Summer Trippin

Summer Trippin

This has been a pretty amazing summer.  After the last couple years of work, work, work, it's been nice to be able to spend so much time together doing all the things we love.  Normally we don't leave Alaska during the summer because really??? Where would we go!  Alaska is the place to be during the summer months.  Plus the airport is so much more crowded with all the tourists going in and out.  However at the end of this summer we decided to take a trip.  For several years I went to the AANA (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists) annual meetings.  The meetings are not only good for continuing education, but for networking, bonding with other CRNA's throughout the country, supporting our profession, finding out issues that are being dealt with throughout the states.  CRNA's are a fun bunch who know how to have a good time.  This years meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah was definitely an example of that.  The meeting was so well done!  This was my first year attending the banquet and it didn't disappoint either.  Surely a good time! 

CRNA's and future CRNA's leading the way for anesthesia care in the USA

It was so good to reunite with these great CRNA's from Texas

Again, good to see my coworker from Texas.  Awesome people!

AANA wellness run.  So much fun to do with friends

Utah State capitol early morning after our run

We Alaskans don't clean up too bad

The Alaska gang at the annual banquet

Park City, UT

Prior to the meeting Todd and I spent a few days checking out Park City.  Super cool little town!  It was definitely our kind of place.  I'd love to go back in the winter to ski.  Todd said the snow there is amazing.  We did so much there.  One day I ran around town, we rented road bikes and did a 3 hour ride, went to the olympic park where the 2002 winter Olympics were held. So much to do and see there.  The highlights were watching the ski jumpers practice, sliding down the ski jump hill on an tube and going down the bobsled course on wheels.  Until the last olympics in Canada that bobsled track was the fastest in the world.  It was 1 minute of pure adrenaline!  You could feel the forces bearing down on you.  So crazy and super fast. 

All of the food there was good. Thank God for YELP which I've been using a whole bunch to find places to eat, drink and have fun.  The reviews of others are so helpful.  We have decided that traveling right when school goes back in is the best.  Things are so much less crowded and enjoyable.  We stayed at the silver king in park city and we were alone to enjoy the hot tub and indoor/outdoor pool every night.  So damn relaxing and enjoyable!

Trail running in the Park City area.  Elevation effects are real folks.  I was out of breath all the time.

Ate breakfast and dinner here one day.  Good food, good service.  Utah liquor laws are so strange.

On our road ride.  Again elevation effects.  It was so nice to ride in such wide open spaces.  I'd love to visit this town again.

Todd Riding Utah!  Beautiful scenery

Really liked this place.  The No Name Saloon.  Great rooftop patio.  This is a shot of Park City Main street.  We had some really great weather for the most part. 

Almost to lake blanche.  This was a great hike for sure. 

Todd and I at Lake Blanche.  All up hill hike to the lake worth it for the beauty.  Pictures just don't do it justice.  We were pooped after this 8 mile round trip hike.  Totally worth it!

Me and my bud back in the anchorage airport.  We look pretty good after a week of being busy and flying all day!

Well, there you have it.  The latest update.  Now we are back and the leaves are changing.  Soon the snow will be flying.  It's back to hard core training for Longhorn Ironman and back to work.   This trip for the AANA meeting was perhaps the best I've had.  I really enjoyed seeing all the people I used to work with in Texas and it was great having my Alaska folks along.  The people made the trip. 

CRNA's are the future of America's anesthesia!  It's an honor to be among this amazingly talented group of folks.  Remember when you're having surgery, getting an epidural make sure you ask for a CRNA!  They will take amazing care of you with that nursing touch behind the awesome skill!