The Moose is Loose in Soldotna

Best Bakery Ever!

To all of you Krispy Kreme connoisseurs and you Dunkin Donut divas...The Moose is Loose in Soldotna has you both beat -- hands down!  Now please don't get me wrong...I love a good chocolate covered glazed donut from KK when the "hot" light is on, and a blueberry or maple Dunkin donut just seems to melt in your mouth.  But when you've been deprived of both for more than a year, you really will drive 8 hours for the best donuts in the state!  And every bite will be worth it!

This past Saturday we loaded ourselves and the dog in the truck for the trek to Soldotna.  We weren't actually intending to wind up there, but it was only another 30 minutes or so from the Russian River, so we figured, "Why not?"  Michael had shared with us that grown men in his office weep and throw money at anyone who is headed in that direction -- all for a chance to purchase donuts or apple fritters from The Moose is Loose Bakery.

Dall Sheep at Beluga Point

The day started as many of our days have the past several weeks -- cold and rainy.  But we were on a mission to see bears at the Russian River, where coho salmon are still harvestable (well...if you count one per day as harvestable). At any rate, we did the three mile hike at the Russian River Trailhead last year; so we had decided to do something a bit different this time.  The Seward Highway that extends for some distance outside of Anchorage toward the Russian River was not nearly as heavily traveled as it was during the summer.  That made for a much less white-knuckled trip, and we were even able to capture some Dall sheep grazing at the Beluga Point overlook.  The weather didn't exactly clear, but is was cooperative; and it didn't dump any rain on us until we were homeward bound at the end of our adventure.

We reached the Russian River Campground without incident and decided to brave the boardwalk along the River.  We walked until the Russian River emptied into the Kenai River.  The boardwalk was built to save the natural banks of the river. Fishing is encouraged in the river, not from the banks, and there were still many anglers walking the rivers or in boats trying to land the biggest river monster.  Most of the leaves had fallen from the birch trees.  Although they didn't "crunch" under our feet, they were thick enough to create a sort of "whoosh" sound that echoed through the empty campground.

That "whoosh" sound!

Michael had his big bear gun "just in case," but the bears weren't interested in the salmon apocalypse that greeted us.  This is the place that all good salmon go to die!

Braving the Boardwalk
Russian River 2015

The Salmon Apocalypse

The Russian and Kenai Rivers Converge

Michael had been warned that the stench would reach "unbearable" levels -- yes, it's a terrible pun, but we'll keep it for kicks and giggles!  Boy,were his buddies right!  There were several times along the boardwalk that our gag reflexes were working overtime, and when we finally reached the convergence of the two rivers, we had to wade through -- yes, I said wade through -- scores of dead salmon to reach the water's edge.  I told Michael we didn't need his bear gun after all -- no bear in his right mind would come to get these nasty fish!!!  Ethan was intrigued by the decomposing flesh, the fact that seagulls picked out eyes first and left the rest to rot, and that the skins became gray and leathery when left to the elements.  Biology class at its finest!  Yuck!  Once the smell became too much for us, we decided to calm our churning bellies with DONUTS!

All the Fun, and None of the Fat!

And now we know why grown men weep and throw their money around!  The Moose is Loose Bakery is the tiniest of holes in the wall and stays nearly at capacity (or at least it did while we were there).  Before we even opened the door the aroma of fresh donuts and coffee slapped us in our faces and made our mouths water like Pavlov's dogs!  We stepped into the main lobby area, which features a "to-go" line that the regulars know about, and "another" side that tourists like us must use.  The tourist side features "the case" -- a lighted piece of heaven on earth -- featuring mini-mouth-watering-morsels to donuts the size of your own cranium!  We opted for donuts the size of our craniums! Pumpkin spiced, chocolate covered, maple covered, and an apple fritter. Then we sat in the back of the bakery and looked at all the moose memorabilia.  Not only do they showcase anything moose...they also sell anything and everything moose.  Moose pajamas that said, "Don't moose with me!" and men's boxer shorts that had moose on them and the phrase "Now this is natural gas!"  So Alaskan!  And we loved every bit of it!  I wanted to buy one of everything, but sadly, we are not independently wealthy yet...so, instead, we bought pumpkin donuts, chocolate covered donuts, and one maple bar to take home to Alex.

"The Case"
Moose is Loose Bakery 2015

We fought the sugar coma that followed by stopping at Tern Lake and hiking just a bit.  Then we off-roaded (an ill-conceived attempt at spotting a bear) on the Old Sterling Highway.  We didn't see any bears, but we did see salmon and some "funky looking duck-bird," as Ethan called it.  Another stop near Hope, AK, to walk on the old highway that has been converted into a foot bridge almost saw us bungee jumping (not really)!  But it did almost make us break into the donuts just so we could have a bit of "energy" for the remainder of the trip.

