Swanson Family Summer

Swanson family had a very busy summer, traveling, fishing, vacationing and just plain enjoying nature. Pete spent June commercial fishing (drift-netting) in Bristol Bay.  Claire went back to her favorite place on earth, Port Alsworth for camp and visiting friends.  She flew over to NakNek with the Vantrease family for a few days after camp.  Kirsten stayed very busy working 3 different jobs here in Homer and taking care of the house, yard, gardens, Kate, Chai and the chickens.  I was lucky enough to take a wonderful girlfriend trip with 3 of my best pals.  We used to live in Sitka together.  We all met at Renae's house in Atlanta.  We went zip-lining, hiked in a beautiful spa resort, and loved hanging out together.  Renae and I paddle-boarded the Chattahoochee River since we had an extra day together.

 I drove to NC to tour Asheville and the beautiful and amazing Biltmore mansion.  Afterwards I drove to Uncle Roger's and Aunt Marsha's and was able to visit with them.  What a treat to visit with family who I rarely get to see.

The local town was celebrating flowers and since the mascot for McNeil Canyon Elementary School is the dragon, I had to pose with the dragon.

 Next, I drove to Charleston, NC where I got to spend the weekend with Karl who is just finishing up Navy Nuclear Power School.  He took me paddle-boarding again, and then we took a wilderness refuge high speed jet ski tour!  Super fun!

 When Karl was at school, I spent time checking out the tourist sites and taking walks.

 I flew back to Alaska for 1 day before turning around with Claire and heading to Idaho.  Claire and I stayed with my dear friend Paula who gave us a tour of Northwest Nazarene University.

 Claire and I drove to Missoula from Boise where we met up with Pete and Robert and Shelley's family to spend some time in Glacier National Park.

 We had huckleberry everything while in the park and around the area.  We had awesome campsites the entire time.

 Robert took us on a 'short' hike that went straight up!  We got a real workout, including blisters and sunburns.  Luckily we could buy water at the lodge at the top since all of us were out of water.

 After Glacier, we took Claire to Missoula for a tour of the university there before heading to the family reunion in Idaho.

 It is always a privilege to worship together with extended family and friends on Sunday morning in Idaho.  We were missing mom and dad this year, my sisters, and both Karl and Kirsten.

 Claire tried her luck at knife throwing!  Wouldn't want to get in her way!

 Lunch at my favorite fly-fishing river in the world.  I sure missed my dad whom I have fished with here nearly 38 years.

 After returning to Homer, we started school and three weeks later flew down to CA to help with and watch Kirsten perform her senior year recital.  We had an awesome time playing in the sun, paddle-boarding, and of course enjoying her singing at both PLNU and Magic Mountain where she sang with the jazz band.

 Kirsten got a new Thule rack for her car to transport paddleboards.  We are all hooked!

Now we all settle into our jobs and school.  Claire is working hard at her senior year, helping out with the youth group and leading worship in both youth group and church.