Hi Gina...I am fairly new on the board too. You are going to love this site. So much info on here and beautiful pictures of so many quilts!!
I lived in Alaska for 31 years. Mostly in Anchorage. I took lots of quilt classes while there. Quilting really does help one through the long winters up there.
I live in western WA now and this is quilting country here too.
Enjoy your new found hobby...your going to love it I know!