Hiking is Hard

Last weekend, we hiked Bald Mountain. I think that is what it is called. I get it confused with Mt. Baldy back home. Anyway, the hike was hard. I need to practice more! The scenery was more than worth the soreness though.

You can't see it in the picture but behind Aaron and Trevor was Mt. McKinley! Also, once we got to the top we saw a momma moose and her baby running down the valley. It was pretty cool to see! Unfortunately, since I wasn't carrying the pack, I didn't want to load it with lenses. I chose not to take the telephoto lens and I missed out on a great shot.

Yes, Kinley is passed out in this picture. I have no idea how she feel asleep. It was rough going!

 

 

We took a different way down. It was easier on the knees and just more fun to see a different view.

You can see my town down below.

Kinley's First Reindeer

Aaron has had block leave the past two weeks and we have been loving every minute of it! This past Monday, we headed out to the reindeer farm in Palmer. I have been there are few times but never with Aaron and Kinley. I wasn't sure how she would respond to the animals. She was leery at first but when they walked away she stretched her arms out to them. Kinley is already loving the wildlife. She really is her father's daughter!

 The mountains surrounding the farm are amazing. This photo doesn't do them justice.

 When we drove up we noticed people were running around with TV equipment. Aaron then noticed, Larry Csonka. He hosts and Alaska Outdoor show Aaron likes to watch. I also learned that Mr. Csonka was a pretty good NFL player back in his day! Pretty cool.

 This was one of many horses on the farm. I assure you he was alive and well. He was so relaxed, I swear I heard snoring!

Kinley meeting her first reindeer. Her name was Mary.

 Feeding the reindeer.

 

 Surrounded!

 She reached right out to touch this one.

 She kept wanting to grab their antlers. The one thing the people told us we could not do. Truth be told, I wanted to touch them too. They were all in velvet. Did you know males, females and the babies all grow antlers? They fall off every year and they grow another pair.

 A touch! They kept coming around her and she didn't even have food. I had both things of food in my pocket. I think they were curious about her.

Another nuzzle! I took a lot of video of the trip. There is a really cute exchange between her and a baby reindeer. I am sad I didn't get a photo but the video of it is priceless.

Aaron still has a few days off. Who knows what adventure we will go on tomorrow but it is fun knowing we can all do it together!

A Day at the Beach

 The first official ride in her Kelty. I tried it around the house. She giggled the whole time.

 The park was right by the airport. You think the noise would be annoying but it was actually really cool! It (obviously) got more peaceful the farther we walked.

 Kinley's first trip to the beach!

 She looks completely annoyed, doesn't she!? Don't look too closely at me. You might go blind. I am in desperate need of a tan.

 Beautiful!

 These were random little forts we found along the beach. 

 So peaceful! And such a beautiful day!

 There was a small strip of sand.

The Army keeps Aaron pretty busy. So when we have a day to relax and enjoy each other it is special. 

It was a great day!

Random picture Aaron made me take the other day. His idea of humor. :)

Fuzzy Feet

We have had a visitor in our neighborhood for the past few days. There has been a baby moose wandering around and crying out for its momma. So sad! The momma moose had two babies. The best we can figure is this little one couldn't keep up. Its leg wasn't busted but it was really unsteady. I don't think it could keep up.

The good news is that people from AK Zoo came by and picked it up from the neighbor's yard. It will get a good meal, a safe place to sleep and a new home. The lady said they found a home for it at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. The picked the baby up, put it on their lap in the  front of their truck and away they went. It was so crazy to me to see a moose riding in a vehicle!

Of course we would rather it be with its mom, but this is a good 2nd choice! Plus, do people in OH get to see a lot of moose?

The little neighbor girl cried when they took the baby away. It was almost like their pet. She told the lady its name was fuzzy feet. It wouldn't really leave their yard for long. Her mom explained to her how much better her life would be at the zoo.

 Wandering around, crying. It was so sad listening to it call for momma.

