Kitwanga to Prince George, British Columbia ~Alaska Trip Day 46

Thursday morning, we wanted to keep moving, so before 8 a.m. we walked down the steps and up Battle Hill in Kitwanga where we had spent the night. How fitting that an eagle soared overhead as we learned of the great Gitwangak chief that had previously dominated this area.

Since fuel in Canada is sold by the liter, to calculate gallons, we multiply by 3.785. However their dollar is about $.80 of the U.S. dollar, so that adds another twist to calculations. We generally paid with our credit card that automatically gave us the daily conversion rate without an additional percentage tacked on. The grand total mileage for this trip was 9,400...averaging the gas price to $2.73 per gallon.

We stopped at the Hazelton cabin visitor center and the Vanderhoof visitor center & heritage museum.

And we found another playground park in Prince George to fix and eat supper nearby.

Ninilchik and Homer ~Alaska Trip Day 37

Tuesday, August 30, we're on the way to Homer. We made a pit stop at Soldotna to gas up, empty tanks, and grocery shop at Fred Meyer (Alaska's Dillons or Kroger store). We encountered a not-so-happy lady there who informed us that driving the way we were, holding up traffic, would get us a ticket. Although a police car had followed us the last few miles into town. She did say, "Welcome to Alaska" twice, despite her irritation. Traveling later we finally understood the frequent signs that said Delay of more than 5 vehicles is illegal. Pull over and let the car train behind us by!

On the other hand, at a road construction stop, a very friendly lady encouraged to us pull forward so we could see the volcano Mt. Redoubt and offered local travel advice.

We stopped at the Russian Orthodox Church, then pulled through Ninilchik Village below. 

At 1:30 p.m. we arrived at the Homer overlook and saw 2 eagles soaring above us. We cruised into town, got wet at Bishop Beach, perused Island's and Oceans Visitor Center, drove up and down the spit, then set up camp by the sand.

Homer Spit jutting out into Kachemak Bay

Bishop's Beach

The Spit's tide going out.

Relaxing while the children play, watching the seabirds, chatting with locals who have their dogs out on the beach, picnicking for supper, building a campfire in the sand; these are the moments of soul refreshment that I long for and relish. 

"In moments like these I lift up my voice, I lift up my voice to the Lord; saying I love you, Lord..."

Mother's Day

The day began with a hot breakfast of blueberry pancakes prepared by hubby and the children.

We visited Pratt Bible Church where the sermon focused on mothers from scripture and stories. In Sunday school, the littles colored a picture and cut out coupons for picking up toys, obeying happily, hugs & kisses, etc. 

For lunch, frozen meatballs and butterhorn rolls that my oldest daughter made were quickly heated while the younger three made a salad and set the table.

We drove to the lake in the evening and met with friends where the fish continuously bit. 
Sweet C reeled in eight, lickety split! 

 It was fun, though the fish were a bit small...or even as tiny as a chapstick tube.

We walked the nature trail then headed home to sweet gift packages that wrapped up a very nice day!

Garage Remodel

Hello! Welcome to my garage.

In these pictures it is actually swept and tidy, ready for a group of friends to come watch a Bible DVD one spring Sunday morning.

My hubs & son had previously put up OSB on the walls, so it is already looking neater yet.

Let me tell you, it is a wonderful-good feeling to have your living space thoroughly cleaned and tidy!

Prepping for company is a lot of work, but the end result is so fulfilling. 

Have you figured out that...

I. love. tidy.

Well then, improvements usually come with a big mess ahead of them.

So now we are sanding black stamped lettering off the OSB walls and putting up ceiling.

However...
First the wiring needs adjusted. 
And insulation needs installed. 
Then the finish work can begin!

Don't forget to caulk the seams before you begin to paint!

Ladders can be rather cumbersome, so improvise with a rad truck bed cover.

Phew! 

It's a lot of work, but now the area is so bright and fresh!

Garage doors replaced.

Just need to go through that clutter against the wall. 

Except those are supplies for the new bathroom that's in construction. 

Sigh. The work continues.

Improvements abound!

A peek at the original garage - June 2013...

...to the spiffed garage - June 2015.

All it takes is a little time...