A Nice Breakfast Out

We like to have one nicer meal out with grandkids, preferably breakfast, as it isn’t so expensive. In Alaska, we like to have breakfast at the Princess Lodge in Kenai. It has a nice RV park where we can regroup, recharge our electronics, wash up and whatever else needs modern civilization.

We’d driven to the Princess RV park where we did regroup and in the morning everyone dressed in their best clothes, at least the best that we had along, and went for breakfast. We’d already worked with boys about keeping napkins on their laps, and all of the other manners one can expect from kids their age.

The lodge dining room is beautiful, wood planks with a huge antler chandler. The staff was especially nice to the kids and the kids behaved wonderfully. Having stuffed ourselves on King Crab Benedict and the kids on Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes, eggs and bacon, we were ready to go on our way. We enjoyed the view of the Kenai River from the deck then walked back down to the park and started on the next leg of our journey.

We have normally stopped at the Portage Glacier Visitor Center on our way back up to Anchorage. This time,

we didn’t. On our 1^st and 2^nd trips the glacier was closer to the visitor center and ice burgs were in the lake behind the center. When we visited with grandkids 6 years ago the glacier had receded so far that ice burgs were being towed in. This time, after Exit, we decided to skip Portage. Besides, we had a problem with the RV and needed to get that fixed before heading up to Denali.

Denali is our next stop, so the push is to be there early in the day.

Since I’ve written about a wonderful breakfast, you may wonder what we eat for dinner. Feeding 5 people can certainly be a challenge.

1^st we have our “Honcho” system, I believe I’ve written about it before. This is where each kid, oldest to youngest, has their day. So before we left I wrote in my daytimer, who was honcho on which day and each kid had 3 days. I asked each kid what they would want to eat, and, of course, help prepare, for each of their 3 days. Then, because there are 3 spaghetti meals, 2 hot dog meals and so on, I sorted it out so that we didn’t need to make the same thing every night.

As soon as we got our RV we went to Costco and bought the items we could use in bulk then Carrs for everything else. We also bought lots of lunch stuff and a large 2-pk of cereal.

As we were going thru Anchorage once more, we stopped at both stores for one last shopping trip. Once we are in Denali we will not have access to stores for 5 days so this has taken more careful planning.

Dog Sleds and Glaciers

We had planned a surprise tour for the grandkids, a tour of Seavey’s, this is the company that runs in the Iditarod races, and wins.

We got to Seavey’s and sat thru the introduction then the kids started realizing what the morning was about; holding the puppies and riding in a cart being pulled by sled dogs.

The puppies are about 3-weeks old and little bundles of fur. The puppies snuggled up to each kid, Sequoia really wanted to get one, but, we bought a stuffed one instead. I told them to ask their parents for live dogs when they get home.

The rides are fun for us but are actually training runs for the dogs. Experienced dogs are in the front and young dogs in the middle and rear. The experienced dogs bark to get going while the younger dogs look around. Our experienced dogs were part of the team that won this year’s Iditarod race.

From Seavey’s, we went to Exit Glacier, this is off the Harding Ice Field. The Bear Glacier that we saw from the boat is also off of the Harding Ice Field.

We hiked up to the ice field on one of our first trips to Alaska. When we came with the older grandkids there was 6’ of snow on the trail. This time, we decided that kids were not ready to hike this. They could have made it but the trail is steep and round-trip 8+ miles. We did not want to subject ourselves to this.

The glacier has receded quite a bit since we were here with the older grandkids, Dale is guessing 2-3 football field lengths. All of our glaciers are receding but to see the evidence is quite shocking. I will try to find a photo from our prior trip and post that with the current photo, side by side. Exit has receded to the extent that it is too far away to touch. I wonder what will be left for our great grandkids. 

The Grandkids Hit Alaska

After about 4 delays, and 1-1/2 hours our plane took off. Kids had been jumping up and down and were ready to get on any plane to anywhere.

We got seated and the plane started the take-off process. The plane powered up, in order to take off and the boys’ eyes got big. Sequoia was trying to sit up, on the edge of the seat and was hanging on for dear life. Finally, I convinced Sequoia to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Our flight into San Francisco was so late that there was no time to buy our sushi, we could only look longingly as we ran for the next gate. Huffing and puffing we arrived at our gate, and fortunately the plane was waiting for us. They’d saved the entire row for us. It was on that flight that Sequoia announced that he wanted to be a pilot when he grows up.

