Summer Vacations

We were able to get away twice this summer for some fun vacation time. In June, over Scott's birthday, we went to Jackson Hole for a week. We stayed at my sister and brother-in-law's house in Victor, Id which is just over the pass from Jackson. I don't think we've ever had such a relaxing vacation. We had no agenda and just did whatever sounded good at the time. We went on quite a few bike rides and fished in the ponds just out the back door. It was some much needed down time. Scott's dad and the Leavitts (we missed you Emma) from California came for a few days so Mercedes had some playmates. It was hard to come back to the real world.

In August we were able to go visit my parents in Alaska. They've finally settled in Haines, which is north up the Lynn Canal from Juneau. It's quite a trek to get there. The flight got into Seattle in the evening with a 3 hour layover, then into Juneau where we arrived at 11pm (Alaska time) and had the catch the slow ferry into Haines at midnight. We crashed in a cabin and docked in Haines at 4:30 am. I was worried about Aspen doing ok on the trip, but the girls did great.

Alaska is so beautiful! At least where my parents live it is. The ocean and forests and glaciers - it's just so different from the ranching community in Montana where I grew up. There's wild berries all over, which is great fun for the kids. We got to go out on my Dads boat, the Legacy, and sight see. We went to a wildlife park that filmmaker Steve Kroschel has set up by Mosquito Lake. We saw wolves, reindeer, moose, porcupines, lynx and many more in and almost petting zoo type scenario. I got a little nervous when they brought the lynx out on a leash - then took the leash off and just had it sit by them. We went into Skagway one day to do the touristy thing; most of the cruise ships stop there. Dad does most of his electrical work in Skagway when he's not fishing. We looked for bears up the Chilkat, but it was too early in the season. We left church early because the power had gone out and right after we left a bear decided to show up. That's what get for skipping church! It was sunny and warm the entire time we were there. Scott had to leave before me and girls and I was worried about making the trip back myself. It went well - we took the fast ferry (2 hours instead of 4) to Juneau, stayed the night and took the 6am flight out the next morning. I can't wait to go back!