South Dakota Visitors

Rain, Garden, Rhubarb and Ferns

July has been rainy, very, very, rainy—the 8th rainiest on record. This is an item that will upset Alaskans like no other, poor weather getting in the way of an Alaskan summer.

With all of the rain we have not had to water the plants that we put in next to our apartment, but I think that they may be waterlogged and I know that they are hurting for sun. The Nasturtium seeds that I planted this spring are now about 5 inches tall—our neighbor who gets direct sun has plants that are a foot and a half tall and flowering. This gardening in Alaska is hard—everything must be perfect I feel.

Paul did get some rhubarb from some friends and broke a couple of their shovels in the process—he told me he couldn't control his super farmer strength impassioned by the thought of rhubarb. They have not really taken off but have not died so that is good.

Last year we had planted in the woods some raspberries, most made it through the winter but I am not sure that they will produce this year. One afternoon while we were biking around we found a lady who was selling raspberry plants and ferns from her yard. We dug up a whole bunch and then came back with the car to pick them up and planted them in the wild yard—most have made it but not the bushy ferns that I had envisioned.

The good news is that the plethora of mushrooms that we enjoyed last year are back sprouting up everywhere—no planting just enjoyment and they like rain!

Happy Birthday to Paul

Paul celebrated his birthday in a great way--on the water. We joined a guide and went rafting down the Matanuska in the evening. We watched the sunset over the mountains as they turned an incredible pink. The light was perfect and breathtaking--every color was deep and intense in the setting sun. The green of the mountains, the white of the glaciers, the silty gray of the water, the rock and sand cliffs all just jumped out in the light. Unfortunately, we did not bring our camera because we did not want it to get wet on the rafting ride--which it would have. Even in dry suits, the water was COLD--really cold probably around 38 degrees or so. Running straight off of the glacier--makes for some chilled water.

We saw two moose while we were on the water and then on the way home we saw six more as we were driving. They seemed to be just along the road every mile or so. My one day record for seeing moose was broken after spotting eight of them in one night.

Soo much fun--I love whitewater rafting!

4th of July

A friend from MN came to visit and spend some time with us over the 4th of July weekend. She packed every bit of Alaska that she could into her visit.


We spent the 4th of July weekend touring Whitter—getting some more halibut at my favorite place in AK for fish and chips and hiking down a trial. We saw the local reindeer and met her keeper who creates all of these crafts that she then spends the summer selling. We also were there for the 4th of July parade—lots of sirens and about 6 cars—quite the event. Later we kayaked out into Prince William Sound to the Rookery and over to an island for a late lunch of radishes and banana bread. Not your typical 4th of July picnic but delightful.


We camped near Portage at an incredible campsite, so beautiful and pristine next to a glacier fed stream. Paul rafted down the stream one evening as Amy and I read in the tent. We never got to have a campfire as it seemed to be raining every night but the days were nice.

We hiked the Winter Creek Trail in Girdwood through the rainforest and over the falls of a mountain stream then feeling really ambitious we climbed the mountain to the top of the ski resort, up though some patches of snow that still hung to the mountain scrambling up some rocks to the 5 star restaurant for some hot drinks and appetizers--so good and we enjoyed them in our sweaty muddy gear--only in Alaska.

Atlanta to Anchorage

My friend Tanya, her husband Troy and new baby boy Carson came to visit. So exciting! We shared a whirlwind tour of AK from a glacier cruise in Whitter to a weekend excursion to Seward! The weather did not quite cooperate as much as I would've liked--but it has been a bit of a colder than normal and rainy summer here.

The funniest part of the trip was the deluxe accommodations in Seward in the Captain's Cabin. $150 for a cabin tucked in between some long term nonoperational but occupied campers/buses. The pictures that were on the rental website just really didn't capture the essence on the place like mine do. Seriously there was a village of people who apparently have lived at the campground for the past 5-10 years. You can see where they have altered the buses to add wood stoves and added some blue tarps to the roofs. AK living can be quite interesting. A little piece of the Alaska south :)

We did get a bit of clearer skies when we hiked up to Exit Glacier. to see the glacier and visit the National Park and some of Sewards yummy restuarants.

Welcome and Weekend Parties

I headed back to SD to see my new niece and for a cousins wedding. What a great visit--unfortunately Paul had to stay here for school.

Penelope is precious and Chris and Annie spent a lot of time at mom's house so I got to see so much of her! We had a baby shower for her and it was so nice to see the family and friends welcome her. So much fun to see a sibling become a parent. I was able to spend time with both of my Grandma's but as usual not enough. Five days is not enough time.


My cousin Kelly got married to an incredible woman. I am so excited for Kelly and Lisa and was honored to have had a role in their wedding.

Caines Head

Memorial Day weekend requires camping in Alaska. I can't remember not camping on Memorial Day.

This year Paul, Hayden and I set out for Caines Head. near Seward, AK. We hiked almost 20 miles, through the moss covered forest, crossed the river and accross the tidal trail. You have to hike it at low tide--otherwise the water is up to the cliffs and there is no possible land passage. It is a fun hike through a variety of terrain. The rocks though that you climb over at low tide can be VERY slick! There were some definite slides into the water....

We arrived and had the best most picturesque campsite ever. So beautiful. We hiked to the old military defense site from WWII. Some animal ate our lunch as we washed breakfast dishes in the ocean. Hayden says bear--I think maybe it was a blue jay.

Perfect weather--great adventure!

Titana in the Tulips ok Daffodils :)

Last year when my mom visted she planted bulbs for us. It was so exciting to see them come up and I believe that they all came up and blossomed. We have been enjoying them for weeks. Spring--It is May but that is spring in AK!

"We are blessed"

We had come to Chicago to spend time with Memere.

