Weather and daylight update:
Every day is different. We can be the high 50's, to even the 80's!
Sunset: 11:06 a.m. Sunrise: 4:46 a.m. It is now 1:00 a.m., and it is definitely starting to get dark out at night. This is a very sad thing, now that I've been through a winter here.
June 13 was the arrival of our first summer 2012 visitors, Mom and Dad Strong. Below you will see many of our adventures. It was so nice having them here for a week. Last year they were here, they were stuck unpacking and moving us into our home. This year, it was all about fun and relaxation. We were sad to see them go, but so grateful and blessed to have them. Here are some of our ventures!
At Chena Lakes, enjoying the sunshine and watching Finley swim!
Kathy helped me with all my beautiful flowers. They turned out great! Thanks Mom!
End result! Thanks Mom Strong!
More flowers.
Plane taking off during the Riverboat Discovery Tour.
Native housing from many years ago.
Sled dog puppies we saw at the Riverboat. I held one for quite a while.
Mom and Dad Strong next to the Riverboat.
Trying our hand at panning for gold. Hard to be successful when you don't know what you are looking for.
Relaxing at the gold dredge in the shade on a very warm day.
Another trip to the Salmon bake. I think we all like it here.
Dad had eaten LOTS of crab! But it was SO yummy!
They were such great pals! I just love this picture!
Our first round of many Alaskan meals served to our summer guests.
Thanks for being the 1st!!! guests to visit us this summer. You had to deal with Finley at his worst. He got so much better as summer went on. We love you both so much, and are so thankful for parents like you. THanks for taking the time to come to our home. Love you!
In between Mom and Dad Strong and G and G Strong we had 5 days and we continued to have beautiful weather, here is proof. We also enjoyed running the Midnight Sun Run. This is a 10K that starts at 10:00 p.m. on the Saturday after the longest day of the year. It was SO fun! Lots of people along the route, sun shining the whole race, and a pretty good time for both of us:
It was 83 degrees!!! Yes it really was!
Midnight in June. We ran the Midnight Sun Run. This race starts at 10:00 p.m. You run under the blue skies and midnight sun while the streets are lined with people cheering you on. We LOVED it!
We had to replace our septic tank and leech field this year, so here is a the start of the process. 50-60 trees used to cover this area next to our home. Congregation members helped cut down trees. Look at the next pictures to see the end result.
Grass beginning to grow after new septic was in, and dirt, grass seed, and fertilizer were laid.
Grass coming in beautifully, and it even got mowed yesterday. Few more spots to watch. We have huge plans for this part of the yard, including an awesome fire pit area area in the trees. (in a part you can't see)
Our first garden! Jason built this raised bed. Didn't look very full at first.
We have zucchini, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato plants, cabbage, potatoes, and then rhubarb along the house.
Our raised bed now!
Grandma and Grandpa Strong at the Santa Clause House
Arch of antlers
Beautiful field of peonies at the Botanical Gardens.
So we went to the Salmon bake, with almost every visitor. Delicious food, even better company.
This picture speaks for itself.
Lots and Lots and Lots of watering trying to get grass to grow on top the septic tank and leech field. Thanks Grandpa for watering almost every day you were here.
Our sweet pup.
They saw a moose! Jason got nice and close for a picture.
Chena Hot Springs
Yes, she is wearing shorts inside the Ice Museum (20 degrees). One brave woman.
Using the john!
We were able to get this nice group photo, right before they headed to the airport.
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Strong for the great memories. We love you so much!
A couple of our members, floating the Chena!
Views on the Chena River.
Beautiful night with my favorite man.
Enjoying Chena Lakes! Our Alaskan beach!
Finley's best pal McKinley stayed with us for a few days. Boy will we miss that pup, and her owners, when they move to Georgia in one week!
My mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa Schmill arrived on July 14 at 12:46 a.m. We had such a great vacation! BUSY, but great! We did so much each day, I can't even remember what we all did. Through the pictures, you will see some of our greatest highlights. My younger sister Stephanie arrived on July 17, and they all departed on Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m., July 24. The 10 day trip went way too fast, but was filled with so many blessings and memorable moments. Here are those adventures:
(oh, and the reason there are so many pics from these guests, is because total, I think there were always 8-10 cameras taking pictures)
I love this man SO much!
They became inseparable!
How can you not love that face?!
After the Run of the Valkryies 5K! So fun doing a race with my dad and Jason. The opera lady sang to start the race, and also sang as each person crossed the finish line.
Beautiful church with blue sky in the background.
The family under the antler arch.
Love this lady too!
Beautiful flowers!
Wallpaper before my family got their hands on it. They said they wanted a project while they were here, so this is what I gave them. We did major work in the kitchen and dining room. More pics below, even though I don't have curtains or wall hangings.
Process of painting.
