August 24, 2008

We have had the best few days in the Seattle area. On Thursday (8/21) we went to Mt Ranier. Of course, it was overcast and you couldn't see the mountain but it was still a great drive. Then Friday (8/22) went visited with Cathy & Jim Brockamp. After a great lunch, Jim graciously drove us around the area. Gig Harbour is such a pretty area....Mike thinks that would be a great place for his future houseboat. On Saturday (8/23) we did the tourist bit again. We went to the Puyallup market with Cathy, Jim & Lexie. They had a birthday party so we went into Seattle to Pike's Market. The Space Needle line was way too long so that's for another day. It was such a beautiful day to be outside!!! We walked along the wharf and ate at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Today has been off & on rainy all day. Cathy & Jim came over so we could show them our little house. I am trying to convince them what a great retirement this is....workamping is such fun and so rewarding

August 20, 2008

We played tourist in the rain today. Went to Whidbey Island and Deception Pass. Absolutely gorgeous scenery. Saw some of Seattle in the rain but plan to more this weekend when the sun shines. Of course, did have to take some more pictures of barns.....Mike thinks my thing with old barns is a little wacky.

Did spent several hours on the phone with my sister going over the different options for my parents. Unfortunately we are out of options.....they have to have help!!

August 19, 2008

Today is our oldest son's birthday...not saying how old he is because that makes me older. He is a great kid!!!

After many, many discussions with both of my sisters, I have decided to fly home for a few days. I will not be going until the 26th. That is my parents 63rd anniversary so it will be a nice surprise for them. Unfortunately the circumstances are not good so they may not be happy to see me after all. Their health will no longer allow them to live far away from family. They have a few options but are not going to be happy with any of them. This will be a bittersweet trip.

Mike and CoCoa will stay at McChord AFB in Seattle until my return. Then we will continue on our trip with PLANNED arrival in TX in November.

August 17, 2008

We arrived at McChord AFB today with plans to stay about 2 weeks to do our tourist thing in the Seattle area. This a great campground with nice big sites! Also plan to visit with my friend from high school. She has the greatest house...with a basketball court downstairs. But first it's another necessary day...laundry, groceries, wash the truck, etc.

Just got a call from my sister....my mom has been having dizzy spells and they are getting worse. She was to see the cardiologist on Tuesday but she had 2 spells today....they are at the ER now. I am waiting to see if I need to fly home or what. Mother was 92 in July and Daddy will be 94 in November. This may change all of our plans for the rest of this summer/fall and next winter.

August 16, 2008

We are back in the lower 48..... in northern Washington visiting with family and friends for a couple of weeks.

Had an uneventful trip down through BC....the eastern part of BC is so much prettier than the western. Made a stop at Hell's Gate to ride the tram and one at Minter Gardens. The flowers are just beautiful.

August 12, 2008

WooooHoooo!!!! There are grizzlies in Alaska after all. We saw 9 tonight at the bear watching area in Hyder. One of our neighbors went to the bear area at 6am and stayed until 9am this morning without seeing anything....not even the eagles. This evening was a different story!! FINALLY!!

This morning was really rainy so we went to see several glaciers and waterfalls. Alaska has so many glaciers....many, many more than I knew. We have seen flowers growing beside glaciers. UNBELIEVABLE!! And so many absolutely gorgeous waterfalls.

Tomorrow we start for the lower 48. It should take us 4 or 5 days t reach Washington.

August 11, 2008

We are in Hyder, AK/Sewart, BC. This is supposed to be a great bear viewing place but as with many places in AK this year, the salmon are VERY late arriving. According to the Ranger, the salmon count on the creek was only 139 last Friday when there should have been 2,000/3,000. Soooooo, this makes for few bears. We have seen a couple of blacks fishing and eating berries but no grizzlies.

We went to the Salmon Glacier. It is the largest glacier in the area. Also some very pretty waterfalls. Of course it is raining again.....it just follows us!

OOPS!! Clicked on the wrong picture and can't get it off....that bear picture is from Valdez. Meant to send this picture of an eagle from here.

August 6, 2008

We went to Denali over the weekend. It is a very nice park but it was raining so we didn't see as many animals as I wanted. We took the train from Anchorage to Denali. It is an 8 hour train ride. There is not much to see on the ride but the train trip was fun. We did see several moose (one with the biggest antlers that I have ever seen!!), caribou, mountain sheep and coyotes.

Upon our return to Anchorage we left for Valdez. There were some great waterfalls along the way here. Of course, it has been raining every since we got here. Valdez is a great town...wish we had the grandkids as there is lots of fishing.

Today we went to the a hydroelectric plant where so many salmon are going up stream. There are so many fish that you could almost walk across them. Farther downstream, we watched 2 black bears feeding. So great!! We also went to the Valdez glacier. It is so pretty.