2022 Recap

Woohoo, time for the yearly recap - one of my favorite activities looking back on the year of fun music, travel, and adventure with all of you! 2022 finally felt like we had turned the corner past covid and it was exciting to step up travel to previous levels. The highlight of the year was definitely backpacking in the Dolomites, but I also loved many adventures in Alaska and skiing/hiking down south. We sold our old house and bought a new one in a crazy housing market - exhausting for sure, but we love all the extra space to host friends & family. I started playing in a new band and we played several shows around Anchorage with almost 2 hours of covers & originals. I watched a lot of TV, jammed a lot of metal, drank a lot of bourbon, and snuggled a lot with the cats. Read on to hear more about 2022!

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Top 10 Songs

2022 was another year split across heavy metal and k-pop. On the metal front, Thornhill, Dayseeker and Bad Omens all blew me away and are now on the daily rotation. On the K-pop side, The Boyz, Enhypen, Eric Nam, Pentagon and B.I were all added to my multi-stan life with Larn. 
 

1. Where We Go When We Die - Thornhill

2. Gates of Ivory - Dayseeker

3. Glass Heart - Caskets

4. What It Cost/Like A Villain - Bad Omens

5. Give Me A Reason - Versus Me

6. illa illa - B.I

7. People - Agust D

8. Given-Taken - Enhypen

9. Lavos - Monuments

10. Afterlife - Holding Absence
    Bonus:

11. DDD - The Boyz

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Travel Destinations (* = New Destination)

At long last, after a 2 year hiatus, it felt amazing to travel internationally again. It was great to explore so many new cities especially in Europe via air, car, train and foot. L48 had some fun times as well including going to Vegas twice in the same year after a 5 year hiatus! 

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• Palisades*, California; Reno, Nevada

• Salt Lake City, Utah

• Dolomites Lago Di Braies Region*, Italy

• Munich, Fussen*, Cochem*, Germany

• Luxembourg City, Luxembourg*

• Colmar*, Strasbourg*, France

• Brussels, Belgium*

• Lake Bled, Slovenia*

• Arches / Canyonlands National Parks*, Utah

• Seward, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, McCarthy, Valdez, Glacier View, Girdwood, Hope Alaska

• Las Vegas x 2 Nevada

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Chicago, Illinois

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Favorite Memories

My favorite part of the yearly recap - going through some of the best memories formed through the year. It's hard to believe all of this happened in a year but I'm so thankful for everyone that's been there to make each of these adventures special. 

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1. 5 day backpacking trip through the Italian Dolomites with Trevor, Will, Dallas, Priyanka, James, Maria. Staying at the epic Lago di Braies hotel the night before, capturing sunrise pics, hiking up to Rifugio Biella, having a nice cold beer on a hot day, playing guitar after dinner, hiking up to the mound at sunset, hiking to Rifugio fannes and enjoying a nap/lunch at Sennes on the way, dipping our heads in the creek, hiking to Rifugio Lagazuoi through the fog, seeing beautiful horses, climbing up and down a steep pass above a lake, enjoying cocktails with epic views, seeing an insane sunrise at the hut, hiking to Rifugio Averau, enjoying afternoon views with whiskey, hiking to Rifugio Staulanza and soaking in incredible views. Playing card games, enjoying cocktails, chasing photos, jamming good tunes, and meeting great people.

2. Euro trip with Will, Trevor, and the Guptas including Oktoberfest in Munich, seeing Neuschwanstein castle in Fussen, enjoying incredible buffet breakfasts, taking a day trip to Cochem castle, driving to Brussels and eating the most amazing waffles, exploring Lux cocktail bars at night, taking the train to Colmar/Strasbourg and enjoying a meal on a beautiful river boat tour, and staying in the most insane Airbnb in Lake Bled with a lake boat tour, canyons hiking trip, and ziplining in the Slovenia mountains.

3. Going to Vegas to see When We Were Young with Andy & Saurabh. Seeing Thursday, Bring Me the Horizon, A Day to Remember, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Death Cab for Cutie, AFI, Taking Back Sunday, Pierce the Veil, Story of the Year, Atreyu, The Used. Staying at an amazing suite at the Wynn and soaking in the hot tub, seeing an insane magic show with Saurabh, and enjoying amazing food at Vegas restaurants. 

