiked "Crow Pass" a couple of weekends ago. It is a 24-26 mile hike - in this picture we reached the top (3500 feet). Ike, Nikki, Chris, Sam, and myself. We caught up with some Eagle Scouts later.

One thing I learned on this trip - BRING A SLEEPING PAD b/c the ground is cold!






Here are the Eagle Scouts crossing a river made up of FREEEEEEEZING glacier water. We went after them. We had to cross the river to keep going on the trail. We kept ourselves connected with two walking sticks.

Once we crossed, we set up for lunch. Ike went to get the boiling water to fill his "soup in a cup" and went to put the water back on the burner and spilled all the water - it was hilarious!






I think we have like 5 miles left of the trip. It's funny b/c guess what time you think it is here! I think it was around 9 or 9:30 pm. When we finally made it home at around 12:30 am it was still light out. Fun times in Alaska!






I went canoeing with some friends to Eklutna Lake which used to be a glacier. We visited Allie at the Orthodox Museum in Eklutna. She's been working there and at the Orthodox museum in Anchorage - she gave us a lovely tour of the Spirit Houses, which is something that the Native Alaskans buid on top of graves b/c they believe the spirit stays on earth for a year after death and is something that St. Innocent ( I believe) of Alaska accepted due to the very similar orthodox belief of death.

Well, I was supposed to fly back to Indy today and it's a very bittersweet feeling I have. I miss home and am very sad to be missing Caleb and Natalie's wedding this Sunday. At the same time I am at total peace in being here. Weird time of life, but good. God is good and patient with me during my little journey here.

Being here in Eagle River, Alaska has been wonderful. I love being able to spend time with the family and also go to all of the Lenten services during the week.

It's interesting how my faith hasn't been challenged that much just being around family and being so comfortable. While in Chile it was constantly a battle and I was more aware of God's love b/c I didn't have family there. God's love hasn't changed, but it's more of a struggle for me to stay in communion with Him through prayer b/c it's easier to talk directly with family about things. Learning how to daily put my trust in Him. At the moment I'm super thankful for all He has given me like my family and this beautiful community!


Jessica Sorenson and I walked up to the chapel Saturday morning to say some prayers. The chapel is located in the middle of the woods. She's a sweet girl from the St. John's church here in Eagle River. For those of you who know him - she's Father Jack Sparks' granddaughter. You can read more about this community at http://www.stjohnalaska.org/.





Inside the chapel. An icon of Jesus is in the middle with Mary to his right and St. John the Baptist on his left. The longer icon of just one person to our left is St. Herman of Alaska and to our right - I am not sure who that is.

Peter Lamb and I climbed up Mt. Baldi, but of course drove about half way up maybe more. It was still a nice hike in the snow and looking out over Eagle River was beautiful!

I made it home to my lovely family. Here's Allie, Gracie, Hanna and Emelia.

The week went by super fast, but it was nice to see family and friends!









I am cross country skiing for the first time here in Alaska. So, yes I made it safely to Alaska. It's also great to see family here! JD and Mary have two children now, Noah and Lina and Ike and Nikki are married and living in a cute cabin and are letting me stay with them.

Ike and Nikki at Chugiak High School's track and football field which becomes a cross country skiing track during the winter, obviously! It was a great workout. CC skiing is similar to running and I haven't been able to run for 2 yrs. b/c of my IT band and this wasn't hard on my knee, so it's a perfect workout! LOVE IT and feeling sore, wooohoo!

Well, I missed a flight yesterday due to a cancellation in Colombia. I had to stay in Miami last night and will hopefully be home tonight. I have about 5 days home and then I head up to Alaska to hang out with my brothers, their wives and children until July and will be back to Indiana for good then. I plan to keep this blog up.

One of the last things I did on my tour was go to a wine vineyard. The wine in Chile is SOOO cheap and good (well I drink cheap wine and think it's good).

I am happy to be coming home and this trip to Chile has been such a blessing and I have learned so much about God and myself ~ especially that I like warm weather and skipping out on winter! :)

Pomaire, Chile is famous for their pottery. Those of you who speak Spanish will understand. Those of you who don't can use your imagination or maybe will learn a little Spanish from the video. It's funny, the first pottery store I went to the lady was super rude and wouldn't let me so I just hopped to the next store and he was a lot nicer.

My trip to the south was great and I would highly recommend Chile as a place to travel for people who like outdoors and nature. Umm.... now I return home and then to Alaska. The other "patagonia" of the world. Woohooo!

These Sea Lions were so entertaining! I am in Valdivia, Chile and it´s beatiful here. I can´t believe how beautiful Chile is.

Yesterday I biked about 35 miles up to some waterfalls and then to a beach and the scenery was absolutley amazing. There is a partially active volacano there in Pucon and lots of green! I camped out for two nights under the stars.


Whoops, this is sideways but I am out of time. See the snow-topped volcano in the background! While I was biking I could smell the pine trees the air was so clean. Such a nice break from the busy and contaminated city of Santiago.

This is a picture of me, Nora (who I am living with now), Erica (Nora's best friend since she was a child), Erica's boyfriend (her husband passed away a few years ago), Carlos and Margarita (Erica's children).

Nora made "porotos granados", a typical Chilean soup. It was delicious. We of course had Chilean wine. It was a fun night and I learned a lot of Chilenismos.



I've officially ended my job as "English Teacher" or conversing with Chileans in English and my job at Bellavista Hostel. From left to right in this picture is Kika, me, Eli, Camila and Tamara. This was my favorite job I've had so far. I always looked forward to going to work. I was able to use my Spanish and English eveyday and meet people from all over the world. Today I met 2 guys from Israel. They told me about how they were in battle and their side of the story that is going on between Israel and Gaza. I loved this job and the people I worked with.

I am now heading off on a 7-9 day trip to the souther part of Chile. My itinerary is as follows (you can look some of these cities up on google to get an idea of the beauty I will see!):

Pomaire, Rapel Dam, Pichilemu (surfing capital), Punta de Lobos, Santa Cruz, Pucon, Villarica National Park, Villarica Volcano, Huerquehue National Park, Lican Ray, Panquipulli, Puerto Montt, Possibly the island Chiloe, Alerce Andino National Park, Puerto Varas, Llanquihue Lake, Saltos del Laja and Vina Balduzzi. I will be traveling with Pachamama (pachamamabybus.com) and they gave me a nice discount for having worked at the hostel. Other backpackers will go and I will probably meet some fun travelers! I am really looking forward to it.

I hope all is well at home. I am looking forward to seeing friends and family, but am also sad to leave good friends that I've made here. Life can be bitter sweet at times and when I leave on the plane to come home, I will be leaving some great memories and a beautiful country. Yes, I will probably shed a few tears. But right when I see family and friends, it will be all worth it in the end to come home!!! Love and miss you all back home! xoxo