We made it from Valdez to Anchorage on Friday May 29 and found Cabellas Parking lot for the night. Very nice accommodations with a new Target, including a Starbucks next door.

Picked up sister Cheri at the Ted Stevens (former Alaskan Senator) Airport on Saturday May 30 and began our trip down the Kenai Peninsula to Soldotna.

We were blessed with little mechanical problems after leaving Salem; traveling over 2500 miles over some pretty wacky roads through British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska. Then POW, a blowout on the way to Soldotna. Lots of traffic and no where to pull over. We were so thankful as we thought of how much worse it could have been. The trailer did suffer some minor damage where the blowout tore through a piece of aluminum molding.

We were hungry and thirsty after the blowout, so stopped at the Kingfisher Roadhouse along the way for refreshments.

It’s nice to have friends. We parked in Dave & Rochelle’s yard just outside of Soldotna, close to where our friends Cliff and Cyndy were parked. Dave set us up with a place to plug in and hook up to water; and we were able to drain on gray water on the grass field. Dave & Rochelle are the parents of our friend Dava that we know from Longmont days.

In addition to Ed going to breakfast with Dave & Cliff every morning to join Dave’s friends group, we made a few side trips around the area…like the Home Depot in Kenai, but everyone took a longer trip down to Homer. Homer is about most southern spot you can drive to down the Kenai and a beautiful and interesting place. At the request of the women, we visited the Bear Creek Winery. In the picture are Dave, Cliff, Cyndy, Ed, Connie, Cheri and Rochelle.

We saw a lot of moose. Saw this one along side the road on our trip to Homer. A cow and a couple caves wandered around the Schneider’s place. Cliff and Cyndy got some good pictures posted on their blog.

On Wednesday June 3, a rainy day, Connie and Cheri drove to Seward to experience the Kenai Fjords Cruise. While it was a bit rainy, they enjoyed the trip very much. Lots of sea creatures; steller seals, sea otters, whales. They got some close up viewing of the Aialik Tidal Glacier. Finished off the 9 hour cruise with an all-you-can-eat prime rib and salmon buffet. Fantastic!

Staying at the Schneiders was indeed a blast. They have lived in Alaska since they were young adults, even living in Kodiak and on Raspberry Island. Experienced the 1964 earthquake. Super folks with a wonderful gift of hospitality. And very talented. Dave made the boat from raw material as well as the rifle (one of several). Rochelle quilts (of course) and makes FANTASTIC pies! They definitely gave us a sense of being part of Alaska.

Enjoyed our stay with the Schneiders for 5 days before heading north on Thursday June 4 to our summer assignment near Fairbanks. Parked overnight at Cabellas in Anchorage again (wanted Cheri to fully experience full timing).

After getting a new tire and doing a little shopping (Cheri wanted some more fish), we departed Anchorage on Friday, stopping in Talkeetna for the night. Took time to explore the little town, reminiscent of a smaller Estes Park. Lots of cool little shops. Denali Brewery was hoppin’. One can often view Mount McKinley from here, but more often than not it is clouded over. As was the case during our travels. Cheri missed it, but we should have other chances while here.

The ol’ red truck turned 100,000 near Trapper Creek as we traveled north on the Parks Highway (Alaska 2). It’s been very dependable since we left Salem, and hope it stays that way as we’ll sell it when we return to the lower 48 in September.

Left Talkeetna about 5am Saturday June 6 to finally arrive at the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project that afternoon. Met Rangers Cole and Jake. They showed us our site and very graciously welcomed us.