Camping

If you look close you can see our Black bear.

The Black Bear

Our Bike Ride

The end of our ride

Kayaking!!

Dinner

We had a great weekend camping. Friday we went to Eklunta Lake and set up camp. We went on a short 7 mile bike ride... I fell on some roots and now have a beautiful purple and blue left knee and thigh, call me Grace. We hung out around the camp fire for the evening.

Saturday we had eggs and bacon for breakfast and while cleaning up a black bear walked across the edge of the group camp! After the excitement we went on a 24 mile bike ride back towards Whiteout Glacier. (I did not fall, I walked over the rooty section!) We were really tired after our bike ride but really wanted to take the kayak out. So we ate some lunch, loaded up the kayak, and went to the lake. The Kayaking went great!! That night we had a pot luck with all the other church people at the camp.

Sunday (today) we got up and had oatmeal for breakfast and took down camp. We packed up the van and went down to the lake. Mike rented a 2nd Kayak so we could cruise around the lake. It was a little, ok a lot, windy so pur arms are sore tonight. Now we are at home and took showers. I feel alive again, since the camp ground did not have showers or running water. I can't wait to go camping again!

The little things

It is the little things in life that make us happy.

For example Mike and I heard the other night on the news that recycling pickup was being expanded in Anchorage, we were not in a service area before. I emailed the company and now we will have recycling pickup every other week for $10 a month! So much nicer than having to store our recycling in the garage until we have so much it is worth a trip to the recycle drop off place!! Our new bin will be dropped of the 30th!!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 26th Anniversary Mom and Dad. (Picture taken by Deb Malin, June 19th, 2008)

Not much is new at the "I" house. We bought a Kayak last night and got a killer deal! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! It is an early Birthday Present from Mike!) We got the Vapor 12xt Angler Kayak! At Sports Authority. Regular price $729.99, our price... $475! The Vapor 12's were on sale for $500 and the manager told us that was the price but when it rang up it said $629, he still gave us the $500 price and then I had a $25 off a $100 purchase coupon from the Sunday paper! I love getting a good deal. http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/huntingFishing/vapor_12xt_angler.html

We had some, shall we say, difficulties getting the kayak on the van with the straps we bought being more for the size of a car not the mini van we drive. But we got it home just fine. We stopped at Sportsman's Warehouse and got a paddle, since they were the cheapest there for the same paddle as Sport Authority and REI had. The last thing we need to get... for now... is a PFD (personal floatation devise). We will go to REI tonight to get that since the other 2 stores really had no selection and REI has tons.

I am excited to go Kayaking the weekend. We are going camping with church to Eklunta Lake!

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/chugach/eklutna.htm

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day. Ask Mike any day and he will say that I am a daddy's girl. I love my dad and aspire to have his love of life. He always has a positive out look and sees the good in each and every situation. I love his drive for adventure and his love of the out doors. I feel so blessed to not only have him in my life but for him to be my Dad. I feel bad that I cannot be with him and my grandfather today. But my thoughts and memories are in Minnesota. Love you Dad and Grandpa.

Dinner

Last night we were going to go to the Glacier Brew House. But the Wait. was. TWO. hours. and we were hungry. So we wandered around down town and decided on going into the Rum Runners Bar and Grill. It was really good. The picture is a picture of us next to the classic bear down town Anchorage.

One Year Ago

In front of my tree... the day we left for Alaska

In front of the uhaul and the house

In front of the van and uhaul.

One year ago today Mike and I Started our journey from Minnesota to Alaska. We have survived one year living together...with out killing one another. Actually we did not have too bad of a year. Of course there we had a some bumps in the road but all and all it was an uneventful year. I love living with Mike!

To celebrate one year of living together we are going out to eat at the Glacier Brew House Downtown Anchorage. This past year has gone by so fast. We went have been back to MN twice once to get married is September and then again in April for a visit. I hope in this next year more people will come visit us in Alaska.

My Craft Project

I was looking at some different craft blogs and I came across this one Called "A Wednesday Afternoon" by Bethany, found here: http://awednesdayafternoon.blogspot.com/. I found this really cute Owl bag that was posted on the 10th of June. I decided that I HAD to make it so I printed of the directions and went to Joann's.

