Loosely defined "gigglewood"  refers to tree limbs that have been damaged by weather, they are twisted and curved and actually quite beautiful.  Many of us probably see them as we drive by forests or marshes, that is if we are lucky enough to live near a forest or marsh.  To the untrained eye these branches may appear to be deformed or damaged, but look closer at how wind, and snow, and ice have transformed them into unique pieces of natural art.

This past week my husband and I had the opportunity to spend a week in Alaska, actually he spent almost a full month there climbing Denali and then a week with me when I flew up there to meet him.  

I landed during the summer solstice and Anchorage was abuzz with fair goers and others who were enjoying the near 22 hours of sunlight, we spent a few days in Anchorage and then Seward, then we headed north toward Denali but stayed at a place named Gigglewood.  Owned and operated by Larry and Linda, a high school friend of my father in-laws and his wife, Gigglewood is a small lakeside inn technically in Willow, AK but if you ask the locals they are located in Caswell Lakes.  Gigglewood is within easy reach of Anchorage as well as Denali National Park and just a short drive to Talkeetna.  

Our stay was restful as well as fun...evenings we would grill in the common area and were joined by Linda & Larry, both of whom had many stories to tell (some of my father in-law and some tales of life in Alaska).  Sure there were plenty of bugs, it was June after all, but Larry & Linda have an array of candles to try to dissuade the little biters and for those that insist on attacking, well there were gizzmos that resembled small tennis rackets but were slightly electrified.  Since I am the family no pest strip, the no-see-ums and mosquitoes seemed to only be attracted to me, therefore sparing the rest of the group.

While in Anchorage we took an overnight trip to Seward which included an 8.5 hour glacier and wildlife cruise.  The glaciers were, well ...they were huge and cold (and quite beautiful).  While standing on the deck of our boat (with the rest of the wildlife paparazzi) we were treated to a fin slapping show by none other than a Fin whale.  Just as the captain of the boat was finished telling us how that would be the most we would be able to see of that particular whale because they "almost never" breech, and as most of the paparazzi put down their cameras the "almost never" became a "WOW!" when that Fin whale did in fact breech.  So while others were swearing under their breath and trying to get their cameras up, I was able to capture this image:

This trip was 40 years in the making, and was a 50th birthday gift from family members who contributed.  A once in a lifetime trip?  Maybe, but I hope to go back again...to see the northern lights!

Oh...I will have a full compliment of photos for sale in a week or two, so check back often!