![These Are the Best and Worst Cities to Retire in the U.S.](https://www.sunset.com/wp-content/uploads/scottsdale-arizona-aerial-view-halbergman-getty-1200x600-600x300-c-default.jpg)
Behind the Scenes: Alaskan Peony Farming
![Behind the Scenes: Alaskan Peony Farming](https://img.sunset02.com/sites/default/files/styles/marquee_large_2x/public/image/img_03331.jpg)
Last summer I took the best trip of my life. It was a mere four nights, and very much a work trip, but it was nonetheless the most inspiring, beautiful trip I’ve ever taken.
Along with photo editor Linda Peters and staff photographer Thomas J. Story, I flew to Homer, Alaska to cover the gold rush taking place in the form of peony farming.
After many failed attempts to build an export market for something other than fish or oil, Alaskans might have finally found their niche with summer peonies—something they can produce when no one else in the world can.
The farmers are almost exclusively women, entirely badass, and the setting is breathtaking. Pick up our June issue to read the full story.
Midnight sun meant we had plenty of time to get our work done and still eat! Hike! Drink beer! See a moose! And a bear (which, when we saw it in the same place for the second day, realized was just a stump).
There were too many pretty images that couldn’t fit on the page, so I’m sharing a few more here.
We’ve also freshened up our peony slideshow, for your enjoyment. And you can read another post I did about the local flower scene in Homer.
Last tip: Get yourself to Alaska.