Yep, time does fly when your having fun. While it seems like we just arrived a few weeks ago, in realty we only have a couple of weeks left, so I better get started......

Typical Morning

As mentioned in my last, we're involved with two sets of properties. Renfro's Lakeside Retreat, which is home, and The Cabins at Lake Kenai. We clean the cabins and I've also been taking care of most maintenance issues. I've created links to both websites for more info if desired. The Kenai Lake cabins are rather unique in that there is no electricity or running water. Propane is provided for wall mounted lights and a one burner stove. The caveat is that each cabin comes with its own outhouse. There's also a sauna and hot tub, fueled by wood and your the stoker. Need a shower? No problem. Shower is gravity fed from a 500 gal water tank to a 12 volt water pump, then flows through a 12 volt on demand hot water heater. And of course it's outside so one can savor the view. I do

recommend a browse through the website.

Now onto us and Alaska. Make no bones about it, the weather here sucks! The temperatures have

been acceptable, 20s/40s upon arrival while currently low 50s at night with the daytime reaching low to mid 60s. There was a two week stretch where we did toy with the 70's. Anchorage did toy with the 80s a few times at which time the weather forecasters start promoting sun screen. On the negative side, at least for us, is the lack of sun and clear skies. Couple that with the rain and things appear dismal. Average rainfall is only a few inches a month, but it's usually a light rain and last for days at a time.We're both ready for warmer temps, clear skies and sunshine.

Now with the whining out of the way, we are glad we came. To witness the transition from bare flora

Total Boat Catch

and snow covered mountains to the greening of the land leaving snow covered peaks and glaciers tucked here and there, has been an amazing experience. Alaska is truly one of those places where you can try to capture it on film but won't succeed.

On the plus side, with our work schedules being a week on and a week off, we've tried with some

success to see and do as much as possible. Weather permitting. We started off with a day of deep sea

My Prize

fishing for halibut and and king salmon. We caught our limit with me spending 15 minutes pulling in a 76lb halibut. Next was a 6 hour boat tour of the Fjords National Park where we witnessed 3 ice cavings off one of the glaciers and were able to view a host of wildlife, both in and out of the water. Tried our hand at zip-lining, traversing 6 lines, repelled twice and crossed 3 suspension bridges (Julie says it was totally awesome), a trip on the Alaska RR Glacier tour, a 5 day trip to the Denali/Fairbanks area and sprinkled in a few hikes. Fairbanks included a tour of GoldDredge #8 (learned how to pan for gold), a visit to the University of Alaska Museum of the North and a visit to North Pole, AK. Our last off week will be doing a horseback tour and more hiking, to include Exit Glacier (weather permitting).

Alaska Zoo

Wildlife has been the challenge. Our upclose and personal views have been at the Denali Visitor Center and the Anchorage Zoo. We've even tried some of the less traveled trails thinking we run into something, but no such luck. We're not giving up yet.

Till next time................

Alaska Zoo

Denali w/no mountain view

Denali Visitor Center

Julie's Thinking