Warming Up!

It has been way too long since I've posted and I apologize!! I get so frustrated when I click on other people's blogs and they have not been updated in weeks, so I am going to try to be better about posting. I will add pictures tonight or tomorrow, but for now here are some thoughts. 

Yesterday was really gloomy and a bit chilly, but today is absolutely gorgeous. There is not a cloud in the sky and the sun is beaming down, and has been since oh 6:10 am or something outrageous like that! The temperature is around 55 and I am going to brave the sundress today! I have a meeting at 4 and I have decided that it is time to buck up, brave the "cold," and where the sundress. Although I have on a cardigan and closed toed flats, I could not be more excited about the white sundress underneath! For all of you in the South with record-breaking highs ... I cannot fathom what 85 or 90 degrees feels like; I'm pretty sure I'm going to die when I visit in late June. Anywho -- I'll let you know how my sundress experience goes this afternoon, I'm pumped.

I'm Official

That's right folks, I am officially an Alaskan resident! This morning I went to the DMV, took a written test, and then changed my license, title, tags, and voter registration to Alaska. Honestly, I did not have a choice, I had 90 days to surrender, yes they use the word "surrender," my North Carolina license. Instead of just converting the license, I converted everything because there are no state income taxes here, there is a Permanent Fund Dividend, which this year is $3269 per eligible person, and it is just cool to say you are a resident of Alaska.

**The picture is a bit blurry, I cannot get it much better because of the flash and laminating stuff over the license -- sorry!

Here's a random military fact: active military are not required to become residents of any state, for example: unlike me, Tyler does not have to become a resident of Alaska. Fortunately Richard Burr, North Carolina's senator, recently proposed a bill stating that military spouses are exempt from becoming residents in every state like the active military. This would be a huge time-saver and stress relief for military spouses because it is a big pain in the butt to change your residency every three years. Not all states require you to become residents, but it is still a pain. YAY for Richard Burr's proposal ... other congressmen -- pass this bill!

Still Here

Although we have not posted lately, we are still here, alive and healthy exploring Alaska. Last weekend we went on another hike this time at the Chugiach National Park which is 10 miles away from our house. The outdoor atmosphere and opportunities are pretty cool here because everything is so close. If you want to cross country ski, hike, snowshoe, anything -- you just hop in the car and go. The snow is pretty much all melted with the exception of HUGE snow piles in parking lots and in some very shady spots on trails in the woods. 

Going down the path.

Standing on a frozen river, Eagle River to be exact, in April...no big deal! 

One view. This day was not particularly clear so the mountains look as though they disappear into the gloomy sky.

A bear print. Bears are waking up from hibernating last winter and everyone says to be on guard when hiking and stuff. Some trails are closed until the fall because of exceptionally high bear activity. We have yet to see a bear, which is probably a good thing because we are unprepared to protect ourselves. We need to buy a bear bell, bear spray, and Tyler can carry a gun. Most people just strap the guns to their chest for easy access in case a bear is coming -- no permit or license to carry the gun; you just do it -- weird, huh?!

This is an Alaskan Malamute and he is only eight months old and is HUGE!! He was so hot because of his double coats on this day, but I thought it would be fun to show you a native pup. These are strong and often used for mushing.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA; I hope that you have a great day! My Mama is the best in the world and she totally deserves the best day ever. Unfortunately we cannot spend the day together, but I'm thinking of her in hopes of a day full of fun! Love you, Mom.

OUR HHG ARE IN ALASKA!!

Our Household Goods arrived moments ago in Anchorage!! YAY!!! SO EXCITING because this is three weeks ahead of schedule -- the only thing the Army has ever done ahead of schedule!

Earthquake!

Today we survived our first ever earthquake!! "Survived" is a loose term because the quake was only a 4.7 on the Richter scale, but it was quite an experience to say the least. We were sitting on the floor in our living room, we still have no furniture, poking around on the internet and all of a sudden our house began to shake back and forth. When we were at Fort Leonard Wood this would occasionally happen with a big bang because of the demolitions nearby, but we looked at each other and thought, "These aren't demos!" 

We are okay and there has not been any damage reported in the surrounding area, but we do have another life experience to add to our list. 

Home Sweet Home

Our arrival in Alaska was pretty uneventful and we were in the middle of no where for quite some time, but we did reach civilization and we are enjoying every minute of it. We are very familiar with the roads in Eagle River and we are getting better with Anchorage. Already we have been hiking, sat in coffee shops and read the paper, and just hung out around town. Anchorage/Eagle River has so much to do; sometimes we feel overwhelmed with where to begin! 