Tern Lake 2015

"Bungee Jumping" Near Hope, AK
Standing on Ye Ole Footbridge

It was the final stop at Tesoro outside of Girdwood that really nearly did us in with the donuts.  Most of you know that one of Ethan's favorite television programs is Alaska State Troopers.  And you further know that Trooper Howie Peterson is his favorite trooper.  Well...guess who was working the Seward Highway and was at the Tesoro station when we were?!  If you guessed anyone other than Trooper Peterson, you are wrong, and you should be ashamed to play guessing games ever again!  I would like to say that Ethan's dream of meeting Trooper Howie came true at the Tesoro gas station during our Loose Moose Soldotna run...but, alas...it was not to be.  Ethan threatened to throw our donuts at Trooper Peterson's car (because everyone knows policemen can be bribed with donuts). Michael and I protested loudly to that...I mean we don't have anything against Trooper Peterson, but he was not getting our donuts!  He could've had Alex's maple bar, but not the pumpkin spice or chocolate covered ones!

We headed into Girdwood to try to flag him down for a quick meet and greet -- with Ethan waffling in the backseat between throwing up and soiling himself if we were successful in our flag down attempt.  And just when we thought we had him cornered....he was saved from our super creeping family by a call about a yahoo driver on the Seward Highway.  But all was not completely lost...Ethan saw him briefly as he turned around and sped away.  So much drama!  Such was our Saturday adventure!

And now, with the donuts on our hips, and their memories fresh on our lips...we have decided that Soldotna has one of Alaska's greatest treasures...and that it has nothing to do with "real" wildlife or scenery!  We have also decided that as much as we LOVE those donuts...it's a good thing they are 8 hours away.  Any closer and our wedding weight loss program would definitely be compromised! We love you all enough that next time, we'll eat a donut for each of you!

Russian River 2015

"Whether therefore ye EAT or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I Corinthians 10:31

Skinny Jeans and Old Lady Dresses

Chugach Range Shadows the Flats
October 2015

Relax...there are no pics to accompany this week's blog title.  We value your eyesight too much!  But in the midst of wedding planning, and a lack of available clothing resources to meet the challenge, we are feeling a pinch here and there -- pun intended! I so appreciate the planning efforts of our eldest son and future daughter-in-law, though.  Nothing says "prepare" and "excitement" like getting a text message with the exact style and color of pants for the male attendants (are they even called that? no, they are groomsmen!), and being able to find said pants for more than half off on the designer's website! That is...until you read the fine print, and the style of pants is listed as "s-l-i-m f-i-t."  My husband, God love him, has been walking like a senior citizen marathon maller, and has lost quite a few pounds these last few months. But to hear him say, "ALEX?! When do you ever think I have ever worn slim fit pants in my LIFE?!" was absolutely priceless!  As a good wedding sport does, he dutifully ordered his pants early to verify fit, in the size he believes he is now.  Boy are we glad we did that!  He ordered the largest "slim fit size" available, and we waited.  They arrived in skinny jean fashion, and the "dunlap disease" and eternal wedgie that resulted have been great family fodder for more than a week now. You all know about dunlap disease, right?  Where you squeeze yourself so tightly into your breeches that your belly "dunlapped" over the waistband?  He fashion paraded those pants as only Michael can, and I thought we were going to wee ourselves.  I still have a stitch in my side -- for which I blame him!  So the pants are a no-go for now, and I have traipsed all over the Valley and Anchorage trying to find a "comfort fit" pair that will match the other fellas at the wedding.  Time to revisit the website! Now if only I could find a matching dress for myself and pants for Ethan, we would be golden.  No, scratch that...we wouldn't be golden, we would be charcoal, or medium gray...which will be lovely and match the wedding colors come mid-December.

History Lesson with Dad & Ahtna

I must confess, I enjoy the fact that the Lord has blessed Michael with a good job, that allows him to have such a varied schedule.  In his role, as with most other service professionals, our family has learned to value its time, and to not take holidays, special occasions, or dinners together for granted. We do take advantage of them...but we DON'T take them for granted.  It's especially wonderful when I can plan a "girl's shopping day" -- just for myself -- and know that Ethan will be enjoying a field trip day with Dad, while I look through any and every area of any store that I want to!  Such was the case earlier this week, as I tried to find Michael some not so skinny pants and myself a not so skinny but not an old lady dress.

