White Pass Rail

Monday, June 16th

Today we rode the White Pass Rail. Now if you don't know this about me, I love trains. Ans so does Uncle Phil. So this was a real treat. The train was built during the Klondike Gold Rush and besides for a few years that it was halted has run since then. Now full of tourist of course. It is a beautiful ride. We turned around at White Pass (the border). There are bridges on the track that make you feel like you are floating in the air, 1000 ft up. It was a neat feeling. When I go back in a couple weeks to hike the Chilkoot I will be riding the steam engine back from Lake Bennett. We had such a fun time. U Phil spent much time out on the "deck" of the train. I went out there and joined him a few times. It was so beautiful and you are so close to the rock and mountain.

After our train trip A Mary and I headed back into town to see if we could pick up the map I wanted from the Chilkoot Trail Office. We had been trying to talk to someone for a few days, but they were always busy with hikers. Today we did and I found out it's the same map I already have. I did check out the trial conditions on the board:

"Snowshoes recommended, campsites buried under snow still, avalanche danger high, walking sticks recommended."

I decided to wait until I come back to panic, since I do not have snowshoes or a walking stick. It's still a couple weeks away.

We walked down to the waterfront in the evening. I know that I started to feel a little sad, I have had so much fun these past few days with my Aunt and Uncle, but tomorrow we part ways. It really isn't a sad time, I just know that I will miss them. MJ

Back to catching up

Downtown Skagway
Gold Miners' Cemetary
Last standing structure of Dyea
I think you've got this one.


So, after the "boating" (I use the term loosely) trip and the helicopter ride, we were off to the ferry and then onto Skagway. A Mary and U Phil learned that I must explore when I am riding the ferry. I think that it is such a cool way to get around and I just have to know what's on the "boat" I am on. The ferry ride is 5.5 hours, so by the time we got to Skagway it was late. A Mary rolled out my bed and we retired. After checking out their "home on wheels".





On Sunday, June 15th (Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday Denise) we did some more exploring. A Mary took me downtown to shop. Skagway is pristine. It is a small community, 820 year-round residents. But they have a wooden walkway and the buildings are all painted and the streets are clean. I was very impressed, make Juneau's downtown look like the slums. I came to the conclusion that it has to do with the area being considered "historic". Gateway to the Gold Rush. So I am assuming that they get federal funding and may use that money to keep the town looking so nice.





A Mary was a patience women while I shopped for hiking pants. I have had a problem finding any that fit in Juneau and even though we are the bigger town, Skagway has much better hiking stores. I have a feeling that has to do with people coming to the area and buying what they need before they hike the Chilkoot.





We explored an old Gold Miners Cemetery and they took me out to the start of the Chilkoot. I wasn't excited at all. I think if U Phil could have driven the truck on it, we would have. We also did a little walk-about through what used to be Dyea. The starting town to the Chilkoot. A Mary was wishing she had he Bear Spary. It is a beautiful area where fresh water meets the salt water. I plan to give you more history on the area after I return from the Chilkoot. The drive back there was a little narrow at times, glad I wasn't driving. I hope that Bob and I will be able to go back and spend a few days. It is definitely our kind of place. MJ

What's in a name?

If you want to learn a little about how I got my name, click on the link to my Mom's blog and read her latest. MJ

Bob's "Ocean Going Vessel"

See the dot, just coming out of the trees? Yeap, that is Bob and Uncle Phil. Bob really wanted to go out in the "Ocean Going Vessel"(it's Nate and Colin's boat, Bob pays for the slip) with Uncle Phil, so Saturday morning (June 14th), they went out it in. I told him "Good Luck" when he said that he was going to ask Uncle Phil. But they went. Please notice the cruise ship in the background. That is how tiny the "ocean going vessel" is. I refuse to go out in it. It is a bathtub and that is the ocean, thank you very much. They had a good time. Oh yeah, did I mention that they got boarded by the Coast Guard? Figuratively speaking of course, there is not enough room for them to actually "climb on board". It was all good, except that the boat was missing the floatation device. It's on the boat now and Bob emailed it to the Coast Guard, so hopefully he won't have to pay a fine. So after this, we went on the helicopter ride. MJ

Saturday, June 14th

(I told Shane, our pilot, "No pressure, but this is the only picture of all four of us from their visit." He did a fine job.)