On Tues, we picked up our RV, shopped in Costco and Carrs, then drove down to Seward in the Kenai Peninsula.  We found a camping spot along the shore. Kids were happy to run along the shore finding jellyfish and shells, with a sea otter following them as they ran up and down.

Wed was the first day of our planned adventures. We had a 5-hour cruise out into the Kenai Fjords. The boat left at 12 noon but we had to be at the harbor by 11. The harbor was just a 5-minute drive away but we still wanted to be a little early to park and stop by the National Park Visitor Center.

We like the Major Marine Tour because they have a Ranger on board and now, also have a representative from the SeaLife Center. The ranger was pointing out the wildlife and was answering questions the entire cruise. The woman from the Sea Life led the Jr. Ranger program, holding short informative sessions throughout the 5 hours. She gave examples of various ways animals keep warm, skulls, pointing out glaciers, and giving pointers on how to remember the 5 kinds of salmon. A Jr. Ranger ceremony was held a little before docking so that the kids received their badges on board the ship.

I was a little disappointed that kids did not see many whales or any dolphins, but wildlife cannot be counted on to show up for any particular person. However, we did see lots of other wildlife and kids didn’t seem to care.

When the cruise started back for the harbor, all of us went and sat down at our assigned table. We’d been standing in the cold wet wind for nearly 4 hours. Dale was already at the table sleeping, he’d taken some medication for sea sickness and it had finally kicked in.

Lucian and Zaya started singing and playing arm wrestling games, which Zaya always won. They also talked and talked, completely oblivious to everyone around them. There were several older couples around us who became completely enthralled with the kids. I realized that they were laughing non-stop at the kids’ antics and were entertained until we arrived back at the dock. A woman from one table came up and told me that the kids were so well behaved, she thought they were so great. Another told me that what we were doing with our grandkids was what she wished she could do.

Yes, we are lucky that we have good health and that I can work so we can make these trips. We also have great kids who trust us enough to take these banshees. 

Bound for Alaska

We were concerned about security lines, we have Global Entry but didn’t know if it would extend to the kids. We decided we’d leave really early so that 1. We could avoid traffic, 2. We’d make it to our plane in the event of long lines. 3. In the event the truck had trouble we’d make it to the airport via Uber or Super Shuttle.

Sunday, the kids were so excited. We had a few last minute errands to run; pick up camera cards for kids cameras, food to bring along, a few odds and ends.

By 6pm, as per our usual, kids things were together but nothing of mine or Dale. But the evening was early so wine was in order.

We’d given grandkids their dinner and they had baths, then a movie. By the time the movie was over kids were wide awake. They went into the kitchen and just jumped up and down for a while. Finally, grandkids went to bed and actually went to sleep.

It was a really early wake-up call for grandkids, 5:30am. The jumped up, got dressed, then ran to the truck to wait for us. Someone was excited.

We made it to LAX in record time and with our Global Entry we got to our gate with no problem, except for 1 little thing. I’d forgotten to dump our coffee out of our travel mug and thermos. We are so accustomed to dashing thru the airport and didn’t think that we had several hours to kill. When TSA asked it we wanted to run out and dump the coffee we said no, just throw the mug and thermos away. As we walked away we realized that we were in no hurry, but it was too late, we couldn’t change our mind.

One good thing I did was to buy new movies for kids. The movies are a great distraction for the down-

time in a packed airplane terminal.

Alaska With Younger Grandkids

Last year we decided that it would be good to take the “3 littles”, our younger 3 grandkids, to Alaska. The trip seemed like a long time away, especially since we’ve been on the road so much, and bought the tickets so long ago.

I’d priced tickets, and although we’d rather have flown from Bakersfield, the tickets from LAX were ½ of the price. So on Monday, Dale and I, 2- 7-year olds, and a 9-year old, will drive to LAX then fly to Anchorage.

This trip is much like the other grandkids trip and the ones we took our boys on, but this one will last 10 days. The sites and tours will be the same as we took the older grandkids on.

So far we have tickets to go on a Kenai Fjords cruise, a visit to the Seavey sled dogs, and camping inside of Denali for 5 nights.

Our granddaughter has been on a plane but does not remember it. The other 2 have not flown before. Our younger grandson was afraid then decided that a teddy would be good to sit with him. We bought a teddy so he now says he is not afraid.

Teddy is ready!

We bought each kid 2 movies of their choice and have several more to take. We will take our laptops for the movies to watch when driving or an evening after running all day.

