Hi, Just a quick note to let you know that we are okay. We are staying home this winter and will not travel back to NH. It was a good choice as winter has just arrived as of a few days ago. Oct. was a beautiful month with warm 20’s mornings and high’s mostly in the 30’s with a few days of 40’s. No complaint, as we finished a lot more outside projects, that normally are let go until spring.
Now to get started on finishing the upstairs bedroom. I have most of the stuff cleaned out. Boy, do I have a lot of "JUNK" Okay, no comments, I can hear them already. This is my throw away year. If I can sneak it past Dad. If and when it gets done, the house will be completely finished! Maybe?
Some of you already heard that we have put in an oil stove! YES! The first one ever, for Bob in almost 75 years. Me, we had oil when I was a kid. But, this is the first oil stove in our 53 years of marriage. It’s a small Toyostove, like a Moniter Stove. Its in the cellar with a register to the upstairs and it will keep the cellar warmer. We’re really coming up in this world, but more expenses. Oil was$2.74 gal. #1. Propane delivered here is $3.94 gal. That is our cook stove and hot water.
Our friends, Larry and Monica have moved to Jefferson, Montana as of Oct. 23rd.
We already miss them. We met them on our way, moving to Alaska in 1984 and have been close friends since then. (25 years). When they moved to Alaska, they were coming up for the money. When we moved to Alaska we were coming up for the adventures. So they have left. Sold their home and are having one built in Montana. Life goes on.
Got an email from Betsey. Ted is seriously ill. He had a gall bladder operation and it ended up poisoning his system. He has lost over 50lbs. The last message is that they found where the infection is and he has to go to the hospital every day to have an infusion of the antibiotics. Their 26th ann. is Nov. 21st.
The garden did well this year, despite our dry weather. Freezers and root cellar are full, so we won’t starve. No moose but hope to go caribou hunting during the winter hunt. If we don’t get any, we still have lots of fish and chicken, lots of frozen vegetables, potatoes in the root cellar, frozen berries, jams, pickles, sauerkraut, homemade beer and wine. Lots of flour, yeast, sugar on hand for breads and desserts. It’s a good feeling knowing we will always have something to eat. Also 6 chickens that are laying eggs. Dressed some of the chickens and they are in the freezer. The rooster weighed 20lbs and dressed was 15 ½ lbs. He will be our Christmas dinner. Thanksgiving we are going to Jim and Pam Verney’s in Delta. They have attended our dinners and said it was time for them to have the holiday dinner.
Love, Florine
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Our adventures in Alaska July 2009
July 7, 2009 (posted later)
Hi to all,
Sorry I haven’t been in touch lately. Too many things happening, keeping us on the go. We are doing well, especially Bob, after all his problems of the spring. For those of you who have not heard, and an update for those of you that have, I will highlight some of the early happenings. It’summer time and no time for writing or emailing. Winter is coming all too quickly.
Bob had several problems since our return on Feb. 28th. He was in the emergency room of the hospital twice. First visit, dehydration from diarrhea that started on our last day of arriving home. Medication and rest got him up and going again. Late March, he fractured a rib in his back, going over on the snow machine. Late April, eye doc. appointment, was told he needed an eye operation. His vision in left eye was distorted. Had to drive to Anchorage for specialist. We were lucky, because we came from so far (400 miles) they operated the next morning. Day surgery. Once doctor checked him the 2nd day at his office, we had permission to go home. I drove the 400 miles back, in the rain, took 7 hours. He had eye drops to use for 2 weeks. There was no real pain, just an ache. It was caused from glaucoma, which he had been doing drops for the last 2 years. June 22nd. he had a checkup in Anchorage, the eye is doing well, it will take another 2 to 3 months for normal sight to return.
Now the fun things. We finally went to Cordova, a small village, accessed only by ferry or flying out of Valdez. The ferry ride was 3 ½ hours. There were six of us and two campers. Bob and I tagged along this time. Spent 4 days. Saw the Million Dollar Bridge located 48 miles (all dirt road) from Cordova. The bridge was built in 1910 to cross the Copper River near its mouth. A road was to be built way back then along the Copper River to the interior of Alaska, but a railroad was built instead, from Cordova to the Kennicott Mine.
Next was clamming on the Kenai Penninsula, meeting friends from Oregon, Russ and Carol at the campground. We got our limit of 60 each on two low tides. A total of 1159 miles round trip. But it was fun, plus had the eye checkup in Anchorage.
