2017 I'm kinda sad you're over

2017 will go down in the books as one of my favorites. I quit my job back in April and it slowly became the longest I ever was unemployed since I was a kid. The previous record was two weeks. This record setting time was of my own choosing though. The job I had was no longer fun and the changes they had in mind weren't going to make it any more fun. So it was time to move on.

 

This new found freedom gave me the opportunity to do more traveling throughout Alaska. I generally do travel throughout the state during the year, but now I had no time limits.

 

My first big trip was to Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow. WoW, what a place. I want to go back. I flew there, (no roads connecting to other large villages or towns) as a volunteer with Bird TLC with Ghost. We had a blast.

The pups and I took our first RV trip of the summer across the Denali Highway. This is one of my favorite places. However, we might of went too early in the season. The first morning we awoke to snow on the ground. That's OK! we still had a blast. The pups and I camped in Fairbanks, Tok, Hope, Sterling, and Seward.

The pups love going camping. We get in some serious hiking and lots of photography.

Next was the Yakutat Tern Festival. Ghost and I flew here also. What a fun event and an awesome place to visit. I hope to go back here also. The people were so nice and the scenery was breath taking.

Ghost, Hal (the bald eagle) and I did put in some travel time. Fairbanks, Tok, and Sterling to just name a few. Of course we did plenty of presentations locally around Anchorage and Wasilla.

Spending time with the grandkids are always a highlight. Tripp and Chloe spent time with the pups and I outside of Seward. What a treat! 

 Three of my grandkids are into hockey. Going to their games are always exciting.

 Chloe plays also, but at this one we're both spectators enjoying the local cuisine at the hockey rink. 

 My beagles have been a special part of my life also. Macy has had it the best but Cooper, Joy and Hank had a hard life before joining us. They don't now for sure. I think I've lost my seat on the couch.

 They like my smoked salmon and sometimes can't wait for it to be done.

Macy figures out when I'm going on a trip and they're not. I always use a house sitter when I'm gone.

 Always a special time when the kids and their kids visit. I have others that live outside (in the lower 48). I plan on visiting them in 2018.

We wish for all the best of health and happiness to everyone!

To our friends we lost, we love and miss you.

 

We hope everyone has a Happy New Year!