Each kid has a camera and a walkie talkie. We are prepping them on using everything now.

2 backpacks are packed but there is lots more to pack and ready for Monday morning.

Another Weekend, Another Birthday

We had to get back to Ft Bidwell for another birthday party, this time for our older granddaughter, her 16th. The birthday party was scheduled for Sunday and, of course, I was to bake the cake. A music festival was scheduled for Saturday evening.

Our son and his family were house sitting, so having extra bedrooms was a welcome addition for the many friends who came from out of town. There were at least 15 out of town friends and family members on-hand for the festivities.

Bel had arranged for the 1st Ft Bidwell Music Festival along with $1.00 tacos. She enlisted family members and family friends to help put the food together.

One of the taco crew members

Bel had asked some of "the more" talented friends and family to sing. The music started with a local, young lady, who writes and sings her own music. I wanted to tape her music but knew that it wouldn’t come across well and I didn’t have permission.

Other singers included a good family friend and her daughter, who sang from Janis Joplin to songs in Spanish. Family members sang songs from their past. Last, a local man sang and played his guitar. He was full of jokes and puns, as well as songs. The evening was warm and people were dancing.

Sunday was Bel’s birthday and my present to her was a baking lesson on petit fours and turning over my icing recipe. My icing recipe is my own creation and it has been very popular since I came up with it. I also bought cake decorating supplies and cake pans for her cake and her gift.

Bel and I baked together and decorated together. I’d show her a step in the process and she’d run with it. It was such good quality time.

The birthday party was held in a neighbor’s pole barn. Again the evening weather was warm and perfect for a potluck dinner. Bel’s other grandfather BBQ’d chicken, she had her favorite salad and of course the cake.

Bel had wanted a pineapple cake with whipped cream icing; she doesn’t like sugar icing. I baked a yellow cake with crushed pineapple and pineapple juice inside the cake mix. One of Bel’s out-of-town friends had a birthday as well. I made him, as per his request, a chocolate cake with chocolate icing.

Bel and her friends chose music to dance to after her dinner. Since it was a nice evening dancing was a great way to end the weekend.

Birthday Cake with Butterfly-Flowers

Well this blog has gone off of the rails. We’ve been so busy that there has been no time to write. So now to step back and take a look at where we’ve been, before we leave on the next trip.

After Ft Bidwell, we had to head to Oregon to our youngest son’s, Clayton and his family. Clayton would be working out of state so we’d promised to help out Jen with the kids for a few days, babysitting mostly. We took kids to swim lessons, spent time reading, building with legos, just kids stuff.

We did go to lunch at a 100% gluten free brewery and then to a wine bar one evening. Both really fun adult things to do.

When we arrived in OR, our 5-year old granddaughter announced that she was going to spend the night with us on Sunday night, the night before her birthday. This would be her first time spending the night away from her parents. We hoped it would work.

Since our granddaughter wanted to go to Seattle a camping trip was in order. We made reservations at the KOA, where I’d lived 6 years earlier when working a snow storm. The kids loved the KOA with its warm pool and playground, not wanting to leave.

On Saturday we took the kids to Pike’s Market for the fish market. This is a really a fun market and I likely wrote about it last year when we took another granddaughter there. Customers order from a person in the fish area who then throws the fish to a counter person. There is also a realistic looking fish attached to a cord that jumps when the cord is pulled.

The market was quite noisy and packed with people so it wasn’t hard to leave and go back to the campground for some pool time.

Dale has a cousin in the Seattle area and we always try to meet up with he and his wife when we are in the area. Last year we actually stayed at their house on our way to Canada. This time, we only met them for lunch on Sunday at the Redhook Brewery. They are always fun to meet up with and they were glad to meet Clayton’s family. Otherwise, it was another pool day

We didn’t know how it would work with our granddaughter spending the night but she went to sleep with no problem and slept without any issues. Of course, we were the first to wish her a happy birthday. And we were so proud that we were the 1^st sleepover for her.

Before anything, but after breakfast, we had to decorate the cake that we’d made the day before. The icing was not perfect, having had to make it on the picnic bench, but she proclaimed it the best cake ever. Flowers turned into butterfly-flowers and a rainbow of pink and purple. What an imagination!

It was a nice day to go to the aquarium with the birthday girl and eat lunch at the pier. We oohed and awed at the giant octopus, penguins puffins and all of the other fish. It is a very nice aquarium with lots for all ages.

The sun was out and weather comfortable, the perfect day for a birthday.