Pappy and Grammy's Summer Visit

 

Pappy and Grammy made the trek up to Alaska this summer.  Here's a shot at the Texas Roadhouse in Anchorage, taken under the mount of Willy the caribou.

Grammy brought Landon the quilt she hand-made for him. An incredible heirloom he'll eventually pass down to his kids.

Scenes of Alaska on the front and back.

Grayson's 14th birthday.  He went through quite a transition this year.  Grew about a foot, and is now a fitness guru.  It's always fun to look through pics of his previous birthdays, here's some below:

Last year's 13th birthday.

Grayson's 2nd birthday.

Grayson's first birthday.  

The boys, chillin while watching tv.

The garden is doing well so far.  In the foreground is our lettuce, cabbage, peas and Brussels Sprouts.

Farther back are our broccoli, Swiss chard, pumpkin, cucumber, spinach and asparagus.

Onions, carrots and beets in the raised beds.

Potatoes are going strong.

Panoramic of the greenhouse, full of tomatoes and peppers.

Lupine and wildflowers.

According to this fireweed, summer is about half over (when the blooms reach the top, that's the end of summer, so the saying goes).

Visit from the Wilsons

 

Darren, Laura and Kate made a visit to Alaska.  We had a great time.  It was Darren's first trip to Alaska.  Jolene has more pics from their Seward trip and hikes up to Independence Mine that she'll post later.

Taking a walk through the woods near the house.  

Landon returned from Navy ROTC summer training, with a shaved head and very sore body.

His first choice of restaurant, sushi at Tokyo Rose.

Then deep fried halibut once we got home.  The planters on the table are from a Red Spruce on base that I took a spruce cone from, and tried planting some of the seeds.  So far, only 6 came up.

While Landon was flying home from Chicago, Grayson was flying to Texas to visit with Honey and Gramps, and attend the Coach Adams Texas Tech Basketball Camp.  This was my 'Find my IPhone' snapshot while Grayson was in a terminal at DFW, and Landon was in a terminal at Chicago O'Hare, both of them ~3,000 miles from home.

Later, Grayson returned from Texas and immediately joked about Landon's haircut.

We spent some time updating the landscaping this summer.

Took out some old plants, added new mulch and some flower pots.

Before Grayson left for Texas, he helped me re-seal our driveway.

We added some more Norway Spruce, along with some Blue Spruce and Emerald Green Arborvitae.  Anxious to see how they all fare in our winters.

The apple and cherry trees had a few blooms.

Our little Norway Spruce saplings we planted last year had a rough winter.  Frost killed much of the needles, but they have bounced back this summer and have put on some new growth.  Hopefully they fare better this winter.

The falls at the Creek.  Just waiting for the salmon to return.

Our new eagle pair have at least one chick in the nest.  

Moose always abound.

And the occasional bear.

For the first time in 13 years, we decided to get a another car.  Our cars are 20, 15 and 13 years old, so we were in need of a new one.  Not the best time to buy with the Post-COVID inventory shortage, but prices weren't that much different here in Alaska, and they happen to have the model Jolene wanted in transit up to Fairbanks, so we took the plunge.  She is enjoying it so far.  It's our first Toyota. I took this pic on a pull-out near Denali National Park.

Landon Graduates and Ships off to Naval Station Great Lakes

Honey and Gramps made the trek North to Alaska to see Landon graduate from high school.

We enjoyed having them with us.

Landon's graduation day, getting ready to go to the ceremony.

Lots of tassels and cords.

Posing with Honey and Gramps before the ceremony.

Gramps on the deck looking over the hayflats.

At the ceremony, seated down on the field

Landon's picture on the big screen.

Another picture on the big screen.

Gramps watching the ceremony.

Honey and Gramps, with the video of the graduates on the screen in the background.

A video of the moment Landon's name was called.  You can also see him cross the stage on the screen in the background.

After the ceremony.

With Grayson.

Showing his diploma.

Later, we visited the Reindeer Farm in Palmer.

Honey and Gramps, saying hello to the farm's resident moose.

Feeding the reindeer.

Gramps sizing up the livestock.

On the Reindeer Farm, with the Butte in the background.

An overlook, with Knik Glacier in the background.

On the Musk Ox Farm.

Bull Musk Oxen.

Back at the house, roasting s'mores around the garden's fire pit.

The boys, horsing around in the garden.

The big steps just keep coming for Landon.  He went to base with me to get a reg haircut prior to shipping off to Naval Station Great Lakes for Naval ROTC indoc training.  After his haircut, we drove by a black bear on base, and stopped to snap a quick photo.  We also saw 5 moose, two moose newborn calves, another black bear and a fox carrying its small kit around in its mouth - - lots of wildlife out and about.

Last night, on the way to the airport to drop Landon off, we stopped and ate dinner.

The waitress figured out he was joining the Navy, and brought him a special dessert.

At the airport.  Everything he needs is in one small backpack, as we saw him off on his redeye flight to Naval Station Great Lakes.  We'll hear from him again in about a month!  Please keep him in your prayers.