Act 2
[At the home of a childhood friend in Wasilla, AK]
ABBY:
There are a lot of things I could say about Alaska, that it's huge, daunting, freezing, light out 22 hours a day, that summers are fantastic (mostly) that it's an outdoors-man's dream...that there are blood sucking mosquitoes lurking around ever corner come spring time, etc. However, the word that first comes to mind when I think of it is "home." Not because I live there, or want to, but because I grew up there. I did all the things one does as a child there...from elementary sleepovers to high school sports or fishing & hunting for salmon and moose. Good memories all around! Last week I FINALLY had a week off from work and I spent my week off in my hometown of Wasilla with a very good friend whom I have known since the 4th grade and kept in touch these past ...lots of years...!
Most of you know that i'm horrible with pictures....so I didn't take any! Besides...I grew up there...why would I need a picture!? I know...bad excuse...but it's all I've got. The above photo was taken flying TO the slope from Anchorage, so you can see some of the mountains/hills below. It looks sufficiently "Alaskan" for this post I thought. If not...Google is your friend. You can find all the gorgeous images of Alaska that you desire...from a much better camera than my phone!
I mentioned exploring in the title...I say that facetiously because being quite honest...I stayed "home" at Amanda's a lot. I had an awesome time visiting with her and her family and we tackled some home improvement projects that had been on her "list" while I was there. I LOVE home improvement!!! This surprises you? It's because i'm getting rid of my house...I know. The thing about improvements though..is that once everything has been improved...it's time to move on...or at least that's how I see it! Where was I...? Oh yes...improving Amanda's home.
We spent several different outings looking at new light fixtures/possibilities for the other unit in the duplex that she owns and found some awesome fixtures for a good price at what feels like a blast from the past...Brown's Electric! I spent HOURS there as a kid...possibly days...as my parents picked out lighting for all of the 5 houses they built in the same town.
Then we went through an amazing amount of clothes...about 10 trash bags full and sorted through and gave away that which she didn't need and brought in a dresser from the garage and put things away. I shortened blinds, helped hang pictures, went shopping with Amanda and Gary for her little girls' bedroom and then we took out the crib and put in a twin. All of those things required digging through many things that were already in the garage...so on my last night Amanda fell asleep and Gary and I (mostly Gary...i'm really good at the motivational support thing!) re-organized the garage. All in all..it was quite productive! It may not sound like much, but with a busy day full of real estate for Amanda, the evenings were quite taken up with projects!
On the last day I DID see/try something new! Amanda's good friend Gary took us out to eat at Club Paris in Anchorage. Apparently very well known for their steak, they have been in Alaska for my entire life...at least...and I have never heard of them! Gary insisted that I try the best thing they had and since he is a food/restaurant connoisseur, I listened! That being said...the filet was DELICIOUS...and well worth a trip if you're ever in town!
Peace out folks...Its nose back to the grindstone in the good old Arctic for me!
[End Act 2 ]
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