Today we took a jet-boat ride 17 miles upriver to a trapper/gold miner's cabin. He showed us his trapping equipment, some skins that he trades/sells, and we got to pretend-mine for gold. Everybody got a few flakess; not enough to retire on, but it was fun to actually do the panning. The old man lives in this "cabin" and his teen-age grandson is spending the summer with him. The big mitten I have on is what he wears to run his traplines in the winter, I believe they are beaver fur. He wears lots of regular gloves underneath the fur.
We had a 4-hour train ride to Fairbanks. Gloria & Leonard sat across the aisle from us today. He read his book and she stared straight ahead. They are such a fun couple, we hope to travel with them again! Fairbanks is not in the mountains. Big surprise to all of us! All we've seen for 10 days is mountains and this is a rolling hill-looking area. The lodge itself is a disappointing sight to everyone. It is not a lodge at all; more like a Fairfield Inn that was bought by Princess and they slapped the word "lodge" on it.
I'm sure everyone is tired of looking at my Tech visor. I thought I would wear this one for a day or two until I could find an Alaska visor. Today I finally found one. I have probably been in 200 or more gift shops. So I finally will get to wear a new visor tomorrow! However, the Tech one has been a conversation piece, especially from fellow Texans, people from Indiana (Bob Knight--they either hate him or love 'im) and curious ones who want to know what university it represents.
I apologize for not having more photos from today. The internet service is sketchy here and I can't get anymore photos to download. Will try again tomorrow.
A&J
Give Gloria and Leonard our love! Good thing you didn't have to partner with them for the trip. . .zzzzzzzz. Keep having fun! This morning there's a huge thunderstorm moving in from NM,Brownfield and that way and it's so dark the patio lights turned on. Roxann is having sinus surgery so Granna has the crew and we get the twins tonight while Mia goes to OK with them for a family reunion. Enjoy the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteEverybody is doing good here. We lost our game last night. OH WELL! 3 more to go..Wish us luck. I had no idea this weather was coming in, they just called and cancelled Coop's swimming lessons.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that ya'll are stuck with Gloria and Leonard. That can not be much fun at all.
Well ya'll have fun today, and we will see you on Sunday.
Shannon
Forget about the vacation....keep blogging about Gloria and Leonard!! HA HA! That is cracking me up!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics and stories!!
Maybe ya'll need to spike Gloria and Leonard's drinks on the train!! hee hee
ReplyDeleteSounds like you guys are still having a wonderful time. Can't wait for more pics and stories!!
Yep rained again this morning off and on....was quite nice to have morning showers!!
Love ya'll,
Cody & Jo Lynne
This is a PS: I agree with Holly--we've got to at least have one picture of you two with Gloria and Leonard! We'll never forgive you if we don't get to see their smiling faces!
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