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

Wait...Is It Really Getting Dark Again Already?

Alex tries to escape the clutches of
Ahtna, the Sleepy Dog

In earlier blogs I've alluded to the fact that the fall season seems to have "crept in" when we weren't looking...and with it, the fading of our daylight hours.  Perhaps the loss of daylight  has been masked by the weeks of continuing rains, as it is only during the past few days that we have noticed the daylight quietly making her exit.  We should have known, though, as this is poor Ahtna's first season of this; and each evening, she sneaks down the hallway earlier and earlier for bed.  Since she is still a puppy, many of our bedroom doors remain closed until we turn in for the evening.  However, she has been sleeping on Ethan's bed for several weeks now; and as soon as it gets dark, that's where she heads.  She will lie in front of his door moaning a lonesome puppy cry as if to say, "Hello...it's b-e-d-t-i-m-e!"  This started a few weeks ago around 9:30 p.m., but as of last evening, she was down the hall by 8:00.  I think that's when it really dawned on us..."Hey it's dark outside...not just dusk, but DARK, DARK!"  As if saying it twice makes it darker...

The rains have been falling for days now, and although we enjoy listening to the hard showers and they provide soothing fall comfort and window watching entertainment throughout the day, I believe they cause cabin fever more so than the snows will.  At least with snow we can get out and be active.  The rains have kept us inside for so many days this week that on Sunday afternoon we donned dusters, hats, and umbrellas and went for a "torrential rain stroll" anyway!  Ahtna was going nuts, and her energy level was enough to drive a crazy person sane.  We had to do something!

It's raining, it's pouring...Sunday Stroll Anyway!

I have given up trying to keep up with the "cleaning" in this mess.  Praise the Lord we have a mud room.  Michael jokingly said he thinks we need a mudroom for our mudroom!  He isn't too far off.  Our daily routine had become picking up wet, sticky leaves that snuck in on the bottom of some poor unsuspecting soul's soles.  I believe Albert Einstein is the one that gets the credit for saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result." So, collectively, we decided we would wait and sweep every other day until the snows begin to fall.  That way the sneaky leaves have a chance to dry, they are easier to sweep, we are able to spend better time together as a family, and we save our backs a little.  Don't get me wrong...seeing a fresh carpet of wet leaves on the floor still drives me insane, but I am learning new coping skills - hopefully.  And besides, mud rooms are supposed to get "muddy" occasionally.  Occasionally is the operative word here, and the boys bear with me and jump in full force when I say, "It's time to clean that mudroom!" I think deep down I'm scared to death somebody will just "drop by"- and they'll have to come in through that room - and then the judging begins.  Do you ever get that? Once they come in and come upstairs, they'll be way more comfortable -- clean living room, clean kitchen, clean bath, bearable dining room.  Schooling, board games, Uno marathons, puzzles and Star Wars battles happen in the dining room, so hopefully they'll cut me some slack!  And, if not, Mother always said, "If people are coming to visit you to see your dirt, let them see it!  If they're coming to see you, they won't notice the dirt!"

Sent inside to play, thanks to the moose in our backyard!

And Ethan's buddies haven't seemed to notice.  They have been forced indoors for playtime for more than a week now, and we have seen all types of messes at our dining room table as toys are spread hither and yon.  The days haven't all been total washouts, as we have had various sets of moose wander through the yard at some point each day.  Yesterday was a new record - four sets of different moose came and went from morning through dinnertime.  I imagine the colder temperatures and snows in the mountains are driving them down into the valley.  The only concern we have with that, is that hibernation season is not quite here yet, so the bears may be coming down, too, in search of more sustenance now that the berries and salmon are gone.

Mother Moose with Twins 

Mother Moose with Twins
Sept 2015

Ahtna's New Perch

Watchdog - High Alert!

