There are many reasons to diss Anchorage. Drive down Northern Lights Boulevard to Spenard, and you can name a few (apologies for those who haven't been here, but locals know exactly what I'm talking about). But there are many more reasons to love this place, and, I admit, I now do. I guess I have become a latter-day-Pollyana, who has succombed to the natural beauty surrounding this sprawling 300,000-person city. What I love most about Anchorage are the neighboring Chugach Mountains, who tower over the city like benevolent giants. I love Anchorage's world-class trail system, especially when the ski trails are freshly groomed. I love evening nights in the summer. I love Westchester Lagoon every day of the year; it's my ballast that keeps me happy and calm. I love the Beartooth Theatre and Pub. I love the Snow City Cafe. I love the Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum of History and Industry. Now I could throw down probably as many things that drive me nuts, but I just won't. The pictures below are mostly of activities, hikes, and climbs I did that are within a 40 minute drive from Downtown. So, I have placed them here. It is absurd to think that this wild beauty, complete with the dangers of brown and black bears, can be found so close to this city. So, folks, now you know my heart is taken, at least for now.

Please click on the images to see a larger version of each picture on a separate page. Each enlarged image is approximately 35-85kbs.

| Alaska Page | Home Page | Portfolio | Contact Rudy |
| © 2005, Rudy Brueggemann. All rights reserved. | Page updated August 2005 |