tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19757288273292299292024-03-13T06:14:48.932-06:00talkeetnamalispinaloopChrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.comBlogger230125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-38369602707243202192010-08-09T13:34:00.002-06:002010-08-09T14:13:15.934-06:00August 9, 2010 ~ Monday<br />It's a non-Alaska summer, much to our dismay; HOWEVER, it has been raining in Talkeetna since the end of May with maybe 5 days of non-rain. Don't know how much or if just showers...but we're not going to get a fungus this way!<br />We have had our camper on the move...Memorial Day weekend found us at our son's home...and found him working in Yellowstone for several days instead of camping. Did I say it was raining in Talkeetna?! Well, it was raining where we were, too...so just stayed in his drive and enjoyed grandkids. June 5th was our oldest granddaughter's high school graduation...great ceremony, with friends and family afterward. Our youngest daughter and a niece drove up from CO and WY...for the day. It was awesome!<br />For three weeks in June we did travel...to NE/SD border via Lake Sakakawea(YUP, that how it's spelled) in ND...to attend the same niece's wedding...on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River...100 degrees but with a wind and low humidity (almost unheard of in that area!). A beautiful wedding...no rain, BUT the next day it poured! 5 inches in less than 3 hours in north central NE...which has had major 'rain events' (wonder what that much rain was called before the invention of 'events' in the weather world) this summer (14 inches within 2 weeks in late spring with numerous INCHES since we were there!)...flooded and washed out roads...tornados...winds...<br />Summerfest 2010 in Livingston, MT...on the way home from NE...stayed with the friends who had gone to AK with us 2 years ago...listened to music, visited...had a great time!<br />And...now I'm in Denver. Well, Aurora, helping our youngest get squared away for a move down to Colorado Springs. On Saturday we drove to Breckenridge to see a couple of her friends...had a wonderful time... a gorgeous drive...good food...yummy drinks! I really like CO...and NO BODY can beat their pedicures!!!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-50938997528665845322010-05-24T11:08:00.002-06:002010-05-24T11:24:08.692-06:00Monday ~ May 24, 2010<br />2 months...maybe time for an update.<br />St. Peter has a Seder meal and service on Maundy Thursday...was on the phone with Darla (former pastor's wife...great friend and the one who always 'did' the Seder) in the morning to start cooking the lamb AND, even over the phone, she got it right! It was an awesome meal, with the history of the Israelite people's flight out of Egypt and how the different foods are symbolic of their situation. Worship on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter were very moving...for the first time we draped the stained glass cross over the altar, in purple, then black, then white...HE IS RISEN!<br />An exhausting time, but so well worth it!<br />I've mowed the grass 5 times so far...and will again on Wednesday before camping over Memorial Day weekend into the next weekend. Also, Home Depot made me a deal I could not resist and I ended up with 16" square red brick-looking pavers...50 of them...four trips with the car to get them home. NO...they are not all in where I want them, but the front of the house is done...just making everything a bit more riding mower friendly; therefore, more friendly to my body.<br />I'm just wondering where summer is...or even spring...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-11020418838319016502010-03-26T08:46:00.002-07:002010-03-26T08:57:43.508-07:00Friday ~ March 26, 2010<br />I'm back in MT...good flights on Monday even with the waiting at the airports (my doing)... I love to watch people. Now it's back to reality and responsibility...probably should get my head on straight, eh? No snow left here, so spring has come! Now for the wet snow blizzard Easter, the end of May or in June...<br />Next...is Holy Week with numerous bulletins to copy and fold...the Seder meal to cook on Thursday with set up on Wednesday...bulletin boards to be done...and practicing music. But, lest we forget the meaning...We ask, "How much do you love me?" "This much," Jesus said. And He spread His arms out and died ~ Christ dying on Good Friday for all our sins...then rising on Easter so we can have eternal life. Now THAT'S AWESOME!