We're now back in Anchorage. Dustin is busy preparing to leave for set-netting in Dillingham on the 14th, and I've delayed my departure til the 20th. Life has been busy and full these last years, with major deadlines with school and field work. I'm ready for a recharge, and time to jump off the train for a while and reassess our direction in life. Apart from 2 weeks on St. George in August, I am taking the summer off from biology. Will be joining Dustin for 4 weeks set-netting, and won't plan anything beyond that for now. It proved hard to slow down initially -- truly slowing down calls for real intentionality, and I'm trying to let the summer wind blow my lists of things to do away...and to live today.
Drying hooligan not in Condo Association list of rules... we're not sure how long we can maintain Anchorage life. 
Hooligan filleted, brined, to be dried, and smoked
Made a solo run down to 20-mile for hooligan; they were running hard, and I got 5 gallons in 15 mins. Great diversity of folk, excited kids, and super energy.
Moggy prepares for Hooligan fishing
Winter hangs on in the alpine, though the spring flowers are incredible. Carpets of dryas, and happy ground squirrels. 
And, back to Alaska for June. Sarah and I are making dandelion wine; the 2009 vintage was good and the Eastridge terroir notable for its robust bouquet.
Grand Forks: a true Athens on the Prairie, as everyone always says. Great biking under old elms, warm nights, and time spent visiting Dustin's old haunts.
We rode bikes in Grand Forks.
Paradise garden: peppers, artichokes, corn, and rows and rows of tomatoes. Hard to return to plant our spuds, kale and peas!
We spent a couple of days down in South Dakota visiting Kurt, Joni, Claire, and August. They have bought 20 acreas near the Minnesota border, and are starting a business for cut-flowers. Had a relaxing day planting tomatoes, enjoying the sun, and playing in the pool with the kids.
White Pelicans, black terns, and arctic terns. There are seabirds in North Dakota!
This clever dog joined us to watch the feeding pelicans at Bitter Lake -- look closely and you can see them just 30 yards off the bank.
Enjoyed the small towns en route
Bank swallows over the James River
Near Chase Lake
Wonderful prairie roads winding round lakes. 65 species of birds in 3 days.
Spent a night near Chase Lake; the largest colony of breeding white pelicans in North America. Wonderful grassland and wetland bird diversity, swimming in a lake, night music of coyotes, bitterns and frogs.
Dustin and I then headed out with the truck. Big skies, crazy thunder-storms, hot wind, amazing birds, sleepy villages, straight roads, large and small-scale agriculture, great characters, and a slower pace of life. A good break, though we both wanted longer to recharge after a busy spring.
John and Dexter
Neil showed us his secret spot for wild asparagus and shared his knowledge of its healthy and cleansing properties. We ate it daily on our road trip; what a treat!
The Reynolds coffee crew!
John and Uncle Robert
The elevator at Reynolds, where Uncle Robert works. Each village is built on the railroad and centers around the elevator.
Had a lovely couple of days with Dustin's dad; planting flowers, grilling, and bird watching
Reynolds home
Newly weds! We're soo happy for you both!
Connie, Ron, Sharon and Bob
Joanne, Sharon, Bob, and Keith
In mid May we flew to North Dakota for a couple of weeks to visit family and celebrate Sharon and Bob's wedding! Great to meet Bob's family, share time with friends and family, and enjoy summer weather together.
The Garden Gang
We've been working on a garden at Central Lutheran Church with the drop-in kids group. Raised beds made, willow trellis designed, and seeds planted...
Easter Picnic at Westchester
Erin and Eddy up McHugh early May; the first sunbathing of the year
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