July 4th

 

 Abby's fireworks

Basil's a pretty kitty. She just hangs with us. Our constant companion.

Kodiak's 4th of July parade is endearing. It's super quaint.

Candy

American flags

Old cars

4H hens and bunnies

The old fashion political "float"

It last about five to ten minutes, so you get to walk a block and see it all over again. 

Not a whole lot of picture taking this past month. For about three weeks my life is consumed by the fireworks stand. I did not take any photos this season sadly. I do love it so. I don't really like fireworks that much, mainly the small ones, but I sure do love selling them!  Because products are behind a counter, we interact a lot with people, which can be fun.

Active Juneau

Food is cheap in Juneau! The portions are huge. My $12 lunch was two lunches, and Abby's kid's meal was $3.99!!!

Views from our Juneau "home".

One of the things that Abby and I were excited to do was to take the tram up Mt. Roberts. It was expensive, but it was the one activitiy we spent money on. I imagine locals would use it more if they had a local rate.  A lot of people hike up the mountain, then ride the tram down.

The tram and attractions at the top are run by the Goldbelt native corporation. What a positive experience to provide for not only visitors, but their shareholders. They employ locals and offer an opportunity to learn and share Tlingit culture.

At the top of Mt. Roberts is this cross erected (this is a replacement) by Father Brown, an avid hiker who helped establish a trail system back in the early 20th century!

The snow and wind pushes the pruce trees and they grow crooked like this in some areas. 

Abby eagle

Abby huggy plushy marmot

Again, sorry, but the beautifucation aspects to having cruise ships was enjoyable. There are draw backs to such big business, don't get me wrong, but downtown Juneua is in strikingly good condition.

Mendenhall Glacier

Glacier ice. So compacted the light makes it look blue.

We walked to he falls. 

Juneau has amazing clouds. They float and appear to grow out of trees.

Asher, who we adopted at the Salvation Army thrift store last time when we were in Juneau, accompanied Abby everywhere.

By the falls it was super windy.

Normally Abby is a bit skiddish. She's not a climb a tree, rough it, kind of girl. She was totally trail blazing here though.

I have never been to Mendenhall when it wasn't spectacularly beautiful. 

Juneau 3

 On our way to Juneau we stopped in Anchorage and got to visit with Lou the Dog and his family.

 It was hot! I laid in a lounge chair.

 We didn't go shopping or go to a museum, I got wrangled into making an apple pie!!!

Abby drew her first guinea pig. 

 We went to Juneau so I could work at the State Museum helping them move all of their collections. They are tearing down the old building, and erecting a new one in its place, so it all had to go! They worked on the move for over a year.

 In the evenings Abby and I got to hang out in Juneau, which right now is my favorite American city. People live, work and play downtown - a real city!

Parts of downtown Juneau have literally been taken over by the temporary summer cruise ship business.

 However, sacrificing a few blocks seems worth not only the economic benefit, but also the beautification aspects. Two things Kodiak is lacking.

 Abby and I staged this photo for grandmum and grandad, she is saying "Grandmum and dad, I am ready to go in a cruise!"

My happy bella.