Last trip to Denali

The week before last, Graham's friend came up from the lower 48* and we decided to sneak one last trip to  Denali. The first time we went to Wonderlake campsite, which was ahmaazing! We saw tons of bears, caribou, and wolves (thankfully far, far away from where we were sleeping). The mosquitos had me wishing for this stylish number. But seriously.

This time we took a backcountry pass, which involved randomly stopping the bus, hiking a few miles off the road, and setting up camp where your tent was not visible to others. We chose an area about halfway into the park, next to a red zone. After we watched a safety video and paid for the pass, the kind lady told us the red zone is actually a bear zone (AHH!).

Beautiful Grizzlies**

Well, it was definitely an adventure. We forded an icy river and saw plenty of wildlife again. It was however, our second failed attempt to see Mt. McKinley, but that's okay. It's pretty cloudy lately. My favorite part of camping is the clear, starry sky that humbles me every time.

Alaska, you get a thumbs up from me during the summer! Fall, on the other hand...

*I still feel weird saying this moniker for the continental states- sometimes I forget and say "the states", which clearly is just as bad

**also known as brown bears! yes, they are the same

6.7 lb love bug

Someone has immunizations and obedience classes today- uh oh! Hope it all goes well tonight...

Meet my sweet, little puppy, Lucy Reynolds. Love her with all my heart!

She came home a few days sooner than expected, but has been a total doll! We are crate training her and she hasn't had a single accident in her crate! Such a proud mama :-) I have had a few surprises along the way. ie; Lucy likes Finn's toys more than her own, Lucy likes Finn's food more than her own, and surprisingly enough

Lucy likes Finn's poop more than her own

Coprophagy= eating feces. Nuff ' said.

*update: my little chunkster actually weighed in at 8.3 lbs today, almost 2 lbs heavier since last week!*

hello world. nice to meet you.

current location: Fairbanks, AK

A few of my favorite things: rainy days with good books, colorful skies, interior design, other people's smiles, list making, online shopping and browsing

A few of my least favorite: Seinfeld, too quiet houses, the end (of the toilet paper, a great story, a trip), fish tacos

I can't sleep, nothing too new. Graham is out in the field and the only thing breaking the silence is Finn's bell jingling as he darts around the room. Finnegan McGillikitty Jamal is one of the best ideas Graham has ever had. He's been a constant comfort; "talking" to me, playing with my feet, making me laugh, and snuggling up with me all night. I'm only worried about when his new sister, Lucy, joins the clan in a few days...

Love this little man!

Today I helped my friend, Jenna, paint her baby girl's bedroom. It's going from a mauve to a cheery yellow. My bedroom back home at my parents is the same yellow. A bright yellow that makes it hard to feel anything but happy. Colors can have such an emotional response. The soothing blue in the spare bedroom seems like the perfect nap room. Graham's work room is a khaki green that softens the utilitarian space,while the master bedroom is a warm orange that will keep any room during an Alaskan winter bright and toasty. Painting a room is such an inexpensive and dramatic way to change a room. What are your favorite room colors?