We are finally set up for the helicopter ride. We were all four able to go, thanks to a couple from Texas who had to reschedule with Coastal because it was too foggy at other glaciers. Each helicopter company has their "own glacier" to land on for the season.

Side note: the seaplanes are fling up and down the channel right now. You would think that it would be an annoying sound, but I love to listen to them and see them flying in a row up and down the channel.

So, since there was only 2 of them, we all got to go. Thank you couple from Texas! I know that it is strange that I am terrified (that is not an exaggeration) to fly in a plane, but I do love the helicopter. Maybe it's because I can see all the instruments and I know what is going on (not really, but at least I know that there aren't any crazy sirens going off in the cockpit, cus' I am in it). If I could fly around in a helicopter all the time, I would be set. It was beautiful on the glacier. Coastal lands on the Hubert. We had a fun time and Shane gave us a little extra time up there. Although A Mary is still not a fan of flying, she was glad that she did it. My new motto is "you have to at least try it once, then you can decide". Except when it comes to food, I am not eating anything crazy.

After the flight, we raced to return the rental car and make it to the ferry terminal. It was 3:10 pm when we got off the helicopter and I literally ran to return the car (which was due at 3 pm). I had to gas it up and get it back. But paying for an extra day would have been worth it, for all 4 of us to go up. I was 20 minutes late and guess what? The computer said no late fees. Yeah. So the 4 of us piled in the Ranger (A Mary sat in the extended cab part). I know, pictures would have been nice, but there wasn't time (or so we thought). We race there, rush to buy our tickets, say fast good-byes to Bob and then ask for confirmation of when the ferry leaves. It was 4:30 pm, not 4 pm. But, we were there and that's what matters. Of course I turned around and my husband was gone. He had to get to work. MJ

Where did I leave off. . .

Ah, yes, on the way to Skagway, Saturday, June 14th . . . the ferry ride was smooth. I am a huge fan of the ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway. I hope that it continues and is not "forced out". Our Governor does not seem to be a fan. Actually, she doesn't seem to be a fan of the Southeast in general. The ferry system is state operated and unfortunately, doesn't make any money, it looses it. But it is the cheapest way for us locals to get around. Also very beautiful.

Oh wait, I just remembered, we have to post on our helicopter ride first, yicks. Back to this in a later post. MJ

Ahh, the tourists

Don't get me wrong, I love the tourist. They come here and spend their hard earned money, they have wonderful stories to share and 99.9% of the time are just plan fun and happy. You do get those grouches, but why even give them the time.

This is the part that cracks me up. Do our brains go on vacation when we do. Here are some common questions by our guests (in today's paper and just a few I know):

"Do you sleep in igloos?"

"Do you take American money?" (You know this one gets me. We are part of the United States, hello, what money do you spend any where else in the USA?)

"What elevation are we?" (You all do realize that we live on the channel, which is the ocean? I am asking you my readers, not the tourists.)

(Looking up, at the Mendenhall Glacier, in Juneau) "Is that Mount Everest?"

This one came out of the paper and is a hoot. . . (On being told that she was standing in a rain forest) "Where are all the monkeys?"

It appears that we all need to retake geography.

Good laughs. MJ

Not invited. . .

Should I be concerned? Hmmm. Cousin Jordan started a blog and I have yet to be sent the link. Apparently my internet is so slow it hasn't made it here in a week from FL. I won't take offense just yet. MJ

Home from Skagway

I am home from Skagway and I have lots to share, but it will have to wait until Friday. Just wanted you all to know that I was back. MJ

On Our Way to Skagway

I am on my way to Skagway with A Mary and U Phil. I am going to be gone until Tuesday, June 17th. I will catch up you then. Bob's home alone, so if you feel like it, give him a call. MJ

Eye Spy

Oh my gosh, this was so cool and I wish that I would have thought about this before I moved and threw away all my little trinkets. But, it was worth it to get to live here. But mom, this one is for you. . .
This was hanging on the wall at the Alaska State Museum. It was probably 6 x 4. It was full of little trinkets and nest to it there were Eye Spy sheets. What a great way to keep your grandchildren busy. So mom, I want you to get this started. I don't want you to have a 6 x 4, but we can discuss the dimensions. Then you'll have things "from home" when you're here. I think that I will make one of my movie theater stuff. MJ

