Pupdate

The folks with the puppy offered to send us photos from time to time if we wanted, so we are requesting weekly picture updates. Here he is at three and half weeks:

Puppy

Abby and I have been long debating a second dog. For many years, I've always said I would get a dog when I owned a house. Now, we have a house. Since Abby and I have lived together, we have been discussing wanting a playmate for our current dog, Indie. So, after much back and forth debating the pros and cons, Abby somewhat jokingly said the clock's ticking - she needs a baby or a puppy ha ha ha. Puppy it is!!!

He is only 2.5 weeks old, so we have to wait until at least October 27th to pick him up. That works out very well for us since we have several upcoming trips planned.

Now it's time to pick out a name...

Yard Moose

After a week of intense moose searching, Abby's sister Kelsey and her friend finally headed back to Ohio.
Naturally, the following week has been non-stop moose sightings. Today was the first time I have seen a moose from the new house. There were two, in fact, in the next door neighbor's yard. This was a perfect situation, since I could look over the 6 ft privacy fence and get close up shots without too much risk...never did see mama though

Denali NP

Abby near Polychrome Pass 

Our fall bus trip through Denali National Park was a long, relaxing ride that offered continual scenic views. 

There are two ways to take a bus ride through the park. One is the bus tour and the other is the bus shuttle. The tour runs about $170 per person and the shuttle about $60. The difference is the tour includes a narrator, a coach seat and a sack lunch. The shuttle is an old school bus with small seats, lots of people, and numerous stops. We opted for the shuttle.

Caribee on the Toklat River 

Eielson Visitor Center

The park shuttle system is designed to allow people on and off the bus wherever they like. Many people choose to simply ride out and back as a cheap yet effective way to see everything possible from the road. The road is about 90 miles long and takes about 6 hours each way. The shuttle bus stops every hour or so for bathrooms, and they will stop any time there is wildlife near the road. Additionally, they will stop to pick up or drop off backpackers.

Denali being elusive above the park road

Abby and I boarded the bus at 7:30am and were back at our car about 7:30pm. We saw moose, grizzly bears, eagles, and caribou. It was sunny when we started, raining and sleeting when we got to the end of the road, and everything was covered in snow on our way back out. We enjoyed all the fall colors that are possible, and lots of wildlife. Not surprisingly, the big mountain never came out for a picture.

Great fall colors

Blueberries were just right

We took a couple of backpacks with clothes and a small cooler for snack food. The trip was a great time, and I believe we will do it again when everything is green, just to see the contrast and hope for a great photo opp of the mountain.

More caribou

Wonder Lake

Great Grizzly picture - taken with my cell phone camera

Many wildlife pics with bits of people

Caribou - they know you want to shoot a photograph

Eielson Center on the way back

The only grizzly on our side of the bus!

Morning sun, mid day rain, afternoon snowfall. All of it beautiful

Caribou on the side of the Parks Highway

Fall Colors

That's Denali behind us!

Cincinnati Summer

Poolside beverage after Brendan's  arrival

One of many chili stops, per usual

Abby had the fortune of being chosen for a professional conference in (of all places) Cincinnati, Ohio. The conference was scheduled for a week and she decided to stay an extra week to spend more time with friends and family. Given the circumstance of one free ticket to Ohio, I decided to join her for part of her time there.

Reds win!

Reds Game!

Canoeing with Abby's family

St Mary's festival. Noah Blase in the dunk booth

Day at the zoo with Abby's college friend and her son

Cornhole party at the Blase's

Sunlight Pool at Coney Island 

As always, each day was packed full of reunions, libations, and all around good times.

Abby's Grand Opening

Abby's company, NeighborWorks Anchorage, celebrated the grand opening of their building "The Roosevelt" which provides affordable apartments for persons with disabilities. The grand opening, which included catered food and a speech from Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan, was a big success and was largely due to planning and preparation by NeighborWorks Anchorage Project Coordinator....Abby!

Read more and watch the video on Anchorage's KTVA Channel 11:
http://www.ktva.com/home/outbound-xml-feeds/Neighborworks-Housing-Project-Opens-164439656.html

Congratulations Abby on another success at your job, we are all very proud of you!!

Alaska Softball

As part of her first season in Alaska, Abby decided to play organized softball on a team with our neighbor and good friend Josh. Despite many dreary cold nights, tonight's final regular season game welcomed the best evening weather of the year. Thanks to the Powells for all their organizational efforts. We're already looking forward to next season!

Abby and Josh's 2012 Alaska Softball Team