Friday, July 31, 2009
Camping with Isaiah
A couple of weeks ago we went camping with Isaiah and Emmy (the dog) and Andrea and Steve up near Little Payette Lake in McCall. With Isaiah, I am the big kid, and this is usually fun, though sometimes it means Mama and Papa say I have to be a better example. 
Hiking in the Sawtooths
We finally made it up to the Sawtooths a few weeks ago. This is just a place on the way there to get out of your car and take a photo. Yes, Mama and Papa tickled me to make me smile for the camera. 
We went for a pretty long hike. I walked some on my own, and I got to ride in the backpack some -- I even dozed for while back there.
Papa actually did most of the carrying. I am very heavy now. I think Mama and Papa have decided that that was the last hike for me in a backpack -- from here on out, I walk on my own. They're going to have to pick out shorter hikes, though. Or take someone along who is fun to chase.
We hiked up to a beautiful lake -- I think it was called Alpine Lake. It was cold, but I still took off most of my clothes and got in. Then I serenaded Mama and Papa on my harmonica.Thursday, July 09, 2009
Sitka!
We feel very lucky that we got to visit our friends Steve and Peggy up in Sitka, Alaska. Mama and Papa met them in Vermont, where Papa and Steve worked together. Shortly after I came along, they came out here and opened an adventure lodge (http://www.sitkabay.com/). They take guests hiking, biking, and kayaking. They've also gotten very involved in their community, working hard to make Sitka a more sustainable place. They've been instrumental in starting a farmer's market and a regular contradance and are very active in the Sitka Conservation Society.
This is Steve -- after a couple of days together, he became one of my very favorite people.
This is Peggy. She's pretty high on the list too. I played with cars in the living room while Peggy did her morning yoga, and I've added a couple of new yoga moves to my repertoire as a result.
They've done a lot of work on their place, which is really beautiful.
Their view isn't bad either. We liked watching the boats and the bald eagles come and go.
This is Steve -- after a couple of days together, he became one of my very favorite people.
This is Peggy. She's pretty high on the list too. I played with cars in the living room while Peggy did her morning yoga, and I've added a couple of new yoga moves to my repertoire as a result.
They've done a lot of work on their place, which is really beautiful.
Their view isn't bad either. We liked watching the boats and the bald eagles come and go.
Forest
The forests here are green and lush and complex. Very few trees seem to actually grow out of the ground -- they grow out of nurse logs from fallen trees instead.
Mama and I thought skunk cabbage was pretty cool.
Lots of critters that love wetness here too. Here I am checking out a big fat slug. 
For better or for worse, this is as close as we got to a real live wild bear. But Steve and Peggy have some pretty good stories.Mountains
Here we are climbing Mt. Vristovia. 
The higher you go...
The more amazing the view.
Beaches
Here I am checking out the beach at Mosquito Cove. There's a lot to see when the tide goes out.
I made a new friend -- we did some hiking and some beach-combing and played legos and hide-and-seek. Here we are at the "Rec", a great beach/park just down the street from Steve and Peggy's place
Sunset behind the mountains -- about 9:30 PM -- but it didn't really get dark
Muskeg
When Mt. Edgecumbe errupted, it dropped a whole bunch of very fine ash that drains poorly. That created these really neat swampy areas called Muskegs. 
After nearly disappearing into one of these mud holes while rescuing their dog Jackson, Steve and Peggy came back with a long pole and measured 10 ft! So Mama and Papa made sure I stayed on the boardwalk.
After nearly disappearing into one of these mud holes while rescuing their dog Jackson, Steve and Peggy came back with a long pole and measured 10 ft! So Mama and Papa made sure I stayed on the boardwalk. 
Naturally there are lots of interesting plants in here too. That cottony one (above) is some kind of rush. And that might be Labrador tea down below.
Rivers and Lakes
There is beautiful, clear, (cold!) water all over this island.
Here'a a photo of Papa at Blue Lake. I guess some crazy things wash out of the steep surrounding mountains and end up on the beach.
It was a bit of a climb to get to Beaver Lake, but it was one of our favorite spots. I think Mama and Papa are suckers for places that remind them of the Saranac Lakes and for alpine lakes in general.
We loved our hike along the Indian River -- I had so much fun chasing Steve that I walked (or ran) most of the way back on my own, which made Papa happy, since he didn't have to carry me.Downtown Sitka
I liked checking out the boats in the harbor
Here's the book store and the Russian Orthodox church. The Tlingit didn't produce as much architecture of note, but they did take out quite a few Russians (who, as you may well imagine, took out quite a few Tlingit). But they also traded and intermarried, and Sitka today is populated by people of these and other ancestries.Seattle!
We had a great time visiting family and friends in Seattle
We took the water taxi to the aquarium with my Aunt Judy.
The aquarium was pretty awesome. My favorite fishes were the divers cleaning the tanks who waved at me. But this octopus was a close second (it changed colors!) My favorite animal in the touch tank was the sea cucumber ("Slimey!).
Here I am with my cousin Lukas. We had a good time running and climbing and looking at fish together.
I loved the fish slide at Carkeek Park. Every time I got to the top, I said, "The fish is going to eat me!" Unfortunately, we didn't get a photo of me with my friend Naomi.Karen and Mike get Hitched
Our friends Karen and Mike got married in Lake Tahoe. We had a lot of fun celebrating with them. My big smile in this photo is partly because it was requested and partly because I am wearing my favorite shirt in the whole world. I would wear it every day if Mama and Papa would let me.
I got to hang out with my friend Conley at the wedding. We both like cars, so we get along great. I'm looking forward to when we're 10 and we can take one of these for a ride when our parents aren't looking. He he.
Schlafmutze (sleepyhead)
Horsethief Reservoir
Yet another lovely Idaho spot. We enjoyed camping and canoeing here, since it's a "no wake" lake. There were lots of mosquitos at dawn and dusk, which made the Vermonters feel right at home.