This past month we have had the pleasure of going to Alaska to visit our son, Michael, and his family. Neal and I saw another beautiful area of our country. There was a 600,000 acre fire there while we visited. It was just amazing. Each day we were able to see sky, only if the wind was blowing the right way. Otherwise it looked like a fog was laying low. We did fly into Anchorage and we saw many beautiful sights. We saw the LDS temple in Anchorage and it was beautiful. We also saw Earthquake park. The park is located right up against the ocean but an earthquake in 1985 raised the park 125 feet up above the sea level. It was really a sight to see. We saw the ocean off of Anchorage. We saw lakes and rivers with seaplanes used for travel. We drove to Nenana, it took 6 hours. We stopped and had a beautiful look at Mt. Mckinley. It was amazing. Really a beautiful sight. The kids live a few miles away from the town of Nenana. There are 500 people there. (25 at church on Sunday and 16 were Esther's relatives). The town has a small grocery store, a post office, a Chamber of Commerce, a few small churches, bars, acouple of cafes, a couple of shops, and a train station. They also have a K-12 school, a library, and a boarding school for kids living in the rural areas. The town is located about an hour from Fairbanks. Our kids live in a really nice 2400 sq. ft. log cabin. It is really nice and spacious for everyone. The days light lasts until about midnight and then is early to appear again. In June the whole day is light. It gets like dusk but never darker. So, people stay up later and sleep in. Dad and I actually stayed up until midnight a few times and slept until 8-9. We NEVER do this at home. The kids were our wake up call in the morning. They were great! Happy, full of energy, active, and very sweet. We miss them. Esther taught me how to make a rag rug. Michael and Neal fell trees on the property and cut wood for their winter fires. We also picked Blueberries out on the Alaskan tundra and made blueberry jam. We picked Fireweed and clover. We made Fireweek Honey. We picked Lingonberries and raspberries for jam, as well. It was all very good. We went to Denali Park and saw wildlife and beautiful scenery. Wildlife being many birds, a road kill squirrel and a live squirrel, no moose, no bear! We visited a town called the North Pole. We saw Santa's reindeer. Our grandchildren entered the building with a loud, "Where is He???" A sweet older lady smiled sheepishly and stated that Santa had the day OFF! What??? So, needless to say we were all alittle disappointed. The children were really good sports about it, but, come on, Santa should be there everyday he opens his home. Don' you agree? We went with the children to a horse ranch where they rode horses. We learned how they make wood bowls out of logs, leaving the grain in them. We visited car museums, transportation museums, native Alaskan museums, the Fairbanks fair, and of course, Walmart. WE also panned for gold. Neal and I panned $42.50. I can see why people got hooked. It is really quite amazing when you see that streak of gold in your pan. Michael and Esther went home with $46.00 worth. Michael and Neal were able to pan the most out of the bag of dirt that they give you. It was really exciting. We were there 16 days and had a wonderful time. But, we never saw a moose or a bear. We are not sure Alaska really has these critters though everyone and everything around there screams that they do. Esther did cook us some Road Kill Moose Roast the night before we left. She cooked it and Michael had gone out with her brothers in the winter and skinned and gutted it. The moose had been hit by a train. This, however, had not tenderized it enough for my taste. But, I guess in truth we did see a moose, or at least part of one. We had a fantastic time and we especially enjoyed seeing Michael, Esther, Chantelle, Lauren, and Alexander in their new home. Michael continues to fight with Crohn's disease, but he is on a monthly program with a doctor at the hospital in Fairbanks (45 minutes from their home) and this is helping him a lot. Neal and I left knowing we would miss our kids but also with a great sense of relief. They are doing well and are very happy. I guess as a parent, you can't ask more than that. We look forward to going next year and we have the distant dream that we may see a real alive MOOSE this next time! :-)