4. ​Having Andy come visit and exploring some amazing Alaskan adventures including limiting out at Kenai river 2 days in a row with David/Phil/Ben/Silas/Doug, kayaking portage creek with Paul, hiking Wolverine, and playing yard games and drinking whiskey to beautiful sunsets. Visiting Katmai with Andy, Phil and Chantelle - seeing SO MANY bears including ones on the trail right by us, camping in pouring rain, drinking delicious whiskey by the fire, and almost dying while canoeing on the lake.

5. Taking a ski trip to Utah with Ann and Adrian. Staying at an insane airbnb with views of Park City Canyons, skiing Canyons, Deer Valley, and Alta with Adrian. Eating at amazing fancy restaurants in town, soaking in the hot tub with good whiskey, and watching lots of Youtube. Visiting High West Distillery for an amazing brunch on the way out. 

6. Backcountry skiing with Paul, Athea, Mike, Aaron, Jamie, Jason, and Ty. Taking a boat trip out to Culross island in Prince William Sound, skinning up/skiing down on a beautiful bluebird day, and enjoying beers on the boat deck. Finding an insane powder day at tin can. Skiing Hatcher pass, arctic valley, peak 2/3, and brewsters. So many incredible deep powder days at Alyeska as well. 

7. Going to Vegas with Lauren, Jordan, Amanda, LaurenOC, and Brian to see BTS at Allegiant stadium 2 nights in a row. Staying at the Cosmo with Lauren, seeing "O" at Bellagio and eating amazing fusion Korean food at Best Friend. 

8. Exploring Arches & Canyonlands National Parks with Mom, Dad and Andy. Going on the hidden canyons arches walking tour, driving down an insane winding road in Canyonlands, and soaking in the amazing views in Moab. Seeing an amazing show including Caskets, Holding Absence, Thornhill and Dayseeker in SLC with Andy.

9. Doing a summer road trip with Cierra, Justin, Robin, Perry and Lauren; staying at Majestic Valley Lodge and eating an amazing dinner, driving the dirt road to McCarthy and hiking in Chitina, going ice climbing on Root glacier on a solo trip, staying at a historic Airbnb in town, driving down to Valdez and touring the Columbia glacier, seeing whales/puffins/seals, driving to Cooper Landing and fishing the Russian river.

10. Arjun visiting Anchorage and taking a weekend trip to Sheep Mtn Lodge. Cross country skiing on local trails, seeing the northern lights at night, doing a snowmachine day trip, taking a helicopter tour to a Matanuska ice cave, and exploring the Hatcher pass area. 
     

Honorary mentions:​

• Going skiing in Palisades with Zack, PJ, John, and Randy. Skiing some amazing bluebird days, watching the superbowl in our airbnb, soaking in the hot tub at John's reno house, and hanging out by Lake Tahoe.

• Tony & Laura's beautiful wedding in Houston. Having a blast with the grooms at brunch & in the limo, enjoying a stunning ceremony & night of dancing, exploring the great places to eat/drink in the Woodlands area. 

• Birthday weekend at Memory Lake in Wasilla with David, Amy, Caroline, Phil, Josh and Lauren. Floating around and day drinking, kayaking/fishing on the lake, playing bags in the yard, four wheeling around town, and soaking in the sun on the deck. 

• Traveling to Chicago with Lauren, Perry, Robin, Mom, and Dad for the Chicago Marathon. Seeing a really cool small venue magic show (ate a balloon!), exploring some amazing restaurants/bars with Andy & Emily, watching Lauren crush her marathon, staying at a beautiful airbnb with the sweetest kitty, hanging out in the hammock on the back deck.

• Traveling to Philadelphia to see The Contortionist play The Language and Exoplanet all the way through. Seeing Arjun, Martha, Sanjay in Pottstown and touring the bus project. 

• Snag fishing in Seward with David and Amy; falling into the river and fully filling my waders twice, and then enjoying warm snuggles in the camper van after.