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These are the fabrics I got the maroon in a canvas, and the browns are cotton. I also used some scrap jean material for the eyes and beak

The finished Product

Me "modeling" bag

I added a pocket in side for pens, the cell phone, etc

Thanks for the idea and pattern for Bethany.

Mikes Fishing Pictures

The Camp Site

Will "the Captain"

Mikes Halibut

Hans Halibut

Mt.Redoubt... still steaming

Weekend Recap

We had a nice and relaxing weekend. Mike and Hans had a great time fishing (will post pictures tonight). They pretty much had a private charter. It was Mike, Hans, Will (the captain), and Wills Brother (the "deck hand"). There were supposed to be 2 other people but they back out at the last minute. So after fishing all day Mike and Hans brought home 8 Halibut, yes 8! There is a limit of 2 per person and Will and his brother gave Mike and Hans theirs since they have enough fish already!!

Samantha and I (with Jacob too) went out to eat on Friday and then went shopping at Kohl's and Target. I got a new dress and a really pretty orange short sleeve sweater thingy. Saturday I slept until noon, it was fabulous. Then did some grocery shopping and stopped at Joann's to get fabric for a purse I want to make. Then went to the mall with Samantha, I watch Jacob while she was looking for and trying on some clothes. We made spaghetti for dinner and then watch movies until the boys got home at 11:30.

Sunday Mike and I went to church, it was our head pastors last day. Then we went to Goose Lake to try out the Kayaks. We tried out 5 different ones, 4 singles and one tandem. 2 of the singles are in our price range 2 of them are a bit above and of course we like the 2 that are more expensive. We have not bought one yet but we had a ton of fun paddling around the lake. Then last night we went to Hans and Samantha's to cut up the Halibut, vacuum seal it, and of course eat some of it. Samantha made a really good beer batter and we deep fried it. So yummy. When all was said and done the boys counted 60 packets for fillets and 2 packets of "cheeks." So each couple of 30 and a pack of Cheeks.

ITS FRIDAY!!

Praise the Lord the week is almost over!! Mike and Hans are just getting ready to leave for Homer. My project at work will be turned in later today! Tonight I am hanging out with Samantha and Jacob... don't know what we have planned yet.

Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act: Just to let everyone know you can go to this website http://www.realchocolate.com/ every Friday and get free chocolate. You enter your name, email and house address and you get a coupon in the mail for a free Candy Bar 6 weeks later. I started going to it every Friday for a while now. Mike and I just got our first coupons in the mail yesterday. Some free chocolate things on line are scams but this one is from Mars Chocolate so it is a trust worthy site. And who does not like free chocolate.

We went to REI last night just look at Kayaks, see what ones we should test on Sunday and see the prices. Did you know REI closes at 8:00? I did not know that. Kinda crazy if you ask me. Since it closed so early we only could look around for like 20 minutes. Good thing we can walk to it and did not have to drive far to go there.

I had a dentist appointment yesterday... good news no Cavities!! My hygienist was really chatty. I went at 3 so needed to go back to work and she just kept talking. She was really nice and did I great job.

Almost to Friday

Boy do I wish it was Friday already. This week as been crazy at work to say the least. I came into work an hour early today so I was at the door when Mike walked in I gave him a kiss and hug and out I went. Thankfully last night was Mike last night of work for the week. Mike and Hans are going Halibut fishing down in Homer this weekend. They plan on being back Saturday night, late so hopefully I will get to see Mike on Sunday. I am going to hang out with Samantha and the Baby, not sure what we are going to do yet but for sure dinner Friday.
Mike and I are going to a event sponsored by REI on Sunday to try out different types Kayaks, I really want one. I went to a pre-event last night at REI and learned about the different types, but Sunday you can actually get in them and see how they feel before you buy one, and it is free, and you get a 15% off coupon fora kayak for going. Of course I know I am going "fall-in-love" with a $2000 Kayak and our budget for one ins about 1/4 of that.
We are going Camping with a group at church the last weekend of June and I am already getting excited for it! I love camping. Getting away from TV, the computer, and work. Enjoying the nature at its best. Hopefully it will not be too buggy. There are some biking and hiking trails where we are going and a Lake.

Sun!