This past month we have had the pleasure of going to Alaska to visit our son, Michael, and his family. Neal and I saw another beautiful area of our country. There was a 600,000 acre fire there while we visited. It was just amazing. Each day we were able to see sky, only if the wind was blowing the right way. Otherwise it looked like a fog was laying low. We did fly into Anchorage and we saw many beautiful sights. We saw the LDS temple in Anchorage and it was beautiful. We also saw Earthquake park. The park is located right up against the ocean but an earthquake in 1985 raised the park 125 feet up above the sea level. It was really a sight to see. We saw the ocean off of Anchorage. We saw lakes and rivers with seaplanes used for travel. We drove to Nenana, it took 6 hours. We stopped and had a beautiful look at Mt. Mckinley. It was amazing. Really a beautiful sight. The kids live a few miles away from the town of Nenana. There are 500 people there. (25 at church on Sunday and 16 were Esther's relatives). The town has a small grocery store, a post office, a Chamber of Commerce, a few small churches, bars, acouple of cafes, a couple of shops, and a train station. They also have a K-12 school, a library, and a boarding school for kids living in the rural areas. The town is located about an hour from Fairbanks. Our kids live in a really nice 2400 sq. ft. log cabin. It is really nice and spacious for everyone. The days light lasts until about midnight and then is early to appear again. In June the whole day is light. It gets like dusk but never darker. So, people stay up later and sleep in. Dad and I actually stayed up until midnight a few times and slept until 8-9. We NEVER do this at home. The kids were our wake up call in the morning. They were great! Happy, full of energy, active, and very sweet. We miss them. Esther taught me how to make a rag rug. Michael and Neal fell trees on the property and cut wood for their winter fires. We also picked Blueberries out on the Alaskan tundra and made blueberry jam. We picked Fireweed and clover. We made Fireweek Honey. We picked Lingonberries and raspberries for jam, as well. It was all very good. We went to Denali Park and saw wildlife and beautiful scenery. Wildlife being many birds, a road kill squirrel and a live squirrel, no moose, no bear! We visited a town called the North Pole. We saw Santa's reindeer. Our grandchildren entered the building with a loud, "Where is He???" A sweet older lady smiled sheepishly and stated that Santa had the day OFF! What??? So, needless to say we were all alittle disappointed. The children were really good sports about it, but, come on, Santa should be there everyday he opens his home. Don' you agree? We went with the children to a horse ranch where they rode horses. We learned how they make wood bowls out of logs, leaving the grain in them. We visited car museums, transportation museums, native Alaskan museums, the Fairbanks fair, and of course, Walmart. WE also panned for gold. Neal and I panned $42.50. I can see why people got hooked. It is really quite amazing when you see that streak of gold in your pan. Michael and Esther went home with $46.00 worth. Michael and Neal were able to pan the most out of the bag of dirt that they give you. It was really exciting. We were there 16 days and had a wonderful time. But, we never saw a moose or a bear. We are not sure Alaska really has these critters though everyone and everything around there screams that they do. Esther did cook us some Road Kill Moose Roast the night before we left. She cooked it and Michael had gone out with her brothers in the winter and skinned and gutted it. The moose had been hit by a train. This, however, had not tenderized it enough for my taste. But, I guess in truth we did see a moose, or at least part of one. We had a fantastic time and we especially enjoyed seeing Michael, Esther, Chantelle, Lauren, and Alexander in their new home. Michael continues to fight with Crohn's disease, but he is on a monthly program with a doctor at the hospital in Fairbanks (45 minutes from their home) and this is helping him a lot. Neal and I left knowing we would miss our kids but also with a great sense of relief. They are doing well and are very happy. I guess as a parent, you can't ask more than that. We look forward to going next year and we have the distant dream that we may see a real alive MOOSE this next time! :-)
3 comments:
Wow - sounds like a whirlwind tour.
It is funny to think of t shirt weather in Alaska, I just always picture it so cold.
Funny about the moose :) It was also fun to see pictures of Mike, Esther and the kids.
Keep doing posts! I'll read them.
-Morgan
Great Post Mom! I wish we could have gone too - you guys saw so many great things - you know we are jealous!!
Love seeing the pictures!
What a neat trip and incredible opportunity. I'm so glad Mike and Esther are doing so well. It sounds like the outdoor life really suits Mike!
I love that you started a blog. Your senior pic is gorgeous!
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