Kincaid Beach

Bonfire!

Group Hike

Government Peak Recreation Area

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

I met Gary the day I arrived in Seattle for observer training. All trainees worked and lived under the same roof and we sat next to each other during classroom sessions. I instantly noticed the southern accent and started imitating it unintentionally. Eventually it became a purposeful morning greeting till Gary looked at me one day, exasperated, and said I was a toothache " you're not ruining my day but you're always there" with the second worst southern accent he had ever heard. I took it as a compliment.

Seattle: According to Katelyn

I met Katelyn on February 2nd 2014, the day that the Seattle Seahawks beat the crap out of the Broncos. I picked up on the fact that she hated Seattle and immediately began to cheer harder for them. She took the smack-talking well and I knew at that moment we would get along pretty well. We sat next to each other in training and never had a problem finding something to talk about. Her imitation of my accent was pretty bad (I never had the heart to tell her that it was in fact the worst imitation I had ever heard).

Seattle: According to Gary

Gary and I got stationed in Kodiak and rarely saw each other due to the fishing trips. But when we did, we made an effort to hang out and realized we liked each other. The day I left Kodiak, Gary and I hiked up Pillar Mountain. I kissed him at the top before I had to head for the airport. That sealed the deal and we stayed in touch via texts and voicemail's for the rest of our contracts as observers in the North Pacific.

Kodiak: According to Katelyn

Katelyn and I both wound up in Kodiak. She shipped out a week before I did, and when I arrived she was out on a trip with one of the boats. I spent a couple of days hiking and getting to know the area while she was not around. While she was gone I was called for a trip that would last for a few days. When I got back to land, and back to the hotel, I was greeted by Kate's goofy grin. Everyone knows the grin I'm talking about. We picked up right where we left off in Seattle. I liked her more and more each day. Her last day in Kodiak, we hiked up Pillar Mountain, and at the top she kissed me on the cheek. It was the sweetest kiss that I had ever gotten, and with that kiss I was hooked.

Kodiak: According to Gary

Since Gary had been seeing another person when we met in Seattle, we agreed to not date each other till he was able to move his things to Alaska. In June of that year, he and I both landed jobs in Talkeetna, AK and after he moved to Alaska, we started to date. We tried to be discrete about our relationship since we shared camp quarters with coworkers but it was hard to be professional all the time and eventually everyone caught on. It was interesting to start a relationship in a fish bowl, living, eating, working and playing together but that's what it was like in Seattle so not much had changed. That fall Gary moved his car and remaining items to Alaska. We moved into a dry cabin together and enjoyed a winter together. It was all effortless.

Talkeetna: According to Katelyn

I was in Sitka when I received a phone call from Katelyn, telling me that she was taking a job in Talkeetna, AK. I applied, got hired and would be working with her again. This job was in remote camps so Kate and I would be living and working together again as well. We agreed that we should keep things professional, and for the most part we did. Everyone else on the crew knew that we liked each other and as long as the work got done, they did not mind Kate and I being together. Over the next 5 months we got to know each other very well and decided to live together once the season was over.

Talkeetna: According to Gary

Gary and I both decided we didn't want to work seasonally the rest of our lives. Both of our career choices led us to the military. Gary joined the Army and made it into the Ranger Regiment. He went to basic training in March, 2015. It started with letters as our only form of communication for four months. We wrote each other everyday and for once I obtained my goal of "keeping a journal". There were days I resented his decision to join but distance taught us patience, appreciation for the time we did have together and communication.

The Army: According to Katelyn

I decided to enlist in the Army in February, 2015. I left for basic training March 23, and my main concern was not my decision to join, but what this could do to our relationship. Everyone has heard the bad stories about girlfriends, fiance's, and wives calling off the relationship, or cheating on them while they are away. 4 months with letters being the only means of communication puts a lot of strain on a relationship. I was not for one minute worried that she would be unfaithful, but there were many sleepless nights of me wondering if my decision was breaking her heart. Many, many nights I laid there as the other guys went to sleep wondering how she was doing, and where we stood as a couple. Her letters came almost everyday and they kept my spirits up. I would read, then reread them again and again. The best thing she ever wrote me was "work hard for me." Even now, when things are hard those words come into my head and they keep me going.

