Day 5 in Anchorage

We actually got started a little earlier today, we were both surprised at the time that we made it to the trail head for our hike. As the weather promised us yesterday, today was going to be an excellent hiking day.

Karen and I were up and out of the house and headed down the highway toward Seward by 9 AM. We were looking for a particular trailhead, which we didn’t find until the end of the day, when we were headed home. Oh well…we ended up in Chugach State Park on the Bird Ridge Trail. The trail was easy to follow but quite steep, to the point that at a few places along the way, we were doing a bit of scrambling.

We took our time, looking at the flowers, the birds, including an American Bald Eagle and the scenery. We had scenery overlooking Turnigan Arm of Cook Inlet. Even with little sunlight and low hanging clouds, the scenery is beautiful and in some cases very dramatic. I’ve included a few photos.

One view from the trail.

We were both short of breath a couple of times as the trail was basically straight up, but we continued up for quite a way, and then called it quits, just in time for our brown bag lunch. Several groups passed us, a couple of them with dogs, so we kept our seats and enjoyed our food with the view.

Looking down the trail and out through the trees at Turnigan Arm

It reminded me of the time that Karen and I rode the donkeys into the Grand Canyon. We stayed 2 nights at Phantom Ranch and during our one day at the bottom of the canyon we took a brown bag lunch and did a day hike. Around lunch time we found an overhang that looked out over the canyon, sat down for our lunch and just enjoyed the view, which that day happened to include watching 3 of the 5 California Condors that have been released in the canyon. It too, was an awesome day.

After the hike we went just down the road to Karen’s favorite potter. Unusual arrangement there….there was no evidence that anyone was around. You let yourself in to his gallery, turned on the lights, looked around, and if you found something you liked, you put your money in a basket and left with your piece. I bought a very pretty container that I will use for olive oil.

After that we headed home. Karen took a nap, I watched TV, we waited for Gretchen to get home, played some Scrabble, then we heard Ben outside, back home from his 3 day kayak trip. Sounded like he had a really good time.

After that, it was time to call it a night.

Day 4 in Anchorage

Ben is still on his kayak trip and Gretchen was up and out early for work so it was just Karen and I today. We didn’t really have a plan so the day unfolded slowly. But finally we were up and out of the house by 11 AM.

First stop was in downtown Anchorage to pick up an Alaskan doll for my friend, Sherri. Then it was off to the east side of town to find the Alaska Native Heritage Museum. It was a museum that she had wanted to visit for a long time and today we had a discount card of 2 for 1. We found the museum and arrived just in time for the 2 PM Native Dance performance.

Gray Whale skeleton

Indian totem pole carvers

Alaska Native dancers

After that we wandered through the museum and grounds learning about the different Alaska Native tribes and their culture.

From there Karen and I continued a long standing tradition of visiting botanical gardens of any city we visit together. Anchorage has a very nice botanical garden and we wandered the grounds for a while. I’ve included several photos for my flower loving friends.

Peonies are just blooming here!

A Blue Poppy, never seen one before!!!

Finally, just as a side note, I’m including a photo that I took during my first day. It gave me a chuckle and for those folks reading this who are really curious about Alaska, it is just another example of how different life is in many ways, here in the land of the Last Frontier. The sign in this photo is on a liquor store in downtown Anchorage.

Check out this sign!! It might just be my sense of humor, but I thought this was funny!

Day After the Party

As anticipated, Sunday was a very quiet day. Ben was up and out of the house by 7 AM, leaving on a three-day sea kayak trip. Gretchen, Karen and I were not up and moving much before 11 AM. The day was overcast and drizzly all day, so the mood and energy was very low.

Karen relaxing on Sunday

Eventually Karen and I went back up the hill to Sally’s to pick up everything that was left behind. We hung around for more than an hour just visiting. Sally’s husband, Max, is an executive with BP Oil so we got an insider’s view and explanation of the Gulf of Mexico disaster. Max is currently working in Alabama as a member of the team working on the recovery.

