Our anniversary train trip to Denali National Park was a fun little trip. The nostalgia of the train itself was the best part. We had lots of room to doze, lean our chairs back, feet rest, and bubble dome sight see on our 7 hour journey north from Anchorage. We would definitely do it again with any visitors who came up! But we would probably only take it from Wasilla or Talkeetna, farther north on the line than Anchorage, because the first 2 hours were just like driving to Anchorage - pointless then. :)

We saw lots of moose, but no bear. The main attraction for me was checking out the cool blue train on turns and river gorge bridges, and mountain viewing the north for the first time. It looks a lot like our Hatcher Pass highlands, with a mingling of Grand Tetons National Park, and Scotland's highlands. Thus, highlands in conclusion (large granite like mountains, less trees in higher altitude:) It was pretty neat to learn and read all about Alaska Railroad and Alaska state history too.

Our hotel was 2 miles straight up a mountain side, and it was nice with great balcony scenes and expensive menus. You can see it way in the distant left corner background on the mountain there at the train depot. Unfortunately it was too far away from a little shopping area and the nat'l park entrance. Besides that no one can go into the nat'l park except by tour bus - moola needed - or if you are an Alaska resident they have a limited lottery for family cars to drive in. We're going for the lottery this fall! All in all it was just nice to get out of Anchorage and Willow for awhile.

Side bar: riding a train by our road and new property twice was surreal, we'd have to say. And it made us appreciate where we live. While travelling amongst so many out of staters - we were secret locals!

Prior to our one and a half day train joy, Anchorage was more urbanite-ish than ever before as our Portland born and raised friend showed us some great bread, coffee, and book/music shops previously undiscovered, unfathomed prior to. So that was nice to have some city feelings again. Made me want to plan a trip to NYC, hmm.

While at our friends house we did a lot of hanging out with movies, talking of school (too much of that :(, and staying up till 3 or 5 am. WHOA! We couldn't sleep, and we didn't realize how nice it was to live in a forest/mountain that blocks out that midnight sun. Currently we have a 2-6 am twilight, and 20 hours of daylight. I have to admit, I'm messed up by it! Groggy more than desired, but with our dark, dark curtains in our bedroom it's been a lot better.

So since, we've been back from our trip we've been cleaning up around the house as usual. Keeping up with 5 acres, sure that sounds like a legitimate task, and even more so when we're cutting trees down every day! ARGH! Not my cup of tea, but enjoyable enough. We're going for a wood shed/structure to cover all our firewood by the time we head home July 4!

This coming weekend I am supposedly headed to Fairbanks, a 5 and 1/2 hour drive north with a small number of basketball players for a team camp. I say supposedly b/c we are about 1-2 people away from canceling it all.....fine by me....but not fine by me. Want that mini-stress over asap b/c it is SUMMER! But if all goes well, we'll have it all good to go by tonight, get there, have fun, get back and done deal!

Well, we're off to check out our new property and do a few errands in Willow.

I shall leave you with these to ponder:
1. a short sleeve turtle neck.................WHY!?!?!
2. I opened that Kenny G jewel case and found out there was an additional cd accompanying the puke - it was a MICHAEL BOLTON CD!!!!! WHY!!??!?!?!

okay, I'll try not to report any more on that number 2 fest

For Your Consideration viewing tonight! The Illusionist and For Your review soon!