Moose Hunting and Back to School

We opted for a moose hunt rather than a sheep hunt in the mountains this year because of unusually cold weather this summer. We are more than happy at our decision to change plans; although we didn't bring home a moose either. We saw several cows and one small bull on the way home that ran quickly into the woods as it began to pour rain. Bummer! Camping out was fun and we had some great camp food, including blueberry pancakes. We picked the blueberries while scouting for moose one morning.

School is back in session here and Russ has 12 adorable fourth graders in his class. I have been at the school nearly every day helping out. It's great to be in his room, as it has helped wean me off being in my own classroom. I am amazed at how similar Glennallen schools remind me of dear Fair Play, where I taught for 8 years. Same school colors of black and gold, so when I walk the halls it all seems so familiar. And the people... I thought when I left Fair Play I would never again find the kinship and fellowship I had been blessed with there. Somehow the teachers, staff and children at Glennallen seem so familiar. They have more than welcomed me into their community. What a blessing!

We were blessed with some salmon recently! We got a call to help with a fish wheel, which is placed along the river's edge and gently scoops up any salmon passing by. (Much better than having to catch each fish with a rod one at a time!) We packaged the beautiful red filets and froze them for future use. I never thought I'd say salmon was beautiful, but it's such fun to live off what God has created to be used as good food.

Photos include me setting up camp during our moose hunt; (Yes, don't I look fashionable in camo?) Larry Scribner (my father in law) ready to scout for moose; the salmon wheel; and Russ preparing the salmon filets.

Home at last!

We arrived at our home in Glennallen on July 10th, after 6040 miles on the road. We saw my crate had safely arrived with all my belongings from Missouri. Our first days were spent organizing and preparing to move my things from the crate to the house. We took out time to enjoy being judges at a small community dog show. What made us qualify to be judges? We figured it was because we were one of the few in our neighborhood without a dog. (By the way, my dog Koko is doing wonderfully in MO with my aunt.)

July 25th our church hosted a wonderful wedding reception for us. I got to wear my dress again and use some of the decorations from the wedding in MO. We were humbled by how many dear friends and family came and showed their support and love for us. We received this special daffodil quilt, handmade by Mary Hernandez, who is a precious woman of God. She designed and made this quilt on her own!

It is wonderful to be home and I thank God for this community in Glennallen. We have had a wonderful summer and are now gearing up for Russ' school year.

Hoonah, Alaska

We spent our 4th of July holiday in Hoonah, visiting with Teresa and Shawn, Russ' sister and brother in law. We also were able to visit many friends who knew Russ when he was a teacher there several years ago.

While in Hoonah, we went halibut fishing and I caught my first big fish. It was still too small too keep, but you can say I was "hooked" anyway. We also saw some whales during our visit. Several came very close to the boat. Good whale photos are difficult to capture, taking diligent watchfulness as well as quick timing when they surface. We also went kayaking one day when it wasn't raining. One photo is of the cabin near Teresa and Shawn's home, where we stayed during our visit. Friends Eric, Alice and their three children are captured here in a photo as well. The picnic was taken at Fresh Water Bay, about an hour's drive down a dirt road from Hoonah. The people in Hoonah were wonderful and friendly and we found our stay there very relaxing before our final leg home.