tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-125379402012-02-12T12:35:07.503-09:00an ongoing log of our move from the lower 48 up to Alaska and the adventures that ensueMegnoreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-65720897600102366972009-11-17T16:53:00.002-09:002009-11-17T16:53:30.506-09:00

If you want to keep up with us and our goings on, you'll have to visit us at http://www.patrioticandromantic.com/.

Megnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-82658255588569684302009-08-10T10:42:00.003-08:002009-08-10T10:51:50.189-08:00

Well, one year ago I was in surgery to get my left ankle repaired. A lot has happened since then. I had a second surgery to remove the hardware from my ankle, bought a house and got married. Somethings, however, remain the same. I still have very limited mobility in my ankle and most of my inner left foot is still numb. I still cannot run, at least not without looking like I'm galloping. Also,

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-56912676104215625212009-07-19T21:05:00.000-08:002009-07-19T21:11:44.965-08:00

Final Update - We finished most of the projects for the day. Zach is relieved to be done filleting all of the salmon. Just another two fillets to smoke and one fillet to turn into gravlax tomorrow and then it will be all preserved or frozen for eating later. Finished the night with some of the sorbet and it was very rich and tasty, probably could have passed on the bacon.Update - The marmalade

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-55318769922668875062009-07-19T16:04:00.002-08:002009-07-19T16:05:56.264-08:00

I stumbled on this blog about a week ago and I love it. The couple seem to be a lot like Zach and I and I appreciate that she puts all the recipes on the blog.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-71688581464078732992009-07-10T14:19:00.003-08:002009-07-10T14:34:19.672-08:00

After two weeks of last minute details and hosting friends and family, things are starting to get back to normal around here. What a great and exciting couple of weeks. We enjoyed seeing everyone and had a great time. The wedding went off without a hitch, but the one that matters, Zach and I, and the reception was a lot of fun. Below is a photo of us during the ceremony. The next adventure

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-5653293927977466122009-06-23T21:05:00.007-08:002009-07-19T11:34:11.770-08:00

As many of the readers know (if anyone still reads since we've been so lax posting), Zach and I are getting married in about a week and a half on the 4th of July. While its a mad dash and lots of hard work to get all the loose ends tied up, including a second functional bathroom, its been a lot of fun. We've made scads of progress on our updating of the house that we hadn't planned to do for

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-27620372953348992832009-06-22T12:55:00.001-08:002009-06-22T12:57:02.510-08:00

Since we haven't posted in a while, one of the other major developments in our lives is that we bought a house. While its under renovation and in constant progress, pictures can be seen here.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-5105648293164684822009-06-22T12:44:00.002-08:002009-06-22T12:47:45.325-08:00

Yesterday was the solstice and longest day of the year. For Anchorage that meant the sun came up at 4:20 a.m. and set at 11:22 p.m. Zach and I certainly made the most of it with more work on the house, wedding preparations and drinking wine. All in all, not a bad way to spend the solstice.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1483069657875136502009-06-21T20:46:00.004-08:002009-07-10T14:38:43.362-08:00

Coming soon to our shores (and never posted about new house), eggs from the as-yet unnamed fine-feathered fowl friends:the barred rock hen -the buff orpington (RIP, a victim of Honey the dog):Any name suggestions?

Megnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-19425133578358337622008-01-07T10:34:00.001-09:002008-01-07T10:34:53.422-09:00

Here's a picture of Honey following surgery to get a lump removed from her tail.  She had had the lump for about 6 months and it didn't seem to bother her, but it was getting bigger.  So, last Thursday, off it came.  She has been really good, except that she constantly wants to lick the stitches, hence the doggie cone.  Hopefully, after today, she won't need the doggie cone any longer. It's

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-10518027912645336692008-01-03T14:14:00.000-09:002008-12-08T17:47:07.719-09:00

Once again we have been remiss in getting anything posted to the blog. But, never fear, we're going to try again. You know, the new year, new resolutions. As a starter, here's a picture of me out skiing on New Year's day. We promise we will post more very soon.

Megnoreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-38034660637289218212007-07-15T15:21:00.000-08:002007-07-15T15:24:19.261-08:00

Once again we have been remiss in posting on the blog. So, here is a link to pictures we have taken on our recent adventures, including a trip to Juneau at the beginning of the month.We'll be in Iowa in about a month and hopefully we'll be able to see folks while we are there.

