Slow Down Sister

My oldest daughter has always shown the most interest in doing the things her papa does, from taking a nap to flying an airplane.
On our last trip back home from Palmer she got to sit in the copilot seat. She was excited to be able to control the airplane, the only trouble was she was sitting a little low to be able to see over the instrument panel. I used my hand as a "flight director" so she would know when to turn, climb, or descend. Using this "technique" she was able to navigate us through the mountains of Lake Clark Pass. We also would take turns pointing out any and all waterfalls we would see along the way.

My Little Copilot


"Flight Director" working with the "Autopilot"

Free

The last weekend in September our family got tickets to see the Broadway Show, The Lion King, in Anchorage. This was the first time I had flown my entire family together anywhere, and the first time our youngest had flown at all with me. The weather was beautiful for both 1.5 hour flights, although we had to wait on fog the morning of our return trip. For those of you who haven't seen the airplane, below is a picture of it with our load for the trip back home. We had all five of us, the pile of gear which included a bicycle, and two extra gas cans with room to spare.

The "Grocery Getter"

Watching Airplanes

On occasion we get to see some airplanes. Sometimes we get to see them fly!
Here is a 4min 35sec window of what we see.

Beyond the Surface

The question "what lies beneath?" has perplexed the mind of mankind for many years. This past weekend, we found the answer.......Clams!!!
On a remote beach in Cook Inlet, just before low tide, a fleet of six airplanes landed and the occupants scattered out to go clamming.
After gathering clams for a while the kids got more interested in finding other sea life in the tide pools. They found hermit crabs, sea anemone, starfish, shrimp, and sea worms. After a couple of hours of exploring, clamming, getting wet and sandy, we loaded back up and flew home.

One of the Fleet

Our group on the beach

Beach landing


Exploring at low tide


Getting after some clams


'Sis doing what 'Sis does


Getting Courage to touch the clams


A Hermit Crab on the Sand

Ready to fill the bucket

Success

Port Alsworth - Alaska

After landing in Anchorage after midnight, and a very brief overnight at Grandma & Grandpa's house, we are off to our first stop on our Alaska visit - Port Alsworth.

We rode in a Piper Navajo through Lake Clark Pass.

A trip to the beach on Lake Clark. A little cold for swimming, but warm enough for fun.

Sissy and Mukluk on the beach

Bear tracks!!