Back in Wisconsin

After a long drive yesterday, from Minot, ND to Spooner, WI 500+ miles we made it home today (08/04) safe and sound.  We were going to stay in Saginaw, MN, but the RV park was full so onward we went until we came to a rest area near Spooner.  We hooked up the generator and caught a few hours of restless sleep before we hit the road again at 6:00 a.m.

This afternoon we went to the farm and had supper with family and spent time with dad.

I may post some stats in the next week or so, so check back.

Making Progress

Hello from Minot North Dakota

We put on a lot of miles yesterday and crossed back into the U.S. at Portal ND.  We will try and push for Duluth, MN tonight and then home tomorrow.  It is warm here 80's and last night we used the air conditioner instead of heaters.

We are doing fine and looking forward to getting home.  Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers.

Day Four on our way back home

We were able to go to supper with many of our friends Tuesday night before heading for home Wednesday.  We all met at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Soldotna for good food and visiting.

LR: Mary, Yolanda, Rosie, Kay, Rich Diane, Fritz, Jim, Ken, Carl & Lyman is taking the picture and Jack was outside.

Our first night was spent at Tundra Lodge & RV Park in Tok, AK night two was at the Fas Gas RV Park in Haines Junction, YT night three was at Baby Nugget at Watson Lake, YT and tonight we are at Triple G RV Park in Ft Nelson, BC.  Yesterday was slow going because of the rough roads, today was slow because of mountains.  It has rained at some point every day and temps have mostly been in the 50's.  We are not seeing much wildlife, but have seen a coyote, 3 black bears, 1 Caribou, 4 mountain goats and several wood bison.

Tomorrow we hope to reach Sherks RV Park at Valley View, then Battleford RV Park in Battleford SA and then Lignite ND USA.  If all goes well....So far no mechanical concerns, but Spirit has been acting "funny" maybe because of the noisy windshield wipers or the rough road.

Where's Ken, Rosie, Casper & Spirit

Well, we left St. Theresa Lakeside Resort this morning at 10:20 and pulled into Tundra Lodge & RV Park in Tok, AK about 10:00 p.m.  We stopped at Eagle & Palmer, AK on our way through stopping at Quilt stores and McDonald's for lunch that we ate on the road.

We saw 2 mountain goats along Turnagain Arm, otherwise no wildlife of note.  We drove in/out of rain throughout the day, but it is nice in Tok.  I estimate we drove 450 miles today.

Tomorrow we will cross the Border into Yukon Territory, Canada about 90 miles south/east of Tok, we are not looking forward to the rough roads, tomorrow will be the worst I think, but today wasn't much fun either.

Saying Goodbye Early

The freezer is full, the rig is packed and we are heading for home.  For those following us you know my Dad is having health concerns, after weighing our options we have decided to shorten our stay in Alaska and start for home to help family and be there for Dad.  We are not planning to break any land speed records and hope to be back in Wisconsin in 8-10 days.  We will try and add pictures and posts as we come back and look forward to seeing and catching up with everyone soon.  We have had another great stay in Alaska, made new friends and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation.

To all our friends and family your support and prayers during this difficult time are very humbling and appreciated.

Stay tuned for more posts....

Fishing & Camp Update

Yesterday afternoon Jim & Fritz Meacham and I launched the Meacham's boat at the Moose River landing and motored down the Kenai River several miles to a favorite fishing spot.  We were lucky enough to hook about 30+ Reds, most were foul hooked and either got off or had to be released, but we did bring 5 legally hooked fish home.

This morning I made a trip to Spenard Building Supply in Soldotna and picked up the lumber to make 3 Leopold benches.  After returning to Camp, Rosalie and I cut up the lumber and then put the benches together.  After we had some lunch we took the benches to Meacham's to drop them off and for a visit.

Enough lumber for 3 Leoplod benches

Some of the sawed pieces

The leg sections bolted together

The finished product

Jim Meacham taking the of our benches for a ride

Rich & Kay Shook enjoying a seat

Bag limit increased from 3 to 6 at 12:01 Friday 07/22/2016

Haven't made it out fishing yet, but the bag limit for Red (Sockeye Salmon) increases tonight. :)

Just In Time

I was able to head back to Alaska yesterday, it started with a ride to Madison from our neighbors Don & Dani who picked me up at noon to head to the Madison airport.  I boarded the plane at 3:30 p.m. and made it to Minneapolis by 4:15, after a 1 hour lay-over I loaded the plane headed to Anchorage and made it to Anchorage without incident by 8:50 local time.  After I little walk I made it to my next flight that would take me to Kenai.  The trip from Anchorage to Kenai only take about 20 minutes and we landed on time about 10:28 p.m.  Rosalie wasn't long in picking me up and we headed back "home" where after a short visit I got some much needed sleep.

