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Unfortunately for all vacations they have to end. Bruce and I returned in the wee hours of the morning on July 5th. The kids came home a little over a week later.
What a blessing to have such a wonderful family to share with. This is 5 of my aunts and uncles - missing two of the whole gang. I am blessed to have this wonderful extended family.
A turmoil of thoughts went through our mind about whether or not we should move up there, close to my family, but oh so far from Bruce's. It was decided that we stay in our excellent community of La Pine and just work on visiting them more frequently.
I think we have all the suitcases unpacked - but not everything is put away yet - that is for the norm. Well now that vacation is over we are in the real world, messy house, dirty dishes piled high, and mounds of laundry. Ah the joys.
Thanks for going on vacation with us. It has been fun sharing with you all.
The Henrys
Uncle Doug is so good to us. He came home from work and shared there was a mommy moose and her two babies just down the street. So Sarah and I - in our jammies jumped into the car and off we go.
I know I don't have a camera for telephoto - we did not want to disturb her, but that is her and the babies. It is so awesome to see these graceful but gangly creatures in the city limits. She has hung around for a while.
Then less than a mile up the street was our buddy Bullwinkle that has been here most of the trip. Are we sure it is Bullwinkle - no but it makes us feel great.
So some great wildlife in Anchorage. Made my trip complete to finally get some pictures - Sarah and I both agree that we should take a baby moose home with us - but it just won't stay in the suitcase.
Loving our wildlife -
The Henrys
It is our last Tuesday in Alaska, and daddy decided to go for the big one. After another great family dinner - with even more people and more potato dumplings - Bruce took Aunt Le May's car to get the big one. He drove 100 miles one way to the Russian River.
The Russian River is known for combat Salmon Fishing. He arrived there about midnight - and unfortunately the ferry had shut down - and all the fish were on the other side of the river. He thought about hiking through the trial to get there. It is a mile hike - no biggie - except it is getting dark, and bears. There was a bear attack about a mile from Doug and Le May's house - at 1:30 am. It is really not dark here, but in the woods it would be. So he fished for a while.
Napped a bit - then drove back into Anchorage and fished at Sheep Creek - still no salmon to take home. We will sneak into a gift shop and pick some smoked up and no one will know the difference. Tomorrow he and the kids will go fishing with Aunt Connie and see what they find.
Although he did not catch the salmon - he caught some great wildlife - like a black bear at Russian River - a moose on the drive down, and then these dall sheep on the drive back - plus great scenery. What more could you ask for? Okay the big Salmon!
But the big Salmon is still here in Alaska waiting for him to come back.
The Salmonless Henry Family
Happy Birthday Josh. On his day we went and saw Kung Fu Panda - what a great movie. Aunt Connie took us out to lunch first. We laughed and laughed, it is a movie the Henry Family will definitely be buying.
Then we went to the Sourdough Mining Company for dinner. Here is Josh consuming a 14 oz New York Steak - okay mom did get maybe like 4 oz - but the rest was his. His comment after that and dessert - I am still a little bit hungry. What a growing boy.
We came back to Aunt Le May's and Uncle Doug's for the birthday cake mom had made - but we were all too full to even think about it. He had a great day celebrating in Alaska.
Happy Days from the Henrys
Woohoo Sarah caught a fish! Daddy took Sarah and Josh fishing one day. Sarah came home with the only keeper - a rainbow trout.
Everyone had to fight to get a taste of it as she wanted to eat it all herself. So we are having some great times fishing in Alaska. The big question is will Daddy catch a salmon?
During this time - Mom, Grandma and Aunt Connie went quilt shop shopping, unfortunately mommy has new projects to do. She was so excited when Aunt Le May shared that a piece of her fabric was in memory of the first sled dog race that was taking serum to villages - leading to the Iditorid. Mommy got jazzed as now she has her writing project for her summer class. She is on a roll.
As you can tell we are certainly enjoying our time in the up north country.
Bruce, Lori, Josh and Sarah
Another awesome event in Alaska is every two years the Air Force base brings in planes from all different armed forces along with the Fed Ex and they open the base to tours of the planes. In addition there is a fantastic air show going on the entire day.
This is Josh and Sarah at the cockpit of an Air Force F-15 with the pilot. Josh's day was made seeing an F22A Raptor and then watching it do stunts in the sky.
It was an amazing day - touring all these planes, being able to thank the wonderful men and women in the Armed Forces for all they do for us. Josh had the best time we have seen in a while. It was a delight to see him light up - Sarah loved going through a Fed Ex plane and also sitting in all the cock pits.
