Day-cation

Despite the rainy weather, Cody and I thoroughly enjoyed our day-vaction trip to Seward, AK. We had a hard time deciding exactly what to do, since Cody was able to take Saturday and Sunday off, but given the weather, we had to make certain considerations. A trip to Valdez is still in our hopes for this summer, but we did get to hike Caine's Head, a trail we'd been eyeing.

Just waiting for Cody to get his rain gear from work...

Ready for the hike! (Sporting my new 2-fer coat we got on clearance)

One part of the trail (another was a forest, and another beachy)

A sneak peak of the bay

Salmon

Caine's Head Trail Link

Enjoying the trail, despite the rain

A view back from the creek crossing

Wilson's first beach

Full of slippery rocks

Less a few layers. Thankfully it was a relatively 'warm' day

Enthralled with the barnacles/mollucks

Sea lion head clllleeeaaarrr out there

Toe in Resurrection Bay

A view back along the beach (even though we turned around in time to make it back, the tide was already coming in and had covered parts that had been clear when we came by)

Headed to the cruise

We made it with about 2 minutes to spare for our 2pm wildlife cruise departure

Teeny tiny orca dorsal fin

Enlarged to show anything

Soaked and chilly

A bucket hat doesn't help when the rain's blowing sideways

Humpback!

Seascape (there is a sea lion along the rock, but it's practically impossible to spot)

Sea otter head there in the middle of the picutre

Out shooting pictures while Cody was nursing his sea sickness

new shirt!

A very busy salmon cleaning station

Because we saw orcas

Penny of course!

Examining a whale skull

Sea bird habitat: puffins exist!

Cody and his octopus

Dueling sea lions (said we didn't make it in time to see the baby beluga whale that was rescued this summer)

Salmon quiz

Cody was not as tall as the sea lion

Our beluga ornament

Cody wanted to document how much snow was still on the mountains (I did drive home, in case he tells you otherwise)

Rolls, JIF & Honey Bunches of Oats

Just when I thought I'd lost the touch with yeast, I successfully made a batch of Hawaiian sweet rolls.

Whoops, forgot to take a picture before we devouring a warm roll with butter

 And here's the recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/sweet-hawaiian-yeast-bread-bread-machine-94674/review?pn=3

And just because my mom says Wilson has the same expression:

How's that for a different photo angle?

Our 'lazy' Sunday consisted of scrubbing the shower, laundry, and reorganizing the pantry (where you can see I have continued to forget how our supply of JIF and Honey Bunches of Oats is while at the store, therefore I buy more)

In a lame attempt to cheer you up, Darci...

5K and Sad Plant Rescue

We entered our first race today, with a 5K in the nearby town of Eagle River. The Bear Paw Festival hosts a race every year and we were blessed with dry, moderate temperatures.

Prior to the start (the people-watching conditions were great)

And we finished! Cody finished in 29:29 and I finished in 30:34; we both ran the entire way (I thankfully had a companion from work, as Cody took off ahead 1/2 way through)

And of course we had to check out the parade, which was above average, in spite of its jungle theme

photo op. yes, please.

 We kept busy tonight after Cody got home from work by completing a project we had set out to do 3+ months ago: pinterest-inspired planters.

The assembly

Our low paid help

And here they are!

We had to run to WalMart to rescue a few sad-rack plants

And with the planter (proof is in the dirty hands)

The full view (we're being quite the plant people)

Other side view

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cody's mom, Darci. Get well soon!

Mean Frappe 'Tache

We made homemade chocolate frappes, and Cody discovered that if he drank it carefully enough, it left an appealing mustache.

Cody and I enjoyed a day off together on Sunday, complete with an afternoon nap (one of Cody's only naps this summer!). Later we tried to take a hike/walk, but forgot bug spray, so it didn't last very long. We headed to a baseball game that night as well. Turns out the Alaska Baseball League has a college player from Nebraska. who knew?

Tired of Hiking Pictures Yet?

Cody and I took off for Eagle River this morning on what would be our longest hike to date: 14 miles. We completed it in just under 7 hours (which doesn't sound impressive, but we had a lunch/fishing break). We had a lot of fun, that is, until our 'dogs' started barking with 3 miles left to hike. Here's a link to the trail we did: South Fork Valley Trail

It was a cool 48 degrees when we left, hence the gloves

Cody put his leatherman to work early on

Our future residence

View of the valley

Patiently waiting for Wilson to get a drink

Moose!

Table Rock

The teaser lake

Of course Wilson had to take a swim

Facing the daunting boulder field

Steam leading to the river

It was windy there in the tundra

The milky green Eagle Lake

The boulder field seemed never-ending

Our picnic spot facing Symphony Lake

Snapping some picture while Cody when to fish

Panorama #1

#2

#3, Apparently there are some awesome sights back and around the two lakes (we decided today wasn't the day for that)

Wee Cody by the shore (he did catch one fish, and then lived to tell every group of hikers after they inquired as we hiked back)

Just taking in the sights (after we found Wilson, who had run off for about 5-10min)

All smiles still (before our feet started throbbing... I blame the massive boulder field)

The trail back

Fourth of July...ish

Cody and I both agreed that it hardly felt like Independence Day this year. Perhaps it's because we were both exhausted from/at work yesterday, or the fact that it was overcast and 45 degrees, or perhaps it was the lack of a fireworks show. We did end up going for a bike ride last evening, although I wimped out on account of the wind/rain.

We rode from Indian to almost Bird Point along the Turnagain Arm

Cody says I'm such a fair weather girl

The loooong uphill

Anyone who knows me knows I love a new bedspread

And here's a video of Wilson's obsession with reflections.