Shopping

Just a wee bit of a panic as I could not find the Denali fabric purchases. Finally found them after rechecking all bags. Guess hubby missed something in the checked bag!

I got the moose shipped from Fairbanks as they were closed while I was there.  I got the wolf in Anchorage I think. The moose will become a pillow and a little wall hanging for the wolf. They are kits with everything laser cut. Those were the shop hop blocks this summer.

I got batiks with Alaska feel at 3 different shops. A kit of a table runner of the aurora is in the photo too. 

The overgrown garden has some tomato, 2 overgrown cukes, two baby pumpkins and this is a watermelon I think. We will see if they continue to grow. Maybe someone can weed while I am in Vermont for a week.  Greg asked, will you regret not going up? Unless you answer no, you should go.

So, I'm repacking and will hitch the same flights as my brother tomorrow.  Back in time to repack for TN with Emily next Thursday. 
 Time to pack, I've got an early flight. Emily calculated 13 flights for me this summer. Tomorrow will be flight 8 in 4 weeks.

Hand work progress

I did make some progress on the cross stitch. 

Someone was happy I was home last night. 

Emily did a little crochet on the balcony and was working on this kit.

I added a row or two here and there on this griddle stitch crochet blanket. More than a row or two had my hand cramping up, so I limited the stitching to a couple rows a day. I got the yarn from Walmart in Vermont when I was up at my parents, and the crochet hook was found in my Mom's button and things tin. I'll have to return it the next time I am up there. Dad is still with us but is towards the end. My dilemma, I've got a nice head cold from the trip. Don't want to spread that to them.  A college visit today with Em, Mammogram Saturday and next week Thurs-Saturday in Nashville with Em for another college visit. I've also not worked, other than a few hours before Alaska in over a month. My siblings have their hands full with care and have a company helping out to be there when they are unable as well. One is flying up again Wednesday for a week as well. I'll chat with my sister today and see what she thinks. I might be flying out again tomorrow, but we will see.

 

Alaska recap

 The last half of the vacation was a cruise from Wittier to Vancouver BC. Technically the kids have been in another country now! He he he. We arrived home about 8:30 this morning. The dogs were happy (Bear and Grandma's Scruffy got along well while we were gone). I took a nap and got up a bit after 1 when I heard the thunder. The cats were so happy I was home... and I need to trim their nails.

I picked up a head cold before hitting the cruise...and was not the only one sniffling and coughing. Nothing major and I did wash my hands repeatedly while on the ship. I think everyone had it by the end. It was a very long day of travel. We got off the ship a bit after 9AM but could not go through security at the airport until after 2:40PM so it was a long waiting day. I did get some cross stitch in while waiting.

Onto the photos. 

Looking out from our balcony on our suite. We had a nice big room, balcony and big bathroom for a week while we did the Inside Passage Cruise from Wittier to Vancouver BC. I already miss the special lounge we had, the butler and all the chefs preparing the food!

Friday, the kids and I did a sea kayak tour in Ketchikan. It was raining and cold, but we had a good time. Seems raining there is normal and they just power through. The scenery reminded me of Maine. The kids were together and I was paired with a person from Fr. Lauderdale via Maine. It was a really nice paddle.

Because of the constant rain, I didn't get photos while paddling but we did see a deer swimming, lots of eagles, a seal and lots of pretty starfish - purple if you can believe it!

We did the 4th of July on the ship going through the passage. We left the ice behind at this point. Emily and I did a couple of the evening shows - a musical recap of the theater hits and a celtic type show. I missed the comedy show the last night - my partner in doing things was not well the last couple of days.

Docked for the day. I think this was Skagway but could be wrong. We did a 6 hour tour here, a little town with panning for gold (liked the first spot better), a salmon bake and train ride, then ended with a saloon/brothel museum. Seems Aidan didn't eat or drink enough water that day and had a little pass out spell (second in 5 months..). He was all better after. He sure know's how to worry me! The staff were great and we got him some water and food and he was much better shortly after. I think this was our Wednesday.

