Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier

I want to start this journal entry with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out to my most favorite Daughter-in-Law, Becky (she’s my only DIL, and I love her as if she were my bio-daughter). I wish we all lived closer to one another, so that we could spend these special occasions with each other. I did get a chance to talk to her on the phone, which was very nice.

Becky is an avid reader, and she loves the classics. After talking to Brandon on the phone last week, and picking his brain to get some ideas about what to get her for her birthday, I decided to send her two leather bound collections of the works of the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen. According to Brandon, there was an audible “SQUEEEE” when she opened the package, and Becky confirmed her joy at receiving the books when I spoke to her today. I’m so glad she liked them.

We’ve had sunshine both yesterday and today. What a mood lifter! I spent both days outdoors so I could absorb as much of the light as possible. It’s amazing how endless rain and cloudy skies can wreak havoc on not only mood, but energy levels too. I accomplished many errands, and spent time with friends.

Yesterday, I met my friends Abby and Dawn for a late breakfast. We chose The Bakery, as they serve breakfast all day long. Our get-together, unfortunately, wasn’t for the happiest of reasons. Dawn - a military spouse - and her family, are moving to Fort Huachuaca, Arizona next week. It was a farewell breakfast.

Abby gifted Dawn with some of her beautiful jewelry, and I gave her a framed/matted Northern Lights photo so she would always remember her time in Alaska.  We’re both going to miss her a lot. Godspeed Dawn and family!

I ran some errands afterwards, and since I had Sedona waiting patiently in the car for me, I made a stop at Creamers Field for a walk. Again, I found myself mesmerized by the bright yellow flowers in one of the far fields. The colors were absolutely magnificent! The sky was a deep blue with white fluffy clouds, the far off trees were hunter green, the recently tilled soil was a rich brown, and the tall grass was green and topped with beige “feathers” and fluorescent yellow flowers. What a treat for the eyes!

Here are a few more photos I took at Creamers Field:

While I was standing there taking photos, I heard the loud trumpeting of sandhill cranes. I turned my face to the skies and watched the silhouette of dozens of these large birds fly overhead. They soon landed in a nearby field and were joined by many more. (I read online that a group of cranes is called a herd, seige,  or sedge). Perhaps my memory isn’t very clear, but I don’t think the cranes returned to Creamers Field last year until late August or early September. I hope their arrival doesn’t signify an early autumn. We’ve barely had a summer season!

Last night, Steve and I joined Randy and Celeste at Silver Gulch Brewery in Fox, for dinner. This was yet another farewell gathering. We had a fabulous meal, and as always, fabulous company. We continued socializing back at their cabin, ending the evening with a nightcap before saying our goodbyes. We’re really going to miss them a lot, as they are a couple that meshed quite well with Steve and I. I hate goodbyes.

Yesterday was not only the day that I said farewell to wonderful friends, but also the day that Lisa was laid to rest. Throughout the day, my thoughts turned to my brother and his sons and I sent them love and strength across the miles.

I spoke to Mike this morning and we talked about the funeral. His son, David, works for the Bensalem Police Department. The funeral procession had a full police escort (with many officers in attendance) from the viewing, to the mass, and onward to the cemetery. They halted traffic along the way, so everyone could proceed without worry of traffic lights. Mike was very touched by the gesture. What a lovely display of respect and honor for Lisa.

Steve and I are leaving tomorrow for Valdez. Since Steve had to work today, it was my responsibility to do the grocery shopping in preparation for the trip.  Steve does the grocery shopping, and there’s a reason for that: I hate grocery shopping with a passion.  I’d much rather clean the entire house and do 20 loads of laundry than go to the grocery store.

After getting that chore done, and still in shock from the prices on some of the food ($4.40 for a gallon of milk?! I’m so glad we only drink a gallon every 10 days or so), I began loading the camper with food, linens, and other supplies. I pulled the memory foam mattress topper off the guest room bed and put it on the camper bed. Hopefully it will help alleviate the back aches.

After Steve came home, the two of us continued loading the camper. I think we’re done now - except for our clothes, the coffee pot, and the furkid supplies. We’ll finish up in the morning before we get on the road.

I’m looking forward to this time away for a variety of reasons. First and foremost - I just love the drive down the Richardson Hwy.  Second, I love Valdez and we haven’t been there yet this summer. Steve’s planning to catch a lot of salmon to finish stocking our freezer.  I’m going to take a few books that our friend Gip loaned me, and see if I can get some reading done.

The weather forecast doesn’t look very promising. Looks like rain is in the forecast for the weekend. Our luck, the sun will continue to shine brightly here in Fairbanks while we’re gone. The day we come home, it will probably start raining again.

My hope is that I’ll be able to get online while we’re down there. If I can’t, I’ll have a ton of photos to share when we get back to North Pole.

Until next time…