The Adventure is here

Well the actual Adventure has started. After our adventurous trip to Alaska we arrived in Anchorage and had our first day.

The start was with the delightful Copper Scream. Copper is a Nova Scotia Duck
Trolling Toller who when Matt & Rebbecca leave throws a temper tantrum to match no other.

After the delightful wake up of the Copper Scream (it was not exactly the pleasant live violin that we had requested. Came the coffee. Which delightfully was made, however Ray had to figure out how to get it out of the pot.

Then came a wonderful cereal breakfast. Being that it is the Pauli Chateau Bed and Breakfast you would expect nothing less.

Next came the trip downtown complete with map on where to park, which Ray did not read properly causing wonderful adventures to spontaneously erupt. Such as a visit to Ship Creek which is the place where Anchorage got its start and a walk with Copper and Dash (loaner Tollers) along the creek. After an adequate walk where all three of us decided we were cold as heck. We headed up to the new Convention center for a tour of the Arts and Craft expo at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference (AFN)

AFN is a conference where the various Alaska Native's groups gather to discuss things. But a wonderful part is that they have a arts and craft show to show off the talents of the various artist The array of things was wonderful. From Muck lucks to paintings to hand carved ivory etc... But the fun thing was watching the folks working the booths talking to people in their native tongue. Inuit, Yakut, Athabaskan, etc... all languages that are very interesting to listen to. But are rarely studied or understood by westerners. So we spent time lurking around booths listening to people talk to each other.

After much touring we wandered over to the Dark Horse Coffee House for of all things a wonderful cup of Hot Chocolate to warm our chilled bones. The right honorable Judge Rebecka joined us for a cup of tea and to gab a bit.

In the true spirit of adventure we started off on our next journey not knowing exactly where we were going. But after ending up on the Glen Highway going north we turned off to head up to the Arctic Valley Ski area. Where we stopped at pull overs along the way up to let the kids out to run and play. And of course to let Sheila take pictures to inspire her paintings. On the way down Ray pointed out where his brother had rolled Mom's 67 Camero. Then came the tour of Rays living arrangements in Anchorage, including the fabled 4110 Debarr #22F and of course other great haunts.

Afterward was a trip downtown to pick up Rebbecca and then off to a dog session with a specialist who evaluates dogs and what they need to do to become even more neurotic then they already are. While Sheila and Rebbecca were off to study how to make neurotic dogs even more neurotic Roger and I hit Guidos for a glass of suds.

On the way home it was learned that Dash needs about 6 months of quiet time to make sure that she does not over stress a rear leg that is showing signs of stress and that Copper needs to strengthen her front end.

Upon arriving a Chateau Pauli a few bottles of wine were served along with Moose sausage and goats cheese. Followed by a wonderful soup and salad topped off with a dram of Dooleys, the original Toffee and Creme Liqueur. and then off to beds for the lot for the adventure to come on day 2.

So Stay forward for the ferry ride from Whittier to Valdez. And the wonders that it will uncover. Who knows what will happen. I refuse to speculate as we will let the adventure take its shape. But adventure we shall and you are along for the ride.

Ray