What's a Descent Without a Fall?

Cody was able to take the afternoon off yesterday and we headed out to hike Falls Creak Trail, one we'd driven past several times off the Turnagain Arm. The start of the trail was a straight climb... which turned out to be pretty slow going for us. The trail runs alongside a waterfall, so along with the lush woods, we could hear the water too.

At the trailhead

The woods were very thick and green... it was perfect hiking weather- dry and 50 degrees

A man in his element

And a goof in hers

One of the best views- the entire climb was facing north, so we had to remember to turn around to check out the view

Wildflowers

The valley

Enjoying our picnic supper we packed

 Perhaps we didn't pack quite enough

Enlarged to show detail... 3 white dots on hillside are dall sheep: there's proof!

On our way down

Perhaps running down the mountain wasn't the best idea: at least I only fell once (although I'm still working on getting the black soil stain out of my pants)

Where we can often find Caillat

It goes without saying that Cody's been very busy at the course...still. I've still been keeping busy at work, enjoying working days for the next 3 weeks before I change to nights. Cody and I are hoping to make a trip to Denali at the end of July, as long as the course can survive without him for 72 hours or so.

Wedding update: still working on centerpieces and decorations. We've decided on mason jars of varying sizes, now we just need to decide what to fill them with (which flowers, golf balls, etc). We're hoping to take our wedding bands in to be engraved soon, as well as deciding on our music. We met to decide on wedding flowers/church decorations with the woman that volunteers her time to decorate for weddings. She does a great job, so I'm hoping to relinquish that to her. Invites will be completed in the next couple weeks or so, and I'm hoping to get those all addressed/mailed by the end of July... keep a look out in your mailboxes!

Enjoying whale-less Beluga Point last weekend

Apparently dall sheep only travel in groups of three...

We didn't see any whales, just beautiful views...

Busy Alaskans

Cody and I are officially Alaskan residents. With the exception of the PFD (Permanent Dividend Fund), we're bonifide Last Frontierers.

Unfortunately, I was only given the ugly yellow plates

Kia with new plates and new bummer and back latch- finally fixed!

There's not a lot to share this past week... we've both been quite busy with work. Cody's had 4 days of 4:30am wake-ups, so he's actually still asleep as I update this at 10:45am. The course has been hosting outings and tournaments, so he's busy coordinating his staff and overseeing the flow of the outing. I, on the other hand, have been busy taking care of new moms and babies. The unit has been ridiculously busy (except for last weekend, when I was off). I'm on call tomorrow, which means I'll be working- it's that busy. It makes the days go much faster this way, so I can't complain.

Being so busy makes meal preparation interesting:

We've had cereal for dinner numerous times: and here's the weird lookin' milk jug- functionally inept

Cody was so hungry he didn't even wait to heat it up

We're still working on marriage preparations too. We met with Fr. Tom yesterday and have been getting in contact with musicians and the flower coordinator. Still much to do!

For those attending our nuptials: we would love to hear what kind of activities you'd like to do while here. Hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing trips, train rides, trails, museums, etc. We'll need to make loose plans just so we can coordinate transportation and any major trips during your stay (to Seward, etc). So please let me know! (We may be able to find some awesome deals of fishing trips or train rides, but we'll need to plan ahead a little on those).

Float Plane

Cody and I were fortunate enough to be able to attend a chamber meeting held at Lake Hood, the largest float plane lake in Alaska. Along with some free food and visitor information, we were able to take a float plane ride over Anchorage. Although short, it was quite the experience. Had it been any longer, Cody may have gotten sick...

A view west toward the inlet

Downtown/midtown Anchorage

Forest-y area, obvs

View south

I've always wanted a sink cat...

First watermelon of the season: $5 but overripe

3 Months To Go and a Fashion Show

Just three short months until our wedding day. We still have plenty of things to do, but at least we're well on the way.


As mentioned above, Cody was in a fashion show this week (just at the course, don't worry). He had short notice that he would be included as a male model of the pro shop attire. Below are the pictures: (unfortunately, I couldn't resist posting them, although that leaves no further option for blackmail later).

There was a catwalk and everything...

.We've also been on a new-recipe streak, so I thought I'd share a couple good ones:

Coconut Chip Coffee Cake
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream

Filling/topping
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture alternately with sour cream.
Spoon half of the batter into a greased bundt pan. Combine the filling ingredients; sprinkle half over the batter. Repeat layers.
Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.

Pork Tenderloin Stir-fry
1/2 lb pork tenderloin, sliced
2 tsp vegetable oil
mushrooms (optional)
3 green onions, sliced
1/3 cup frozen peas
3/4 cup thinly sliced cabbage
4 ounces canned bean sprouts
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
hot cooked rice

In a large skillet, stir-fry pork in oil until no longer pink. Add the mushrooms, onions and peas; stir-fry for 1 minutes. Add the cabbage, bean sprouts, garlic, ginger and sugar; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in soy sauce. Serve with rice.

(Both recipes are from a Taste of Home magazine, courtesy of Erin.)

Pre Memorial Day: Nature Center & Golf... finally!

Cody was able to take yesterday off (finally!) and after breakfast, we headed north to Eagle River. I'd heard good things about the Eagle River Nature Center so we headed up there to do some hiking/sightseeing. It was a great hike, and we spent some time just sitting by the river (until I was so impressed with Cody's rock-skipping that he had to demonstrate some more). We finished up a movie back at home, while Cody got his first nap in months. Then we headed out to the course so Cody could finally play through a few holes.

Cody had to feel the water

We found the river... which was just breezy enough not to harbor misquotes

We just camped out here for awhile... beautiful 70 degree day

Skipping rocks

I love the mountains reflected on the water

Shortly after this pic, my camera fell out of my sweatshirt pocket and landed right on a rock. I didn't realize it until we got home, but the screen is damaged where you can't really tell all of what you're taking a picture of. At least it still works. Just bummed. (immediately thereafter, I burned my bagel and broke the chain on my necklace... it was a bad few minutes.)

Have a great Memorial Day!

Hiking bug

I'm officially back to work: working 3-4 shifts a week and loving it. The unit is great, and we are having plenty of deliveries, so I certainly shouldn't be bored. The course has been equally busy this week as well. We had 4 days of 70 degree weather, which made for 300+ round days at the course. We were able to hike Flattop Mountain last weekend. Some reports said people have completed it in flip-flops, but I have no idea how. We encountered ledges of snow/ice and basically did some rock climbing to make it to the summit. It did snow at the top and we saw a rainbow along the way. Cody LOVED it, I was a little less certain: perhaps we should have waited until next month (there appeared to be trails, but they were covered in snow/ice, so who knows).

A view over the inlet- we were about half-way to the top

Rainbow

Finally found a less windy spot

Yep, rock climbing

Getting closer...

One kind soul snapped our picture

At the summit! Very windy!

Cody's photography work

View of downtown on our descent

And if you're starting to think: "hmm... isn't that what Cody's been wearing in every picture in the last few weeks?" You are right... it's all he wears.

Cody made his big car purchase this week. We found a great deal on a 2001 Taurus. At least it will get him from point A-B.