nICE Hike.

There's not much that stops a true Alaskan from enjoying the outdoors.

6 degrees out? Not a problem. Ever hear of layers?

Trails saturated in snow? Blaze your own path, wear a tall pair of boots, and bring ice cleats and poles, just in case.

Hair have a propensity to freeze around your face? Honey, it's the most natural way to look like Elsa! A gift.

Anyhow, yesterday was one of my rare days off, as well as one of Anton's few days back in town (having just returned from Italy- life is a drag), and per his suggestion, we skipped town and went in search of adventure.

*cue Bilbo dancing out of Hobbiton

With the sun out and Alaska's mountains slowly taking us out of cell service, we were once again reminded of the beauty that lays in our backyard.

And boy is it beautiful.

We ended up at the Byron Glacier Trailhead, located just before Portage Glacier. It's a semi-popular hiking spot, and after seeing beautiful pictures of rich aqua ice caves on Instagram, my interest was piqued and I knew I had to take a look for myself.

Heated gloves on, hat on my head, seven or eight layers wrapped around my goosebumply body, and ice cleats on my feet, we plowed through the snow and made our way up.

For the first two miles or so, the trail was evidently carved out, but once we got to the clearing leading up to the glacier, we ran into an ominous sign that read:

DANGER Hazardous Snow & Ice Conditions: Trail not maintained beyond this point. Travel is not recommended without glacier travel skills and the proper rescue gear. Falling into a glacial crevasse could result in injury, or death!

So what did we do?

We walked on.

Now I certainly don't recommend you do so without the proper gear because although we followed a designated trail that someone obviously walked on with expertise (pole marks in the snow made it apparent), it was still bloody terrifying to think that one wrong step could land you head first in a deep snowy crevasse.

Luckily, we made it safe and sound.

And while my heart was pounding and my feet followed my brother's footsteps to the point of precision, I felt this incredible thrill of having blazed our own path, so to speak. 

We're both the type of adventurers to make our own trail!

Thinking ice caves were in the distance, we carefully walked on, and about halfway through walking over the snow, we realized that we were actually walking on the ice caves we had previously seen in photos, now buried in a most recent snowfall.

Well that explains a lot!

While it was unfortunate that we were unable to explore the ice caves like all the other Instagrammers who had just visited weeks before the snow, it was nonetheless an adventure, and we were one of the few brave (or stupid) souls to venture into unmarked territory, explorers going out into the unknown.

It was, to say the least, a nICE hike.

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An Evening Out.

I wish there were more nights like the one I just had. Glamorous occasions out in which I present myself with my best pointy-toed foot forward, vintage 60's lame dress showcased for the world to view, an inviting cocktail in one hand and a (fake) ciggy in the other.

There used to be more nights like these, some sixty years ago.

Unfortunately, we live in an age where dressing up is no longer a priority, where styles like street casual and indie hipster reign over the runways and elegance and classic glamor are remembered from an era that no longer exists.

Not in my world. 

If there is even the remotest possibility of dressing up in my fineries, I take it.

And luckily, I have one such occasion that permits me to do so every year without fail: Heidi's Cocktail Party.

You may remember posts from before, nights spent in theme relating to Mad Men, or like last year, the opulent twenties. 

This year, it was simply glamor. Pick your own fabulous famous decade, show up, and be prepared to be taken back in time, with nothing but lipstick and cocktails as your only suits of armor. 

It's not even just the party that excites me too, but the preparation leading up to it. After careful browsing through my closet, I slip into my Marilyn robe, turn up my "shoobop" playlist, and dance around whilst doing my makeup and styling my hair. It's like the opening animation scene out of Grease, me as Sandra Dee.

It feels simply marvelous.

And then I arrive at the party, scene so chicly set, pick up my choice of cocktail (usually containing Heidi's favorite St. Germain liquor), then socializing in style commences. It's an evening of entertainment, to say the least.

It came at such an opportune time too. After a week streak of working, nothing sounded better to me than to dress up, down a few classy cocktails, and have an evening out.

See, it not only took me back in time, but it took me out of my time: getting lost in the booze, the (fake) ciggy smoke, the heavily perfumed blanket of glamor, and the sweet treats displayed on antique plates.

Until next January though, I'll tuck my (fake) ciggys away, continue to develop my pallet for cocktails, and proceed with dressing up for any occasion that presents itself.

And of course bring Mom along as my date!

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