Redoubt's first eruption - January 2009
I can't believe a month has passed by since my last post. It has certainly been an interesting month. The most known event in our lives in the last month has been the eruption of Mt. Redoubt. It has affected us very little, but know others who were affected more, due to the disruption of travel. We did have a dusting of ash twice here in Anchorage. And several days of "volcanic haze" which I found very hard to distinguish from the normal dreariness of winter. It is still steaming pretty consistently, and I suppose could come back to life full force, probably about the time tourist season hits. I'll be sure to keep plenty of supplies on hand just in case she should decide to blow again.
We are finally reaching what I believe are the last few days of what I've determined is the absolute worst but most anticipated season in Alaska! Winter? no.... and Spring is not yet here so what am I talking about? Well, in Alaska you have at least one extra season, it is called Break Up. I don't know how long it is supposed to be, or even for sure how long it really lasted, I just know that it was 'forever' in getting here and feels like it lasted months!!! There is only one way to describe this season.... with pictures.....
BUT.... as I said, finally Break Up is about done. We have had many nice days in the last week and today was absolutely gorgeous. Sunny,and not a cloud in the sky so we decided to go for a quick drive between finishing our homeschooling and dropping Rian off at his 'after-schooling' program (a Carpentry class which he really enjoys!). We saw 3 Bald Eagles and 2 bugs (it's a big deal...it means spring is really coming!) and a great view of Mt. Redoubt. This is the first time we've been able to see it from Anchorage since it started erupting in January.
So... that brings us to the photos from the last post... As many know, or have probably guessed, We decided to buy a house here in Anchorage and Lord willing, will close the deal on Thursday. It's an older house, in fact, if you were alive in the 70's chances are pretty good you lived in a place like this.
One of the houses Rick lived in as a boy was for the most part identical to this place (to bad I don't know how to type the theme song from the twilight zone, eh?!). It's in a great area of town, right across the street from where we watched the ceremonial start of the Iditarod races. It has a great back yard, a huge deck and even a green house (which I'd like to think I'll put to good use, but am leaning a bit more toward using it for bike storage or renting it out to someone with a green thumb instead of a brown one like mine!) The house has a new heating system, roof, and carpet, etc... The catch...Remember the 70's??? Need I say more?? you name it, we got it.... a peach/pink sink in the main bathroom...olive green downstairs (with floors and vanities to match). Lovely track lighting in a wide array of colors. And of course, what 70's pad wouldn't be complete with out the ... you guessed it... paneling!!!! Needless to say, we've got our work cut out for us, and since our tourist season starts June 10th, we don't have much time! I have a feeling the month of May will go much faster than the month of March did!
Just in case you're wondering....NO, we're not planning to stay here forever. (The idea of shoveling snow at age 50 doesn't sound fun, let alone doing it at age 70!) We just felt it was a smart thing to do at this point in our lives. Rick is planning to retire from the military in 2-4 years so we thought some stability would be a good thing. It means if he finds the perfect job in the perfect place we can sell and move... but it also means that he doesn't have to take a job in North Dakota or Mississippi just because we don't have a place to live!
We see God working in our lives right now in so many ways and we're very excited about the days to come, but that's all I have time for tonight. (News Flash....I'm now the proud owner of a beat up truck, just what I needed to go with my beat up house? Like I said, God is doing amazing things, and I am truly thankful, despite my sarcasm!) I need to get back to packing boxes, but first I think I'll take a quick walk on this beautiful pre-spring evening, just in case winter decides to return for one last shot like it did last year at this time.