Sally ended up coming back down the hill with us and we selected “It’s Complicated” as a chick flick movie for the afternoon. We all were enjoying it when suddenly the house felt like a giant had come along and gave it a good swift kick…earthquake!!! The three of them all jumped, I sat there looking around, and thought, my first earthquake since returning to Alaska.

Getting ready for the movie, Karen,Sally and Gretchen

When I lived in Fairbanks earthquakes were very common. They were usually just quivers and sometimes you really didn’t even notice them. But this one you noticed. It was just that one good kick, and that was it. We continued on with the movie.

Sally went home after the movie, Karen and I went out for a hike in the neighborhood and then we were back. It was 9 PM and the end of day 3 in Alaska.

Birthday Day

This so far….is a low energy day. I think we are saving all the energy for the party tonight. So, no one was out of bed before 8:30. We were probably all awake, just not moving. When I finally heard movement I jumped up, took my shower, and headed upstairs.

Ben was already in the kitchen preparing for Gretchen’s birthday breakfast. Menu for the morning was Mimosas and French Toast New Zealand style. They learned of this recipe during their travels to and from Antarctica. So, you fix the traditional French toast, then layer between slices of sautéed bananas and bacon, sprinkle with powdered sugar and top off with maple syrup. Yum, yum!!!

Before we actually ate though Karen presented her birthday gift to Gretchen, I was standing by with my camera, as I am prone to do.

In May Karen had been in Ohio on our Friend’s Hike and brought with her all her material for a book for Gretchen. Those who know me know that I love to put together books through Blurb.com. Karen’s book for Gretchen was my 5th that I have worked on either with others or for myself. So, we spent two days putting the book together, submitting it through the internet and then a few weeks later waiting for it to arrive so that Karen could give it to Gretchen on her birthday. The book of course is all about Gretchen from day 1 to present day. And Karen did a terrific job with it.

So, as the four of us were sitting around together this AM Karen presents her present, Gretchen opens it and at first thinks it is a framed photo because of the picture on the front of the book. But then she realizes it is a book and completely looses it. She knows exactly what it is because the very first book I created was for Karen about our friendship. She isn’t even able to open the book for all the emotion…it was a wonderful moment!!!

Gretchen opening Karen's gift

After the present we had our delicious breakfast and all was quiet for a while. Then, I had to deal with my birthday present disaster. I had purchased a lovely light weight long-sleeved top for Gretchen. It was wrapped in green tissue paper. A spot on the tissue paper got wet, the green stained her top and ruined it. So, it was out shopping for a new gift. From there we wandered, giving Gretchen some time for a nap. We headed out where we had a view of the inlet and then to Potter’s Marsh. The Marsh had a few families of Canada Geese and Violet Green Swallows, but other than that it was quiet in the marsh.

Back at the house Gretchen was leaving for a run, Ben was unloading groceries and I was sneaking my gift into the house. Around 4 PM Gretchen was back and we gathered in the kitchen for more snacks, drinks and more gifts to open!!!

We then worked on dinner, got ready for the party and headed up the hill to Sally’s house. Sally is a long time friend of Gretchen’s who happens to live just up the road in another lovely home. We hauled up all the drinks, food, and whatnot for the party, and just when all was in place the guests began arriving.

Some of the party guests

Gretchen wanted to play games at her party, so we had croquet, badminton and a game called ‘washers’, which is a take on horseshoes except with large metal washers. I think everyone got involved with one of the games at one time or another. Everyone had a great time. Around 11:30 PM the gang came in the house and the birthday cake was presented with the usual song and lots of happy wishes for the birthday girl.

Ben and Dan playing 'Washers' (note how light it is out at 10 PM)

Gretchen on the Croquet Court!

By midnight I was done. Just couldn’t keep up with the ‘kids’ so I wandered down the hill and found my bed. Didn’t hear a thing after that until 8:30 AM.

I have a feeling that Sunday will be a very quiet day!!

Here at Last!!

