Anniversary Celebration Activities

Over the weekend Julia and I went wandering down the Richardson Highway to enjoy a relatively restful weekend. We spent some time at a wonderful cabin near the Delta River and Black Rapids Glacier. It was very beautiful there.

Michael Creek

Near where our cabin was located.
































The view from the cabin.














Rainbow Ridge

On Saturday we slept in to the sound of a light rain. It was pleasant. Then the rain passed and we went hiking. We made an attempt at Rainbow Ridge and Canwell Peak. Canwell Peak is the high point off to the left in the picture below.



















We stopped right about where the above picture was taken. It was a pretty challenging slope to maneuver. Julia lost her footing on some rocks and took a tumble. We patched her up and headed back down to the car.

Though we didn't make it to the top, we did have some glorious views as we wandered around the slope leading up to Rainbow Ridge.














After eating a healthy amount of potatoes, chicken, carrots, onions, and cheese we slept quite well Saturday evening in preparation for another exciting adventure on Sunday.

Castner Glacier

Julia was healthy enough to attempt another exciting hike into the Alaska Range. This was a much kinder trip. We followed Castner Creek along the south bank and made our way towards the glacier. It was a beautiful hike. Here are some pictures of a few of the things we saw.

As we walked up the valley, we saw a lot of rolling "hills." It looked like this:















Eventually we determined that we were, in fact, walking on the glacier. It was covered by debris and vegetation.
















Looking back toward the road down the valley.
















We encountered a few ice caves and stuck our heads in them briefly.
















The same cave from a different angle. A glacier is big. This is just the lateral edge of the glacier. There were many other caves throughout the glacier. The Castner Glacier is a mile wide in most places and about 15 miles long.
















Another ice cave.
















We only experienced a small portion of the glacier as we made our way about two miles onto actual debris covered ice. Here was a place where a bit of melt water was collecting in a pool carved in the ice. In previous periods of melting the rushing water must have been pretty spectacular.

















Eventually we decided to turn back. We followed a mostly dry creek bed that hugged the south edge of the glacier.

The creek we followed.
















Following the creek.




















I would like to go back. I think Julia would like to as well. Come to Alaska and we will take you with us.

Isaiah 6
¹ In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. ³
And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

I agree.

My Wife is Awesome

Recently Julia and I participated in several anniversary celebration activities. Unfortunately over the course of the weekend these activities took place, Julia encountered the following:

- lost footing on loose rock leading to
1. a large bump/scab on her shin and backside.
2. a large scrape on her leg leading to a tetanus shot just in case.

- two bee stings

But on Sunday evening following the bumps, bruises, cuts, and stings Julia was still smiling and giggling just like she always does.

Proverbs describes some of the characteristics of Julia very well.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

I love my wife.

connected by a stone

Joel and I biked to the grocery store after church this evening. While packing our foods in our backpacks I noticed and woman running to her husband, who was behind us in line, to hand him an item that she wanted him to purchase. I noticed on her finger there was a Petoskey stone set in a ring. I quickly asked, "are you from Michigan?" She looked at me and said "yes". I smiled and said so are we. "She said, I'm from the northern part of the Lower Peninsula". Joel might not agree with me but in a nice way her tone kind of sounded like she couldn't believe we'd be as lucky to be from the northern part also. I said "yeah, we're from Traverse City", she said "hmm I'm from Charlevoix, what a small world". And that was that. I loved it! I love knowing that Michigan is unique and that we can be connected to our home even 4,000 miles away by wearing a unique geological treasure! 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petoskey_stone

This was interesting. I didn't know all of the history. 

Maybe Joel and I will name one of our kids Petosegay, but it's not likely. 

Granite Tors

Recently I stepped down from my position as a packer/mover in order to attend a class and enjoy vacation. Sleeping in past 6:30 AM has been a pleasant transition. There also has been a significant shift in my responsibilities. I am now primarily responsible for making calls, doing dishes, getting the mail, stopping by places to pick things up, and, strangely enough, blogging. I am still unsure about how much people care about what I am thinking at any given point in the day but I am fairly sure people like pictures.

Granite Tors

On July 4th, Julia and I wandered about 40 miles from home, parked, and ran/hiked a 15 mile trail. We had a lot of fun. It looked a lot like this:

In the background it is possible to see large granite formations that remain at the top of many of the hills after softer rock around the granite has weathered and eroded.

Up close it looks like this:

Towards the end of the hike, when we looked toward the trailhead, it looked like this:

Then the wind blew and the rain came down for a while. Some hail also made its way to us for a spell. Julia is a wonderful hiking partner. We laughed and ran for about 4 1/2 miles. Eventually we made it to the trailhead, as soaked as either of us could remember from a hiking trip. I was a soggy bottom boy.

Very pleasant trip.

Also, there is plenty of time for reflection when 8-5 is not largely focused toward gainful employment. Here are two things that have helped me to understand a little bit better that joy and happiness in a Christian's life, or some would describe it as sustaining, true, and lasting joy and happiness, comes primarily from perceiving the glory and worth of God rather than from experiencing positive circumstances, though circumstances can certianly contribute to seeing the glory and worth of God.

Joy in purpose. Thanks Mom.
Strange response.