Welcome to P.A.

Well when you get to Sitka you have more than one way of getting here.  On a boat or barge like you see down below...or you can take the easier, quicker way (depending on weather) like we did.... (photo courtesy of Judge)....

Welcome to P.A.  (A lot of people call it that...or you can call it Port Alexander)....  our new home.  This is the other side of the port from us.  Just recently they have increased in size by 11 people thanks to the Peacock Family (seven of us) from Bunkerville, NV.  And also thanks to the Ross Family from Louisiana (four of them).

Last Sign

As long as we are an the topic of signs I might as well show you the picture of the very last sign we saw.  There are signs around Port Alexander but I haven't taken pictures of any of them yet.  Here is the welcome sign we saw at the Sitka airport when we finally arrived at 11:30 p.m. on the 8th of August instead of our scheduled time of 5:30 p.m.  That in itself is a story for another blog...needless to say the weather here can be beautiful but it can also change your travel plans in a heartbeat...

...so this did make us feel good!!!

We Saw the Signs

Along our long...many days...many miles...many friends and family members....and many bathroom stops....road trip we saw a multiple of signs...  Now the ads we didn't take pictures of.  I am sure there are a few we probably should have.  Chik-fil-A by far had to have some of the funniest ones as we went on our way.  We did take a few pictures of the welcome signs.

(our model passenger / the boys didn't pass this test)

Maybe it is just the route we took, but it made me think that maybe us (should I say YOU) people, who live in the western desert areas of the U.S. of A. are either crazy or have the right idea as far as traveling goes. 

As you notice once we reached Oregon I never did see a welcome sign actually posted that you could get out and take pictures at, as you goofily announce your tourist status to the whole world driving by, with the kids.  Not that we were going to get any of our five kids out of a van and on the side of a busy, major highway...we weren't going to quite deliberately ask for it...not in that situation.

It was long, it was boring, it was beautiful, it was amazing to see such varied scenery.  I wouldn't do it again in a heartbeat if the timeline was the same, but given time and money to enjoy the trip it would be awesome to see some of the sights again.

And just a note from Kale...Oregon!  For heaven's sake make your speed limit faster.  Driving through there at 65 (not that he drove that) drove me crazy.  I am lucky to still have all five kids!

Adios Big Blue

This is just to say a final farewell to the big blue beast that had been the constant companion of our family.  It served us well thank goodness, even if it wasn't the most comfortable thing to drive...

From Tooele, Utah...not Mesquite, Nevada...our total mileage to Seattle, Washington was 893.7.  So for not being the best he sure went far...

21st Century

Well I am finally bumped up t0 the 21st century. The IT guy on the island (Ryan) came by today with our internet set up. So now I should be able to correspond regularly! Yeah! The kids finished off their first week of school. They have a four day week up here. So far they are enjoying it. Raiden and Judge were super excited. On Wednesday they passed their kayak test and are now able to go out. They had a blast! Made me a little jealous. Kale says I should be able to take the test next week... but tah for now and I promise to keep up more now....I do plan on starting our travel story from the begining so you can see the pictures...

First Day

Well we made it through the first day. Ender doesnt like having his dad as a teacher at all. He came home crying saying that dad was so mean and he made mean teacher faces at him. Thank goodness the other teacher made it here last night. Hopefully his second day will go better. My first day s a lunchlady was not so bad...the kids I think were hungry enough that there were no complaints...

FOUR!

Well the kids had their first taste of what wet weather golf is like. Normally you play your games weather permitting, but here you just put your rain coat, boots and pants if you have them on and just roll with it... They enjoyed it mostly, but Ender and Jenner got cold eventually and the fun no longer appealed to them. But Raiden and Judge really enjoyed it. I think they would have stayed out there forever hitting those golf balls if the adults had been more willing to stay. So thank you Nia, Ender and Jenner for wanting to go inside. I for one was glad to get in and warm up and dry off after the fun after noon! Hopefully here soon I will be able to post some photos of these fun things they have been doing.

my shoes

well with us not having internet we do get out a bit more.   Today we found that the school is exactly 200 footsteps from our back door.   Vital and life saving information huh?  So neeless to say I wont be saying to anyone, well if you walk a mile in my shoes or anything like that...cause I am not sure where you would end up....  

The Way of the Island

We have been without internet since I last posted and I am borrowing the services now....that is the way of the island I am told.  So I just thought I would drop a note and let people we are alive and the kids are most assuredly thriving....till I can get time to write something longer...farewelll...

Monday, Monday

We have done our first loads of laundry and the boys are excited about setting up their rooms.  If only they would be as excited about bedtimes.....but its still morningtime....I am told by Jenner....Its not dark out....I am told by Ender....and Nia...my sweet princess.,,has discovered that she likes to scream out her opinion....screeches her thoughts about a bedtime she has no desire to go to.  Hopefully here in the next week we run them ragged enough that they are to tired to complain...,if all else fails school starts in two weeks...

Oh, by the way, we got our PO Box....no phone yet...but you can reach us by mail.

PO Box 8027
Port Alexander, AK 99836

Many Firsts

Today was a day filled of many firsts.  We had our first taste of smoked salmon.  It smells just like jerky.  The boys called it fish jerky when they tasted it.  Then we were given salmon filets by two of our friendly neighbors (so awesome looking when fresh) and we had our first attempt at cooking salmon fresh from the ocean.  We also took our first family jaunt to the point.  That is what the locals call the point of our part of the island.  The kids loved seeing the big open ocean...and to think another country is out there....and then I am the proud winner of the title of the first one to swim in the ocean.  Very cold and very salty....and believe it or not you do get used to the numbing cold after a little while...and to finish it off it is the end of our first day of firsts!

Sitka, Ak

well we finally made it!  after much adventure and a very long day we wake to find ourselves in sitka.  in a few short hours we will fly out on float plane and find ourselvesin our new home.  i dont know how long again it will be before we are able to call or post so we just want everyone to know we love and appreciate them!

Cows, Horses, Sheep, Goats and Donkeys Oh My!

Well if you haven't guessed by the title we are keeping track of different animals excluding birds that we have seen during our long jaunt.  We made it to Baker City, Oregon today and that is what we have seen so far.  Well excluding a few dogs.

We are tired, exhausted and thrilled all at the same time....Kale and I mostly exhausted...

We also learned a useless fact.  The distance from the 7/11 in Tooele, Utah and Glenns Ferry, Idaho is exactly 300 miles.  Now you can rest easy right?

We would one again like to express our gratitude for all the help and prayers in our behalf along our way....With any luck we will have a few fun anecdotes to share in a few days...

Feast or Famine

Well it has been a whirl wind the last few days.  On Thursday we officially bid farewell to Mesquite and Bunkerville.  Kale and I went back and finished packing up the remains of our house.  Thanks to the Leavitts for helping us out with our last load.  Without you we wouldn't have made it in the one trip.

Thanks to all the good people and friends we met and made along the way with 8 years here.

Now we have to situate our storage unit and we are working on packing clothes and household items we need to take up amongst the 12 suitcases we have.  Otherwise we will be mailing them...

Easier said than done...but we will get it done.....

A side note...congrats to my baby brother Justin and his wonderful wife Kassidy.  They welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world last night!  Can't wait to see her, even if it is briefly!