I was awake and ready to go at 8:30 AM…not bad given the prior 24 hours. And I’m feeling pretty good!!!

So, the day is overcast and temperatures are in the high 50’s…a wonderful change from Cincinnati (92 yesterday) and Phoenix (110!!).

It is a slow start day, just hanging out in their wonderful home. I’ve taken photos as they did design and build this house themselves. It is a very ‘green’ home, you’d have to ask Ben for all the details. The obvious things are the bamboo floors, interesting facet fixtures in the bathrooms (not sure those are ‘green’ as much as just ‘different’)….etc. Big windows look out in all directions so they can keep track of their wildlife that wanders through the property which includes moose, bear, red fox and lynx.

Wood shingle and corrugated tin outside finish.

Living space

Ben and Gretchen are at work. Ben comes home at 2 PM so we can drive him back to work and have his car to meet Gretchen in town at 4 PM for drinks and appetizers before the evening begins. So much for that plan. He forgot his wallet, was home by 10 AM so we went in to town for the day. Karen and I dropped off Ben and then made a stop at the liquor store and the grocery store in preparation for the birthday party. Then it was hiking all over town, revisiting favorite sites and discovering new places.

Anchorage skyline with mountains in the background.

We met back up with Ben and Gretchen at 4:15, switched cars and then off to the

Simon & Seafort’s for appetizers and drinks. Three of Gretchen’s friends joined us for a quick visit in one of the few bars in Anchorage that has a view of Cook Inlet.

From there is was a little bit more shopping and then home. The day is done…I think as my Cincinnati clock has not converted over to Anchorage time yet. I’m dragging……

Birthday celebration starts tomorrow with breakfast and then throughout the day!!!

Travel Day

So this is it…travel day has finally arrived. I was up by 7AM. Ran a load of wash, watered the plants, finished packing, did some yard work and finally jumped in the shower by 9 to leave the house by 10. My flight is out of Columbus and I like plenty of time to get there and a relaxed time getting through the airport process.

Cincinnati Time 11:30 AM

Drive to Columbus was uneventful. I am grateful for the overcast day since the air conditioning in the van is out. I arrived at the Columbus Airport around 11:30, checked in and then headed to Max & Erma’s for lunch. Sat down to order and was checking voice mail when I heard a message from US Air. My flight to Philly was canceled, I was now due to leave Columbus at 6 PM, fly through San Antonio and get in to Anchorage at god knows what time!! What??!! The gate agent didn’t say a thing.

So I left the restaurant, hoofed it back to the gate agent, she assured me that the flight to Philly was now back on and I was good to go!! Whew…I really don’t want to get in to Anchorage in the middle of the night!!

Cincinnati Time 4:00 PM

Well, looks like I jinxed myself. Boarded the plane, pulled away from the gate and then we were told there was a weather delay in Philly so we sat on the tarmac for an hour. I actually went to the flight attendant and asked her how long they could legally keep us on the plane like that. She said 3 hours and I rolled my eyes. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I hate sitting on a plane going nowhere!!! After an hour we went back to the gate, I rebooked through Phoenix so now here I sit, still in Columbus, waiting for my 6:00 PM flight to Phoenix. My arrival time in Anchorage has gone from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM!!! I am now keeping my thoughts to myself…no more jinxes.

10:17 PM Cincinnati Time/7:17 PM Phoenix Time

What I would give for a king-sized over stuffed bed right now. I am so tired and I still have 5.5 hours of flying ahead of me!!! At least I made it this far. Gotta keep looking on the bright side!!

4:30 AM Cincinnati Time/12:30 AM Anchorage Time

Finally, I am here!! And there is Karen’s smiling face, waiting patiently for me. I didn’t sleep at all on the plane, but now that I’m here I feel refreshed and it is time to wake up…Cincinnati time. The skies are overcast, but it is clearly daylight here in Anchorage….welcome to the Land of the Midnight Sun!

