People, places, things, and ideas I love in Anchorage, AK
When I lived in Washington, D.C. I fell in love with mixed use design. Neighborhoods where people lived above or adjacent to businesses were consistently vibrant – there was always something going on, a buzz of activity and community. It seemed like so much fun to live above a restaurant or shop, to just run down the stairs for a coffee or pop down the street to your neighborhood bar.
Continue reading “Mixed Use Development & Turnagain Crossing”
I am so in love with this doorway.
It looks solid yet glamorous, and I think the straight lines softened by curves, round lights, and the warmth of the wood is such an appealing combo.
Clark Mishler is a prolific and talented photographer. His blog project, Portrait a Day, is one of my favorite ways to take a mental break and enjoy some great photos.
Isn’t this window beautiful?
I spotted it at Crow Creek Mine while celebrating the marriage of a dear friend.
You know how sometimes you plan something your whole life, and then it doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would, but ends up being better than you imagined?
One of the best surprises of my summer was that the park at the museum was landscaped with strawberries. Urban foragers rejoice! The berries are everywhere (but are very small). I’m not sure why this pleases me so much, but every time I walk by, I smile.
Do you have a restaurant for special celebrations? The place you go for birthdays, anniversaries, goals achieved, or just because you want to bask in the glow of good times past during a great tasting meal?
I recently visited the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for the first time. I’ve always driven by and thought it was just for visitors who hadn’t yet gotten to see a moose. Boy was I wrong – it was so cool!
Continue reading “Random Facts I Learned at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center”
One of my places to linger this summer is the commons at the Anchorage museum.
I paid close attention to the redesign, and loved the ideas for the common space (designed by Charles Anderson) – I remember that at one point it had a water feature that was supposed to turn into a skating rink during the winter, but it must have been dropped at some point, probably due to practicality or budget. As it is, the large grassy expanse where the water would have been is a wonderful place to play or relax.
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I watched the F-22s perform at the air show.
Top Gun was one of the first movies to make a big impression on me as a child (I wanted to be like Charlie when I grew up – that leather jacket! big blond hair! cooler than all the boys! – and ride on the back of Maverick’s motorcycle; I used to think that “Take My Breath Away” was the most romantic song EVER, and I still love “Danger Zone”; and I absolutely practiced the super cool high-five low-five action from the beach volleyball scene and dreamed of being serenaded with a Righteous Brother’s song) and even though I was way more into the plot than the planes, pilots will be forever cool in my mind, especially if they wear aviators.