The Army: According to Gary

We had talked about getting engaged but since Gary was in training, I didn't think it would happen for awhile. I went to visit him after his Airborne School in August. We went out to breakfast and since we had discussed marriage, I set up an appointment with a marriage counselor afterwards. Little did I know, Gary had already researched, purchased and had a ring floating around in his pocket. The counseling session, while very informative and reassuring, lasted two hours. By the time we got out, Gary wanted nothing more than to get the ring out of his pocket. We checked into our hotel for the night. Immediately upon entering the room Gary sat on the bed, dug into his pocket and held out the ring asking "will you wear this for me and will you marry me?" I was shocked but also incredibly happy. I said I'd treat him to dinner since I made him sit through the session with the ring in his pocket. All he wanted was a beer shake from Red Robin.

The Engagement: According to Katelyn

After graduating basic training, I was sent to Airborne School. Only this time I had my computer, and my phone. Communicating was so much easier! I had mentioned to her that if I could I would have married her even before the Army. She had no idea how serious I was. I had some money saved up from basic training and the summer before, so I started researching engagement rings. I found the perfect ring and there was a store in Columbus that had it in stock. I took a cab and bought the ring before anyone else could get their hands on it. It had to be re-sized but it would come in the day before I graduated and she got into town. David Bartek, I am forever in debt to your family. David's dad was kind enough to take me back to the store the day before graduating Airborne School, and pick the ring up. Kate got into town the following morning and the ring was burning a hole in my pocket. She had scheduled a meeting with a marriage counselor to ask general questions about marriage in a military environment. The talk was long, but very informative and reassuring. I was ready to get checked into the hotel. I was nervous, my hands were shaking, and I'm sure my voice was quivering when I pulled the ring out and asked her to marry me. Her face lit up and I knew that the answer was good. I had just spent 3 weeks jumping out of airplanes, but nothing had made me more nervous than asking her to marry me.

The Engagement: According to Gary

After the engagement, we still had six months before we were able to move in together. Gary got stationed at Ft. Benning in Columbus, GA in November and I wanted to remain at my job in Anchorage through the new year. Due to his rank, the Army would not assist with a move unless we were married. On February 11, I flew down and we tied the knot that day in a Columbus courthouse with only the two of us and the judge (no witnesses required in the State of Georgia). It was effortless and for us, perfect. We did not exchange vows nor wedding bands as we wanted to save those traditions for the formal ceremony which I cannot wait to share with everyone. It wasn't till his March block leave that we were given the time to move our belongings to Georgia. We are currently living in Columbus and loving every second of it.

The Rest: According to Katelyn

Katelyn made me the happiest man in the world on February 11, 2016. We went to the Columbus Courthouse and tied the knot officially. Just me, Kate, and the judge. It was perfect. We moved in together at the end of March and I do not plan on leaving her anytime soon. Over the last 2 years I have learned a lot about myself. I have also learned that Kate is the one for me. This definitely has not been the easiest road we have decided to take, but it has taught us how to love from a distance, how to love up close, and how to love one another no matter how hard the situation is. She has taught me that life is full of surprises, adventures, mishaps, and terrors that are better shared with the person that you love most. I have a feeling that our best days are yet to come.

The Rest: According to Gary

Our Story

Good Eats

Coffee

Kaladis is the local cafe and coffee. They are all over and have a great selection of food and coffee drinks to try. Dark Horse: downtown, great ladies and best drinks and sweets!SteamDot: expensive but so so so worth the delicious drinks.