Another great Alaskan Day. God has blessed us on this trip with some great weather, super events, and the best family ever.
The Henry's
Bruce, Lori, Josh and Sarah
What a great plan we are here for Alaska's 50th birthday party.
Here is Sarah and Aunt Le May helping out at the National Firefighters Competition. They had a great time while mommy and grandma shopped with Josh. Bruce and Uncle Doug were out fishing, again.
They also reenacted the pinning on of the star and the bonfire - it was amazing. I also got to meet Barbara LaVelle - one of my most favorite Alaskan artist. She is as sweet in person as her pictures are.
After spending all day in town - we were tired puppies - but what an awesome celebration. They closed down several downtown streets, for live music, dancing and exhibits going on. We had a blast.
Thanks Alaska for a great celebration. Some of you would like to know that my family was here for the original celebration when Alaska became a state - pretty cool to celebrate the 50th with them.
Happy Birthday Alaska
The Henrys
We had a great day at the zoo. All the animals were out and it was great. One of the best trips to the zoo we have had.
The kids can not decide which were the best animals - having them all really is making the decision hard.
It was overcast, making the day even better - no rain though. We spent about four hours there - seeing the moose - I loved the baby moose. The bears were fabulous too. There were all the wonderful Alaskan animals and then the surprise of seeing tigers too.
Another great day in the Great North!
Love
The Henrys
Another fun filled day for us. We went and visited Lori's college friend. It was fun to catch up on each other's lives in person.
Besides that we did not a lot. The kids went crazy picking Aunt LeMay's dandelions to make some dandelion jelly. Sounds interesting.
This is one of the great parks close to the house, unfortunately the weather has not been the greatest to go again. Hopefully it will clear up and get warm.
On the agenda for tomorrow - the kids are going fishing with daddy, and mommy will finish up her school work. I know you all know I will probably be napping but it sounds good doesn't it. Tomorrow night it is tacos at Uncle Vern and Aunt Connies - so the kids can terrorize Snoopy!
A nice quiet day and some good friends and family - what a blessing. God Bless You!
The Henrys
The boys had a fantastic time at the lake. I think Bruce would love to come up every summer and spend time there fishing. It was a dream come true.
Josh is the winner from fishing - he caught three - Bruce one, Doug and Brendon none. This is a picture of Josh's Lake Trout - 22 1/2 inches long - it had to be 24 inches to keep. So all we have is the picture.
This is Sunday - and they just got home. Uncle Doug is BBQ ing the greyling that Josh caught, Bruce's char, and Josh's char. Not that I will be eating them but everyone else is so excited.
Last night was Summer Solstice here - I went to the grocery store at 8:30 and you would have thought there was a huge party going on - it is awesome reading when I go to bed at 11 - without a light.
As you can tell we are having a great time. Tomorrow we will visit with my college friend - then Wednesday heading to Seward. So more pictures coming up.
Thanks for all the prayers - we are having a great time!
The Henrys
Bruce, Lori, Josh and Sarah
We spent Friday hanging out in Palmer Alaska. You know growing up here, I did not know that Musk Ox are native to Alaska and almost extinct. But there is a Musk Ox Farm bringing them back.
This is a momma shedding her coat - she is only about 700 pounds. It was interesting learning about them and the Quivet - special fur underneath that is so soft. I don't know who enjoyed it more - the kids or us.
We then went to the Tsunami Warning Center for all of US - it was awesome and so educational. We got some great thing to bring back for our science teachers.
The boys left and headed to the lake and cabin for some serious fishing.
Woohoo on our first day here we were peeling potatoes and making dumplings. Yummy our Norwegian heritage and potato dumplings.
This is Josh and Aunt Connie - grating the potatoes. Aunt LeMay invited the whole family over so there 15+ of us. It was fantastic.
It was a beautiful sunny day and we loved being out on Aunt LeMay's gorgeous new deck. There was lots of laughter and love that night. A highlight for us and part of the reason we are here.
Love The Henrys
We made it to Anchorage Alaska on Monday the 16th at 11:00 pm. On our way home from the airport we saw our first moose - we have seen him since so we are calling him Bullwinkle.
We are having a great time with family. What a blessing to have a beautiful state to go to and to be with our loving family.
We will update here as adventures happen - watch for fish photos and all the fun!
Having a great time in Alaska!
Unfortunately for all vacations they have to end. Bruce and I returned in the wee hours of the morning on July 5th. The kids came home a little over a week later.