The last day that we where there she recognized all of us. She asked about Ken's youngest kids. Often her words are quiet and hard to discern but she clearly said that we are blessed. I couldn't agree more. Both Paul and I are blessed by families and siblings that pray for us and are there for us. This is an incredible legacy. As we sat with Memere in Mass all of the prayers that she has said for her family became so real to me. She is a woman of God completely immersed in prayer and thanksgiving. Her face lit up as Hayden played the piano and she gripped Paul's hand. Surrounded by family her smile shone. What a gift to us all.

Chicago

Chicago--here we come!

Paul, Ken, Hayden, Ryker and I all set out for Chicago to see Memere and spend some time with the family.

Loved it! We spent time with our neices, went orienterring and wading through creeks, saw school concerts and watched some yard soccer games! They are so much fun to be around.

We got to hang out with Ryker and Hayden and go to a Porcupine Tree concert and had a fun time coming back in the rain on the El.

Still not sure who has the best pizza but we seemed to sample a lot. The deep dish at Giordanos I believe came in at number one.
The best latte ever was found at Bakin' and Eggs-- sooo good! I commented on how good it was and the server said "it should be that is a barista national champion making them."

School

Clinicals at ANMC saw my first c-section and live birth.

Lamb Cake

Laura's mom sent this as a gift after hearing about how every year we would get a lamb cake from Mrs. Lamb for Easter. Laura made a cake for it--we didn't get it till after Easter so didn't go all out with the decorations.

Trip Up North to the Mouth of the Yukon

Day One

On Monday, March 15 I left for a bush village located on the western side of Alaska, 162 air miles from Bethel and which sits on the Yukon Delta, 15 miles from the Bering Sea to assist with a research project.

The research team that I traveled with consisted of four individuals: Lead Research Nurse, Nurse, Microbiologist and myself. We arrived in Alakanuk and the plane left us on the runway. A small pickup from the clinic soon arrived to pick us up and we rode to the clinic in the back of the truck with all of our gear.

My first objective was to set up screening clinic this had to be done quickly as research study participants started arriving as soon as they heard that we were in town. I met with the clinic staff on the use of the facility and then set up tables and chairs and signage inside and out while the others prepared the exam room and materials for sample collection. I helped get all the forms ready. Arriving in the village was quite the experience. To say that the accommodations were sparce would be an understatement. I slept in the school in a classroom and used a bathroom that you could smell before you saw it. My standards of cleanliness here are very obviously not the community standards. The big question for me “is is it safe to drink the water”? Some say yes and some say no. Maybe I should have brought my camping filter.


Day 2

To fully understand the study, I had the Nurse swab my nose. I was surprised that it did irritate the nose. Definitely not a pleasurable experience, but not that painful. My first objective today is to teach the participants about the research study. As there are so many children I had to ensure that I used words that they could understand and use developmentally relevant language.

Today I had the chance to talk with the CHA/P about rural health and to discuss our experiences in the community. There are numerous health disparities and living conditions that we have observed first hand. Around 10% of the population does not have running water currently; some of this is due to frozen pipes and the rest just due to the fact that their residence is not plumbed for water. The disparities are a continual challenge to rural health workers and life in rural Alaska.

Sleeping in the school was kind of strange. I slept in a classroom that was around 85 degrees. There were teenagers pounding at the door to the school in the middle of the night and running around outside yelling. Yet with all of the heat in the building there was no hot water to wash with. Working so late last night—I did not learn this till this morning. There is nothing, like a cold, stinky shower to start the day. The school is very run down and dirty. It was not the comforts of home, a hotel or camping—the first night I did not sleep well. I did not know if the teens were going to come in in the night or what time I needed to be up before the teacher came to class and I was sleeping there. Also I was not sure if I bought enough food—finally found some silverware and plates. There are a lot of unknowns—lots of hunting down items.

Day 3 & 4

Today I was able to see the clinic in action. An elderly man arrived in the village and was not able to get out of the plane. He arrived at the clinic with assistance later in the evening and we woke up the CHA/P. The man was incoherent and hypoglycemic. The CHA/P seemed uncertain of what to do next and the research team was able to assist in stabilizing the patient. He had an unsteady gait and rapid heartbeat. He was nervous and spoke in Yupik. His daughter was able translate. Returning to Anchorage was interesting we had to switch planes and the bags did not fit with the passengers on the first leg of the first flight and had to be snow machined to the next village where some passengers got off of and our baggage got on.

Spring Break--Let's go NORTH!

What happens when you are trying to save money on vacation and everyone else is headed south? You head north! North to Fairbanks and the World Ice Art Championships!

First though we stopped in Talkeetna for a tour of the newest Alaskan brewery, opened by a former professor. Denali Brewing is attached to the yummy sweet potato fry home, Twisted Creek which we walked to over the snowy trails winding amongst the trees from our hotel.

Then after a night in Talkeetna--I was so excited to have a TV then there was no reception so we went to the movie store to rent a movie. Renting movies is always difficult at least for us as we don't agree on the selection. I thought I would go for something funny and cute so choose "Up". Alright I have heard people who really like this movie and parts are touching but the talking robot dogs--to over the top. Paul is still teasing me about this romantic selection for our weekend away.

Then off we went continuing on to Fairbanks! Skiing the local trails, touring the Museum of the North (highly recommended--great history and art sections)and of course hanging out at the ice festival. The festival completely surpassed our expectations. We thought it might be a bit cheesy but the level of skill and artistry shown in the carvings was the best we had ever seen. These are world class artistic pieces done in a temporary medium. There were all levels of artists and all different kinds of carvings. There was a kids section where a new interactive piece opened each day. Our favorite was the ice slides! Cool and fast!

Once again sliding is a favorite sport!

Skiing near Campbell Airstrip