With appropriate formal selections at a dismal minimum here the Valley (sorry, Mat-Su, just keeping it real), I knew I'd have to make a trip into Anchorage.  Being the introvert that I am, I do not mind the trip "into town," or perusing the mall by myself, or even eating lunch alone. Gasp of gasps...I have even been known to go the movie theater ALL BY MYSELF...AND ENJOY IT!  And this trip, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, certainly causes long, thankful conversations with the Lord, and the beginnings of carpal tunnel in my index finger and thumb from snapping pictures.  If Ethan had been with me, he would've been ecstatic!  He's always hoping I'll break some sort of traffic law and get pulled over by Alaska State Troopers.  I don't know if he's wanting to see his family members actually on the show, or if he's hoping it will be that one trooper in particular that he finally gets to meet.  Regardless, I don't think it's illegal yet to hold your phone up and just snap pictures. I never know what the pics on my phone will reveal once I get home, since I never look at what I'm snapping.  I do keep my eyes on the road, and one hand on the steering wheel, particularly if it's "just scenery."  Animals, however, are a completely different story, and they get pull-off-the-road, caution-lights-on, undivided attention.  Mom would be so proud!

Chugach Range at Sunrise

I did tell Michael it was probably a great thing that I don't currently work in Anchorage.  I think I would have to invest in a dash cam...or risk road rage from others, potential crashes, and perhaps even eventual arrest!  And wouldn't you know it...weeks of rain, and I pick the only "nice" day to spend all day indoors shopping!  At least Michael and Ethan were able to get out.  They tried bear hunting...and grouse...but all they saw was one grouse.  Maybe next field trip!  They had fun, and my trip into Anchorage was amazing.

A'Hunting They Will Go...

The scenery was absolutely surreal...on the Valley side of the Knik, the sun was rising, burning the fog away, revealing the most beautiful Tarheel blue sky I have ever seen!  Who says there isn't a bit of Carolina here?  But as I drove into the flats, the clouds rolled in from the sea, the temperatures dropped, and the rains continued throughout Anchorage.  It was amazing to see such an abrupt change within less than 3-5 miles.  So the trip to Anchorage wasn't a complete bust!

Sunrise in the MatSu Valley

The Fog and Rains Rolling In

I hit up the 5th Avenue Mall, but don't let the name fool you.  It really is a mall on 5th Avenue in downtown, and they have a Nordstrom's...but that's where the similarities end.  I scoured all four stories, but only found one dress that fit the theme/style of the wedding.  I could wear it, but it's not my favorite. Ladies, you know what I mean...I'm looking for a dress that screams "Yes, I am too young to have a son getting married!" but that doesn't scream, "Hey, I'm that old lady trying to look like a teenager again!" So I keep searching...and if nothing else, Madison giggled at me (which I took as her approval) when I told her I was just going to be-dazzle a brown paper sack and wear that!

Throwback Mary Poppins Style!

The first of their wedding gifts have begun to arrive, and that means that the time is growing very short!  Alex continues to pass the time working and going to school.  I thank the Lord for his job, which provides him with flexibility for school, but has also helped him to secure some financial savings for their near future.  And...he has made some fun friends in the process. I think they are all even planning some Halloween fun as characters from the Princess Bride movie. We don't traditionally celebrate Halloween, but since they have all assumed characters and accents from that movie, Halloween gives them an excuse to actually dress the parts they have already been playing for weeks.  Alex is Inigo Montoya...you killed his father...prepare to die!  Andrew and Sydney assumed the roles of Mary Poppins and Bert last year, so we're anxious to see what this year holds for their festivities.

The only other "report" we have for you this week includes Michael's first encounter with a bear and Alex's roadside encounter with a bull moose.  A mother and her cub were spotted outside the VA clinic while Michael was on foot patrol.  He was able to get one blurred pic before the mother ran off and shooed her baby right along with her. Tuesday this week was extremely foggy, and as Alex headed to class he sent a text that said, "Just passed a 1400 pound bull moose I could have spit on!" Apparently other drivers did, too.  It made the front page of the paper!  See...there are wild animals here, and they are proficient with hunting season calendars and city limit rules!

Wild, City Life

Ligers and Ralphie Bunnies are My Favorite
Wild Animals!

So many thanks to our Skyping friends and family.  Although we love the sentiment behind hand-written notes, it is wonderful to see your smiling faces and hear about the every day goings-on in your lives.  We love and miss you all!

"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

II Corinthians 1:2