Arrive home late Friday afternoon, unpacked and cleaned camper. Heard the salmon were coming in strong at Chitina so decieded to go dip netting. Left Tues. Harry came with us. Had one 4 wheeler with the trailer. I rode in the trailer, sitting on a chair, which wasn’t too bad, a little bumpy. We traveled about 6 miles on the trail that passed through 2 slide areas that has warnings that it is unsafe and pass at your own risk. Bob netted 3 and I, one, 40lb. king salmon. The king salmon fishing has been closed throughout the state because of a low run this year. So we took a picture and I put it back into the water. We spent 12 hours the next day dipping. We had 13 salmon between 3 of us. Not good. Some people didn’t get any, so we felt lucky although we worked for them.
I did have the 4th party here. Larry & Monica were to have it, but they had to head to Montana as his sister was dying. It was a small group of 12 people. Not 26 like I usually had it as it was a last minute thing.
The weather is hot, staying around 80, nights 60’s. Unfortunately, with hot dry weather comes smoke. Lots of smoke from many fires burning through out the state. Next will be a trip to the cabin and claims to clear the trail this trip. Next time will include a backpacking trip from the cabin to the new area we want to prospect. If nothing, I think its time to call it quits, after 14 years. UNLESS, we find something!!!!
Hi to all,
Sorry I haven’t been in touch lately. Too many things happening, keeping us on the go. We are doing well, especially Bob, after all his problems of the spring. For those of you who have not heard, and an update for those of you that have, I will highlight some of the early happenings. It’summer time and no time for writing or emailing. Winter is coming all too quickly.
Bob had several problems since our return on Feb. 28th. He was in the emergency room of the hospital twice. First visit, dehydration from diarrhea that started on our last day of arriving home. Medication and rest got him up and going again. Late March, he fractured a rib in his back, going over on the snow machine. Late April, eye doc. appointment, was told he needed an eye operation. His vision in left eye was distorted. Had to drive to Anchorage for specialist. We were lucky, because we came from so far (400 miles) they operated the next morning. Day surgery. Once doctor checked him the 2nd day at his office, we had permission to go home. I drove the 400 miles back, in the rain, took 7 hours. He had eye drops to use for 2 weeks. There was no real pain, just an ache. It was caused from glaucoma, which he had been doing drops for the last 2 years. June 22nd. he had a checkup in Anchorage, the eye is doing well, it will take another 2 to 3 months for normal sight to return.
Now the fun things. We finally went to Cordova, a small village, accessed only by ferry or flying out of Valdez. The ferry ride was 3 ½ hours. There were six of us and two campers. Bob and I tagged along this time. Spent 4 days. Saw the Million Dollar Bridge located 48 miles (all dirt road) from Cordova. The bridge was built in 1910 to cross the Copper River near its mouth. A road was to be built way back then along the Copper River to the interior of Alaska, but a railroad was built instead, from Cordova to the Kennicott Mine.
Next was clamming on the Kenai Penninsula, meeting friends from Oregon, Russ and Carol at the campground. We got our limit of 60 each on two low tides. A total of 1159 miles round trip. But it was fun, plus had the eye checkup in Anchorage.
Arrive home late Friday afternoon, unpacked and cleaned camper. Heard the salmon were coming in strong at Chitina so decieded to go dip netting. Left Tues. Harry came with us. Had one 4 wheeler with the trailer. I rode in the trailer, sitting on a chair, which wasn’t too bad, a little bumpy. We traveled about 6 miles on the trail that passed through 2 slide areas that has warnings that it is unsafe and pass at your own risk. Bob netted 3 and I, one, 40lb. king salmon. The king salmon fishing has been closed throughout the state because of a low run this year. So we took a picture and I put it back into the water. We spent 12 hours the next day dipping. We had 13 salmon between 3 of us. Not good. Some people didn’t get any, so we felt lucky although we worked for them.
I did have the 4th party here. Larry & Monica were to have it, but they had to head to Montana as his sister was dying. It was a small group of 12 people. Not 26 like I usually had it as it was a last minute thing.
The weather is hot, staying around 80, nights 60’s. Unfortunately, with hot dry weather comes smoke. Lots of smoke from many fires burning through out the state. Next will be a trip to the cabin and claims to clear the trail this trip. Next time will include a backpacking trip from the cabin to the new area we want to prospect. If nothing, I think its time to call it quits, after 14 years. UNLESS, we find something!!!!
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