The Last Frontier

Alaska: The Last Frontier. The 49th State. The Mainland. The Great Land. Land of the Midnight Sun.


It has suddenly hit me that we have been here for half of our time on station! I finally feel like we actually LIVE in Alaska! When you move somewhere new, it always takes time to come to terms that you live there and you aren't just visiting. It seems like our move to Alaska has taken longer to feel like a reality then most moves. I remember last year we kept saying to each other "I just can't believe we LIVE in Alaska! This is just so crazy/cool!" And now that we are are predicted to move next year I suddenly find myself in a panic!

I can't believe we have been here for a year and a half already! Our first winter here was apparently of the "worst", with record breaking (in the last 50 years) snowfall of about 150 inches, but, we got through it! We came from a state that practically shut down if there was more then an inch of snow and you were stuck in your neighborhood for days waiting on plows to come to your cabin fever rescue. Here though, there is no such thing as a snow day. It can snow a foot over night and no need to worry about being stuck in your neighborhood for a week, people don't rush out and buy up all the milk/water/canned goods off the shelf because a snow storm is coming. Nope, they do quite the opposite. They get excited for the snow, they gear up, go out and rough it in the negative temps.

One thing I have realized about Alaskans is that they love life, and to the fullest. Sure, they are a bit different when it comes to the way they dress, hold a conversation, spend their money, protect their family and property and just their overall demeanor, but man, do they know how to have a good time! I'm not talking about getting dressed up, going out, getting drunk and partying. No, that's not Alaskans at all (you could go to the nicest, most expensive restaurant in town and wear jeans, no problem).  It's camping, fishing, ATVing, snow machining, ice fishing, hunting, hiking, running, snow shoeing, skiing, dog sledding, flying and living off the land. I know people who never buy meat or fish. They shoot a moose and have meat for the whole year. They dip net once or twice and have a freezer packed full of salmon for the winter. They have chickens for eggs and grown their own garden, they live off the land! It truly is the Last Frontier! There are so many things people can (and are willing) to do here that you just can't in the lower 48. Owning an ATV or UTV or a snow machine is like owning another car. Carrying a gun is like carrying your wallet. It's essential and it's just what people do.

Living in Alaska has taught me a lot. People here know how to really enjoy and appreciate their home state. They don't waste time, or sunlight for that matter. In the summer the sun is out until after midnight, and so are the people. They pack as much as they can into the summer days because they know it only lasts a few months. In the winter they take advantage of the snow and all it has to offer. They don't sit at home and mope because of the dark and the cold. Yes, it is easy to get stuck in a rut over the winter, but if you want to survive the winter with minimal amount of depression and weight gain, you gotta get out there and have fun! Really, if you dress properly, you don't realize how cold it is!

There are just so many cool opportunities to do things here you just can't find in other states. Have you ever seen Santa and his real reindeer downtown during Christmas time? Have you ever had to forgo the fireworks on the 4th of July because it just doesn't get dark enough to do them? Have you ever had to break for a moose crossing the street in your neighborhood? Have you gone out ATVing until midnight because it was still light enough so, why not? Have you ever watched the Northern Lights from your bedroom window?

I'm in a panic because I want to make sure we push ourselves and enjoy this state to the fullest before we move. I don't want to look back and wish we would have done more. With realizing we have half our time left I am eager to take full advantage of this gorgeous state now, while we can. I've had this "aha" moment and it has left me excited and eager for this summer and even next winter to come!

Even though we were supposed to move here 4 years ago, got it taken from us and went to Dover instead, God had a plan. His timing is perfect. He knew Alaska was going to be a part of our life, even if we didn't know. Now that we are here, I don't want to waste another day!

Alright, time to bundle up the kid, hop on the snow machine and go shoot tonight's dinner. Ha, just kidding! But it is almost time to get the kids from school and enjoy those gorgeous mountains on the way!

~Susan

Fall Mini Sessions-Rescheduled!

Due to the weather forecast of 60% chance of rain (which was totally wrong) and the fact that I thought the leaves needed a bit more time to change, I am rescheduling the fall mini sessions. I finally decided on a location, and I enlisted the help of my friend and her family of 5 to come out tonight to test out the spot! Her husband dressed up all the boys in his favorite football team, and I like the way the red and white turned out! These were taken with my NEW camera, which I am so in LOVE with! I was telling my husband, it's like my new child, I don't want to put it down ;)

For your convenience, there are two days to choose from; September 16 and 22,  from 9-11 and 5-7. They are 30 minute time slots and cost $75. This includes 5-7 pictures on a CD; 1-8x10 of your choice and an extra 10% off additional prints or products ordered.
Here are my favorite photos! This would be an example of edits you would receive:

What a lovely family!

 If you would like to book a slot, please email me at susan.wetlesen@gmail.com! I look forward to capturing your family during this gorgeous fall time!

~Susan

Summer Fields

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in Alaska, so a few hours before sunset I took this special girl to a nearby field to capture some sweet moments. I love lighting just before sunset; it's so soft and natural. She definitely enjoyed some special one on one time, as you can tell :)

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

~Susan

My Instagram Mother's Day

 I love Instagram . It's a really neat app for your phone that allows you to snap a photo and then you can instantly change the feel of the picture by selecting a different filter (like a preset or an action), then you can upload it and share with family and friends. I only use Instagram here and there, and often forget I have it on my phone. Well, for Mother's Day, I thought it would be fun to take pictures throughout the day using this app and post what I came up with. We had a fun day that included church, Arby's, the zoo, the play zone on base, Subway and a long drive home. The kids had a great time, and it was so nice to have my mom here for Mother's Day too.

What a great day! I hope you take advantage of Instagram too and have fun with your photos! To my fellow mommies out there, I pray you had a wonderful weekend filled with lots of love, hugs and kisses and appreciation; because there is no other job in the world like being a MOM! :)

Butte

It was a clear and sunny day on my mom's second to last day of her visit to The Last Frontier. We decided we needed to do some scenic driving but were limited on time due to my son's preschool schedule. So, we headed to Butte, which is located between the Matanuska River and the Knik River, about five miles southeast of Palmer. Within a short 15-20 minute drive there was a good 10 degree difference and quite a few more inches of snow on the ground- which makes for prettier pictures :) There was a really neat lot of old cars on the side of the road piled high in snow. Not really sure what they were doing there and how long they had been there, but definitely worthy of a "Oh, let's pull over and take pictures in negative degree weather"! We also swung by the Reindeer Farm, is was so desolate compared to when my family went on Christmas Eve, Eve. But, my mom got to see the Reindeer, I mean Caribou, right Mom? And of course we snapped a few photos. We were't out of the car for more then a few minutes when neither of us could feel our fingers anymore. Kinda hard to push the shutter button, or let alone feel it when your hands are numb. We saw some pretty scenery (well, when/where do you not here in Alaska?), shot some great pics, got up and close to an animal you'd never see in Florida, and had a few laughs along the way...I'd say that makes for a good day!

Here are some photos of our short adventure to Butte. If you click on the photo, it will play as a slide show for better viewing! Enjoy God's mighty work!