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-33847011072805293392007-04-06T15:48:00.000-08:002007-04-10T18:34:04.583-08:00

While spring officially started a couple of weeks ago, here spring has just started with what is called break-up. Unlike spring in most other areas with early blooming crocuses and the greening of grass, spring here begins the big melt. With a good 6-8 feet of snow piled up it take time and makes things soggy and muddy. However, as depressing as that may sound, we know that spring is here as

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-78459286788011871272007-02-04T15:30:00.000-09:002007-02-04T15:32:47.646-09:00

Check out this link to a story by the Anchorage Daily News last week about a case I am currently handling at work:http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/8599675p-8492514c.html

Megnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-18408551839993384942007-01-28T12:00:00.000-09:002007-01-28T12:18:14.614-09:00

Since it has been since August since we last posted anything substantive, here's what has been happening in a nutshell:1. October, the arrival of Darby, our third dog, see the post below. Really, three dogs rounds out the pack.2. Camping at the Matanuska Glacier. The picture at the top of the page was taken by Zach during that trip. It was beautiful, but extremely cold, probably -20 degrees or

Megnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-59616825393116347642007-01-27T21:13:00.000-09:002007-01-27T21:21:57.671-09:00

Zach and I have taken the time to finally spend some time on the blog. As you can see we have given the blog a makeover adding some pictures and updating our links. On the right you can find a link to Zach's photo page on flickr as well as the new blog we started for our Anchorage gourmet night gathering that happens once a month. Hopefully, we'll be more diligent in keeping this thing up to

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1156133842548831872006-08-20T18:35:00.000-08:002006-08-20T20:22:16.150-08:00

Zach and I recently planned and started a vacation of biking from Anchorage to Denali National Park and back. We biked over the course of 3 days, 168 miles, to the Denali North View Campground, about 70 miles from the national park. Unfortunately, rain forced us to head back to Anchorage. Once back in Anchorage, we took a day to dry out and then headed back out for our vacation, this time

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1150664393425759532006-06-18T12:38:00.000-08:002006-06-21T05:16:40.816-08:00

A few substitutions of late in the apartment standings.Remaining steady - Honey & Frodo - (upload soon)Leaving the apartment - Otto -New arrival - Caffey -New arrival - Hutch -(two additional arrivals to be photographed soon...)

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1150663074552113472006-06-18T11:38:00.000-08:002006-06-18T12:37:54.566-08:00

To recover from a quiet spell for a while - a few photomontages and notes from the land of North to the Future™. We took a saturday a couple of weeks ago to bike from Anchorage to Girdwood, which is about a 40 mile trip, one way. Well, 40 miles from some arbitrary point where they start measuring such things (my guess - the start of the Seward Highway). The point being, when we started at

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1147823753985399392006-05-16T15:53:00.000-08:002006-06-18T13:11:38.006-08:00

Hello all,Writing from the airport in Nome, Alaska, hoping to eventually get out to St. Lawrence Island and to Savoonga in the Bering Sea. Lucky for me there is wireless at the airport, where I have been stuck for about 3 hours. I did take a walking tour of Nome and I will post pictures of Nome and Savoonga when I return to Anchorage.copyright paratours.netUntil then... now posted!Scenic,

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1143511288957459082006-03-27T16:40:00.001-09:002006-03-28T16:33:02.813-09:00

This weekend Zach and I with the dogs in tow traveled 4 hours southwest on the Kenai pennisula to Homer. The weekend was filled with trials, tribulations and fun. We stayed at my co-worker's cabin, which was quite cozy. After fumbling in the dark through snow up to our knees to the cabin Friday night, I managed to promply lock us out of the cabin within 5 minutes of arriving. We hunted for a

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1142713684434496042006-03-18T11:15:00.000-09:002006-03-27T19:11:16.796-09:00

Zach and I had the weird pleasure of attending the restart of the 2006 Iditarod in Williow, AK, which is about 2 hours north of Anchorage. A truly Alaskan experience. The restart is held the day after the ceremonial start which was in Anchorage to Eagle River. In Willow the restart took place on a frozen lake. We arrived a couple of hours before the start time and viewed the teams and walked

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1140745049027773532006-02-23T16:26:00.000-09:002006-03-20T20:36:18.696-09:00

