Hello lovely readers!
Well here goes nothing. I'm starting a new blog 'series' in attempt to help all you readers get to know me a little better!
I'm going to give you the truth about certain topics in my life, over several weeks! I don't want to be a mysterious blogger behind a screen or known as "The Hart to Heart" girl! I love getting e-mails from my readers asking questions, or even just to say Hey! I may not be able to come hang out in person, but trust me, you guys seriously rock!
So here is the truth about living in Alaska, as told by me!
- My husband and I moved to AK in August 2011. I'm Moving back this August, 2012!
- We lived in the Anchorage area!
- Alaska is NOT what most of you'd think.
- Alaska has normal stores-- normal people(for the most part)-- and normal food.
- If you don't live in Alaska, but live in the United States... then you live in the "Lower 48".
- Everything is expensive: Milk, gas, manicures, toilet paper... absolutely everything. Go to target, pick out any give item and add $1.50-$2.00 to it.. that's about how much I'd pay for it in Alaska.
- You can't find any houses made out of brick? Random but one of the first things I noticed. Everything is siding for the most part. Annoying to me, because I always wanted a cute little brick house.
- Alaska does NOT have 24 hours of darkness. I get asked this on a daily basis. Let's set the record straight. Yes, at some times of the year the sun doesn't come up until 11:00 AM and it sets at 4:30... but that only lasts a month or so.
- The summers are gorgeous. I'd take an Alaskan summer over any tropical beach any day.
- Everyone owns a gun (at least it seems that way). And it's typical to see people with guns all the time and not fear for your life.
- Alaska has some of the best restaurants I've ever been to in my life. Humpy's, Glacier Brewhouse, Mooses's Tooth.... all, to die for.
- Alyeska Ski Resort is in Alaska... basically the most gorgeous place around (and we would go there on a weekly basis).
- Anchorage* Doesn't get crazy cold, like -50... other places in Alaska do... but not Anchorage.
- In the summer there are farmers markets EVERYWHERE with fresh fruit brought in from California.
- We catch and eat our own Salmon in the summer.
- I've seen too many moose to count.
All and all, Alaska stole my heart for the 4.5 months we were there. I miss it on a daily basis. I miss the memories, I miss the people and I miss doing things that I only dreamed of. The views I saw were ones that many people will only see on post cards. My husband and I are so blessed to be stationed there, and I cannot wait to head back in August!
great photos and great post! i absolutely loved all your alaska facts!
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Thanks so much Jasmine (:
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The pictures are so crisp! I love them :) My daddio has always wanted to go to Alaska.. is it warm in the summers? Sorry if that's a stupid question :) When will your hubby be home with you again? I hope soon!
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Amanda,
DeleteWhen we got to Alaska in August it ranged from mid 60's to 70's, however the direct sunlight made it seem a lot warmer! People wore shorts all the time (: I LOVED the summer there!
My husband and I will be reunited in Alaska sometime between August and Thanksgiving (:
xo
Sounds like a great place! I lived in Edmonton, Canada for 7 months last year and got to go to the Rockies frequently and I always hoped to see at least one moose, but never saw one :( Looks like I will have to go to Alaska!
ReplyDeleteYou will most defiantly see at least one moose in Alaska (:
DeleteHappy Saturday Ali! (:
amazing pics! loved reading this! i want to go to alaska!
ReplyDeleteThank you Valerie! I can't wait to get back and take more pictures this summer! It is breathtaking!
DeleteHave a great weekend girl (:
This is great! I live in Canada and it's nice to have people clear up the incorrect info! I have always wanted to of to Alaska and this encourages me to just take the plunge and go!!!
ReplyDeleteHaha Alaska has lots of stereotypes, that I thought it would be fun to clear up (: You should take trip there one summer! It is a blast! Happy Saturday Liz (:
DeleteLOVE this post!! I've ALWAYS thought Alaska has 24 hr periods of darkness, glad i have that cleared up from a personal account!! :) Your pictures are gorgeous! What camera do you have? And you, my dear are beautiful, as always :) Have an awesome weekend, friend!
ReplyDeleteI thought the SAME thing too before we got there.. I also thought that I'd see igloos, no such luck haha We have a Nikon D60. I am SLOWLY learning how to use it manually, but all those pictures were taken right after we got the camera, on an automatic setting. It's pretty amazing!
DeleteThanks for reading girl!
