The Butte

I woke up to low grey clouds and 52 degrees.  By midday when the weather changed to high grey clouds and 63 degrees, I figured it was time to do an activity that did not take place within 200 feet of the house.  I just finished up masking the windows and doors for the stain job that will take place tomorrow and leaving it all behind would feel good, as real life was getting in the way of my adventures.

Yesterday the boys agreed to hike up the Butte, an 833 ft. climb about a ten minute car ride from home.  After a little arranging and calling friends to join us, we were off.  The high cloud cover limited the mountain views, but it is Alaska and this summer we wouldn't do anything if we waited for the blue sky days.  Wyatt and his buddy scrambled up ahead of Gus and me.  When we reached the top we ate some popcorn and then all the boys raced down the trail, while our faithful dog Ollie stayed behind with me while I snapped photos of the bluebells.

 

I love the way her ear flops down . . . .

 

For more photos:  http://picasaweb.google.com/jillcaho/ButteClimb

Catching Up

Slowly . . .   

. . .  and with Autumn's help the lawn is now under control.  Yesterday morning I got some flowers planted.  Then I took the afternoon off to bring Gus to Jim Creek; he rode his dirt bike and I brought the 4-wheeler.  I guess that side trip plus one weekend trip to the cabin and another weekend in Girdwood for the Forest Fair have ways of interfering with household chore lists.

A couple of pictures . . .

Here's some video footage from Jim Creek: 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmBIHz0mec0

Mexico Pictures

I keep thinking I should put together a few more details about the trip and post it, but that hasn't made it far enough up on my list of things I need to get done.  Hopefully the pictures do an adequate job of telling the story. 

Link to more pictures:  http://picasaweb.google.com/jillcaho/MexicoJune2010

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig

It's nice to see Bryant and have the kids occupied in their own space, but I already miss my short sleeve T-shirt and shorts.  I guess I'll tuck away the summer wear until November as Bryant is already busy planning that trip. 

Liard Hot Springs

Tuesday night we camped at Liard Hot Springs in northern British Columbia.  I told the kids that if I get a good night's rest we can push for home and be there by the early Thursday morning.  They were all for that plan only I found out I'm not as tough as I once was as I had to pull over between Tok, AK and Glennallen, AK for a middle of the night nap.  Wyatt was already sleeping in the backseat and Gus in the front. Not wanting to reorganize them too much I dumped the extra sleeping pads and bags to the backseat floor and managed to sleep for 3 hours, the advantages of a big crew cap truck and 3 people under 5' 4".  Then we were "Back on the Road Again," which had become our theme song each morning as we left camp.  Five hours later, I called Bryant to let him know I was about 10 minutes from home and I may see him before he leaves for work. 

Overall, the trip back through Canada and Alaska was uneventful, which is good when you travel 3,300 miles in 5 days.  I had an oil change done on the truck in Grand Junction, and according to my tag, when I reached Tok, AK I was due for another.  I decided that would wait for another day, but the tag turned out to be an easy way to track our miles. 

Surprisingly the border crossings went fast and well.  I had six 18 gallon totes of stuff of Bryant's from his parent's attic in Grand Junction and I dreaded ripping duck tape free and having to strategically rearrange everything again, but my fears were alleviated after answering a few questions from each about drugs, alcohol, firearms, and thousands of dollars of cash. The interesting contrast to these border crossings compared to the Mexico/US crossing we've done in the past year was the short line. Two cars, two minutes and I'm in a new country.  Ten days earlier, we crossed in Tijuana and we waited two hours.  This makes sense considering where the bulk of the population lives and travels and the drug traffic between Mexico and U.S. but still interesting having traveled through three borders in a relatively short time frame. 

Eventually, I'll sort through my pictures from this trip and make a slide show, but the hayfield growing in my backyard keeps calling me, so I'll add a few to this post and call it quits until time permits. 

 Isla Requeson

Bahia Coyote located in Bahia Concepcion

Dead Dog Beach - Name by the local gringos (whites) as people bury

their dogs on this island because coyotes can't dig them back up.

The Baja Side - Loreto Bound

Our two week vacation has been extended into three, due to that unknown variable . . . weather . . . in this case wind.  The third week offically starts today.  Two weeks ago, we crossed the Sea of Cortez to the Baja side under starry skies and calm seas.  We spent time cruising around Conception Bay, Punte Chivito, and Isla San Marcos snorkling, sailing, and swimming.   We docked in Santa Rosilia at the marina intending to make our way back across to San Carlos after a few days.  Strong winds up the middle of the sea made crossing unappealing and definately a stretch for our boat's abilities so while we were waiting for the weather to calm down, a new plan was hatched, but not before we discussed, started, and discarded at least 6 others. 

Our final decision is to leave the boat in Loreto, Baja California Sur so we can explore that area.  Bryant was able to catch a flight into Guaymas this morning to pick up the truck and trailer from San Carlos.  As I type, he's driving around to pick us up and the boat to bring to Loreto, which has dry storage for the boat and lots of cruising opportunities.  It is a long two day drive to Santa Rosilia and Loreto is another 100 miles.  We will get everything set up in Loreto and hopefully get some time on the water.  We have to be in San Diego on Sunday to drop Bryant off at the airport. Then Wyatt, Gus and I drive the truck back up to Alaska via way of the storage shed in Phoenix that needs to be emptied and Bryant's parents in Grand Junction.

I wanted to post some pictures, but I'm having difficulty downloading them onto Bryant's computer, so they will have to wait until I get back to Alaska around July 1st.  Anyhow, that is what we are up to.