No Place Like Home(r): Blooming Fireweed & Seward Adventure

It's been nearly 3 months since I left home in Minneapolis for the small fishing town of Homer, Alaska and in one week my visit will come to an end. Right when summer has finally seemed to arrive, and I am starting to feel a sense of "home", it is time to say goodbye.

A few weeks ago, my friend Hannah and I took a road trip to the town of Seward and did some exploring. If you're thinking of coming to Alaska, I highly recommend visiting. Of all the outdoor activities available, I suggest hiking the Lost Lake Trail. It was 14 miles out-and-back of "Oh my god" moments, starting in temperate rainforests, moving into alpine meadows akin to the Sound of Music, and ending in a breathtaking turquoise lake. Sea kayaking wasn't too bad either, but definitely go when the winds are on the calm side, and if you're lucky you may even see a harbor porpoise or seal like we did!

In the last weeks here, the fragrant pink wild roses have been replaced by bursting purple blooms of fireweed- the true mark of summer. It's a magenta flame dusting the entire town, along the roadways, by the McDonalds, everywhere you look. It's as if some cosmic painter dipped their brush and stroked a thick beautiful stripe of color to accent the already gorgeous scenery, and separate the green landscape from aquamarine sky. I feel lucky to have been connected to and charting the passing of time marked by wildflowers, it is a slower pace.

It'll be hard to say goodbye to this stunning little fishing town I've had the pleasure to call home these last few months, especially the hardy and caring people I've had the pleasure to call my friends. Sending so much love to everyone, and gathering excitement for my next adventure :)

xoxo

Haley

Lost Lake Hike, Seward AK