Surviving, if not thriving up north. Once again camera equipped - here are a few random, recent pictures.The Saddest Puppy A morning walk Up and down Fur Rondy ice carving

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1133239994288638342005-11-28T19:35:00.000-09:002005-11-28T19:58:19.343-09:00

Due to the recent lack of posting on the blog, I have received some emails as to whether Zach and I are still alive. The answer is yes, but we are very busy. Here's a quick run down on what is going on with us.Zach is busy at school going to class. Finals are coming soon so he's studying for those as well. He is also working hard in the lab doing something with water. For more details he would

Megnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1129436695968804292005-10-15T16:59:00.000-08:002005-10-15T20:24:55.976-08:00

Heading north from the town of Culbertson, Montana, we traveled into Sasketchawan. The car was hesitant to cross the border - but the canadian customs inspector was accommodating for the 45 minutes we were stalled there. Once rolling again, we drove north to the Trans-Canada highway (it all looked like Nebraska). We lunched in Moose Jaw (tasty gyros) and stopped for a snack afterwards:Westward

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1126825798342649512005-09-15T14:57:00.000-08:002005-09-15T15:56:16.416-08:00

After much delay, some of those photos thingys that have been bandied about -Here, Honey girds herself for the tripOf course, fuel is necessary to travelSadly, using the wrong fuel can result in unusual consequencesOne of the few interesting things to see throughout most of North DakotaHowever, fierce determination helped us see our way through all the Dakotan flatnessThough thankfully Montana,

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1126205538223924582005-09-08T09:12:00.000-08:002005-09-08T11:17:50.556-08:00

With the recent flurry of posts, surely you're thinking to yourself, "But how do they find the time to post so much?". Wait, right, you're not thinking that.The brief version of the story is that we were computerless for a while, and then burecratic inertia took hold and has been hard to shake. My ibook crapped out on us midway through the drive up (thank you apple), and meg's vaio didn't fare

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1123075908323078782005-08-03T05:31:00.000-08:002005-08-03T05:31:48.343-08:00

Just a quick update for all two people tracking this page - we are on the road, getting ready to start our second day. After a slow start due to a fish-tailing trailer, a brief repacking session at the Plymouth Lutheran Church somewhere north of Polk City, we were back on the road, safe and sound at 65 mph, headed north on I-35. Many hours later (thank you, MSP traffic), we arrived at my Aunt &

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1120963699903660142005-07-09T15:39:00.000-08:002005-07-09T18:48:19.910-08:00

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239549353339982005-06-19T19:52:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:52:29.360-08:00

Portage glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239507866102452005-06-19T19:51:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:51:47.870-08:00

nice view

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239464062655972005-06-19T19:51:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:51:04.066-08:00

railroad bridge

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239429366088422005-06-19T19:50:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:50:29.366-08:00

nice view of glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239398780460922005-06-19T19:49:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:49:58.786-08:00

more ice chunks from glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239364614488862005-06-19T19:49:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:49:24.616-08:00

sign to go ice worm hunting

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239338805557522005-06-19T19:48:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:48:58.810-08:00

woods along the trail

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239288423988632005-06-19T19:48:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:48:08.423-08:00

nice view on the trail

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239261875108192005-06-19T19:47:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:47:41.880-08:00

view walking to away from glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239213723150552005-06-19T19:46:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:46:53.726-08:00

stream running away from glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239163540330582005-06-19T19:46:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:46:03.543-08:00

me at the glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239126118750642005-06-19T19:45:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:45:26.126-08:00

green side of the mountain

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239094975261662005-06-19T19:44:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:44:54.980-08:00

breaks in the snow

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119239028431398962005-06-19T19:43:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:43:48.436-08:00

small cave in the snow

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238990276715802005-06-19T19:43:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:43:10.280-08:00

glacier run off on the mountain

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238952170311082005-06-19T19:42:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:42:32.176-08:00

blue ice of the glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238922802565662005-06-19T19:42:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:42:02.806-08:00

shorts on the glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238800630253912005-06-19T19:40:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:40:00.636-08:00

people on the glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238762399765552005-06-19T19:39:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:39:22.403-08:00

Byron glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238714985151692005-06-19T19:38:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:38:34.990-08:00