Ahtna isn't quite sure what to make of all of this.  She has found a new "watchdog perch" and will pace throughout the day from the main front door to the living room window.  She's worse than a busybody neighbor! She is definitely a retriever, but we think there may be some sporting pointer in her bloodline as well.  Yesterday she was sleeping peacefully on the floor, when suddenly she jerked her head up, ran to the window, looked out, and let out a terrible growl!  It scared all of us...we had never seen or heard her do that.  When we got to the window, she was alerting us to moose at the end of our driveway, and she received all sorts of praises and "Good Girls."  But her bravado is fleeting...later on, she was outside "doing her business" (hope that's pc enough for blogging), saw more moose, and left Michael standing in the rain as she made a beeline for the door!  So much for dogs being protectors and "man's best friend!"

After what has seemed like an eternity, the rains did finally stop late yesterday afternoon, giving way to beautiful snowfall - our first of the season.  Last year, we didn't see "real" snow until almost November.  We anticipate this may be a truer Alaskan winter than what we had last year.  Most of you know, fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the changing of the leaves, the cooler temperatures, the smell of wood smoke in fireplaces or wood stoves, hot apple cider, and the first hint of colder days on the way.  I know it is a shortened season here, and we have cherished every bit of it.  I would be lying if I told you I wasn't ready for it to snow yet.  Maybe the weeks of rains did that to me.  But nothing compares to the first snowfall of the season.  Everything that was wet, dreary, and mucky is suddenly pristine white, beautiful, and so still...

First Snowfall of the Season
Sept 2015

I'm so thankful the Lord gave us "seasons" -- true, temporal, earthly seasons like summer, fall, winter, and spring; but I'm also thankful for the life seasons, even the hard ones, that have more meaningful, eternal lessons.  When I consider how the initial rains here were unexpected and their persistence became unwelcome, I am reminded of the "dreary" seasons that sometimes come to us in this life -- a doctor's appointment, with a biopsy, and an unknown result; an unexpected car repair that obliterates hard earned savings; having to wait for a season when we are so ready to move forward; giving a wayward child over to the Lord; taking care of an invalid parent or grandparent; or grieving the loss of a loved one.  Your "dreary" season may fit into one of these categories or you may have a category all your own.  And then comes the snow...slow, steady, and purposefully covering everything that was yucky, gross, and just plain sad looking.

I believe it's a wonderful illustration of how the Lord deals with us and with the situations we face in this life, if we let Him.  He never promised an easy, carefree life - but He did promise that if we know Him as our Savior, we can cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).  He cared for us so much that He sent His only son, Jesus, to die for us.  When you have the realization that if you had been the only person on Earth, God would have still sent Jesus to die in your place, as a gift, so that you could be put back into a right relationship with Him...well, that realization and the acceptance of what He did for you makes even the dreariest of seasons bearable.  The Bible says if we "confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved." It goes on to say that "with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10)."

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18

White as Snow

With love in our hearts for you all.  We pray you know His peace, in all seasons. 

"There Are No Wild Animals Here!!!"

Pioneer Peak
First "Official" Snowfall Sept 2015

If you've never heard an exhausted, exasperated hunter utter the phrase used as today's blog title, you may be among the privileged few who have not yet ached for someone that you care about who is feeling hopelessness and disappointment. Moose season has all but come to a close in our area, and despite a valiant effort by King Tom and Michael, we have no moose to fill the freezer this season.  From what we are hearing, we are not the only ones suffering the loss, as 4-500 pounds of meat goes a long way in our Alaskan economy.  We aren't fearful, by any means.  We have the fullest confidence that God provides all things that we need when we need them; however, it has been sad to watch the tireless effort of the past few weeks have no success.

Many agencies and local hunters have indicated they can't remember such a lean harvest year, and it is anticipated that the warm winter and hotter-than-normal summer contributed to the moose having much broader grazing grounds.  In a land that boasts being nearly "twice the size the state of Texas" that could be a huge swath of land the hunters just couldn't touch!  Their final attempt did include a 9-hour river float, and they did see two moose -- running away!  They couldn't make out the front end, and without knowing the number of spikes or brow tines on the moose, there was no way to tell if they were legal for a shot or not.

Moose Hunt 2015
River Launch

Finally on the River
7:30 a.m.