Restaurants/Bars

Brown Bag: Delicious sandwich shop and owned by a great couple I went to high school with!Orsos: Italian and Alaskan cuisine Glacier Brewhouse: Alaskan Brew pubMooses or Bears Tooth: best pizza in the world. I'm not kidding!Red Chair Cafe and Snow City Cafe: great for breakfastWhales Tail: Our wine bar within Hotel Captain CookWilliwaw and Sub Zero: bars with fancy drinksF St: Good ol' pilot bar thats been around forever. great greasy food with a cheese block and candy jar. Humpy's: good grease!Lucky Wishbone: Its been there forever and the food never disappoints. Pho Lena and Rays: great southeast Asian cuisineTaco King: excellent Mexican food!Fiori D'Italia: Best Italian and Mediterranean food on the planet. Bold statement, I know. But I bet I'm right!

Details

Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

Registry

*** Please look at tickets ASAP! Delta, JetBlue and Alaska all offer frequent flights to Anchorage. Anchorage is the main city you'll fly into for the wedding. The ceremony and reception are in Palmer, AK, about an hour to the north of Anchorage. I highly suggest renting a car if you're in a big group or let me know if you're coming solo and need to get put with a group who is also going to Palmer for the day. We will figure something out!

Anchorage to Palmer

We rented this B&amp;B for the night of the wedding. Rooms are reserved for the wedding party and their plus ones. There is plenty of floor and lawn space for people to pitch tents or lay out a camping pad and bag. There will be a bus shuttle from the B&amp;B to the reception and back. This way people can park their cars at the B&amp;B and not have to drive the night of. Breakfast will be provided the next morning but I need a head count please.

Alpine Rose Inn

Once in Palmer, all cars need to be parked at the Alpine Rose B&amp;B if you are planning on staying there the night of the wedding. A shuttle bus will take you to the Government Peak Chalet for the ceremony and reception then back to the B&amp;B at the end of the night. There will be NO DRINKING and DRIVING! If you are planning on returning to Anchorage or to another accommodation in the Palmer/Wasilla area, you can drive your car to the Government Peak Chalet but please have a plan to leave by midnight. We must be off the property by then. Please have a designated driver if you are planning on driving your own car home. AGAIN please let me know as soon as you can about sleeping at the B&amp;B as I will need a head count. Thanks!

Palmer

Nice hotel downtown on the park strip and close to the Stearns residence. Cafes, restaurants, bike trails and downtown attractions all nearby.

Clarion Suites Downtown

Nice hotel downtown on the park strip and close to the Stearns residence. Cafes, restaurants, bike trails and downtown attractions all nearby.

Anchorage Downtown Hotel

Inlet Tower Hotel & Suites

Sign into Airbnb and look around the city for group options. Please call or email if you have any questions about an area of town.

Airbnb

Travel

Excellent place to ride bikes (road and mountain), hike the ski trails, spot a moose or take in the views of the Alaska, Chugach and Talkeetna Ranges. The Sand Dunes, see details at: http://www.alaska.org/detail/kincaid-sand-dunes , are an excellent place to hike, get an Alaskan sun tan and see 360 degrees of mountains! On a clear day you can see the volcanoes Redoubt and Iliamna stretching to the west of Anchorage.

Kincaid Park

I can't say this enough; go hike in the Chugach while you're here! The front range is in our back yard and there are countless trail heads, peaks, lakes, ridge lines and valleys to explore. Glen Alps trail head gains access to the most popular hike in Alaska! Flattop mountain quickly ascends to 3,500 ft. and keeps going toward Peaks 2, 3 and all the way back the Rabbit Creek Valley. Glen Alps also allows access to several other hikes and trails such as O'Malley Peak, Hidden Lake, Powerline Pass, Middle fork and the Williwaw Lakes trail. Prospect Heights is another trail head which gives access to many trails worth exploring. Near point mountain is a great hike for a quick up and down with blueberry patches (which will be in season). Get out and go hike in the Chugach! Attached is a site map of the other popular trail heads. http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/trailmaps.htm

Chugach State Park

So many bike trails in Anchorage!!! The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail starts downtown and extends 9 miles to Kincaid park. Great place to walk, ride bikes, take pictures, explore the beach, see wildlife and be outside. There are several parking lots in which you can access the trail without going downtown or to Kincaid. They are Earthquake Park, Westchester Lagoon and Point Woronzof. The Chester Creek bike trail connects with the TK Coastal Trail at Westchester Lagoon and extends 4 miles to Goose Lake. The trails then becomes a connector extending 2.5 miles to the Campbell Creek trail which run alongside Campbell Creek till Dimond Blvd. A quick road detour will take you back to Kincaid for a full tour of Anchorage. I think it's between 28-30 miles.

