Kenai Lake Walk

Beautiful, relaxing and fun for everyone...go for a nice long family walk along Kenai Lake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenai_Lake in Cooper Landing!  We parked at the Quartz Creek campground boat launch parking lot.  If you RV, the campground looks like an AMAZING place to be! 

Bogs and rainpants are certainly a bonus!

Kenai Lake ~ Mother's Day 2012

Puppies REALLY love the lake!

Drift wood playground equipment

We only had one minor mishap, which should be easily avoidable, unless you also have a four year old whose idea of skipping rocks is to throw a handful up in the air.  Sometimes buddy...they drop down on your face. 

McHugh Creek after a Record Snowfall Year

It was not one of those bluebird sky days, but it was still fantastic to get outside and explore.  McHugh Creek is flowing like crazy!  After playing at the creek for a bit we made our way up rainbow trail to an amazing lookout.  Spring is coming!!

Checking out the creek from the overlook ~ 4.21.12

My cool guy playing at McHugh

Plenty of snow remains

McHugh Creek ~ 4.21.12

On top of the world!

Fun Family Shot

Hugs!

Iditarod 2012

The day was fantastic!  The bright blue sky was amazing!  Our hosts were beyond gracious!  To top it all off, it was grandpa's first Iditarod!

Big grandpa hugs!  3.4.12

Complete comfort!

Grandpa is rooting for Kristy and Anna Berington.  They are 28 year old twin sisters who live in Kasilof.  Kristy in the photo above placed 29th last year!  Oh and PS they are beautiful blonds.  :)

Everyone gave grandpa a hard time for running out to high five Kristy so Anna (the rookie) only got a wave and a good luck.  :)

This is Dallas Seavey.  He is my pick.  He is a third generation musher, the 2011 Yukon Quest champ and has placed in the top 8 in the last three races.  Besides that, he is a kid...only 25 years old.  Go Dallas!!

Here is Lance Mackey.  He won four straight Iditarods in a row.  He is Levan's pick.  Lance was very friendly to my enthusiastic seven year old!

Here are my boys being well...BOYS!  This entire experience is aligned with their souls.  Don't get run over by the dogs B!

Wrestling...of course.  Levan is a very good big brother. 

Snow fight!!

Thunderbird Falls Fun

Up the first tiny hill and Bensen says, "Hey dad, we forgot my backpack." What does this mean?  It means it has been a cold Alaska winter and we are out of practice.  Our four year old wants a ride.  Thankfully he bucked up a few minutes later and was full of energy the rest of the trip (1 mile in - 1 mile back).  No whining from that boy.  My seven year old didn’t share the enthusiasm, but this momma enjoyed every breath of the fresh crisp air!

Heading to the Thunderbird Falls

Guster - enjoying every second!

Grandpa, Grandma and B

Family shot ~ 2.18.12

Grandpa and Grandma

View from the trail

Giggle Time

Kincaid Park, Little Campbell Lake

Besides Church with my family, our mini snowshoe adventure around Little Campbell Lake tops the chart for my 2011 Christmas Eve events.  I sure love Alaska and I sure love having my family surrounding me!

Go Gussy Go!!  He has no idea that he is a bulldog.  Outside he is a wild grey wolf and super entertaining!

Levan Patrick always up for exploring the great outdoors!

Happy Day!!  12.24.11

Love you bunches Dad!!

7200 Squirts

Some hikes are simply not glamorous and it has nothing do with the scenery.  Our hike up Pioneer Ridge Trail will be remembered simply for the circumstances of the day. 

Eager to soak in Saturday, we got moving early, hung out at Barnes and Noble for an hour or so, loaded back up and drove north on the Glen.  (To get to this trailhead – exit onto the Old Glen before reaching the Knik River.  Follow this road until reaching the bridge…don’t go over it, take a right and stay beside the mountain.  Continue for 5 miles and look for a parking lot on the right hand side.)

We bundled up and took off up the trail.  Within 500 feet the saga began.  Bensen got a bad case of what he affectionately calls “the squirts”.  If you know Bensen, you know that outdoor pooping is not really that big of a show stopper.  This is the same kiddo who was running and playing with all his buddies at a campground this summer and needed to poop, so he simple dropped his drawers, squatted and got the job done….to our friends complete amusement.  It became a show stopper when we came to a halt to “squirt” every 5 minutes…no exaggeration. 

At some point we decided to set a goal of getting up the mountain 7,200 feet and then we would simply turn around.  We made it, but it was nasty.  This time I’ll spare the details. 

About ½ ways down, Levan declared that we should pray to God to stop Bensen’s squirts.  So we all took turns praying for Bensen’s butt.  Not another squirt the remainder of the hike and most importantly the 45 minute drive home!!

Daddy and Bensen heading up the trail ~ 10.1.11

Levan and Gussy having a chat ~ Gussy was the only one who truly loved this hike!

The view

7,200 feet of pure fun!

Whittier ~ you couldn’t be prettier

Catching Whittier http://www.whittieralaska.gov/ on a blue sky day is fantastic.  Hiking the Portage Pass trail in these conditions is nothing less than phenomenal. 

After you pass through the Whittier tunnel, the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America http://www.dot.state.ak.us/creg/whittiertunnel/, take a right past the restrooms.  Head down a little gravel road and soon you will see a Portage Pass sign. 

Levan reached Portage Valley first.  His exact words, “Oh mom hurry, it’s like a wonderland!”  And that description…pretty much nails it!

Picture Perfect ~ 9.25.11

What a great valley to explore!

Looking Back at Whittier

Portage Glacier