The day was not a total loss, however, as Michael (and I) got to see some Alaskan views that we never would have seen otherwise.  Brenda and I helped with staging the pick-up vehicle in Chickaloon where they would end the float.  Yes...Chickaloon is a real place... We left the castle again at 5 a.m. Sunday morning the 13th.  The sun was still asleep when we hit the shore and unloaded the raft, all the hunting gear, and our two hunters.  She and I joked that we didn't know where they would put a moose if they did get one!  The river was up from the recent rains, and the breeze from the river was cold; but the fall foliage was at its peak in that area of Alaska. The yellow and orange leaves actually looked like little firecrackers in the midst of the dark spruce trees.  And as the sun came up over the mountains, turning the sky a cotton candy pink, we knew the day would be great for the fellas, whether they got a moose or not.  They did not, but Michael did enjoy the float. So much so that we hope to do it as a family just for kicks and giggles when the weather warms again.

River Float Views Near Chickaloon

Michael's Newest "Favorite" View

Moose Hunting at
Trapper's Creek

"Hey, did you know it's the
last day of moose season?"

Later in the week, we tried again, and headed to Petersville Road close to Trapper's Creek.  That venture may have been a little bit more successful a different time in the season, but the day we went a search and rescue was underway for a lost hunter.  Numerous back woods atv-ers and the search and rescue helicopter came to assist.  No moose sightings, but we did get to learn quite a bit about search and rescue operations in the wilds of Alaska. They did find him a day or so later, but he was found nearly eight miles from his camp -- cold, wet, hungry, and swollen -- but otherwise okay from his ordeal.  And, of course, on the very last day of moose season in our area, wouldn't you know it...

It seems the moose have a hunting calendar, too; and they know just when to "reappear."  This cow and calf aren't legal for us anyway, but it sure is amazing to just have them appear in the backyard.  Michael was preparing to go outside and work on the 4-wheeler, but came back in and said, "I think I'll wait a bit..."  We didn't know what he was talking about until he pointed out the kitchen window.  We took a break from lunch prep and all went onto the back deck just to watch them.  Ahtna has never seen a moose, and even though we were high up off the ground, she wasn't sure she liked those big animals in her backyard.  She made this itty bitty little high pitched "oof."  Not even a full "woof," and the moose were un-phased.  She didn't even scare them a little, haha!

Eklutna, Fall 2015

Having resigned ourselves to the fact that we will probably do without a moose in the freezer this winter, we've tackled this week with renewed zeal for just "enjoying" the outdoors.  After a week or more of torrential rains, the sunshine has been welcomed, even if the temperatures are beginning to dip into the "frosty" levels.  Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees now, and the higher elevations saw their first "official" snowfalls with the recent rain storms.  As we look around, Michael's comment has been "It's almost as if God held a ruler up to all of these mountains and said, 'I'm only going to let it snow this much just now.'"

God's Ruler
Green, Fall Foliage on the Bottom
Snow on Top

Eklutna, Sep 2015
Where you see the cloud reflection...that's where the shore used to be!

We've hit up Eklutna Lake, which has risen tremendously since the first time we saw it.  Ethan, Ahtna, and I ventured into Nancy Lakes again, and started on a three mile hike.  We turned around amid a thunderous Boy Scout jamboree and once Ahtna 'alerted' to something ahead on the trail.  Nothing makes your blood run cold like a smart dog whose tail points straight out, whose fur stands up all over her body, and whose little throat begins to swell with  a growl.  We have no idea what lay ahead on the trail, as we didn't keep going to find out.  See?  We did learn a our lesson berry picking!  I did have my gun, but the "discharge of firearms in Nancy Lakes is prohibited."   Hhhmmm.... perhaps...unless a bear is charging us!  Besides...my little firearm packs a little punch -- enough to make a bear spittin' mad!  And I surely don't want to do that!  So we left the trail and headed back down to Red Shirt Lake, which is the last Lake that you can actually drive to within the park.  It was p-r-i-s-t-i-n-e!  Ethan was most impressed with the clearness of the water and being able to see the reflections of the trees and mountains on the other side.