I was happy to see Rosalie, Casper and Spirit and welcomed the cooler 60's temperatures.  Thursday morning at 4:40 a.m. we got a call from the business looking at remodeling the bathroom at the farm letting me know they had some pictures to email me.  After a little more sleep I got up and put things away and ate some breakfast.  It was then time to take the dogs to Scout Lake for a swim, which they really enjoyed. Then off to the Meacham's for a short visit before coming home for some lunch and maybe a nap before our camp potluck tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Spirit on a long retrieve 

Casper on Spirit on a double retrieve at Scout Lake

The Boy's

A refreshing swim at Scout Lake

Ken and I are both posting today...

Donna Meachem and I did the Kenai River Quilt Tour in two sessions (14 quilt locations). The quilts are displayed in various businesses around Soldotna, so I am always tempted to buy stuff. Today I saw my favorite of the year at Sweeneys - an outdoors apparel store. No, the quilts aren't for sale, but there is always something I want, but don't buy, in the stores.

And then, there was also this one in the Soldotna Visitor Center. Lots of Applique, and very representative of Alaska.

Final picture of the day - a sign seen at many locations around the Peninsula during Red fishing on the rivers:

It's for the beans

Although today is nice 70's the early part of the week was for the Beans 90's and humid.  I would much rather have 60's - 70's.

Yesterday was for the beans also, I stopped at the farm and picked 2+ ice cream buckets of Green Beans that my brother Phil planted in one of his many gardens.  I nipped, washed and cut them up last night and canned them this morning.  My goal was to get 16 pints and that's exactly what I got. Since we are usually in Alaska this time of year we don't get to can as much as we would like to. Thanks Bro!

For those wondering Dad is holding his own and has a doctors appointment on the 19th, we'll see what they say and maybe I will come back to Alaska to finish out the summer.  Thank You to all who have sent prayers and thoughts.

A definite rain mark where the last storm passed across the front yard.  No, really this is the area that has been sprayed twice now with Round-Up with one more spraying (if needed) in preparation of planting a prairie flower/grass mixture sometime late October/early November.

Today I finally groomed the boys - a bit - only their faces. More to come in the next few days.
Here's the before of Spirit:

next is Spirit after:

Here is Spirit after and Casper before:

And finally, here's Casper after.

We will be joining our friends later today for supper and good conversation.

Today's Projects

Our neighbors gave me some fresh green beans, I was able to can 5 pints this morning.

Laundry room light was acting up so I picked up and replaced the ballast

Let there be light and no shocks :) 

Some new blossomed flowers in one of the beds

Before/After

Take a moment to reflect and remember the Dallas Police Department and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.   

Since being home I have kept busy weeding, mowing, spraying, berry picking & weed-eating.  I have also been visiting and working on family related matters.  Dad is at home and stable, his doctor called yesterday and scheduled a follow up visit with him on the 19th.   During his E.R. visit on the 3rd/4th he was diagnosed as dehydrated.

Before 1

After 1

Before 2

After 2

Before 3

After 3

Before 4

After 4

Before 5

After 5

Before 6

After 6

Before 7

After 7

Before 8

After 8

Cedar Waxwing

Black Raspberries

Let's Talk Turkey

I have been staying busy while home; weeding, weed-eating, spraying and visiting The Farm.  The past two days have been in the 80's and very humid.  We had a thunderstorm go through last night and more are forecast through Friday.  I am almost done weeding and trimmed everything this afternoon.  I plan to mow early next week.

All of the flower beds look in good shape and the native plantings we did last fall look good as well. The Rhubarb and Hostas e planted this spring seems to have taken root and doing well also.

Had this visitor this afternoon about 30 minutes after I came in from weed-eating.  He was cleaning up seed from the bird feeder the squirrels knocked out.

A change of plans

Ken flew (by plane) home Sunday the 3rd to deal with a family matter, he hopes to be back in Alaska by August 1st.  Here are some pictures from Lindstrom's 4th of July party (on 07/02) and some pictures from our place in Coloma.

Taken at Stoney Creek June 8th

Taken at Stoney Creek July 28th

L-R, Donna, Jim & Lyman Meacham, Rich & Kay Shook

L-R Rosie & Ken and Yolanda and Carl Lindstrom

Pond garden at Coloma

One of woods trails, reseeded this spring