5:30 AM Cincinnati Time/ 1:30 AM Anchorage Time

We’re here, quietly entering the house as Ben and Gretchen are asleep. Karen points me to the bed and all that energy is gone. It takes less than 30 seconds to fall asleep.

Packed and Ready to Go!

Well, not quite packed…but definitely ready to go!! My 12 years with EES is over and I’m ready for the next adventure. But first, Alaska!!!

I drive to Columbus tomorrow for my flight to Philadelphia (yikes, wrong direction!!!) and then from Philly non-stop into Anchorage.

Karen is already there. I spoke to her on Sunday and she reported that the weather is cooler than usual this time of year, so to pack not quite like summer!! Glad I held off until the last possible minute.

I do have a couple of books packed, my new laptop, my camera, my cell phone…..gads, seems like life has become a whole lot more complicated!!!

Anyway, from here on out, this blog is real time….no more wandering down memory lane. I will make an honest effort to keep it going, every single day while I’m up there.

If I drop the ball once or twice, please forgive!!!

Pete and Me – 1993

Over the next 13 years, my life unfolded in many exciting ways. Karen and I stayed in touch and got to visit at least once a year, typically on skiing trips in the west. She had married John and they were still living in the suburbs of Anchorage.

In 1988 we were on a ski trip to Telluride, CO. when I met my husband Pete, at the Fly Me to the Moon Saloon…and yep, Karen was right there at my side the first time I laid eyes on him. We married in 1990 and by 1993 we were making plans to visit John and Karen in Anchorage!

Sometime that summer, can’t remember exactly when, Pete and I flew in to Anchorage and John and Karen hosted us in their home in Eagle River. They had built a custom home in the hills outside of Anchorage at the end of a dead end road. It was peaceful and just sooooo looked like Alaska to me.

Sue and Pete relaxing at John and Karen's

They were of course the perfect host and hostess. John, when he wasn’t working, immediately took Pete fishing and flying. Karen was picking up a brand new Ford Explorer so we had to have a road trip….which meant a drive up to Fairbanks.

Pete the happy fisherman!

Anchorage to Fairbanks is about an 8 hour drive, so we took off early one morning, intending to spend a couple of days with Jack and Karen in their home while we were there.

The drive up couldn’t have been more perfect. The day was bright and clear and as we approached Mt. McKinley we knew we were in for a treat. Typically you can’t see the top of North America’s tallest mountain as it creates its own atmosphere and therefore shrouded in clouds. You can usually see a good portion of its base, etc, just because it is so huge. But today, the entire mountain was in full view. It was spectacular and I was so happy for Pete. I don’t know if he understood how rare that sighting was, but he must have understood because Karen and I were ecstatic.

Also, new for me were several glimpses of the pipeline along the way. Those sections were not in place when I left in 1975 so it was as new to me as it was to Pete.

In Fairbanks we had a terrific visit with Jack and Karen. By this time they had moved from the Tozi back to full time in Fairbanks for Robin. He was in high school and needed the experience of his peers and education beyond the home schooling he received from Karen on the Tozi. He was off somewhere, so I didn’t get to see him, but his presence was evident throughout their home.

Fairbanks had really changed a lot over those 13 years. The impact of the pipeline economy had allowed the city to expand enormously. There were now many more stop lights than in 1973! There was a bike trails all over the place and many ne w roads that weren’t there before. Alaska Land was still there, the amusement park that was sort of pitiful, but we spent a few hours there, just because that’s what you do.
Most of the old gang was no longer around. Kevin and Michelle had divorced and we didn’t know where Kevin was. Diane Stople was still living on the Chaitanka, but time didn’t permit us a visit, so we sent her a radio message to let her know we were in town and thinking of her. Bob Batley was married as was many others of the old gang. Red had sold his lodge in Tok Junction and moved to the Seattle area, so we didn’t get to see him either.

Pete and Karen on the Seward Peninsula.

The two weeks flew by and before we knew it we were boarding our plane home. Time flies even faster when you are having a terrific time!