a WILD day!

First of all---when dropping Adam off at work, we saw 2 moose roaming the edge of the parking lot! Once Adam was on his way, I headed over to take pictures, but only saw one moose (I think a yearling)---mama was nowhere to be seen, but I'm sure she was watching me!!!

Then Mom and I decided to go on an adventure and hike near the waterfall on Seward highway (McNeu?!?) Mom said, "I have a good feeling about the moose today." I agreed and said, "I'd like to see a bear--at a safe distance." (we both had bear mace, just incase)

The first animal we saw on the trail were.....ptarmigans. Alaska's state bird--and similar to the pheasant/quail for bird hunting! There was a mother with about 4-5 chicks. The chicks scattered, but the mom could've cared less about us. We walked right past her and she clucked a little bit--but that was all!

The second animal we came across was a black bear and he was so close we could have thrown a rock and hit him! As we turned a corner, he was walking in the brush-we could just see the top of his head and back-mom said, "Oh my gosh, what is that?!?!" and she latched on to my arm!! It was pretty exciting once we figured out it was bear and it wasn't very interested in us. We made sure he knew we were there--but he just kept on his way.

About 30ft further down the path, we came around another bend.....and BAM there was a huge moose(female), just staring at us. The first thing I did was start backing up and said, "I hope she doesn't have a baby!" Then mom pulled be back further/quicker and pointed at her calf while saying, "UM, she DOES!" So we just froze, the mom starred us down and the baby kept eating leaves. We waited her out, she didn't show any signs of stress/anger (thank goodness!) But she was rather calm---looking around, eating, and keeping an eye on us. After about 10 minutes of waiting, the mama and baby walked away!

We went on a 3 hour hike (1way) up the mountain--going down went a lot faster! Eventually the path turned into...animal trails! We were headed towards the lake-supposedly we were on the Lake McNeu/Rabbit path---BUT WE NEVER FOUND THE LAKE!! We finally turned around once we hit the tree line.....we had to find our way back and we were satisfied with the views! Afterall we saw MORE wildlife....another ptarmigan family and 2 HUGE bull moose. The scenery was gorgeous and we had wild raspberries along the way.

Today's animal count...

6 moose

10-12 ptarmigan

1 black bear
...................who knows how many we walked past! Mom and I are worried about getting out of bed tomorrow---we are already sore from the hike/climb--what a great workout!

Adam is being overloaded with information at his residency-but he loves it!!! Mom and I have been a little worried the past 2 nights--it's like he is locked in a closet-no just kidding---he is just SO BUSY and learning so much that when he comes home--he gets EXTRA goofy/silly! It has been interesting!

I have my first school/principal interview on Tuesday morning! Potential Pre-K, K, and 2nd grade! PERFECT!

Mom has two days left---we have to pack them full!!! Plans are to shop for the grandchildren, go to the weekend market, grill some steak, skype with Brandon/Deanna's family, and maybe play some more raquetball. I think you should know that mom whooped me last night--literally--she nailed me in the stomach--I even had a welt! Next match, I'll put her against Adam and let them duke it out!

It's called FISHING...not catching!!!

Oh my goodness---there is so much to talk about!!! Since the last time I wrote--we have gone camping, playing at Kincaid Park, watching the Air Force jets, and enjoying the Alaskan views! Oh....and Dad left last night :(

-Kincaid Park was a blast!! Poor Adam had to work, but the 'rents and I got to play! Mom enjoyed picking up rocks and drift wood while Dad balanced on the logs and watched the commercial planes landing. I enjoyed the sun, took pictures, and carried mom's rocks!! Oh--and Dad started to be a "Grumpy Gus" from the steep/long hike, but turned it into making jokes and I almost peed my pants....twice! The best hike EVER!

