Sunset Build, Season Two, Episode 3

It’s September in Alaska. One of the reasons I love our ‘split’ living arrangements is that we get the best three seasons in both places. Alaska—May is spring; June/July/August is summer; September/October is fall. North Carolina—October/November is fall; December/January/February is winter; March/April/May is spring. And we miss the worst season in both places!

 

Friends, Debye & Jody, were just here for two weeks of fall fun. There was no agenda except chasing blue sky. This year’s adventure included a LOT of camping time and the citified Aldermans were up for the challenge. From Anchorage we went to Palmer for the Reindeer Farm and State Fair. Only blue sky was extreme northeast so we headed to Eureka, Glennallen, Tok and Chicken. Then we drove the Top of the World Highway and on into Dawson City, Yukon. Woke there to some unexpected rain so we headed south. At Paxson we cut across the Denali Highway (a glorified gravel road). There are few services along the road but one of our favorites for amazing vistas. Back in Anchorage we hiked the blueberry trail at Flattop. Then it was home to our finished (!) massive tiny house. Days of card playing, sharing meals, and making more memories. We hiked the Seven Lakes Trail in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. It was supposed to be a 4.5 mile hike but we took a wrong turn that ended up making it a 7 mile hike. We are so thankful that our bodies are still up for the challenge. Took the big boat out of Homer and had a great day fishing for halibut in the Cook Inlet. This was Debye’s sixth visit to Alaska and Jody’s fourth and we were all pleased with how many ‘firsts’ we were still able to find to share.

The checklist for the house that we wanted to have done by July 1 is complete. Of course, we are now adding items because, really, is a home ever completely done? The porch build went about as expected. I sanded and stained all the boards. Greg & Mik built it. The only time I had to leave was when they were putting the trusses on. Let’s just say they wrangled those bad boys into place—and lived to tell about it. The before and after of the front speaks for itself. We had vision, determination, and put in a whole lot of work to make this dream a reality. We are pleased! It is exactly what we wanted. There are only minor things we might have done differently. It. Is. Finished!

And last night was icing on the cake. Lady Aurora filled our skies! In the 10+ years we were in Kenai, we never saw the sky dance like we did last night. It. Was. Cool!

Thanks for following along the journey and giving us so much positive, encouraging feedback. The very best news is we are back in the business of welcoming folks to the Last Frontier. If it’s on your bucket list, let’s talk.