My boots

Yeap, them are my boots. With my pants rolled
way up. A Mary said someone told her that is she
wore capris people would know that she was a tourist. Well, guess what? I am a tourist who lives here and proud of it! I just thought that you all would appreciate seeing that I haven't lost my "style" . (Aunt Mary was taking these pictures throughout the day.) MJ

Fourth Day

Today Bob didn't have to go into work until 3 pm, so he was able to spend the morning with us. We went to the Alaska State Museum, the Last Chance Mining Museum, then Bob went off to work, the three of us rested a little, meet Bob for dinner at Donna's, then went to Coastal to check it out. Bob works until midnight, we'll see who's still up. I doubt that I will be. Way to late for me. My eye lids will start to flutter soon. MJ

Day Three continued . . .

Today we went to the Salmon Hatchery. It is one of my favorite places. They have a big round fish tank that goes from floor to ceiling. It is full of fishes that we have here in the Southeast.

Top: U Phil telling A Mary what to take pictures of

Next: Starfish in the touch tank

Next: I think this one is some kind starfish also. (Aunt Mary took this one)

Last: U Phil taking his turn on the camera

After that we went to The Hanger on the Wharf and had lunch. They both like halibut. I already knew that I liked it. We went home and Bob came home from his class shortly after that. We wanted to watch their photos on our tv, so we went out and bought the cables to do that. Well, Jordan can tell you that even with 4 of us, we couldn't figure out what to do. That boy has patience. Lucky for us. It finally got set up and we watched their photos. Let me warn some of you that they have some blackmail photos. I'd be nervous if I were you (Josh, Mom). Good stuff.

After all that it was way past time for bed. MJ

Second Day: Worn Out

You know it's a good day when you need a nap. Aunt Mary did spring back to life and play Cribbage. Thanks for the directions Sheri, you have started a trend here. MJ

Third Day

We are up and having coffee, blogging and Aunt Mary is trying to send out pictures and emails. Her computer has been having problems. Maybe it worked today. She has been trying. My mom pointed out that there haven't been any pictures of bob yet, so here are a couple. Bob has class right now, so he wasn't with us yesterday.

We are still deciding what to do today. I am reworking my list, Sheri knows all about this! I can't help it, it keeps me moving. Got to check it off the list. One thing, there is never enough time to do it all, even when you don't have much on your list. But it has been wonderful to visit and be with family again.

We had 2 sets of visitors last year, 3 this year, who is coming next year?

Second Day

Today we went to my school and walked the trail by my school. The first three pictures are from that trail. Then we went out to the Glacier. That's Aunt Mary and I in front of it. I call it the photo-opp spot. We walked around and went into the visitors center. We saw a Mountain Goat. First one I have seen. It's pretty cool how they climb around. Now we are at home. Bob is preparing dinner and we are in for the night. We have an Alaska video going. MJ

First Day, Tuesday, June 10th

After we visited for a while we went "out the road" to Auke Rec to have dinner. Bob had prepared shish-kabobs and cheesey taters. They were delicious. We had a campfire, which meant we had to scavenger for wood. Of course for dessert we had smores. Well, Aunt Mary and I.

Top: Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil coming off the boat.

Center: Aunt Mary and I gathering wood. Hmmm, who's taking the pictures?

Bottom: Aunt Mary and I "rocking out" on our new chairs

They're here

Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil arrived. We got to the ferry terminal as the ferry was pulling up. Man do those things move slow. We could see them on the ferry and couldn't get to them to hug. A little dancing around seemed to make it go a bit faster! After we gathered them up we came back to our place and visited. I'll post the rest of the evening in a separate blog. MJ

Still Waiting

Ok, lets be honest, I am not the most patient person. I get ant-sy. I can't help it, nervous energy. I thought that A Mary and U Phil came in at 11 am, but it is actually 1:30 pm. When you wake up at 6:30, that makes for a long wait. I did talk to Gram for an hour this morning. We don't do that enough.

Do you know that Bob does not like spiders? We make a good pair. I hate snakes and he is okay with them. He hates spiders and they don't bother me. Anyway, out on our deck he has a stick and it is a special stick. It's his web remover. You should see him out there each and every morning destroying webs. I almost was going to take a picture this morning, but he moved to quick. He looks like he is conducting a symphony out there. It's too cute.

