Sunday, July 4, 1999

Boy, did we feel better this morning!  I think Rus rose about 8:30.  I'm convinced the man can't sleep!  I slept till about ten and Stacey slept till 12:45 p.m.  I checked her several times thinking she must have fever.  I had expected trouble getting her to sleep since she'd slept ALL day.  Fooled me!! 

Beth made sure we got all the wash done and the guys were working on cleaning the car.  Sears called and told us the tire was not repairable (had weather rot)... so they took the car back to the airport and got a new spare.  They also gave us a real jack and the other whatever we didn't have. (You see I tried to stay out of all of that)  We'll feel a little better heading out with a spare to trust!

Ted grilled caribou burgers for lunch and Beth had all the other fixings.  They were wonderful.  I suspected what it was because I knew it wasn't beef.  Ted had not said anything on purpose figuring Stacey might baulk.  She devoured it and then when we told her what it was she simply said - "no, it wasn't".... Her perception is her reality!

The temperature was in the mid 80's today and the cats were warm.  They parked on the cool brick of the fireplace.  They get a blue ribbon prize for tolerance.  For two cats that don't deal with children regularly they dealt with Stacey pretty well.  She was absolutely enthralled with the cats and their every move.

This is Ted and Beth's balcony that faces south.  They have such a wonderful view of the Alaskan Mountains from there.  I think especially so in the winter when the leaves come off the trees.  Today is was pretty smokey in that direction.  We had noticed haze on our trip back but didn't know what to attribute it to.  There are fires out in the Yukon.  The reserve that Ted manages has 8,000 acres burning at this time.  Hate to hear that kind of news!

Ted and Beth and Stacey are in the kitchen below.  Note Pumpkin's perch on the refrigerator.  She was trying to get as far out of Stacey's reach as she could right then.  

We always tease Rusty about going to Sam's.  I'm not sure how many times we went while we were in Fairbanks but I always kid him that he goes daily when he's in Shreveport.  We ran by for some grapes etc to take in our ice chest.  We've enjoyed the cherries this last week too.  We ran a few errands.  Rus and Ted were trying to put a mulching blade on the mower and had to return and purchase a different torque wrench.  

It was about 6:00 p.m. when we pulled out of the driveway heading for Denali.  

THANKS, Ted and Beth for a wonderful time in Fairbanks.  We expect to see ya'll in Shreveport and Florida sometime soon and ANYTIME possible!!!

 

 

   

The drive to Denali was only a couple of hours.  We are actually staying near Healy.  It's about 10 miles north of Denali.  We're at the hostel up on Otto Lake Road.  It's pretty much OUT of the way.  We had a little trouble finding it when we were actually very close.  There's not much help with signs.  It's unique like they always are and comfortable.  Stacey and I are in a girls dorm with nine beds and Rus inside the house in a room with 4 bunks.  The college age gals where in a room across from there.  Stacey had hoped we'd be with them.  Instead she was in a cabin with eight old ladies!  I discovered in the middle of the night that we had one real snorer!!!

It was the fourth of July today and fireworks were going off quite late.  They have to do that in daylight here so you don't get the full effect.  We heard dogs bothered by it all until quite late too.  This lake is right down the hill from us.  We took a walk down there when we arrived and were so surprised to see folks water skiing!!  The mountains with snow back drop the scene.  They weren't using wet suits or anything.  I was COLD watching them!

A group of four ladies from Buffalo, New York were in our cabin.  Stacey befriended one and they played Scrabble till midnight.  Not hard to do up here when you can't tell day from night!

We are looking forward to our "day in the park" tomorrow!