It Is Official

It is official ~ we have sold the house in Fairbanks!

Which is a very bittersweet happening. More sweet than bitter as we can now fully move forward to the next step in the plan.

Happy Monday friends! Enjoy each moment.

Oh Captain My Captain

Oh Captain my Captain take me flying!

Earthquake ~ 6.24

Never a dull moment in Alaska.  This shaker shook Anchor-town for a bit longer than I am used to but all is well and only my nerves are a bit on edge. Happy Thursday!

Smells Like Fall

It is amazing to me, although it should not be but it is that moving only 356 miles farther south changes the length of fall. This might be a lot of miles by some folk’s standards but Alaska is a big state and the drive between Fairbanks and Anchorage seems to us a blink of time. Fall in Anchor-town is just a bit slower and we are given more time to enjoy the smells of the changing woods as life prepares for winter.

Oh happy fall day!

A Message Home from Wake Island

Hey Mom & Dad,

This photo is looking west-ish at the burned out bridge that used to stretch across the water between the main land and Peale Island. I might go swimming there today!

I tried some night sky pictures last night since I could see the milky way by eye. I think I got something but I'm not sure how to pull it out with post-processing tricks. I'll play with it more later. If you have suggestions on how to do it, let me know. I have a 10mm/f4 lens that I'm using but I might try the 35mm/f1.8 tonight to see if the larger aperture offsets the larger focal length.

The stay here is better than I expected, hot but we're taken care of. Lots of the workers are Thai who work here for near US wages and then send money home to their families who are making maybe two dollars a day. They're the ones that make meals too, so there's real Thai food options with lunch and dinner. Although the Thai food is made in volume. That said, it's not bad for lunch. Most of the guys here say it's really spicy but I think they're wimps.

There's even an ice cream machine filled at lunch and breakfast!

The island is also suffering from a rat infestation, as of a few years ago. The military spent 4 million dollars trying to poison them but the EPA apparently didn't let them cover the entire island and the rats repopulated. I just got back from the weekly rat hunt with two old navy guys and the air force commander of the island! It was just like shooting the squirrels out at grandma and grandpa's. They told me to get a "Wake Island Big Game Hunter" pin from the gift shop.

Love you guys, 

Drew

High Five Friday

High five Friday for best friends forever, for their wonderful daughters, and for remarkable sons who traveled two and a half hours, one way, to meet up with these amazing people.  

I love you ALL more than the tonnage of a DC6!

High five Friday for sharing the love and spreading the joy!

Rainbow Connection

It was a connection from the very beginning that will last a lifetime!  

I am truly blessed!

****
Song ~ Rainbow Connection ~ our favorite version is sung by Kermit the Frog

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

***

Climbing Mountains

When you reach the top of the mountain, looking down at where you were can be a bit scary.  That's when a good friend comes in handy, especially one that is very strong.

Climbing mountains and gaining strength from within. 

Best way to spend a day!

It was a Whale Tale

It was a whale tale that had three tails.

Dive number one whale...

... catch you later number two whale...

... nice to see you number three whale.

It was a good day out in the Prince William Sound for a bit of whale watching and tons of laughter!

Enjoy your week ahead and keep a weather eye out for those whale tales! 

High Five Friday for Piggy-Back Rides

High five Friday for piggy-back rides!

... and for a little help from your friends!

... and for holding hands with the one you love!

Happy high five Friday my friends! 

Sweetness

The sweetness and love you feel when your husband brings you home one of falls late blooms can warm your heart beyond measure!

Share the love often and always with those you love.

Daisy Love

Oh for the love of daises and their smiling faces that brighten the cloudiest of days. May you see daises wherever you walk!

Happy Wednesday my friends!

Playground Time

All good vacations with young people need to have some playground time built into the itinerary. These two girls are great traveling companions and we would travel the world with them.  Come back anytime you want!

Exploring Downtown Anchorage

Even just a shopping day spent downtown Anchorage is fun when you have the Montgomerys as company.

Hooray for BBFs and their wonderful family! 

Thanks for visiting us, sharing the love, and spreading the joy!

Peanut Butter Jar

The peanut butter jar that refused to be opened.

No matter how hard you try...

It's always nice to have an extra helping hand or two just as you get the job done yourself!

Happy Friday dear friends and remember, never let the peanut butter jar get the best of you!

Playing in the Sand

Sometimes adults need to be reminded by the young'ins just how much fun it is to play in the sand!

Happy Wednesday dear friends and keep riding the fabulous wave of your GREAT summer vacation!