Mom in the Mtns

Hi evveryone!  Today’s post makes me really happy  🙂  I got to experience something this weekend that I would never have gotten a chance to do in Philly – I celebrated the summer solstice at midnight and it was still light out!  I know I posted pictures last week showing how bright it was at midnight but it still blows my mind.  Solstice is a big deal up here in Alaska because it’s the longest day of the year.  Sadly, as one negative coworker who lives in Alaska pointed out, it’s also the start of the countdown to the darkest day of the year.  I don’t want to think negatively like that so I plan on enjoying my summer of long sunlight-filled nights!

Seward at midnight last night!

Saturday was the official solstice and we were so excited to celebrate!  Andrew worked until 9:00 so after I got off work at 6:00 I went for a solstice run of 3.5 miles.  It was my first run since hiking Mt. Marathon and I felt like I was recovering from a half marathon or something – my legs were TIRED! It also turns out that climbing steadily uphill for hours straight will make your butt hurt a lot, which you will only notice when running.  Ugh.  It was still a good run and I’m hoping I can do my regularly scheduled long run today!

Solstice run selfie!  This mountain may have literally kicked my butt, but I’m still super proud I did it!

After a quick shower I joined up with some of my amazing coworkers/bunkhouse buddies for a bonfire across the bay on a hidden beach.  The views from there were incredible!  I seriously gasped when we walked out of the trees and saw this!

I mean, you can see out to the Gulf of Alaska from here!  it was literally the perfect place to celebrate with my favorite people.  We may have had a little too much fun but it was worth it!

Never thought I’d be wearing my Uggs on the first day of summer!

Our view at midnight!

Midnight solstice selfie!

Of course staying up to see the midnight sun when I had to be at work at 7:00 am the next morning was not the smartest idea, but it was worth it!  I personally believe that having fun is more important than sleep  🙂  After spending most of my Sunday hungover and exhausted with a coffee in my hand, I was ready for bed!  But one of my coworkers texted me about hiking, and that led to my very first midnight hike ever!  I may be insane, but I don’t want to waste a minute of midnight sunlight!

Ducklings!

Lots of sunlight on Two Lakes Trail

Life in Alaska has been awesome so far, and I can’t believe I’ve been here for almost 2 months!  I’ve had the opportunity to try so many amazing new things with adventurous people who don’t think I’m crazy for wanting to hike at midnight.  Doing that in Philly is dangerous, but doing it in Alaska gets you awesome memories you’ll never forget.  I’ve got a few more adventures coming up this week (weather permitting!) and hopefully I’ll be able to get a bit of sleep too!

Did you do anything fun to celebrate the first day of summer?  Would you ever give up sleep to go on an adventure instead?