This is the first time that we have been home together in a while. He is making shish-kabobs. The best part is that each piece he puts on the stick he says. So for example, "next (says in a singing voice, orange, chicken, whoops, wasn't suppose to do that, oh, lets go with green next, onion (again singing, tomato (singing), pork/chicken, and I need yellow, some more onion, some more pork, some more chicken, onion, tomato (singing again) whoooooo". Anyway, you get the picture.

It's almost noon. We'll be leaving here soon. Bob says 12:45 pm we are leaving. I'd leave now if I had my way, waiting! MJ

Waiting

So you'll see from the post time that it is after midnight. I believe that I am now officially on my summer schedule. In the summer Bob works later (right now 3 to midnight) and I work later at the theater. Changes our entire sleeping schedule. A little rough at the start, but then you get into it. Plus it doesn't get completely dark now so that helps.

Tonight I was sitting here checking email and I started t get a little worried about Bob. It was 11:55 pm and I was worried that he wasn't home yet. I forgot that today was the first day he is working 3 to midnight. When I called him, he just laughed. Hey, I was worried.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Phil will be here in 10 hours and 28 minutes, so of course we are all fired up and who knows when we will head off to bed. Plus I had a nap today. I had an eye doctor appointment and then a dentist appointment. Three fillings today. Almost all done - just need to finish the implant and then I need a crown. That's why I needed to nap. I was all novocained up. Both sides of my mouth. Now it just aches. Hopefully by morning it will feel better.

Last night I read my mom's recent blog to Bob. It had us laughing so hard. What six year uses the term "lolly gags". Oh, love that boy. It's a funny blog about being a mom. Which of course I know nothing about, but it made me laugh and laugh. I'll be rereading it regularly. I also read Ashley's blog about E.Tate. He is a character. I just can't wait to get home and squeeze him. Actually all of our nieces and nephews. It is hard to not wish time to go by faster knowing that we will see everyone soon. And squeeze everyone soon! Be warned. MJ

Laugh, laugh, laugh. . .

all you want. That's apparently what a few of you have done over my last post. Let me pose a question: Why is it that we all fell too embarrassed to help someone out and tell them that there pants are unzipped. No, we just let the poor fool walk around that way!

We lost another member of our fish tank. Our original frog. He blew up. It looked like someone puffed him full of air and he never recovered. So sad. The frogs are my favorite. Time to get a replacement. MJ

Here ya' go!

Here's another Red Dog Costume. . .the Doorman, errr, women, outfit.

I got the pictures to load tonight. I just needed to do them one at a time. Top photo: the entire outfit. Next: My garters, one on each arm. Next: Sherrif's Badge. Last: Self-portrait, while I was waiting for Bob to take the top picture. Actually all but the top photo are self-portraits. I am getting so good at taking my own picture. Is that self-absorbed?

So where to begin. . .this job started off as me being "on-call" for the Red Dog Gift Shop this summer. But yesterday, Mike called me to say that the Doorman was out sick and would I like to do it. Well, of course in my mind all I see is a big burly man with attitude (like my college days) working the door. But I asked what I would do and off I went. When I got there I was handed my suspenders and garters. I had not a clue to be quite honest, so someone Mike referred to as "Grandma" helped dress me. I don't wear suspenders, how would I know? Dressed and ready I worked the door and told people where to sit, basically I get to boss people around (not really). I meet some fun people and chatted with them about there vacations. I got a fist-to-fist from a big man who sat at the first table (who I told should have my job, big man). I also realized that after I came back from my potty break, I forgot to zip up my pants. Yeap, keep laughing. I can't even remember how long I was standing up in front of people that way. Bob and I were laughing last night wondering how many pictures I am in with my pants unzipped. Then there was the man who when he came in I asked how many, "just one". So I told him that he could sit up at the bar. He took a stool next to where I was standing and asked if I wanted to join him. I told him that I was working. He said when do you get off and me, not thinking says "five". "I'll wait", he said. I didn't think anything of it, finished my day and about 10 minutes to 5 a man walks up to the door again and says "I am back". I told him to sit up at the bar and slowly realized he was the man from earlier. Lucky for me the main entrance is not the only way in or out. So I went out the back door. Oh and now I am to just come into work each day that I can and bring my "bag of costumes". They don't know what I will be doing, but they will put me to work some where. Damn my good work ethic and can do attitude. Where did my mother go wrong?!!! Oh, I also forgot to say that I spent the entire day in the doorway and it is windy and in the 50's here now, so I could not get warm the rest of the day. Brrr. MJ

Another day at the Red Dog Saloon. . .

