My Creek Trail

 

I've been feeling a little stir crazy lately.

It might be because I am teaching seminary from the house and I basically teach in the morning, then help Corban with his school work in the afternoon and barely leave the house.

I do try and go outside every day but I have been feeling like I just need to get out more.

I wish we could go to Hawaii, but COVID still has most things shut down.

Anyway,Kenna and I went and explored My Creek trail out here in Pt. Mac. 

It is awesome!

There was this adorable bridge that goes across a stream and the trail leads you to a campsite next to the river.

We are planning on going on a family camping/backpacking trip next year to that spot.

There's fishing there and the campsite has a toilet, picnic tables, and fire pits.

It's really quite awesome!

And the trail was beautiful!

 

Andi's Blessing

 

Today Dallin gave Andi a name and a blessing.

She was so adorable in the same dress her momma wore when she was blessed.

It was fun to listen and watch as our boy gave his girl a sacred blessing.

These are the moments.

These are the moments when heaven touches earth.

She smiled at Dallin most of the blessing but them got cranky at the end.

I love this family and am so proud of the choices they are making that will bring them happiness through eternity.

 

Snow and Christmas

 

It snowed up at Hatcher Pass, so this afternoon we drove up there to eat some snow. 

We had to hike just a little from the road, but it was fun to have our first taste of snow for the season.

Is it weird that I like to eat snow?

Before that we went to the Vintage Christmas market at the fair and had yummy food and walk around and looked at all the vendors. 

I only bought one item and it was a vinyl sticker of Xtra tufs with veggies coming out of them. It was my favorite thing! 

We also bought a dozen sweetie pies which are so yummy!

Anyway, the scenery and tastes of the day were the best. 

Plus I got to spend time with Makenna, which doesn't happen much anymore since she works full-time and plays with friends the other full-time. 

Life is good!

 

Walking

 

When our kids were younger, I never, ever would have imagined the time would come when I had so much time to myself.

I set a goal some time ago to move my body every single day, no matter how short on time or how little, I was moving my body.

This afternoon I decided to take my normal 1 mile walk a little farther down to the lake entrance from the road.

The views are the best right now.

Sable and Trapper accompanied me and I just walked and enjoyed the peace of living in such a beautiful place!

 

To The River

 

We had another showing tonight. 

They aren't buying it.

Which is good since we already decided that we are staying here and feel like that is what the Lord wants us to do as well.

Anyway, we needed to go somewhere for a little while so we chose going just down the road to the Little Susitna.

I actually haven't been down there in about 4 years, which is crazy because it is seriously just down the road.

The scenery was so amazing.

Have I said I love this time of year enough yet? I think not!

We walked the trail along the river for while and took it all in.

I love that I live in such a beautiful place and I love autumn more than words can say!

 

 

Dream Sesh!

 

Over 26 years ago, after we had gotten engaged, we sat in Matt's company truck for the construction company he worked for, and made plans for our lives. 

We talked about how many kids we wanted and how we wanted to have them. 

We decided that we would have all our kids before I turned 30, so we would still be young-ish and healthy.

We talked about going on missions and traveling.

Well, here we are with only one kid left and only 2 1/2 years left with that one kid.

It feels like it happened in the blink of eye.

We decided that we needed to do some more dreaming so we hiked up the Butte and planned as we went.

Oh, and we also found this secret trail that leads to a secret bench.

It was kind of magic.

We were the only ones on top for quite a while as we talked about plans for the rest of this year and the next.

I'm glad I have this guy in my life to plan things out with.

He's pretty great!

 

Autumn

 

The frost has presented itself.

Now is the time when I get out my favorite hot cocoa and turn on the little space heaters.

I'm wearing sweaters and hoodies a lot more now and the mornings are crisp.

And the pumpkin dessert making has begun!

Blueberry pumpkin pound cake with the berries I picked a month or so ago here in Pt Mackenzie.

So good!

 

Reflections

 

The clock is ticking and the snow is sneaking down the mountains.

I feel like I have to take advantage of every chance to get out into nature that I can while there is no snow.

Corban and I ran to Anchorage today and on the drive home we stopped at Reflection Lake and took a quick trip around the trail. 

It only took us 20 minutes.

I'm not sure how long it is but it was just perfect, as the leaves are all starting to change and fall now.

I love this time of year!

 

Autumn and Thunderbird Falls

 

I woke up and saw that it was going to be a sunny, beautiful day and knew I had to be out in it.

I changed plans with a friend that was going to come get potatoes and then after I finished working, I took Corban to work with Matt and I went to Thunderbird Falls.

I walked all the way down to the falls and took off my shoes to wade in the water. 

It was dang cold but that is what you have to do to get really close. 

Then I sat on a large rock that was in the river and talked to God and pondered on things.

It was perfect weather and no bugs.

On my way back to the car, I just took my time and found wonderful, magical things to look at.

I love that I live in such a beautiful place.

This time of year is my absolute favorite!

 

Peace

 

The weather claimed rain all week.

And in fact, there was snow on the mountains when we woke up.

But the sun came out in all it's glory and Matt promised an evening of hiking.

My legs were a little tired from working in the garden earlier but we both hauled ourselves up skyscraper in Hatcher Pass and then found a spot to just sit and reflect. 

I love being on top of the mountains.

I have tried to hike as often as possible this year and I am so glad that I did. 

We sat for a long time just taking all the beauty in.

It was peaceful and quiet and felt so good to my soul!

There are always a lot of uncertainties in my life, well, in life in general, but one thing is for sure-

God is an abundant God that cane be found if we just look. 

I'm so grateful for moments of tranquility!

 

 

Potato harvest

 

This is the time of year that is my favorite. 

I love how there is a hint of autumn in the air.

The leaves are yellowing and starting to fall.

I bought my favorite hot cocoa mix in preparation.

And it is harvest time.

The time where we see how the potatoes have been doing under all that dirt. 

I filled a tote about half full with little fingerling potatoes.

That will last us all winter, I think. 

I am so grateful for the abundance of my life. 

There is just so much good.

So much that most days it out weighs the bad.

 

Surrounded by Beauty!

 

I am surrounded by so much beauty!

This morning I was saying my prayers on the porch and the sun started coming up. 

I felt moved to get up and walk down the driveway to watch it happen.

It was breathtaking!

Then I picked a flower to put on the island and turned around and had to take a picture with the sunset. 

Then this evening Matt and I ventured to Barbara Falls.

I love that I get to live in a place that is so beautiful and has so many places I can go to feel peace in nature basically any time. 

Peace is in short supply in our world but it is abundant in my life.

I'm so super grateful for that!