While we were ripping off wallpaper and painting, Finley found a few HUGE holes full of mud. Here is the outcome of the that!
Gold Dredge #8. A wonderful touristy event with free chocolate chip cookies and coffee.
Panning for gold. We ALL found some and became filthy rich!
On Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m., we decided to head south. Steph had just arrived at 1:00 a.m. We had lots of fun on the trip, and when we arrived. Here is the moose we saw on the way there.
My beautiful parents looking out over Hurricane Gulch.
The state flower, the fireweed. When the blossoms reach the top, summer is over :( We pray that this year, it just doesn't reach the top :)
In Denali we did a small hike at Savage River. Finley enjoyed the beautiful river.
Along the Savage River hike.
Probably one of the neatest experiences of our trip was getting to go on Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage. Thanks to a dear friend, we were set up with a private tour of the entire base. My Grandpa was stationed here 60 years ago. As we told him about the tour, you saw tears in his eyes, causing me to tear up as well. (sorry Grandpa, I had to share) We had a tremendous time! We even got to eat in the dining hall. This building here is the SAME building my grandpa worked in 60 years ago. It was so neat to hear him share all his stories. What a true blessing! Love you Grandpa.
The clan. Did I mention that we had beautiful weather down south. 75 and sunny both days, while Fairbanks actually was colder, 55 and rainy! God is good.
At the dining hall enjoy our lunch.
My grandpa with the tour guide. Thank you Pam, for everything you did for us!
We went on a short hike at Eagle River Nature Center, but met this adorable lab puppy at the start. LOVE HIM!
My beautiful sister and myself!
Beautiful Eagle River Nature Center. Reflection of the mountains in the water!
We all did the Riverboat Discovery. One of the best things to do in Fairbanks. Here are Grandpa and Grandma at the Native Village.
Dad kissing a moose.
All of us on the top of the Riverboat Discovery.
Fish wheel at fish camp in the native village.
Grandparents with granddaughters.
Pioneer Park
We were so blessed to have Branches Band from WI come ALL the way up to Fairbanks. They led our worship service on Sunday, and then put on a Concert in the Park on Monday night. They were phenomenal! It was such a blessing to have them share the good news of our Savior with us and our community.
Beautiful mom and sister.
Yes, we attended the Salmon Bake again! Such good food!
Rode the salmon.
I love this family picture. What special memories were made!
God was SO good. My grandma and grandpa and sister got to see the mountain for the first time! It's only a small percentage that actually get to see it while here. So happy for them.
Beautiful Denali! (aka Mt. McKinley)
All of us with some sort of Alaska gear!
Thanks Schmill family for bringing such joy to our summer. Love you so much!
Last but not least, Paul and Cathy Moldenhauer spent a week with us! They arrived the day the Schmill clan left. I spent the whole day cleaning and getting ready for more company. We had an amazing time doing many, fun outdoor activities. It was 75 and sunny EVERY DAY! God truly blessed our weather. Thank you Lord.
The first pictures are from when Paul and Cathy were down south in Anchorage and Denali before heading up here for the week.
They visited Portage glacier south of Anchorage.
Then they spent two days in Denali and went on a bus ride and an incredible hike.
Dall sheep on their hike in Denali. They got up close and personal.
Grizzly in Denali.
We visited the Botanical Gardens in Fairbanks. I took this picture!
We then took our bear spray and headed out to Angel Rocks. A hike out at Chena Hot Springs. Beautiful day, and a gorgeous hike.
Beautiful views.
Finley was a trooper. This was his first big hike. It took about 3 hours, and climbed up about 1,000 feet. He did so well, and did most of the hike off leash. So proud of him!
Finley trying to get cool by rolling in the gravel.
End of the hike back at the start. God's creation is amazing!
So we attempted to take Finley down the Chena river. We had him in a tube with the guys, and Cathy and I took the kayaks. We only made it about one turn, and Finley had go back home. He kept trying to hop out, and it was too hard to control him. We won't give up though! We will keep trying to find a way for him to come with us when we kayak.
Chilling as we float down the Chena River. As you notice, we lost Finley.
We then headed to Chena Lakes when it was almost 80 degrees outside! Beautiful according to Cathy and myself, but too hot according to Jason and Paul. Finley enjoyed swimming, and we enjoyed kayaking and grilling out.
Paul had a blast with Finley.
Beautiful Alaska.
Today up at UAF. Another day blessed by the Lord.
They saw the Pipeline.
Last meal together at Silver Gulch. Love you guys, and thanks for visiting, it means the world to us!
If any of these pictures sparked your interest, and you want to plan a trip to Alaska, just let us know! Our home is ALWAYS open for you.
May God bless you and your family as we near the end of the summer. Enjoy every minute with loved ones, and make as many memories as possible. God bless!
The Alaska Strongs ~
p.s. oh, and if anyone is brave enough, we would love some WINTER guests!