Byron glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238684082596172005-06-19T19:38:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:38:04.086-08:00

another glacier stream

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238640895455242005-06-19T19:37:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:37:20.900-08:00

snow on the mountains

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238603665475512005-06-19T19:36:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:36:43.670-08:00

mountain view from Byron trail

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238571594042362005-06-19T19:36:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:36:11.596-08:00

stream from glacier melt

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238544159685102005-06-19T19:35:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:35:44.163-08:00

Byron trail

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238510906881062005-06-19T19:35:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:35:10.910-08:00

trail to see Byron glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238451264067942005-06-19T19:34:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:34:11.270-08:00

mountains

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238419556299422005-06-19T19:33:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:33:39.560-08:00

small ice chunk from glacier

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238369009113402005-06-19T19:32:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:32:49.013-08:00

mountains

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238319962109722005-06-19T19:31:00.001-08:002005-06-19T19:31:59.966-08:00

mountains

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1119238273538020992005-06-19T19:31:00.000-08:002005-06-19T19:31:13.563-08:00

Chugach Mountains

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1118551023359946082005-06-11T20:39:00.000-08:002005-06-11T20:40:00.486-08:00

Sorry for the delay in posts. I have had many requests for more pictures, so here are a few more.Earthquake Park is located along an area where the ground split during the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. It's a beautiful park with a view of the inlet. The posted photo shows the tide out and rumor has it that people walk out into the mud and get stuck and have to be rescued before the tide comes

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1118550272234918982005-06-11T20:24:00.000-08:002005-06-11T20:24:32.240-08:00

Salmon on parade.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1118550221509573082005-06-11T20:23:00.000-08:002005-06-11T20:23:41.513-08:00

My hostess, Nala.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1118550178729155892005-06-11T20:22:00.000-08:002005-06-11T20:22:58.733-08:00

View from Earthquake Park with the tide out.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117481222858281212005-05-30T11:27:00.000-08:002005-05-30T11:27:02.863-08:00

Anchorage summer market

Megnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117481154222944922005-05-30T11:25:00.000-08:002005-05-30T11:25:54.226-08:00

I am thinking about the white one for the winter.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117480646334253202005-05-30T08:17:00.000-08:002005-05-30T11:28:40.410-08:00

Yesterday I went to the Anchorage Summer Market. There were a variety of vendors selling mainly tourist souvenirs. However, I hear as summer gets underway here (about July) there will be lots of fruits and veggies locally grown for sale. The hats I found amusing and I am lusting after one of the sheep hair hats (black or white) as it seems to me to be quite appropriate headwear for an Alaskan

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117308371786458942005-05-28T11:26:00.000-08:002005-05-28T11:26:11.790-08:00

Mountains to the east of Anchorage. I don't know the name of the range.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117308316055875812005-05-28T11:25:00.000-08:002005-05-28T11:25:16.056-08:00

Locals

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117308179044266862005-05-28T11:22:00.000-08:002005-05-28T11:22:59.046-08:00

A wonderful touch by my hosts to help me catch some ZZZZs.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1117308273856151892005-05-28T11:17:00.000-08:002005-05-28T11:24:33.860-08:00

Here are some pictures that I have taken over the last week. Sorry that there are not very many, but they keep me pretty busy at the justice shop.

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1116955279635158932005-05-24T06:20:00.000-08:002005-05-24T09:23:16.743-08:00

Well, its hard to believe that I am in Alaska. Coming up on Alaska during the flight at about 11 pm local time last night we started to see light again, it was dark over most of B.C., so almost like dawn here. It got dark sometime around 12:30 or 1 am.No plans for today other than to rest and relax. A little exploring later...that is if I can get my bike reassembled. I will post pics as soon as

Megnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1116944850550263382005-05-24T00:10:00.000-08:002005-05-24T06:27:30.556-08:00

Word is in from points north by northwest that Meg is on the ground in Anchorage. Remember - never attempt humour over the phone at 3am - it is simply not advised.

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12537940.post-1116902284912607602005-05-23T18:30:00.000-08:002005-05-23T18:41:04.240-08:00

Just a quick note to start things off here. Meg is on her way from Phoenix to Anchorage as I type this. Safe journey - and I hope to see pictures soon!Now just to finish everything up in Des Moines...

Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13983099983093123600noreply@blogger.com