• Camping in Hope over Labor Day weekend with Aimee, Mark, Adam, Leigh Ann, Walt, Meredith and the gang. Hiking up Palmer Lakes Trail and biking back, enjoying amazing food at the Dirty Skillet, seeing live music at Creek Bend Cafe, and drinking wine in the sauna.

• Camping weekend with Caroline, Phil, David, Amy and the kiddos at Trail River campground. SUP'ing on the lake, hanging out by the fire in the rain, going for walks around the campground, and eating so much good food. 

• Having Mom & Dad visit twice in the year. Going to Fairbanks and catching the northern lights, going on an insane dog sled tour and almost dying, staying at a beautiful Airbnb with mountain views, and checking out the ice show. Enjoying winter sunsets and moose views in the new house, eating amazing home-cooked Indian food, and going for beautiful drives to Eklutna/Hatcher pass.

• Traveling to Santa Monica, CA to see Arjun, Kiran, Andy, Sanjay run the OC marathon. Hanging out at the beach, playing smash at the house, and enjoying coffee around town. 

• Camping at Quartz Creek with Adam, Leigh Ann, Aimee, Mark, Nathan, and Diana. Kayaking on Kenai lake at midnight, playing bags by the camper, drinking whiskey by the fire, and enjoying the lakeside beach together.

• Going four-wheeling at Knik river with David & Harry, and hitting insane jumps on the river banks.

• Going to Simon's for Amy's bday dinner and our entire table getting covid. 

• Having fun dinner parties with Raiches & Petersons; enjoying cold winter nights in the Peterson's new hot tub.

• Lee's going away party and carrying a keg up to Flat Top with Aaron, Eileen, Kristina, Patrick, Grace, Driscoll, Fede, and Villarreals.

• Visiting the Raiche cabin with David, Amy, Caroline, Phil, Josh. Hottubing together and paddling around on the lake. Having infinite cocktails and cake.

• Whiskey tastings with Josh, Ian and Phil - having an insane going away for Ian with the full stack Weller lineup (Weller 107, SiB, SR, FP, CYPB, 12). Trying other incredible heavy hitters such as GTS 18/19, Russels Reserve 13, AE Cask Strength, OFBB, Lil book stack, Barrrell grey/gold stack, OF17, EHT BP, Stagg Jr 14/15, and JD10. Landing two unicorns in the same year via Old Rip 10 and Thomas H Handy!

• Hiking lots of new trails including the wedge, bear mountain, hidden creek to skilak lake, wolverine. 

• Traveling to Seattle to see Stray Kids with Larn. Enjoying time with Bujjles at their new house, and exploring the local hikes and restaurants in Seattle.

• Going to Girdwood for David's bday weekend; seeing slush cup, hottubbing in the rain, and enjoying great games & food together. ​

• Snuggling with Gilly & Pauly everyday. Hanging out by the fire and watching youtube with Larn.
   

Top Accomplishments
2022 was a big year of personal and professional accomplishments!  

• Forming a new band with Lisa, Elliott, Kyle, and Alison, called Farrago Five. Learning a ton of new songs and playing shows at Bear Paw Grill, OMalleys on the green, Bernies, and Vans. Jamming at Raiches and new house, and writing originals such as Worst I Ever Had, Farside, and Second Best. 

• Buying a new house after months of looking with Amy. Preparing the old house for weeks and luckily selling it quickly. Successfully moving and getting the new house set up in just a few months.  

• Having a strong year at work with getting Nuna AFF, Pearl, approvals on the 1H Hyro and CPF3FG projects, and helping with the CD1 response. 

• Watching so much TV including Last Kingdom, Vikings of Valhalla, Dahmer, The empress, Succession, Watchmen, Love death & robots, Inventing Anna, Tinder Swindler, Lincoln lawyer, Indian matchmaking, All of us are dead, Arcane, Never have I ever, and THE UNTAMED!!

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Pics

Congrats for making it to the end of the recap. If each picture is worth a thousand words, there are still 80 thousand words to go! If browsing on a phone the page will have to hit the Show More button as you scroll (there are about 80 pictures). 

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