Chuck, Short and Stout, and I recently had an opportunity to borrow some 4-wheelers so to explore the land around the house where we are interested in living.
I carried my bear spray but in the midst of the thick woods it seemed terribly inadequate (the photos were NOT taken where I considered the woods to be scary and thick bear havens). At one point, I told Chuck to lead us out of there because it was suddenly apparent (to me anyway) that going out there without a gun was just plain irresponsible. It was really fun while it lasted though. Riding reminded me of being out in “The Woods” with sister on our three-wheeler. It is nice to have wind in your hair.
I was trying to photograph everybody.
We got ambitious this weekend and decided to drive to the entrance to Donnelly Lake and hike the half a mile to the lake. No big deal really…except I was supposed to help carry the canoe. I told Chuck before we ever left I could NOT help carry the canoe a half a mile and if this trip was dependent on me carrying the canoe to cancel it. The canoe is heavy and awkward and I am not a man. So before we left, Chuck decided he could put the boat on his back and carry it himself. When we got there he decided the trail was grassy enough to drag the boat. I tried to help lift it over the rocky spots but I couldn’t help much. When we were about halfway there it began to rain. We had our rain jackets on but our jeans got soaked through early on. Short and stout was pretty tore up about being wet and started to complain about mud soaked boat, so it was decided that Short and Stout and I would call it quits. Chuck walked us back to the truck and we took off leaving him there so he could continue with his fishing adventure. I told him not to come back without fish for the freeze and you know what he did? He threw the only two big ones he caught back.
Also in recent Alaska activity news…
We were invited to a party at Karla’s house! Karla is someone I felt as though I knew well before we arrived in Delta Junction. She writes a blog that I studied in its entirety in preparation of our epic move. Check it out yourself here at: http://karla-alaskaandbeyond.blogspot.com/
Strangely, she also works for Courtney. Delta Junction is truly a small town.
Much like Courtney and Jeff’s causal get together, we found that Karla and Brent’s party was also something might be seen in the pages of a country living type of magazine. Unfortunately, I didn’t make time to photograph the event.
When we got the invitation, I asked if we could bring anything to contribute and Karla insisted we would need nothing at all. Upon arrival, we found that was indeed the case as she supplied everything from salsa to kids’ games. The assortment of beverages was almost as impressive as the spread of food Karla prepared. She even had cut lemons and limes to go with the drinks! We enjoyed tilapia tacos (or burritos?) with coleslaw, cheese, lettuce, and salsa. She had a crock pot full ground beef seasoned to taco perfection as well.
The company was great too. Karla’s party guests varied in age from 3 to 60-ish. Chuck was fully entertained listening to Brent’s bear baiting stories and moose hunting tips. I only wish we could have stayed longer.
Oh, and I left with a case of cabin envy. They have the perfect set up in the woods. Their cabin is small and so “Goldilocks and The Three Bears” perfect. Their spot in the woods is remote enough and bordered by a field that the kids were allowed to freely roam.
10 Comments
Hey - Ya'll are looking to be dressed like it is cold up there...It is summer now:-)It is going to be in the low 80's down here this weekend, crazy, huh? Oh yeah, I am planning to take Laura to the library on Saturday to look at your blog, so get any pics you want her to see on here by then. You know she will not get to look at it often. Looks like you guys are having fun! Wow, it has almost been a month hasn't it, time sure passes fast!
ReplyDeleteI;m so glad you guys are taking the bull by the horns, are up for anything to explore your new place, and are ajusting quickly! Beatuiful photos!
ReplyDeleteVery well said Katie and my sentiments exactly. If you're going to do something by golly do it and enjoy it. Don't whine about what you've left. What's gone is gone. Just write your mama a letter every now and then and say my name sometimes so Charley won't forget me. Just kidding. I am TRULY happy you are enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteOk these comments are really throwing a kink into my next post. But thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteAhh don't worry about it. I'm tough. Hit us with it.
ReplyDeleteHold up hold up hold up. Did you say this Brent person had "bear BAITING stories"??? Why you wanna a catch a bear for.. huh? That ain't right. Cuz bears is sceery. I would most definitely try to invent the most detestable to bears bear repellent that could ever be conceived if I was involved in the Alaska world.. which I am now.. by default... soooo I guess I have to make that happen so I can save everyone's lives. Aw, man. I got a lot goin on.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found some good friends, sister. It makes me happy that ya'll are happy. I really want to come visit and see your new home. I miss riding three wheelers (or ATV's/four wheelers as they say these days) with you, too. Well, except the parts where I'm on the back while you're driving, and you hit a big bump that makes my sandaled foot pop off my tiny designated portion of the foot peg, and then we immediately decend upon another small hill which somehow vacuums my (did I say SANDALED?) foot underneath the back right tire, albeit unbeknownst to you, the driver, who then then recognizes that you aren't getting the "traction" you desire (most likely because of said sandaled foot under said back tire), so you rev the engine (almost) as hard as you can; thereby, causing said back tire to spin mercilessly upon the poor sandaled foot as it lies helplessly pinned betwixt this (said) tire and the cold, hard, branchy, barbed, and probably parasite ridden earth. I don't miss that part. But all the rest.... TOTES.
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ReplyDeleteI know bear baiting threw me too. And when Chuck said HE was going to bait bear in our yard, I threw him also. Across the yard. I say, no way, no how. Don't worry about that. NOT going to happen.
ReplyDeleteYou done messed up and now you have to invent the most detestable bear spray in the world.
The image of your skinny foot rolling up under the back wheel is so clear in my mind. Good times, good times.
LOL. Bear baiting...for hunting bear. It's actually pretty good meat. Though I agree with Hayley, in the yard is a bit much. Luckily we have the two dogs, and some big guns, when the kiddos aren't around.
ReplyDeleteThat party was nothing...you just wait until Girls' Night. :) Can't wait to hang out more...we really were happy you could come and meet the parents!! :)
oooohhh girls night! Don't forget to invite me!!! Really!
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