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-15249055107786598922010-03-21T22:38:00.000-07:002010-03-21T22:39:34.078-07:00Sunday ~ March 21, 2010<br />Last night in Alaska...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-66028652016028526492010-03-19T20:50:00.002-07:002010-03-19T21:09:13.833-07:00Friday ~ March 19, 2010<br />Back from Anchorage, Jeff and crew fly in tonight and the pickup is waiting for them "on second level, aisle D, about 3/4 of the way down on the left...it's the dirty black Ram" (txt to them). Just about every vehicle in Anchorage~well, in AK~ is dirty because of the wet roads. Temp today in the high 40's and the sun is WARM! Got to visit with our nephew and wife and see our grand~niece play in the state BB tourney. Also, ate at Thai Curry on 4th Street...red curry chicken...you can't go wrong...OR...go away hungry.Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-91071615066200607552010-03-17T15:46:00.002-07:002010-03-17T15:55:35.525-07:00Wednesday ~ March 17, 2010<br />40 BELOW + 83 degrees and the flies are buzzing!<br />Came back from town and drove around the loop to see if any moose were available for viewing with none to be found so parked in the shop...walking to the house a moose was viewing me from the trees. Now, on a good day, my sprinting capabilities are...oh, let's say, .000000000000004 mph...but in the snow, carrying grocieries is different. Fortunately, she was only wanting to browse...and even declined to come out to have her picture taken. <br />The time is getting short...and I'm sad. I LOVE MONTANA...but I also LOVE ALASKA. To choose would be difficult to say the least~~~Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-18487287559270336192010-03-13T22:10:00.002-07:002010-03-13T22:28:48.755-07:00Saturday ~ March 13, 2010<br />A BEAUTIFUL day!!! Drove up to Talkeetna...gazed at our land from the road. Had breakfast at The Roadhouse...and learned that a woman who was hoping to make the first winter climb to Denali summit by a woman had to come down from base camp yesterday after a month of waiting due to low food and not being able to get to the summit by March 21st even tho she could have started climbing today. D.I.S.A.P.P.O.I.N.T.I.N.G...I can't imagine! To top off the day~a cow moose strolled by...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-29915863401710387692010-03-10T15:51:00.002-07:002010-03-10T16:02:53.030-07:00Wednesday ~ March 10, 2010<br />Just walked out to get the mail, walking thru about 14 plus inches of fresh snow, with the majority falling on Monday night. South central Alaska down to the Kenai has been in a winter storm warning with falling and blowing snow...and I'm just staying home with no need to go anywhere...ALTHO I do want to travel up to Talkeetna one day. The work on my projects is going well with one down, two a third of the way done...and next week I'll delve into 'Cleaning Windows Vista for Dummies' and 'Windows Vista for Dummies'. Think I'll learn anything??? The snow is sitting on all the branches about 4 inches...no wind here! And, even if it's not clear the dusks have always been different hues of blue...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-25224972283457489672010-03-06T21:29:00.002-07:002010-03-06T21:41:12.437-07:00Saturday ~ March 6, 2010<br />To Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the 38th Iditarod...best place to watch? From the 3rd floor parking garage. 71 teams starting at 2 minute intervals, but only watched the first 12 or so. Should have watched more because in those first 12 there were mushers from Scotland wearing KILTS...two Jamacian teams...and Kermit. Tomorrow is the restart at Willow where the teams will be using bigger sleds and up to 16 dogs each. They can drop dogs at checkpoints, but cannot pick others up. Yes, the dogs are very well cared for with vets to check on them, booties for their feet, fed and bedded down BEFORE the mushers themselves. The dogs are so eager to run...it's their life and they enjoy it!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-79686184189174419832010-03-05T21:12:00.002-07:002010-03-05T21:27:14.576-07:00Friday ~ March 5, 2010<br />Well, there you are...didn't have to worry about the roads yesterday or today...grocery shopped yesterday, only picked up the mail today just down the road a short way. Tomorrow????? The ceremonial start of the Iditarod is in Anchorage, starting at 10am...so will check the roads out by 8...and, if not icy, will meet my pastor and his wife downtown Anchorage. Karen's sister just happens to have a convention committment and they are visiting with her.