In July, we packed up to head to England to spend time with dad. Our
plan was to travel through North Dakota to visit family there en route.
We haven't left Alaska in the summer for years and years, and it was hard. Once we leave town, it's always OK, but Cordova has a strong pull, and it takes a lot of effort to break free!
Leaving Cordova and home for an unknown length of time was a lot of work! There was a mass of COVID international travel paper work to navigate, greens to harvest, canning fish and meat, cleaning, and getting the house buttoned down for winter. Plus trying to squeeze in hikes, swims, and goodbyes with friends... Our last day was full one to leave on, with the Salmon Jam run, water skiing for Peter, a quick swim in the ocean, and lots of goodbyes to friends and neighbors.
Leaving the mountains was hard for me, especially since visibility had been low for weeks and it had been hard to get much high country hiking in. Peter joined me for a magical walk up Mt Eyak the week before we left. He's a great hiking partner.
A goodbye gift.
The salmon made it up the creek and were below the bulkhead the night before we left town.
Getting the kids out of bed to welcome the salmon back.
Yes, this is 10pm in the summer!
Beautiful ferry ride to Whittier
We bumped into the Fischbachs in Whittier, and took the train up to Anchorage for a few action packed days of medical appointments and catching up with friends. The boys discovered a love for single track mountain biking. Time was too short, but it was lovely to see friends.
One flight and a train ride later... we made it to North Dakota!
International travel rules changed when we were there, and we changed our flights to stay a week longer in North Dakota and avoid the quarantine after arrival in England. Such a treat to spend an extra week with family, and have some unexpected days with less time pressure together.
Old cars played a big part of our visit.
We stumbled across a couple of car shows, and the boys loved it all.
Lots of card games with Grandma
Lots of time in Grandpa John's yard
Trip highlight-- a ride in cousin Brian's oldsmobile!
Biking around Reynolds and the grain elevator
Leif loved riding Dustin's old BMX bike
Excitement finding grasshoppers and monarch butterfly caterpillars!
Lots of outdoor visits and picnics. Here's Grandpa John and Uncle Robert.
With changing travel plans, Peter managed to squeak in three birthday celebrations!
The first, sharing a birthday cake with Grandpa Bob!
It was hot, and water parks and outdoor swimming pools were an essential part of our daily schedule. We fell in love with a local old outdoor pool, and spent long sessions there.
Harvest time in action, and Peter got to catch a ride on a combine and grain truck.
Boys dreams come true. 4 wheeler rides at Neil's farm.
Biking over the Red River, stopping en route to check out some cat-fish fishing..
Cookie and ice-cream sundae on Peter's actual birthday!
Thank you all for hosting us for these special days.
We miss you, and wished we all lived closer.
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