Bike Trail, Anchorage, AK, United States

Downtown Anchorage is a happening place in the summer with most of the activity happening on 4th and 5th Ave between B and L streets. Walk around, check out the art galleries, cafes, boutique shops and restaurants.

DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE

Anchorage Museum

Alaska Zoo

Good place to view salmon spawning and swimming up stream.

Ship Creek Overlook Park

One of the most scenic and also dangerous drives in our nation, the Seward Highway heads south out of Anchorage toward Girdwood, Portage, Moose Pass and eventually Seward, roughly 2.5 hours south of town. Here you enter the fjords of the Kenai Peninsula, start to see glaciers, enjoy the small town feel of Girdwood and hike around Alyeska, our largest ski resort, check out old mines, see sheep and mountain goats, spot beluga whales and even a train passing by. The views alone are worth the trip. Some good hikes along the road are McHugh, Rainbow, Falls Creek, Bird Ridge and the Turnagain Arm Trail. A bike trail extends between Bird Point and Girdwood. Portage Lake is a nice place to see a glacial lake but the glacier itself has receded around the corner and is no longer visible from the road. Byron Glacier is along the same Portage road turnoff and is visible from the road though not as large as Portage glacier. At a mile hike in, Byron also boasts ICE CAVES, which are fun and beautiful to explore.

Seward Highway Drive

Another beautiful lake to explore on bike, canoe, kayak or foot. North of Anchorage about 20 miles then 13 miles into the lake. Thunderbird Falls is also in the area and is only a mile hike in. Excellent views of a waterfall and a nice place to explore if you're in the area.

Eklutna Lake

The Nature Center and the town of Eagle River itself are great jump off spots for more hikes. Can you tell I enjoy hiking at this point? Mount Baldy is a quick hike with excellent views across the Inlet. There are great running and hiking trails within the Nature Centers trail system.

Eagle River Nature Center

Arctic Valley is another ski area operated by the army base. An easy drive out of town with several hiking options as well as old bunkers and the Nike missile site to explore. Great views of the Inlet as well as Denali, Foraker and Hunter on a clear day.

Arctic Valley Road, Anchorage, AK, United States

Very close to where the wedding will be held but worth a trip up if you can swing it. Nestled in the Talkeetna mountains, the views are amazing and the old mine buildings are fun to explore. Awesome glacial lakes and moraines to hike up and a different type of structure from the rocks you'll see in the Chugach just across the valley.

Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine

Its not big, but its our fair and it'll be going on during the wedding. Food is delicious and the animals are cute. Oh and the veggies grow huge up here!

Alaska State Fair

Two hours north of Anchorage is the town of Talkeetna, the jump off point for Denali National Park. Talkeetna boasts the best views of Denali (Mt. McKinley) along the road! Talkeetna also has good access to the Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers which are great fishing holes anytime of year but especially in September. There is an amazing brew pub (Twister Creek, Denali Brewing Company) pizza joint (Mountain High Pizza Pie) and bakery (Flying Squirrel) and the pioneer bar!

Talkeetna, AK, United States

We have a lot in Anchorage alone and they are growing around the state. Check it out here! We don't have a favorite brewery but Kate's favorite grab n' go beer is the Pleasuretown IPA by Midnight Sun Brewery in Anchorage. Gary's favorite brew depends on the season, food, and the mood he's in but the Alaskan White never fails. Runner up is Single Engine Red by Denali Brewing Co.http://www.anchorage.net/things-to-do/restaurants/breweries/

Katelyn & Gary