<br />Dusk...a different color than at home...blue tinged, with varying shades of blue, and beautiful. The mountain the same color as the sky, the only thing that can be seen are the blue trees in the southern draws. The pictures I've seen are real...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-9153784446807956292010-03-04T11:14:00.002-07:002010-03-04T11:21:10.640-07:00Thursday ~ March 4, 2010<br />The Adams' have landed in Orlando...which means 'the weiner dog' and fish are in charge of me. Poor little Griz, watched for his family to come home last night, but slept well with me and is now snuggled into his blankets on the couch. <br />Today there is light snow; however, I can see the bottom of the mountains...will not go anywhere unless it clears up and I know the roads are decent. Anchorage has snow/blowing snow...and accidents. Hadn't planned on going there until Saturday for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, but those plans may change. Glad I bought bananas last night...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-35918448788087333562010-03-03T00:12:00.002-07:002010-03-03T00:28:45.653-07:00Tuesday ~ March 2, 2010<br />Arrived in Anchorage yesterday afternoon...flying over the Inlet felt like I was coming home. What is it that pulls me to AK??? I have the best of two worlds, living in MT and being in AK...a toss up as to which is best! Met a new friend on the plane and had a wonderful visit...and then, being with our friends again, even knowing they'll be in FL while I stay at their house, just makes me feel so thankful that we can enjoy each other though hundreds of miles apart. My heart is full....Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-83037021378896013832010-02-28T18:05:00.002-07:002010-02-28T18:08:15.860-07:00Sunday ~ February 28, 2010<br />32 days...tomorrow is NORTH TO ALASKA!<br />In those 32 days I did a small remodel job around the wood burner...now it looks all cozy and nice.<br />Packed and ready to go...at 5:45 AM tomorrow!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-85933804020317970882010-01-26T17:51:00.002-07:002010-01-26T17:55:14.127-07:00January 26, 2010 ~ Tuesday<br />Books are all DONE...either to the dump or the library or living in one of three bookcases. I figure I have about 2 years, 59 days, 2 hours and 13 1/2 minutes of reading to do...<br />33 more days and I'll be in Alaska!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-71583034343152425012010-01-16T17:45:00.001-07:002010-01-16T17:46:32.475-07:00January 16, 2010 ~ Saturday<br />Must be warm...something just went flying by...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-46186299571331016822010-01-15T17:41:00.002-07:002010-01-15T17:55:13.920-07:00January 15, 2010 ~ Friday<br />Nice mild weather this week...easy to live with, but snow on the ground still.<br />Bowling...with Wii...yup, it does make one sore...but will play at every chance.<br />150 books on Canada/Alaska, not counting the Mileposts/AK Hwy./AK Camping/AK Wilderness [all to keep and read], will continue cataloging the rest of the books, BUT taking many to the library tomorrow [so far four grocery bags full]. It's taking so long ~ for one: many books...for two: hyperventilating from blowing dust off.Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-29527662943165987322010-01-13T18:09:00.002-07:002010-01-13T18:18:57.386-07:00January 13, 2010 ~ Wednesday<br />My husband's birthday, which he shared with my mom for many years.<br />Today I started catagorizing my Canadian and Alaskan books...just writing them down in a little address book [because it already has the letters on the side] that I can take with me when looking at MORE books in those places. I should buy a Kindle 2...would be less storage space AND it could read to me...going to give that more thought! <br />I also figured out how the Wii works. Well, actually my daughter had to show me, but I bowled, golfed and played tennis. Now all I have to do is find a time when the above mentioned husband isn't watching tv...<br />YUMMY! Tangelos came from AZ today, compliments of our snow-bird next door neighbor!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-73110300567970547912010-01-12T11:14:00.002-07:002010-01-12T11:27:43.027-07:00January 12, 2010 ~ Tuesday<br />Trying to be organized here...and have discipline in my life. Am going through all our food in the pantry...all are facing front and people have been told ~ "If, when you open the door, you don't see it, it's NOT in there"! Also, I'm going to log all of my books (probably over 500, mostly Alaska-based) so I know what not to buy. AND...I WILL start and finish the wedding gift for a nephew and his wife whose 2nd anniversary is this summer!!! Three other things I want to do: make a wedding gift for my niece's wedding this summer...redo my oldest son's baby book...make an album/scrapbook of our trips to AK. I'm planning, too, on just what to take with me to Alaska in March to help accomplish these things...taking very little in the way of luggage.Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-24736604468932600092010-01-11T10:50:00.002-07:002010-01-11T11:20:04.089-07:00January 11, 2010<br />The sunrises and sunsets have been awesome! Soft muted colors to bold ~ HERE I AM ~ ones...and I see both out the 'wood' window to the west. Many don't look west in the morning, but the sun softly colors the skies with pink/lavendar hues, then tinges the tree branches with it's bright light. When almost dark the tree branches sillouette the deep orange/purple sunsets. And then there are the overcast days...fog...snow...rain...sparkly frost on every needle...branches heavy with white. All compliments of our creative God...the one who made all...in six 24 hour days! Many say it took millions, even billions of years to accomplish all this...all the layers needed time to form. Think about this...Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, forming, at once, a huge crater and within days a little 'grand' canyon with all the layers present...rocks were cut through with the rushing waters. Go to answersingenesis.com to learn more. Go to the bible to search for answers. God knows you (Psalm 139)...God has plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11)...God wants you in eternity (John 3:16).Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-39156631353009577242009-10-14T15:13:00.002-06:002009-10-14T15:47:21.519-06:00October 14, 2009 ~ Wednesday<br />The excuses: NONE<br />So...just WHAT <strong>DID</strong>we learn in our travels this year???<br />We learned that edamome with salt is quite tasty<br />We learned that it's easy to get lost in Denver and it's not a whining in the car we heard while lost and raining...it was a tornado siren<br />We learned that there are several different types of blueberries in AK<br />We learned that the USPS takes 5 weeks to deliver berries from AK to WA...hoping it "wasn't an inconvenience" <br />We learned that pootschki is cow parsnip<br />We learned that noosnick is an outhouse<br />We learned that Valdez has abundant snowfall...even 600 pounds overnight<br />We learned that Ninilchik feeds it's refs King Crab at the BB tournaments<br />We learned that Ninilchik has BBQ port tenderloin and clam chowder in freshly baked bread bowls for BB tournament concessions<br />We learned that in AK, 189 moose on Kenai Roads and 199 moose on Seward Hwy had already been killed for the year as of August, 2009<br />We learned that cabbage/broccoli fed moose is very good eating<br />We learned that the best raised crunchy donut sticks are the best at Moose On the Loose Bakery in Soldotna, AK<br />We learned that donut holes are the best at Golden Donuts on Odor and Tudis...oops, Odis and Tudor...in Anchorage<br />BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY we learned that God is always blessing us no matter where we are...with protection while traveling and the opportunity TO travel to see family and friends...and...with our sixth grandchild on 9/9/09, a beautiful healthy baby girl who we were able to hold and love only 2 days after she was born!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-42271154567713143752009-10-02T10:39:00.002-06:002009-10-02T10:52:00.624-06:00October 2, 2009 ~ Friday<br />OK...so this isn't about what we learned on our journey...that will be next. A couple weddings...one last weekend and one this weekend...are very much more important. Last week we went to Sandpoint, ID for our greatniece's wedding...a good visit with relatives and all with beautiful weather, unlike this weekend where, in Sister, OR, where it's usually in the 70's and sunny, snow is predicted...and the wedding is OUTSIDE. Might be interesting... Last week's wedding was interesting, too, in that the groom kinda broke his ankle 2 days before...yup, at the bachelor party, but they still did stand up and say their vows while he teetered on his booted foot.Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-47255601015775952532009-09-19T19:33:00.002-06:002009-09-19T19:50:37.671-06:00September 19, 2009 ~ Saturday<br />REALLY...we haven't been 'stuck' in Canada in limbo...just haven't had time or been able to connect to the www until now. So...from The Shepherd's Inn (where some 20 miles north the real wilderness begins...the last flush toilet rest area) to Grande Cache (on the Bighorn Hwy 40 in AB...they SAID they had WiFi!) to 20 miles north of the Yellowhead Hwy (where we received a txt that our little Karsyn Kay~6th grandchild~had been born...OF COURSE she's perfect!!!) to Shadow Mountains RV (several miles south of Radium Hot Springs, with WiFi but no time to blog) to the border (lots of questions, but they let us in anyway) and overnight at home in Whitefish. Then, onto, our son's home to meet, hold and love Karsyn...and where I could not AGAIN connect. Awesome visit with family and friends, then home again on Tuesday...to find that the server was down for the day which coincided with our router not working after the server was again up. Still not on everytime we want to be...and I'm tired of chatting, over 6 hours in the last three days. Stay tuned to find out important things learned on our journey...Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-68605938146036613912009-09-07T22:43:00.003-06:002009-09-08T18:55:19.768-06:00September 7, 2009 ~ Labor Day Monday<br />From Haines Jct. to Teslin to Liard Hot Springs to The Shepherd's Inn, 40 miles north of Fort St. John and about 840 miles from our Montana home. Leaving Haines Jct. we drove to Whitehorse, stopping at the SS Klondike, a sternwheeler that cruised the Yukon River, gobbling thousands of cords of wood a season at 1 to 1 1/2 cords an HOUR, transporting much needed supplies and people wanting to make their fortunes between this town and Dawson City and beyond during the gold rush era. Our next stop for the night was at Teslin (Yukon Motel and RV has THE BEST laundry ever!!!)...in the wind and sprinkles...after having crossed the third longest bridge on the Alaska Highway at Johnson's Crossing several miles north. The longest bridge on the highway we'll cross the next morning on our way to Watson Lake, the last stop in the Yukon. There we see the young couple who has been hitch-hiking from Haines Jct., having beat us to both Whitehorse and here...we having the motor power, they having the thumb-power. About 30 bison were on the roadsides when we approached Liard Hot Springs where we stayed last night...in the pouring rain. Nope...didn't make the trek to the springs...did I mention COLD rain? And...it's still raining after traveling over 400 miles today... Consolation: a lemon/cream cake bought in Watson City...<strong></strong>YUM!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-54453878621178991172009-09-05T09:20:00.004-06:002009-09-07T22:15:03.586-06:00September 4, 2009 ~ Friday<br />Haines Jct., Yukon Territory...the junction to Haines (where there are hundreds of eagles and across the canal from Skagway) or Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway. Someday...SOMEDAY...we'll go to Haines. This time it'll be the Alaska Highway, staying in Teslin tonight, then Liard Hot Springs Sunday. Of course, the phone number for reservations is hiding SOMEWHERE in this camper, plus it's a long weekend for the Canadians, resulting in possibly no camping site at Liard. There is no termination dust on these mountains and it rained most of the night...doesn't even appear that a frost has hit here yet, but 99% of the way yesterday the colors again stood out along the road and on the hillsides. Most of the day was cloudy or overcast, making it all the more brilliant to the lens.Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1975728827329229929.post-34468204066465410402009-09-03T10:13:00.003-06:002009-09-03T11:22:53.716-06:00September 3, 2009 ~ Thursday<br />We are on our way out...in an awesome display of color (colour in CA, eh...), leaves of berry bushes in a carpet turning different hues of red and gold with the dark green backdrop of the black spruce and lighter green of the not-yet-all-turned aspen. And when the trunks are wet from rain the leaves stand out all the more. One more night in AK, then onto the border, CA and the frostheaves to Kluane Lake...guess we'll have to decide soon which way we'll drive down, but I think it'll be on the Alaska Hwy as the Cassiar takes more alertness due to narror roads, some gravel and more wildlife. OK...now I want to go~THAT~way...SIGH! It's suppose to be sunny and in the high 60's at Talkeetna this week...hard to leave then, BUT by the time we arrive in MT we'll have a new grandbaby to meet and love!Chrysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11601040201225530272noreply@blogger.com0