On our way to Seward, kinda taking the turn near Anchorage, we stopped off at a wonderful hidden pottery studio in woods of Bird Creek. Just a few turns off the main road… if you know how to find them… is the pottery studio of Peter Brondz. We pulled in to find a few kilns under his kiln sheds. And then the “Welcome” sign that invites you inside (after you take your shoes off) to his honor-system Pottery Gallery. With a couple other potters showing along with Peter’s pots, Theresa & I started admiring & shopping. But then we heard something… a little noise on the other side of the wall. We pondered… and then out walked Peter Brondz himself.

He was in his studio working, but was more than willing to chat with us & give us a tour of his place. And his studio space is AMAZING… so warm & cozy with a beautiful view right there where he sits to make his pots. It was a wonderful surprise to find some more local art, to meet Peter himself… and to bring a couple new pots home to add to my mug collection!!! Thanks again for the tour Peter – so nice to meet you!

A big & moody panoramic image from our drive from Wasilla to Seward, Alaska.

On the Tuesday after the pottery workshop, our adventure continued… driving from Wasilla to Seward. Beautiful scenic vistas along the way. Lots of great nature to enjoy. We had a couple great stops along the way for some hiking into the woods. It was great to get out of the car to enjoy the woods full of textures & colors… even if the weather was a but chilled, damp & drizzly. Moody skies & dramatic moments along the way. So typically Alaska… or at least more like I had expected.

After leaving Denali, we continued to drive down to Wasilla. It was hard to leave the beauty of the National Park… but we had miles to cover and the clouds were rolling in. Still stunning as we drove along the water’s edge. The mountains grew taller, the skies clouded over & it began to look more like the Alaska I expected to see. Yet as we pulled into Wasilla, we were treated to a quick sunrise to cap off our day!

So one of my “bucket list” items for my trip to Alaska was to find some moose in the wild. All of the locals talk about them walking around EVERYWHERE!!! Like across their backyards, walking past their studio windows, in the ponds & creeks, everywhere… kinda like we have squirrels. And although we tried to find moose on several prior excursions, I hadn’t seen one until we got into Denali. When suddenly we came up in this sweet twosome… a mama moose & her calf.

Now I know that the photos kinda look like a staged diorama at some Nature Museum… but trust me, they were just walking down the road as we drove up. The calf was hiding & peeking out. Mama gave us the stank-eye a couple times. And then they walked off into the underbrush.

Don’t believe me?… scroll to the last photo where you can see part of the front hood of our car!!!

As always, a bigger skyshow needs a bigger picture…
that goes for bigger mountains too!!!
Especially while in Denali !!!

Once we got to Denali National Park, the sun came out, the sky turned blue and all was great in the world!!! I mean, who doesn’t LOVE a great National Park? The views, the scenery, the fresh air & all of the NATURE around me! I was mesmerized by the “fireweed” blooming all around… think of it as Alaska’s version of goldenrod… a blooming “weed” growing everywhere you look! It was a colorful splash against the grandeur of the mountains & trees all around. So beautiful. So amazing. Checking another National Park off my list!!!

Along our travels, we stopped it to see as many local artisans doing their craft. No need for “Made in China” for me!!! Much better to see creative hands at work & displaying their handiwork. So many talented artisans in Alaska!!!

On Monday, after the weekend pottery workshop, we set off on my extended Alaskan adventure! Workshop coordinator Theresa actually volunteered to be my tour guide & chauffeur for my Alaska travels…WOW!!! So we left Fairbanks headed towards Denali National Park. It was cloudy when we started out, but luckily the sky cleared as we got closer to the National Park. Regardless of the clouds… it was still GORGEOUS. So many roadside stops for me & my camera!!!

A larger panoramic shot of our hike around an Alaskan lake right after our pottery workshop!