July 2012

Pete and were lucky enough to have about 10 days of vacationing around the West with just the two of us.  We were headed to a class in Jackson Hole, WY but ended up having some days beforehand to explore and camp, and a few days after before picking up our kids in Boise to join us.  We had an excellent trip.  We went to Teton village ski area in Jackson.

 We took every scenic byway we could along the way and saw some beautiful country.  Wow!  What a great trip.  The antler arches are in Jackson, WY.

 We drove to Meteetse to visit the Cooley's at their new Cowboys with a Mission YWAM base.  We loved it and hope to go back and help them in the summer with some physical facility work.  We explored some of the dirt roads and found this beautiful river in a nearby forested area.

 The girls enjoyed a little cooling off in the river.

 The Cooley's entryway :)

 Pete and I visited the Cody, WY famous museum, Wild Bill Historical Center.  If you are ever in the neighborhood, you must stop by.  My favorite part was the gun collection that was used in "Bonanza" by some of my favorite cowboys!

 Backside of Teton National Park.

 Pete and I found this isolated reservoir the night before we returned to Boise to pick up our kids.  It was warm, but not hot, and breezy.

 One of the scenic byways was at this amazing waterfall and museum.  It is possibly one of my new favorite places in the entire world!  The falls were spectacular and the museum a hidden jewel.

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