City Park

We went to a park that has a river that runs through it. The children wore their swimming suits and played in the water. I am looking at a thermometer and it says that it is 86 degrees inside and 93 degrees outside. That is a little warm for Alaska, and since we are in ALASKA, there really isn't any air conditioning. We went to the park, and the children played and splashed in the water. They went on a slug hunt so that we can hopefully have a participant in the slug races, too.

It is a beautiful little natural park, and the children enjoyed the freedom to run and play, especially since they got to play in the water. Even North, who was grumpy and refused to go to the park, insisting that he would just stay home by himself (he is 3), ended up having a great time. Who wouldn't when there is water and cousins involved?

The girls with their "pretty princess" smiles...

and of course, the silly face picture.

Day 2 of 7

The boys got up early to catch the change in tide. I guess that is when the halibut fishing is supposed to be good. They ate pancakes and eggs for breakfast and then they loaded the truck and the boat.

Then they were on their way. As of right now, they have been gone for about eight hours, and we have not heard from them yet! I hope they are having fun. I will get a turn to go out on the boat and be there while the boys fish (I am too cheap the purchase a license).

Packing for the trip.

Caleb checking something on the boat?

Fisher-MEN in training.

The boys getting ready for another adventure.

Birthday Boy

My nephew J's birthday was yesterday, the day he flew in. Grandma Dodge bought a "cake." It was actually bunch of cupcakes frosted together. When J came in from playing capture the flag, we surprised him by "singing" (12 children yelling the words) Happy Birthday to him.

His cake!

J with Grandma Dodge.

J blowing out the candles.

North cleaning up the frosting.

Chasing the Natives

While I was sitting at my computer this morning about 6:30 a.m., Huck comes in and says, "Do you want to see a bear?" I grab my camera, jump up, and follow him to the master bedroom. The bear had gone up the driveway. I snapped this picture.

the bear up the driveway

a zoomed in view of the bear

Then Huck started up the driveway after the bear. I took off after him. We were chasing the bear. We were a little noisy, so the bear heard us, turned around and saw us, and then took off running.

Hopefully I will get a better picture while we are here.

This is a picture of a slug. This one did not get away from me. I was faster than this one, and I could have picked it up if I wanted to (YUCK!), however I just left it there. We have some slug races tomorrow for the local Blueberry Arts Festival.

Sleep Heads

Q: Where do you sleep 17 people in a three bedroom house?

(sharing cots in the garage)

(on the floor)

(in their clothes)

(very close together)

(in shared bunk beds)

A: Wherever they can find a spot!

WHY?

Sometime with all of the hassle of buying tickets, packing for a family of six, traveling two hours to the airport, sitting on a plane for 3 1/2 hours, having an overnight layover, spending an addition two hours at the airport and another two hours on a plane we ask, "Why are we doing this?"

Then we see the fruits - COUSINS PLAYING IN THE GREAT ALASKAN OUTDOORS!

the little girls

the older girls

the boys.

They played outdoors for hours. They even roped aunt Amber into playing capture the flag with them.

OH THE MEMORIES!

Day 1 of 7

Fishing license: $50

Ice: $5

Fishing with

Uncle Huck

for hours...

PRICELESS!

Huck was quite the host today. He took Brett out to get a fishing license shortly after we arrived, and then he took the boys and the little girls fishing. They caught 10 salmon. Then they got to help wash and clean them.

I know what we're having for dinner tomorrow.

The Arrival

We made it. We landed on an island across the channel. Then we had to take a ferry over to Ketchican where my sister lives.We had to down the ramp to get to the ferry. It cost us $19. Brett, Caleb, and I were $5 each, Eli and Emily were $2 each, and Claire was free.

This as inside the ferry. There wasn't much space in there. We left Brett inside and the children went out to the front of the ferry.

We saw several float planes as we were crossing.

The children were up as far as they could go to get across.

Caleb really liked the wind.

Emily & Caire did, too.

Eli got a little wet, but he refused to move back.

The view of the dock and the ramp we had to walk up.

Turning back to look at the ferry ramp.

Almost at Alaska

We made it to the airport with plenty of time, and in high spirits.

We checked in, got in line to go through security, and then when we got past security Brett had to sit down to tie his shoes.

The children were being silly (when are they not?). They were excited to get to Alaska.

Brett took a picture of me to prove that I am actually on the trip with the family.

A view from the airplane window. There were a bunch of islands.

This is Eli on the descent. He decided to go down like he was riding roller coaster. What a goof.

...and So Seattle Continues

This is the place we stayed is Seattle. We will be staying there on our return trip, too. It was fine for a night, but my children were a little disgruntled. I reminded them it was just overnight, and it wasn't our vacation destination.

This is a view of one section of the Travelodge. There was another section to the left that runs perpendicular to this one.

This was the room we stayed in. When you travel with a party of six, that is too many for a regular room, so we asked if they had anything special. We got this room. It was a little bigger than the average room, and we got a roll away cot, so we were happy with it.

It did serve a "continental breakfast," but when we went in, this is what we saw:

It was an empty box of muffins and one danish. Then on the other part of the counter there was this:

Milk out on the counter in a pitcher, a pitcher of water, and some bread and English muffins. There were used plates and warm juice. On the up note, the man working the desk was pretty busy, and when we asked him if there were more cups, he came right in and cleaned up and replenished everything.

This is Emily and Brett waiting to take the shuttle back to the airport.

Sleeping in Seattle

The first leg of our trip has been a success. We made it to the airport with plenty of time to get a small bite to eat. Then we went to the gate and got there right as they were boarding. We found our seats, Caleb, Eli, and Claire sat in row 20 and Brett, Emily, and I sat behind them. Once the plane got underway, I took out my computer and let the boys and Claire watch a movie. Brett rented a digi-player and we watched our own movie.

When the movies were over, we opened the shades and saw this site:

Caleb with his limited knowledge of topography in Washington exclaimed, "Mount Saint Helens!" I don't know which mountain it is, but there was this one that we were closer to:

and off then there was another one off in the distance. It was a spectacular site. Emily was surprised and amazed that there was snow on the top.

We started our descent shortly after we past these volcanoes/mountains, as we approached Seattle. The children and I watched out the windows and we saw the Space Needle from a distance. The thing that was surprising to me was how BROWN everything was. The temperatures here have been high, and the rain level has been low.

When we got to the airport we called the hotel to get the shuttle to pick us up. When he picked us up he loaded our bags in the back of the van and then opened the door so that we could get in. The children got into the back and he looked at them and said, "No bouncing." Then he shut the door, and I told the children to find a spot and put their buckles on. It was kind of odd, but I guess some people like to bounce in the back of the vans.

We made it to the Travelodge and decided to go across the street to get something to eat. When we got to Wendy's, I realized that my children are very sheltered. This area is culturally diverse, and my children were uncomfortable. They are not sure they like the big city.

Eli Sleeping in Seattle.

Caleb sleeping in Seattle.

Emily sleeping in Seattle.

Claire sleeping in Seattle.

Sorry there are no pictures of Brett or me. I don't think I slept much. I kept waiting for a 7:00 a.m. wake-up call. We had a light right outside our window, so I couldn't tell how dark it really was out there. Needless to say, I think I was semi-sleepless in Seattle.

We are excited for the second leg of our trip today. Alaska here we come!