You're gonna love this!!! Or maybe not. I can't get the pictures to appear, guess I'll try again tomorrow. MJ

Layin' on a log

Bob and I were both off of work today. That is a rare-ity lately. Bob had a dentist appointment this morning. After that we headed down to Sandy Beach. There was a Fish Mobile (big trailer with fish stuff in it) down there. It was pretty sweet, but definitely needed to rent a kid to fully enjoy it. Then we went for a little hike on Treadwell. When we got to the bridge, we were enjoying the view, laying on a log. I just love this picture!

Molly at the Red Dog

We'll both be working at the "Red Dog" this year. The difference is I will be working at the Red Dog Saloon (in the gift shop) in Juneau and Bob will be north at the Red Dog Mines (no free tee for him). I started on Sunday, just a few hours to get familiar with the product and registers. They are going to have me as an on-call person for now. We'll see how it goes. I will be working at the theater in the evenings. Last summer we were open for matinees, but this summer, due to the electrical rates, we are only open at night, so I had some extra time. MJ

Graduation

One of my co-workers at the theater, who has no family here, asked me to go to Graduation today. I felt very honored. So today I went. A class of 460 kids. I was impressed, in and out in two hours. The really neat part was that 6 kids from the theater graduated today. Colton, Cora, Desiree, Jamie, Myrissa, and Trevor. Now the reality is that I could be any of there mom's. It's kind of funny. Anyway, Colton is the one who asked me to come and even made sure that I had a ticket. This kid has the best smile, one of those that lights up the world. Myrissa, who just started at the theater a couple of weeks ago, gave me a big hug when she saw me. I sat on the correct side of the gym and each ne of them walked right by me. I got some great pictures for them. They are a good group. After the ceremony I walked back downtown to meet Chris for coffee and I was feeling a little alone. But it was so wonderful to be a part of their day. Colton leaves Tuesday to return to the interior so we said our goodbyes. My heart wraps around people, thus the reason I said I wasn't going to make friends when we moved here, it's so hard to say goodbye. It's important to hold onto those moments that make you smile. MJ

Private

SO I made the blog private and sent out invites. We'll see how it goes. If you hear anyone saying they can't get in, tell them to send us an email, I may have forgotten someone. Plus we can only have 100 readers and we used most of that, so depending, we may go public again. MJ

Deciding What Matters

My mom started a blog, it is so cool. I added a link to it under Forever Friends, check it out if you have the time. MJ

Summer Vacation, almost there

I am almost on Summer Vaca. This Saturday we have Saturday School and then it is official. But as for this morning, I am enjoying myself. Cup of coffee, read the newspaper, email, a little blogging and then it's off to do the dishes and some cleaning up. The weather has been very nice for over a week and today looks like the start of a low ceiling and maybe rain. It's okay, a few days like this let you clean up and get ready for the days of sun again.

Has anyone ever had frogs? One of ours is huge, it's either pregnant or going to below up. We really don't know which.

I have a job interview with RALLY today. It is a before school, after school, summer program for elementary students. I put in for a full time position, but if that doesn't work out I also put in to be a sub. This summer my plan is to save, save, save, so that next summer will be the summer of Molly. I don't know what that means yet, but I am going to work on it.

I was given a wonderful complement yesterday. Our drama teacher told me that my name had come up in a meeting and all involved were impressed and grateful for the work I am doing. It's nice to hear those things. I am hoping to get more training and start taking some classes (once we official become residents, 2 years in Alaska). It's the right place to be. My thinking is to keep doing what I am doing and work towards a Masters in School Counseling. Then wait around for someone to retire!

We got our first electric bill, $287.50. Ouch. We even cut our electrical use in half. 533 kilowatts were used last month. I have set the bill aside and will think on how to proceed. I am still pretty upset, as is Bob, that this privately owned company did not have insurance and/or money set aside for a "rainy day". There is a group of citizens here who are refusing to pay the .11 per kilowatt that was before this disaster. It's just not right that a company makes billions in profit and then when something bad happens, they do not have to spend that profit to fix the problem. Thus the monopoly. What choice do we have? None, which is part of the problem.

Off to gather up recyclables and do some dusting. MJ