On Your Horizon

After finishing up his DHC-8 type rating on Tuesday, Andy headed over to his friend/coworker's, house to celebrate over a home cooked Indian meal. Shortly after dinner he decided to make the flight to Kodiak seeing that the flight loads looked good and the weather was looking fabulous for this time of year. First he had to drive home and pack, take the bus to the airport, and finally get to the gate before the last flight to Anchorage departed. 

With Horizon taking over some of Alaska Airline's flights to Kodiak, and elsewhere in Alaska, Andy was on one of the first Horizon flights of the season, which of course means priority standby for him, since it's his company. 

I picked him up before sunrise the next day while Pyper continued to sleep, and then Daddy and Pyper reunited happily. We finished up some logistics, transportation and food, and headed off to the Wilco Pasagshak Cabin. So great to have such generous friends!

Once at the cabin, Daddy was still tired from lack of sleep, but it didn't stop us from hitting Surfer's beach and playing in the sand, checking out beached whales, and just having fun!

After 48 hours we managed to wake up early enough to get Daddy on the morning jet out of town. 

At the river behind the Wilco Cabin, Pyper snuck into the shot!

Checking out the Bison herd on the island. Pyper has decided that bison is no longer on her menu. 

To the beach!

X-tra Tuff Mommy, Pyper, Daddy. 

Island Time

On our favorite island!

Andy was catching up with his friend Ben on Wednesday. Ben was inquiring when we would be visiting Alaska next. When Andy got off the phone, he asked me. I replied with, how about this weekend? So as I write this, Pyper and I are on our first "non-rev" flight headed to Anchorage in hopes of connecting to Kodiak in the morning. 

Fall is already in full swing in Alaska, but the weather, though cool, looks to be great for our chosen days, week, or whenever we head back down South.  

A seamless flight for what they call the "shoulder season" in Alaska. Absolutely no issues getting a seat. In fact, there were so few people on the flight, they had to make sure people stayed in their assigned seat due to the weight and balance of the aircraft. 

We timed it perfect, Pyper fell asleep shortly after takeoff, and upon landing just now, is still sleeping. 

Hello Alaska, good to see again. 

In Anchorage we found our sleeping perch on the second floor where there are native Alaskan exhibits, but unfortunately did very little sleeping. From midnight to 3:30 am, Pyper was well rested from her flight from Seattle, a little too rested. I woke up at 5:00 am to catch our island bound flight, Pyper still sleeping. 

Dad seeing us off in Seattle, showing off our tickets, not sleeping in Anchorage, getting that coveted check mark next to your name at the gate.

We touched down to a "wet surface" and departed the plane into the refreshing chill of Kodiak air. Genevieve picked us up and we headed to a quiet sleeping Wilco household. It didn't take long for Pyper to jump into the Wilco play once everyone was awake. 

No need to unpack, as we head South to the Wilco cabin in Pasagshak. The fight between the listening of Harry Potter and music amongst the older kids and younger kids was comical, but "five little monkeys jumping on bed" was a clear winner over and over again. 

Surf bus to Pasagshak locked and loaded!

We arrived and promptly hit the river. Let the play begin! Fishing, rock and fish remant throwing, wading, fake salmon cooking, meadow restoring, play, play, play. Let another Alaska adventure begin! 

Paxon showing Pyper around the Wilco cabins, checking out the new loft of the mini cabin, and Pyper in love with it all heading down to the river!

Wetsuit buddies with Huxley, Wilco tropical plant appendages, nap time, look out below Pyper, loves her nako beach sand time, Genevieve's meadow restoration dance, Cinderella, surprise hot pink birthday cake for my 34th, always in the water.

Last river mission for the day before heading to the "town" house. 

A Grandma Sunday

Had breakfast at Grandma's after sleeping in today. We picked a flower on the way to give to Grandma, and Grandpa picked a yellow tomato for Pyper. Everyone is happy. Pyper loves her green onion pancakes!

Pyper being silly. 

Calling Gramma Jody over dinner describing spoons and everything else. No prompting needed here, she's having her own conversation. "I want to go to your house right now," I heard a couple of times. We miss our Gramma on the East Coast!

Yup, that's a land line!

Blast into the Past

Ten years ago I graduated from Western Washington University's and North Cascades Institute's Graduate Program. This last weekend we had a fun filled weekend meeting up in the heart of the North Cascades with long lost friends. This was the first reunion of its kind. 

At the "Wizard" tree. A dozen years ago, we brought many kids to this fire hollowed tree. It has grown up too. 

A dozen years ago at the beach with my cohort. 

Cascadian Farms wasn't a brand name when we were in school, but even today it's one of the the best stops along the Skagit River for homemade berry icecreams. I've lost track how many times Lauren and I stopped here to get treats. 

Pyper not afraid to get into the water, even at 44 Degrees, we put her wetsuit on for the plunge. 

The kiddos weren't allowed on the boat rides, so they checked them out dockside. 

Our cohort retreated to the town of Newhalem. This was our stomping grounds back then before the Environmental Learning Center was built. Pyper teaching Lisa about sword ferns. Us exploring what use to be the gravel bar before it was swept away while we were teaching kids about the natural world. Teachable moment. 

14 years of graduate students representing!

Everyone at the reunion celebrating John Miles' retirement. He was our advisor at the Western campus. 

Kid Magic: First day of Preschool

Last week we started the monkey in Preschool. She goes two days a week, four hours at a time, and is surrounded by farm life. The week before, when we were visiting, she banged on the door yelling, "I want in, I want in, I want to go to preschool."  So it was no surprise that it was harder for Andy and I to leave that first day; she didn't even bother saying bye. The second day of preschool was a little different with her wanting us to stay. I'm glad she's already announcing her love for her teachers, she has two. The student to teacher ratio is good with six girls in it, boy ratio is nonexistent.

Getting out of the car, ready for day one. After school she happily played hard in the meadows surrounding the school. 

Too cool for school backpack! One of Andy's previous coworkers gave it to her last Christmas because she is such a Batman fan.