 Kinley and her first moose sighting. We will have to show her this picture when she gets older to prove it to her!

Hanging out with Aaron's truck.

The Memorial Day Weekend Bear Hunt

Aaron and some friends went out on a bear hunt this past weekend. He said it was a great hunt! Not only because they were successful but it was a nice relaxing hunt in the great AK outdoors!

 His bear was 6 ft. Not sure the weight. They dressed it in the field. They saved the meat and it is on it's way to becoming burger and sausage. I am pretty excited to taste it!

Poor guy will be a rug in our house soon.

 Aaron and his friend Ryan who helped him get the bear.

 Two out of the four guys got bears. Sean (on the right) got a 7ft bear. They are both beautiful!

I am so glad they all got to go hunting. Aaron loves the outdoors and what better place to live than Alaska to have all these hunting adventures.

A Visitor

 I looked out the kitchen window and noticed a moose walking down the road. It turned the corner onto our street and went to visit our neighbors.

 It inspected their backyard.

 Ate some of their trees and then moved onto our other neighbors trees. I have seen quite a few moose since living in AK but it never gets old seeing these amazing creatures!

The moose made its way to almost ever house. I hope he got a good meal!

Summer Time

The snow has melted, mostly. There is still a little at the top of the mountains. I wish it would stay all year. The snow makes the mountains really come alive.

The days are getting longer. The sun is still out past 11:30 pm. Love it!

We are starting to take advantage of the beautiful weather. We have been to Eklunta Lake and Thunder Falls already. I am sure there will be multiple visits this year.

Aaron is already scheduled for a fishing charter and a bear hunt. I know he is excited! It will be a much better summer this year since he is home. We are excited to explore AK together!

at Eklunta Lake

The Northern Lights

I stole the following photos from my friend, Christie. Don't worry, she knows! Aaron and I have seen the Northern Lights but they haven't been this clear and I haven't gotten a good photo. Christie lives in Fairbanks which is about 6 hours north of us. She gets to see them quite a bit. The temperature and time of night have to be perfect for us to see them this far south. She has been able to see these amazing lights right from her back porch!

Aren't they beautiful!? The lights always seem to be dancing across the sky. I told you AK was magical! Thanks Christie for letting me share your pictures with my friends back home. I don't think I could ever describe how beautiful they are with just words!

To the North Pole or Bust...

For the past two weeks Kinley has had her Grandma Pearce around and I have gotten to spend time with my mom. We had a great time! We got to show her a lot of Alaska and it's wildlife. She got to see 15 moose. They were everywhere! We spotted 2 dall sheep on the way to Alyeska and about 30(+) caribou on the way home from Fairbanks. It was awesome!

Below are some pictures of our trip to Fairbanks and the North Pole. The temps didn't disappoint as it got to about -33 degrees. The only bummer of the trip was Santa was on vacation until May. Can you believe that guy?! We all know the elves do all the work! Anyway... 

 Proof we were really at the North Pole!

 Sitting in Santa's chair sans Santa. :( 

 hee hee...

 Sitting in the ice sleigh!

 Mom and Aaron went on a dog sled ride. I didn't go because I have already been on two. They had a blast! And Kinley and I had fun staying warm in the Hotel North Pole!

 On the ride...

The following pics are the ice museum at Chena Hot Springs:

 The boys and the naked lady.

 Kinley hanging out in her first igloo!

 The crew. We had a blast!

 Our little family. Kinley slept through the whole tour. No shocker there! But we took lots of pictures to document her journey.

 I loved this little fish.

 The ice bar.

 The knights jousting.

Back to random photos...

Hanging at the hotel.

Only a few of the 30(+) caribou we saw on our way home from Fairbanks. Denali National Park is filled with them!

Sunset on the way to Fairbanks at 3:30 PM.

The moon and mountains on our ride up.

Mt. McKinley on the way up.

 

One of the many moose we saw while my mom was here.

And finally...

Kinley and her Grandma Pearce. Thanks for coming to visit! We love you!