-Since Dad LOVE LOVE LOVES anything that flies (well that isn't a bird or insect!) the commercial airplanes/jets were a tease. Plus-we live a few blocks from the air force base, so we see and HEAR many....many jets everyday. On his last day here, we took him to base and sat in a parking lot--watching the jets take-off and land. It was actually pretty cool and EXTREMELY LOUD!

-Other free time included......

*Seeing a BIG bull moose on the side of the road right next to the hospital!!!

*Watching the Coast Guard take off from the dock

*Enjoying the view of Anchorage, mountains, the bay from Flat Top mountain. We didn't

actually hike to the TOP this time (the beach hike was enough!!)

**************Also....we went FISHING (not to be confused with "catching"). We camped in Soldotna Fri/Sat/Sun. Again--we met some GREAT people who were more than happy to chat and give us some tips. Unfortunately-we STILL weren't able to land a salmon! Mom, dad, and Adam had their share of fish on---landing those stinkers is the trick! (I never even had one on!!) There are more salmon hooked and lost than actually landed and enjoyed for dinner! Kind of frustrating! BUT MOM DID CATCH A DOLLY....similar to a trout---it was yuuuummmmy, grilled over the fire! Our camping neighbors are current Alaskan residents, so they were able to "dip-net"--they ended up with 25 salmon and SOOOOOOOOO kindly gave us one. Dad grilled it up for dinner (his favorite food!) and it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!!!! Now we all have the taste/craving for salmon....we'll keep trying!!!

-Adam has been enjoying his residency so far--even though it has been orientations and training! His co-workers are awesome and every single one of them likes to talk about outdoor activities--which happens to be fishing right now-perfect for Adam!

-I had my "formal" interview and was hired with Anchorage School District---now it is finding the right match for school, administration, community, etc. YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

BIG day

Wow--we had a long, busy, but EXCITING day! Poor Adam had to work aaallllll day--but mom, dad, and I drove out of Anchorage and had some fun!

-First thing in the morning, I found dad outside guarding our garbage from the Ravens. These gigantic, pesky birds were tearing apart our garbage and making a huge mess! We are going to buy dad a sling-shot today! jk

-We drove down Seward highway--first stop was at Potter's Marsh---a bird's heaven! We saw adorabe seagull chicks!

-Next we stopped at the waterfall---we could see fish in the clear water! WE ALSO SAW A MOOSE!!!! It was a young (yearling I think) cow--she was pretty chill and fun to watch. We were pretty close--got a great video-hopefully it will upload! Mom and Dad's FIRST MOOSER!

-Beluga Point was a disappointment....again--no Belugas!

-The Dall Sheep were coming down the mountain to eat along the road and lick the leftover salt from winter. We saw a mom and her baby--up-close and personal! ADORABLE!

-We made a stop at the Alaskan wild life conservation and refuge--my parents just HAD to see what a great place it is....and the baby moose! Everything was out and about this time, except the brown/grizzly bears--they were pretty tired and napping the entire time we were there. BUT we did see the moose calves get bottle fed--one woman went in with 4 bottles and was "attacked"! She told us their names, their survival stories, and where they'll be going next. We enjoyed a nice little picnic before moving on down the road.

-Mom and dad could not get over the mountains---I'll say it again--words and pictures do not do them justice, they are absolutely breathe taking! One mountain still had snow and then flowers growing about 20 feet below the snow! Insane beauty! We also saw a couple bald eagles flying along the trees/mountains!

-The main point of the road trip was to reserve our camping spot in Soldontka for this weekend. The reds are abundant now and people are already there fishing/camping! We were actually lucky to get a spot (on Wednesday) for the weekend. We saw several fish brought in and also some lucky ones that managed to get off the line. A few monsters were landed-unbelievable! WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR DAD TO FISH FOR SALMON!!!!!!!!!

-We stopped at a gas station on the way out of town--we JUST missed Karl Melome (Utah Jazz)......all of the workers were "star-struck" and going nuts. He must be up there fishing too! Maybe we'll run into him this weekend and him and Adam can play a little 1-on-1! HAHAHA