RV Driving School

Michael has been talking about teaching some of us to drive the RV. Today, Josiah, Carrie and Liv came out and we went to the fairground parking lot. 

 

Josiah did good. I don't like how big and boxy it feels....we need to do more of this if we're all going to go out in the RV. Backup drivers are always a good thing to have. 

Josiah will be a pro in no time at all. 

2022 update...Cory has also taken to driving the RV and drove it back from dip-netting in 2021, while the girls, Arielle, their boys and I drove in the truch. 

We Almost Went to Denali!

 We hit the road after church. We have been wanting to go camping - and it's a bit of a challenge with church schedules and Grandpa...but we decided to just do it. 

Krista and a friend were going to go up and spend extra time. Allie was invited and her parents agreed to let her come. The girls would stay with us the first night or two and then Krista, Brittany, Allie and Stacia would go on to Talkeetna.  We were excited. 

This is as far as we made it before Michael pulled over....

One of the dual tires blew! It didn't take long to realize we wouldn't be on the road any time soon. 

Grandpa waits in comfort 

Krista and Michael pick up pieces of our tire

The girls loaded into our van - with the food and clothes from the RV and headed down the road. We had the tent in the RV so they took that and went off for an adventure.  I took Grandpa home. Michael slept in the RV and the next day we began the repair process. 

Allie, Brittany, Stacia, Krista

Krista, Allie, Stacia, Brittany

Allie & Stacia warding of skeeters

Allie, Stacia & Brittany

Allie & Stacia

Krista, Allie, Stacia, Brittany

cabin in Talkeetna

And that is how we almost made it to Denali and the girls DID go to Denali.  Looking back at these photos from 2022, I can't help but note how one never knows when life is about to change. These are the first pictures I have of Allie and Stacia together...when they didn't know each other well... I never would have guessed how that relationship was to deepen and how dear Allie was to become to our family. 

Hard Core Full-Timer

Most of you know Michael & I, along  with 3  Gherkins were full-time RV'ers for 2 years. That is, we LIVED in our trailer (and then an RV) for two years after Michael retired from the Air Force. We loved it and would do it again...may do it again in another season...who knows? 

We came off the road and bought a home when the Gherkin migration to Alaska began. By the end of Summer 2017 eight of our children moved up here. We, of course, joined them. We enjoyed the past two years with adult children moving in with us until they settled in their new homes. We love having Dad with us now. We do at times miss the road.  However, we love our state and we especially love our little niche in the Valley north of Anchorage. 

Full-timing in Alaska is for the hard core adventurer! It's COLD at -15 and -23 (temps in our valley on a recent morning). These folks have a WOOD-STOVE in their trailer....there was smoke coming out of their chimney.....so many concerns on so many levels...but it made us smile,  and fondly remember our time on the road and ingenuity of the  the people we met.

I haven't seen something like this in any other state we visited. 

It's a Toddler in Distress....No...

Our first morning at the park I swore I heard toddlers or young children screaming outside the RV

Upon closer inspection I discovered we were right across from a group of GOATS.  It was uncanny. They were fun to watch.

Alaskan Morning Walk

It seems to be a lazy morning. I decided to take Yuuki out for a walk around the RV park. 

You can easily discern why it's named Mtn View RV Park

I've decided I want to plant a patch of our property (when we close on it) with these purple flowers (lupine?) and fireweed. We're starting our own little community at the park. Below is Uchi on the left, CoRielle are staying in Rob and Dollie's trailer, and BreZaak and kids are in Ian and Becky's trailer.

There was no observable movement; we left the park and went adventuring. 

Finding these neighbors to the park, gives me hope. I have heard how hard it is to garden in the area, but this farm is doing well - and heavily investing in plastic?

The rumor is when the fireweed blooms to the top, and goes to seed, we have six weeks until winter. I'm going to watch closely. The tippy tops are still not in bloom. 

I've given up any plans for late summer garden. We are hoping winter will hold off long enough to get some of the outside chores done on the house. If not, it will all be covered in snow....

Glimpses of Saturday

In Alaska, Nolan and I had a slight laundry emergency. I put the soap in. I have no idea how we got so much. When it got worse than this we HAD to interrupt the machine's program. We scooped out soap and water. Michael removed Yuuki's blanket and rinsed it wrung it out. What a mess. 

Cory and Michael continue to bond in a manly way! 

Meanwhile, back in Oregon....the family has a few days left before hitting the road to Alaska. 

Gideon - my man

Gideon and Baby S meet up 

 Bella is such a good big sister.  

Aunt Krista meets Gideon - so glad she and the girls overlapped a few days. 

Jamin receives a pair of marine boots to break in before OCS. 

These have potential for the game/entertainment room 

WHAT? Butter cream frosting by the gallon! 

We did not receive the appraisal before the weekend. We hope to receive it Monday and be able to close next Friday.....

Licensed Alaskan Driver

Hitting milestones for Nolan has been a bit challenging as we full-time RV.  He did get his driver's permit and as soon as we arrived in Alaska, he made an appointment for the driving test. 

I know he could have done this about a year earlier if we had been near Alaska, and I'm grateful for his good attitude. Today he passed the test with flying colors and is now a licensed Alaskan driver.

As for those other milestones - first job, taking SAT - we're on it!