Happy Weekend!! (:
xo
This was a great post! looking forward to many more in this series! I would LOVE to visit Alaska because i have heard such great things about it! Also, your pictures are flawless!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever visit I'll gladly be your personal tour guide (:
DeleteThanks so much for reading!
xo
Awwwe I just love otters! Thanks for sharing those great points about Alaska and awesome pictures! Your new series sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have got more photos of all the animals we saw that day! We saw puffin's (my favorite!), and whales too. Love otters though!
DeleteThanks so much for reading Crystal!
xo
Thanks for sharing... maybe I will do something like this on my blog. We live in Washington state and there are so many misconceptions about this wonderful place. I also enjoyed your pictures. I just recently found your blog so I am glad you are doing this new series!!
ReplyDeleteOk. Now you have me wanting to come to Alaska!! I loved this post. And I also love how y'all refer to other US states as the lower 48. Haha Made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteYour puppy is precious!
Great post Leigh Anne! My last blog was about Anchorage. I'm here on business, and have been here since the first week of February. Lucky for me I LOVE snowsports & am addicted to snowboarding, and this is a record-breaking winter for snowfall in Anchorage!
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely spot-on about everything... especially the MOOSE! I see at least one every day. My favorite restaurants have become Glacier BH, Moose's Tooth, & Gwinnies!
I've never been here in summer, so I'm hoping I'll still be busy on the project at work and get to stay here for that!
I'm from SC and have a gorgeous spot on the side of a mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Check it out on my blog (The Mountain Xtreme) or on Facebook (Michael Driscoll)! Thanks again, & I loved this post!
Love this post. And for those of you wanting to visit Alaska and Leigh Anne says she will be your tour guide, she is not kidding. Thank you for all the information that you gave me via email and in this post. You rock!
ReplyDeleteThis post was really great! Hubby and I hope to move to Alaska (probably Juneau area)in a couple years for a few months while he does a residency. Know anything about Juneau area? I've heard the weather is more similar to Seattle area.
ReplyDeleteOh, you pretty girl! Look at you! One of my college friends is from Ketchikan. She loved growing up there and even ended up returning after graduation.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I have a lot of family in the Anchorage area! I've never been but they always have fun stories and wonderful pictures. I hope to go someday!
ReplyDeletethis place looks amazing (so do you girl!). I love how you said it does not have 24 hours of darkness... that's the first thing in conversation whenever I talk about Alaska to anyone!! Love that you see moose like we see birds... fascinates me!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your world, and so glad you get to move back to where manicures are cheaper later this year!!
i have 2 sisters in alaska (one in anchorage). we love it!
ReplyDeleteHi! So guess what. We are now friends :) lol
ReplyDeleteI am new to blogging and I love Washington and Alaska. We are planning on moving to one of them in the next two years. Maybe you'll still be there :) you mentioned how the prices are higher. We noticed that when we were looking at houses on Craigslist. Is this true for Anchorage?
www.munahscupcake.com
Eek! Move to Alaska-- love love love that place so much. However I do NOT suggest living in Anchorage. Move to Wasilla, Palmer or Eagle River. If you plan on working in Anchorage, and making the commute then live in Eagle River. Its only 15 minutes away, and much more like a suburb. Such beautiful houses. Its still on the pricy end.
DeleteWasilla and Palmer you will get more 'bang' for your buck. You will get more square footage. nicer properties for less money.
Living IN anchorage is outrageous. It is rare to find nice properties that arent insanely priced.
Thats just my two sense. I'm actually home shopping right now, before I move back in August!! SO stressful. (:
But I'll be in the great state of AK for 2-5 more years! It is beautiful!
Yay for new friends (((: E-mail me if you have any more questions or just want to chat! Hart2heartdesigns@yahoo.com
I was born and raised in Alaska. I miss it ALL the time. Coincidently, my mom's whole family lives near Cleveland so I have spent a lot of time in Ohio. But Alaska is definitely home. My husband and I live in Washington right now but it is always the end goal to live in Alaska at some point!
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danceanthak.blogspot.com
Hey there! Just had to comment because I grew up in Sitka, AK and now live near Cleveland. Had to laugh because people always ask me those exact same things! Oh... This is random but instead of a dog that acts like a cat, my cat acts like a dog. He actually plays fetch!
ReplyDeleteWhat a small world!! I love it!!! (:
Deletelove it! I was just in Alaska for a week (in Haines) and fell in love!
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