June 2012

June in Alaska is one of our favorite times.  The snow begins to melt, baby moose abound and things begin to turn green.  We love it!  Karl spent the summer gill netting this year with Captain Petska on the Tazlina.  He had a great season.

 A scene from our yard in front of our house :)

 In June, Claire went to Camp Tanilian with Mariah.  They left Soldotna on this little plane.  The girls were fine but I (mom) was a little nervous.  After camp, Claire went to Nak Nek again and spent a week with the Vantrease family taking care of the fishing lodge.

 Pete got to spend an opener on the baot with Bruce and Karl.  He thought it was great.  He even came home talking about buying a boat and a permit.  Yikes.

 This is the view from Karl's dock.  A cruise ship was in and Whittier still had a lot of snow.

 One of my favorite things to do in the summer is garden.  This is my mini rock garden in the early spring. 

Claire and Kate hanging out in the warm(er) air enjoying a day off.

Summer 2012 - Trailer torture

After buying a small boat and trailer from CA friends, our neighbors agreed to haul it up for us.  The trailer continued to break down, over and over until finally it was parked in Burwash Landing, Yukon territory for Pete and Lenore to pick up.  It actually turned into a beautful trip with wonderful sightseeing... the cheap boat and trailer ended up costing 5 times as much as we bought it for to get it to Alaska!  Yikes.... life in Alaska.

 We saw 7 bears, mostly Grizzlies.  One mamma and 2 cubs right by the road snacking away.

 We had parts of the old trailer tied on the room, in the boat, in the back seat....everywhere!

 The view one evening on the way home.  Somewhere in the Yukon. 

More breathtaking views of the Yukon.

In Pete's haste to get back on the road, he wrecked his brand new trailer that he had bought in Anchorge earler that morning.  Yikes.  In Tok, he borrowed a drill, and used zip ties to stitch up the damage.  A true Alaska McGyver.  All it cost was some canned salmon!

 We camped at a beautiful BLM campground on the Alaska side of the border.  We will stay there again.  It as magnificent.

 Lucky, Kluane lake was only about 1/4 mile from where our trailer died.  We simply dragged it over to the lake dock, unloaded the boat and put her back on the new trailer.  Then the real work began of trying to take the old trailer apart so w could haul it back to Alaska. 

 Camping on the way to the Yukon at the BLM campground.

Summer 2012 - Taylor/Swanson Camping

 Every year the Swansons and our good friends the Taylors take a trip together camping or canoeing for a few days.  This year we went to Hidden Lake.  Kirsten shows off by carrying the canoe up the hill by herself. 

 Pete made fajitas on the outdoor wok donated to the cause by the Cooleys... who were VERY MUCH missed! 

 Late night card playing in the camper.  How does David always win?

 In between rain we enjoyed sitting outside :)  Camping in Alaska.

Winter 2012

Kirsten and Claire graduate

Grandpa and Grandma Swanson came to Alaska to visit us and help celebrate graduations!  Kirsten graduated from high school with flying colors and Claire finished up the 8th grade.  Claire went with some of her class to Washington D.C.  the day after school ended.  Kirsten went straight to work...several different jobs to earn money for college.

Claire graduates from 8th grade

 Grandpa and Karl enjoyed hanging out.

One of Kirsten's summer jobs was working at the local garden center.

 Traven shared a couple of leis with Kirsten.  They were Presiet and Vice President of the student body.

Claire and Mariah got to play the graduation march for Kirsten's class.