Aidan and I visited the Mendenhall glacier in Juneau on Thursday. There were some pretty flowers around. 

This was the waterfall to the right of the glacier.

The glacier has gotten much smaller over the years. I believe this was taken near the visitor center... which you could reach out and touch it about 90 years ago! It is crazy how fast it is disappearing.

This was one of the glaciers as we cruised past. I can't recall the name. We had a great view from the balcony.

We enjoyed an afternoon watching the otters play in the water as we sailed by.

The glacier water was this amazing aqua.

The suite came with binoculars. We enjoyed using them to spot all the wildlife. Eagles, moose, bears, caribou, sea otters, seals, and dahl sheep.

The boy and I enjoyed high tea. Quite a few new to us meals as well. Aidan tried and liked escargot, among other meals. He is our foodie. 

 All in all, not many photo's taken the last week but we did enjoy our trip. The kids are sleeping/enjoying a room with only them in it today. Emily took the dog in with her. The cats have been all over me. I put the chickens out to play in the tall grass. The garden is very overrun, but there are a few things in there growing. Maybe a couple pumpkins? I need to go explore in there once the thunderstorms stop. Maybe later tonight. 

Grandma did great with the animals and was so happy to head home with Scruffy this morning. She left some breakfast and lunch things in the fridge. 

I suppose I need to unpack and figure out home life again!

Emily booked a college tour tomorrow for us Tuesday and then we have Vanderbilt next week. Good thing I told work I'd be back on Wednesday and not Tuesday!

McKinley Explorer

 This was the helicopter ride to a glacier yesterday.  My first time in a helicopter and the put me in the front! The pilot was great. 

We got to see the top of Denali on the flight back.

It was a clear day today and we were blessed with awesome views of denali all the way to Anchorage!

I'm thinking i should get a lottery ticket!

The kids and greg enjoyed the zip line adventure.  So far, everyone is doing great, maybe a little sleep deprived.  Time change and no nighttime is a very weird combination. 

I added a few rows of crochet to the blanket. I just do a row (130?), then rest. I've learned my lesson and don't want a hurting hand. I tried cross stitch, but the train was bumpy at that point. Plenty of stitching time the next week.

I'm amazed at these photos I took today on my phone. I might have dropped my phone and cracked the screen 2 days before we left. My android S22 ultra was out of date, so got a refurbished S25 ultra. I should be good for 4 years!

Denali

 It was a bright and early start today. Up at 4:30am to get to the main lodge for 5:10ish. We had a bus tour into the National Park today. Wonderful tour guide. Amazing knowledge.  We have a helicopter ride in a few hours around Denali then the three of them are ziplining this evening. 

I'll be adding more stitching to this blanket. I might have picked up things at the quilt store and the fiber store. Well, Emily got yarn and patterns for two projects. I got a wooden embroidery ornament to make, some Alaska themed batik FQs and a small quilt kit.

My crew.

See, hubby does exist 😀

Caribou.  We also saw a moose and goats.

Alaska

 We made it safely to Alaska.  Little snafu with hotel but figured it out. Very long day of travel. Have not seen darkness (night) since we arrived. Headed to Denali today where wifi is not as good so posting now.

Photos loaded backwards. So yesterday we did a riverboat tour in the afternoon. A stop at a simulated vilage was interesting to learn how the people lived here before the first interaction with the outside world in the 1800s.

Caribou.... which are reindeer.  Did not realize that.

The morning we went to pan gold!

Emily got the most in her sack of soil of the four of us. $35. She had the gold put into a bracelet. I had my $15 put into a little necklace container. Little gold bits.

There was a train ride to the mining area.

Panning for gold.

After some sleep the first day we went to the university of Alaska fairbanks to see the museum.  They had a new planitarium so we saw the aurora show. Lots of info about the wildlife and people. A nice art gallery and a neat sound room. 

This is mt. Rainier taken from the airplane near Seattle.