I'll backdate this a bit to tell about some of what has been going on around us. Adam and I have been in closing on our house in Eagle River for quite some time now and living in a rented room (after temporary housing on base) out of a suitcase. At this point in time, it is becoming a bit tiring looking at the same four t-shirts over and over to the point that when I do finally have my full wardrobe back I will probably never want to wear these four shirts again and will feel like I have a closet full of brand new clothes. After begging the current owners I was allowed before closing to build my mew (falconry bird house) and thankfully i've finished it, had it inspected, and have passed the Alaska falconry exam. To those other military members that are going to be PCS'ing in the future maybe the following list will be helpful to you, the below listed items are things I WISH I had brought with us (and a few things I did bring) or put in the baggage that is delivered early. I have never been more tired of trying to decide what to have for dinner. When you start cycling through types of food groups when eating out, it's too much, at least for me. I find myself just wanting a simple salad in order to have something that is remotely healthy. In short, I really miss my flour, and my kitchen. That feels better, now for the list.
- A large ziploc baggie of flour and sugar, a small bag of salt, pepper, and misc. commonly used spices
- A few of my coats (it's fall now and I am not equipped for snow yet...), more socks
- 4 towels
- Wipes... much needed for takeout on the drive up
- A medical pack with commonly used meds, sunscreen and bandages
- A crock pot, a few pans for baking
- Eye travel mask... I really needed this when we were camping and getting 17 hours of sun a day
- Lunch bag... because you'll start work before you get a house.
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| Fungi on Campbell Creek Trails |
Despite not having a house yet, Adam and I have been lucky, stationed in one of the best states for an outdoorsy person. We have gotten to do a multitude of hiking trails in and around Anchorage, many of which were in the Chugach Mountains. We have hiked the popular Flattop Mountain trail, O'malley Pass, as well as Mount Baldy. It is not uncommon this month to hike in the rain, and while the parking lot at the trailheads won't be full, they won't be completely empty either. We passed several hikers on the way up and the way down, in the rain, with wind blowing, a temperature of at least the lower 40's, and sleet at the some of the summits. There isn't anything more gratifying than reaching a summit above the cloud line, and on descent being enveloped by a cloud while it blows through and around you. It isn't uncommon for me to turn and think to myself, "I really live here?". We've begun to learn that even if it is perfect outside we will probably need some sort of light jacket and rain protection for the summit. either on the way up or the way back down. These day hikes are preparing us for future hiking on snowshoes and several day backpacking trips, which we hope to do sometime soon. At this point in time, we have become accustomed to the weather regularly wearing t-shirts and capris when it is in the 50's outside. I think that classifies us as Alaskan's.
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| View from Mount Baldy when the clouds split |
We got a chance to go the the Alaska State Fair. We went with our friends Shalyn and Brandon who you will see in a few of the pictures below. They are also military members, like us, that we met in temporary housing on base because of the fur kids we both have. The fair is smaller than the Oklahoma State Fair but it does have it's perks and the forever good-for-you fair food. Alaska as you may know, is much larger and its' population spread out over vast areas. Therefore, the state fair is more of a regional event, with Fairbanks and Juneau holding their own fairs. We saw a few giant pumpkins and a pretty cool BMX event. The Avett Brothers also had a concert that was pretty great. The audience area was split right down the middle for an alcoholic and non-alcoholic side with general and advanced admission, though all of it was standing. We had fun, even splurging to ride one of the fair rides available, and topped off the evening with popcorn as we were leaving. All in all, a great day.
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| Shaylyn, Brandon, Adam and I at the concert |
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| BMX show... notice background |
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| BMX show |
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| Avett Brothers Concert... still light in the evening |
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| Sure never tire of mountain pictures |
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| Other giant vegetables, 10 pounder |
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| The winner, over 900 pounds! |
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| Alaska State Fair crowd |
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| Me in front of giant pumpkins |