Ethan is his "Red Shirt" at Red Shirt Lake
Nancy Lake Recreation Area, Sep 2015

Red Shirt Lake

We passed a small family fishing on one of the docks, scouted out another canoe rental place, nearly lost Ahtna off the rocking canoe dock, and heard the lonesome calls of the loons.  That was probably our favorite!  We had no idea what the sound was, debating between ourselves as to whether it was a lone wolf, a coyote, and I even said an elk.  Ethan busted out laughing at me and said, "Mom!  There are NO ELK here!"  I know that...but the lonesome wail of the loon reminded me of the night we spent tent camping in the Montana wilderness on our way to Alaska, serenaded to sleep by the bugling of the elk.  We googled the sound when we got home and were so surprised to see the bird couplet that made the noise -- it was absolutely phenomenal!

Ethan on the Rocking Dock

Ahtna's First Snow

Independence Mine

Ethan is most excited about snowy returns, as winter seems to be his favorite time of year.  We have all been anxious to see how Ahtna would do in the snow, and we decided to make a trip to Hatcher Pass this past Sunday afternoon to experiment.  They are in the "higher elevations" and received about 4-6 inches of snow.  We no longer have concerns about her being "cold" or not liking the snow. She rolled around in it like a pig in slop, burrowing with her nose and rolling over and over again! We continued our "romp" in the snow with a hike to Independence Mine.  The mine has been long closed, and for the most part, the state is letting it "return to nature."  Ethan and Michael think that is a fancy way of saying "falling in on itself!"

Hot-wiring the Mine Train

In the Mine Shaft

View from the Independence Mine Shaft
Sep 2015

Ptarmigan, Season Change
Brown on top, white on bottom

Ptarmigan Covey
Independence Mine

Either way, the trails are well-maintained, and we even discovered an entire covey of ptarmigan! Too bad we can't hunt them at the Mine!  We easily would have had 8-10 for our freezer, and after a call to Fish and Game to their small game biologist, we know exactly where we can hunt them in Hatcher's Pass.  Hopefully we'll find another covey!  They are neat little creatures, and already turning their winter white. Ethan has decided he wants a sling shot, as that is not considered a "firearm" and he won't have to be a 1/4 of a mile off the road to harvest a covey should we happen across another one.  We've been blessed with small game opportunities, but if you ask Michael about even seeing moose, caribou, or bear on his recent treks through the wilderness, you are liking to hear him say, "Alaska doesn't have any wild animals!" We are thankful for the small game, and especially thankful for safety on these hunting jaunts, even if the fruits have been smaller than we would have liked.

Hhhmmm...

Ethan and Michael visit the "New" Dining Hall at Independence Mine

We had an opportunity to celebrate long distance with Andrew this week, as he turned 20, and to ask ourselves, "Where on Earth has the time gone?"  It's true...it is difficult to celebrate long distance, but we wrap our love in a box, and trust the United States Postal Service to deliver it timely.  Perhaps that's where the phrase "it's the thought that counts" originated.  Thank you for your continued prayers for him.  His studies are going well (or so he says -- insert smiley face emoticon here), and he reports his biggest challenge is adjusting to working with 2nd grade elementary students at his part-time job.  Please don't misunderstand...he is so thankful for that role; it is giving him a renewed appreciation for teachers and after school care workers and has made him recall his own elementary days.  It's funny how when we are removed from certain situations for a time that when we are placed back into them, our perspectives have changed -- evidence of our growth or experience, I guess.  Pray that he would continue to have a positive influence on those young lives.  I know they are impacting him.

Alex and Madison continue to move closer to their December nuptials.  One way tickets to Alaska have been purchased, and while that is exciting for us, I know that her North Carolina family will miss her terribly.  She is a blessing, and we are excited to welcome her officially as our new "daughter."  Ethan is beside himself at the thought of finally having a "sister," and he has said it's okay that she isn't his "little" sister because "I will be taller than her soon anyway."  As we begin to put the finishing touches on wedding preparations, please pray for us all.  We know this is just a small part of our life's journey, but it is a huge part, too, in this season, for them - and we want to do our part right.

Blessings to you All, until our next meeting!

" But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord, to wait....