To get your bearings ... Anchorage is the city that is 15 miles South of Eagle River. Eagle River is a small town, bigger than Oxford, with lots to do and where we actually live. Between Anchorage and Eagle River is Fort Richardson where Tyler works. There is about a 8 to 10 minute drive to post, which we have found to be quite convenient.

Back in America -- land of the free and home of the brave!

Gunsight Mountain.

This was taken around 8:30 pm on our drive into Eagle River. 

Getting darker. These were taken closer to 9:15/9:20.

Our backyard. You can kind of see where the snow is beginning to melt. 

Views from our living room window -- absolutely gorgeous, especially at sunrise and sunset.

Another living room view.

Finishing the Journey

Tyler, Bella and I finished our road trip with a bang -- a 650 mile/12 hour driving day. I know, I know, I said that the day before to Whitehorse would be the final "long day" of our trip, but when we were nearing the Alaskan border, we were too excited to stop and spend one more night away from our new home. It actually worked out nicely that the planned stop was a small, no stoplight town with only one, dirty looking hotel. Unfortunately all of our hotel stays were not the cleanest I've experienced in my life, but I did not want to have another okay night in a hotel. We came all the way to Anchorage, slept well, and woke the next day to find Fort Richardson and Eagle River -- our official new home.

Our favorite Bella position ever. She looks as though she is trying to say, "Seriously guys, get me out." For everyone interested: Bella still LOVES the car and thinks it is her right to go everywhere with us. She also thinks she should be able to get out of the car everywhere we stop -- life just doesn't work that way posh pup.

We thought it was pretty wild that we would enter and leave "911 zones" along the journey on the Alaska highway. Although it was well maintained, we are not quite sure what you would do if there were an emergency. (Sorry the picture is a little blurry, I had to share for the humor of the story.)

These are a few of our favorite views from the last leg of the Alaska Highway. This range of mountains was absolutely beautiful and happened to be our scenery for the majority of the day!

A Whole New World

Just another day in our new surroundings; so beautiful!

Muskew River Valley.
The water looks so clean! Many of the rivers and lakes were frozen, but this one was beginning to thaw out and the water is a color blue that I have never seen before. I cannot wait to taste the water in Anchorage, people say it is the best in the world and if the color of this water is any indication the water will be marvelous.

So, buffalo like to just be on the side of the road -- literally on the road as cars are passing by at 60 mph. Obviously, the cars slow down, but it was quite different for us to see these HUGE animals to just be on the road. At one herd we slowed down and rolled down the window for Bella to look. She started barking, a pretty wimpy bark, and they didn't move. Tyler and I thought it was pretty funny.

Where shall I go?
Just chillin. Today we saw three herds of buffalo and four loners, this was one of them.
The "Department Store" in Watson Lake. When you think you're out of options, remember this little shack and be thankful for what you have!Signpost Forest. There were tons of road signs and homemade signs on posts at the corner of the Alaska highway and Rogers highway in Watson Lake, YT. There were TONS of signs from all over the US and Canada.  We got out and walked through the parts of the "forest" that we could. Bella LOVES the snow, especially when she just sinks into it, we are so thankful that she loves the snow as much as she does.

Almost There!

Tyler, Bella and I are now in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory (Canada). We drove 11 hours today and our now 13 hours away from our new home! The stops on the Alaska highway are very few and far between and even more spaced out during the winter. We could have stayed in Watson Lake, YT, population 1500, tonight, but we decided to keep trekking all the way to Whitehorse. Whitehorse is actually the capital of YT and is a cute, artsy little town tucked between the mountains. Tomorrow we are traveling on to Tok, Alaska and then to Eagle River!! 

Yesterday afternoon we made the big turn onto the Alaska-Canada Highway at Dawson Creek, British Columbia. 

Historic mile marker 0 in the main town square in Dawson Creek.
My filthy car. All the cars here look like this or much worse.

On the Move!

Hi all! We are moving quickly and getting even more excited to finally arrive in Anchorage! I am sorry that there are not any pictures, but we just arrived at Fort Nelson, British Columbia and we're tired and just want to get in bed. Tomorrow we are setting out at 7:30 AM for our longest drive yet; fortunately this will be the last super long day. 

We will be arriving in Anchorage on Friday afternoon -- YAY! Tyler and I could not be more excited and anxious to get there to see our new home! Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, voicemails, emails, and text messages; we are so grateful for your thoughtfulness. As soon as we arrive in the US we will start returning the phone calls! 

PS -- Stay tuned for some pretty incredible pictures; we have had some amazing views of the Rocky mountains today!