Today is nice and sunny out. Yesterday was just plain HOT (got up to 72 in Anchorage)! I hiked up Flat Top yesterday with a friend. There were so many people out enjoying the nice weather. I drove since Mike and I bought a State Parks Pass last week and you need one to park in the lot. But I did not need it since the lot was full and we ended up having to park on the road anyway. I think it is funny the trail was full of people but when we got to the top it is like everyone is gone, spread out across the top of the mountain.

An update on my running. Well with my parent here the last week and a half I have not ran at all. Tonight I plan on starting up again, maybe running outside but we will see. (I am bad at pacing myself.) I am going to do Week 5 Day 1 again. That is run 5 minutes walk 3 run 5 minutes walk 3 run 5 minutes done. Again the program I am following is found here http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
and the i-pod cast I listen to are found here and can be down loaded here
http://gonicoleyourself.blogspot.com/2008/06/couch-to-5k-podcast-page.html

We are having stuffed peppers tonight for dinner! Yummy! Since my parents got up here we have been grilling a ton. They bought me/us a grill for my birthday (not until July) so we could grill the salmon the night they got here (which was amazing). Hopefully next week I will say we are having Halibut for dinner since Mike and Hans are going Halibut fishing in Homer this weekend. They are going out on a charter with a guy who used to work with me at DOWL, so they get a discount!!

Nothing else is really going on. Mike is working nights this week, but only 5 nights since he took Thursday and Friday off last week with my parents in town (well it was more that the Aces were playing but we will say it was for his inlaws!)

Pictures of Denali

I was going to put the pictures in order but it became to much of a pain to the day of the picture is above each one.

Fridays Hike: Rock Creek Trail

Bus Ride Monday: Caribou with Horns

Bus Ride Moday: Eielson visitor center with Thorofare Ridge in the back ground. This is what we climbed up see picture below.

Bus Trip Monday: Mt. Mckinley or Denali with clouds on top

Tuesday: Drive back to Anchorage (I think my Dad looks mad)

Monday: Bus Trip to Eielson Visitor Center

Our Grizzly Bear. She has 2 cubs by her but you can't really see them

Bus Trip: Caribou, but no horns

Bus Trip: Wolf

Bus Trip: We hiked to the top of Thorofare Ridge with the Ranger.

Bus Trip: Dall Sheep

Park Sign: Saturday

Mama Moose and Baby running down the middle of the road in Denali National Park, Sunday.

Sunday Hike: Mt Healy Overlook

(Don't worry Mom did not climb any mountain!)

Monday Morning Breakfast:
Mama Moose and Twins outside our cabin

Our Denali Trip Review

DH, my parents and I went to Denali National Park for a long weekend. We had a blast. It is still the “shoulder” season so the park was not packed, which was lovely.

We stayed at McKinley Creekside Cabins. (http://www.mckinleycabins.com/) In the 2 bedroom, Terrace Building. It was nice to only need one hotel room for all of us, since it had 2 bedrooms in it. Plus it had a coffee pot, small fridge, and a microwave. Plus they had a grill for us to use. We only ate out twice the entire 5 days. On the down side: The big thing they advertise is the giant cinnamon rolls. When we went to have breakfast the last morning there they only had one left because “ their baker had been gone for 2 days.” The Cinnamon roll we did split 4 ways was really good for being 2 days old but it was a bit disappointing.

We mostly hiked during the days by the park entrance trails(Saturday and Sunday). But Monday we took to shuttle bus into the park (only way to get in) to the Eielson Visitor Center ($32 pp). It was a 4 hour ride one way but we saw grizzly bears, moose, caribou, a wolf, eagles, and other birds. Once we got to the Visitor Center we took a 2 hour hike up to a ridge. I highly suggest doing a hike of some sort. Some of the people on our bus did not even get off and headed right back into the entrance, waste if you ask me. We did get to see most of Mt McKinley, but it did have clouds around it. (Only about 30% of visitors get to see the entire mountain due to clouds.)

The one night we went out to dinner we went to the Alaska Cabin Night dinner and show. There was an all you can eat salmon and rib dinner. However the Salmon was way over cooked. The show was cute and interactive. Luckily we had buy one get one free coupons, otherwise it was $62 a person, I bit much in my book.

We had a great time and if you enjoy being out side, hiking, and exploring I highly suggest you make the trip.

(pictures to be posted later)