Valdez

So very long ago, like two weeks, we drove to Valdez. It was a 5-hour trip one-way from Wasilla. It was also a work trip because a co-worker & I went to support a Women's Health Fair that one of our AmeriCorps Members organizes annually. Since the event was on a Saturday, we traveled Friday and that meant Andy could come along (and be the driver!). It was neat because we had never been to Valdez before.

The weather forecast was proven wrong because we had gorgeous sunshine on the Glenn Highway, showcasing the fall colors, canyons, mountains and glaciers. (glacier on right-hand side of picture, below)

My co-worker and I enjoyed chattering the entire drive, which goes through Glennallen, passing great views of Wrangell-St. Elias, and thru Thompson Pass. The Pass takes you into the mountains before you coast down into the tiny sea-level town, where Alaska's gas pipe line ends at the Port of Valdez. Thompson Pass has tons of waterfalls you drive by!Then we stared at Worthington Glacier, which climbs all the up a very big mountain. How old was that ice and the path it has traveled? The 3 of us marveled at its immenseness. This picture only captures the glacier's base.The AmeriCorps Member and her husband took us on a comprehensive tour (for a place with a population of about 4200), and we learned about the health issues she works on. The Health Fair was great! She called it "A Time For Her." There were massage therapists, health screeners, crafts, food and prizes. We were trained on the hearing screen test. I actually sent out the tones and had ladies raise their hands when they heard them. I think this speciality is something I can add to my resume! ha.

While we worked, Andy fished. A fine silver salmon was brought home in a cooler, but he actually wanted more considering all the fish we had hit our lines later on. In our free time we also attempted a hike in the drizzle--that was until I spotted a black bear cub rustling around in the brush along the trail not far away from us. When I shouted, "BEAR!" it looked at me for a moment before rustling away. We wondered about Mama Bear and began our exit.

Other wildlife was a-plenty in Valdez, not far away from the Alyeska oil terminal that processes North Slope oil and ships it south...we were highly amused by the belching sea lions feeding in our salmon fishing spot!

The marine mammals were much better fishermen than Andy. We have another clip of a feeding and the seagulls descending on the spot. I could practically hear them shout "Mine! Mine! Mine!" (obscure movie reference anyone?).

Nice work-sponsored weekend getaway taking us to another beautiful area of this amazing state.

*Amy

Fallin' For Fall

During the Labor Day weekend holiday we took a day to explore more of nearby Hatcher's Pass by driving its entire loop from Willow to Wasilla. It was a great fall day to see the historic mining district and I knew it'd be good scenery because Denali (Mt. McKinley) was staring right back at us, already snow-covered. We played good tunes and smelt the pungent fall aroma of rotting leaves, plants and moisture.A week ago the leaves and countryside were just starting to change their seasonal colors.Already these colors are outdated! How quickly we slide into Awesome Autumn.Chameleon colors or mutant foliage?Soon we'll share some more of the golden hues from our recent trip to Valdez, but it's time to start another work week...

*Amy

In August I spent 10 days in Council with G1, G2, and good family friends (Jim, Jeff, Toby, Matt, Simon, Kevin, and of course the Mike W. family) to help construct the Gorn family cabin. When I arrived G1 had already started working on the foundation. Of course, without the extra timber supplied by Mike work would have come to an abrupt halt, thanks Mike.

After the foundation was in it was time to start pounding some wood together. Reinforcements and extra labor arrived to help speed the process along.

Once the cap was on it was time to start putting together the first floor walls. G1 had a pretty good plan put together. Not a single wall was stood up until it was complete all he way down to the siding. It worked out pretty damn well.

It seemed to take a bit of time, but eventually the men with skills were working on the second floor. It was about this time that Matt and I started up the Logging and Timber Union. We knocked down some trees and made a circle drive in an effort to stay out of the way of men with carpentry skill.

Matt and Jim also started up the local Plumbing Union and made some improvements on the outhouse. Nicely done.

Lots of hard work and long days for the construction crew paid off when the second floor started coming together. Don't get me wrong, there was a little bit of time to talk stupid and drink some cold ones though.

It all paid off in the end. Many happy memories yet to come at the cabin.

Shroom-Tastic!

Before I referenced the large mushrooms growing in our yard. Here are just a couple of the varieties we discovered while walking around one rainy week.Those white dots on top means it's toxic and not meant for our garden salads.At least shrooms are a sign you have a healthy yard! It's a bit fun to check out the latest to "pop up."

*Amy

Last Bits of Summer

Fairing Well

Ahh, Americana...over-eating fried food, navigating the crowds, the mixture of smells, squeals from the rides, the pride of earning a cheap prize, bumping into people you know, dust, hay, crafts, concerts...what's not to love about a State Fair?

Andy & I grew up going to some of the best of the Midwest. We know how to "Fair It." I was so excited this year to experience my first Great Get Together in the Northern-most state. Though smaller in size and offerings, the spirit & heart is huge near Palmer.

One of our great views from the top of the Ferris wheel.

We went with the crowds Saturday because of our tickets to see comedian Bill Engvall. He was better than expected and we enjoyed the show from the outdoor Borealis Theatre.

The Alaska State Fair's claim to fame is its GIANT vegetables, most of which are grown right in the Valley. We toured around a barn that appeared to be on STEROIDS! The cabbage, below, on the far left is 90 lbs. The farmer claims he will bring in two more that are 50% bigger. If so, it could be world-record cabbage.Upon seeing the giant mushrooms entered for ribbons, I concluded that we'll submit our own for competition next year. In our yard we have as big if not bigger toxic shrooms. What a claim to fame that'd be! One of my favorite moments was watching a solo alpaca chew it's cud with the intensity of having ADD.

My most favorite moment, though, was discovering the only stand to serve batter-fried cheese curds. The line was lengthy but Andy encouraged me to stick it out, and it didn't take that long afterall. The pay-off was worth it!

The people-watching alone is always a bonus at a State Fair. Andy & I sure enjoyed this end of summer tradition. Now we just need to unclog our arteries. And thanks to the Brown's for the parking on their nearby driveway!

*Amy

Live from New York...

...I'm Amy Flaherty!

First time to the Big Apple and I had 36 hrs. to soak in the the experience and street smells too.Right now I'm just outside of Albany for a week-long training (and it's 95-degrees & humid), so I built in some personal time to route through NYC and take the Amtrak train along the Hudson River north. I stayed right at Times Square and saw a lot of the area in my short visit. I don't normally notice how short I am, but John D. Rockefeller kindly reminded me. I must have looked a bit serious while checking out some stores on 5th Ave. & listening to an iPod, because I was actually asked for directions!

Two highlights for the trip: 1)fulfilling a dream of seeing a Broadway show. I used to listen to musical soundtracks and wonder what it'd be like. It was given that I got a ticket for "Wicked." Of course I read the book but the "Wizard of Oz" has always been my favorite movie, and yes, I own every Oz ornament Hallmark has made. The emotional response I had to being at the Gershwin Theatre totally surprised me. I cried for the moment, for the amazing production, and for a vibrant theatre community. I wish Andy could have joined me; I think it's a show he'd appreciate too! The other highlight was reconnecting with my high school friend, Karl. We probably hadn't seen each other in ten years! He graciously took the time to hang out with me a few times tocatch-up, and he also gave a lot of "T.A." for my travels. Karl recommended I use Priceline.com for a hotel booking and it was great deal. It was also a typical New York room: small! The City has left me wanting more. An actual vacation must happen in the future. I depart for AK early Friday morning and I estimate the trip to take 22 hours. Then Andy & I will be together again...just in time for the State Fair!

*Amy