Alaska Part 1

I've been on a few trips with Matt while he's working. We've done conferences in Philly, Seattle, Alexandria, Lincoln, Savannah/Hilton Head.. all where I leached a hotel room and hung out. A lot of times I would bring a computer and remote and we'd take in some sights or do some things but he has never been on a work trip with me... until Alaska. 

Alaska has never been in our top consideration list but it's also a place that if given the opportunity we weren't going to say no. Let's break it down into two parts... the part while Amanda worked and the part when the conference was over. 

We took off on Saturday morning. Timing wasn't ideal... it's the day after G's birthday and the kids have only had two days of school under their belt. Michele came and stayed with and we relayed the schedule as we know it. Our flight was delayed upon boarding and we had some trouble getting off the ground, which resulted in a run when we arrived. I took off first and I felt my age and my shin splints upon arriving to hear final boarding call. It was a long flight but we got into Alaska in the afternoon and had lunch or supper or something because we were starving! We split salmon tacos, I had a seafood chowder and a salmon ceasar. Matt had a seafood scampi. From their we took a stroll around. The weather was rain-y but much more temperate than I had planned for. 

We took in the waterfront and some of the downtown scene. It's high tourist season so places were incredibly busy. We picked up things for the kids but I was unprepared for three things upon deeper review. 1. The art scene... I'm referring to the art houses, studios, and galleries but also to the murals that covered any space available in the city. The style was everything and sometimes it related to Alaska and sometimes it didn't it was fascinating. 

2. The florals. There were flowers everywhere. Native grasses decorated the landscape and flowers were trickled in to give more vibrancy. I was even happy to see the toadstools, which I never would have guessed.

3. The homeless. They covered the downtown area, created compounds, and were aggressive. I would have assumed the weather would have created a deterrent but upon discussions with locals - these are individuals that have been "banished" from their villages/tribes and relocate to Anchorage because they have no other place to go. Substance and mental health also contributed to the stability of this population.

We crashed pretty early and easy but woke up ready to go the next morning... actually moving around before much of the downtown did. We hit Alaska Crepery... Matt did an Alaska Reindeer Crepe, I did a smoked salmon and we split a nutella and banana. It was fantastic. From there, we walked the coastal trail - it got a little away from us and after a 5 mile walk, we made our way back to city center. We found a little co-op of sorts that shared space between a smoothie shop, coffee house, plant stand, bakery and bodega. Super cool. 

By this time, the Alaska Museum had opened. This facility covered the history, heritage, and art of Alaska. Additionally, there was some interaction pieces. I wish we would have started in more of the Alaska wing as we began to press time and sailed quickly through that. We stopped at Humpy's. I had halibut fish tacos, Matt had a crab patty. We both loved the beer. They had a Turnaround Raspberry Lambic and then Matt tried a few Belgians that made him swoon.

We headed back for my conference and Matt hung out before day drinking with Wendy (my boss's wife, who also made the journey). The two of them had a great time - which wasn't a shock at all to me. They went golfing on Wednesday together too with another spouse from TN. Matt's main objective was to golf in Alaska - it's the best course in the state (Moose Run) and he said it did not disappoint. The weather worked out well for him too and held until they were done. 

Arik (my boss) and I went to the banquet and I went with Matt and Wendy afterward to Club Paris - for the best steak of their lives, or so the barber at the hotel told Matt. Matt said it was a good steak but .... it may have been a bit oversold. I enjoyed the company and snuck pieces of the homemade bread which was fantastic. 

The conference closed out the following day. This is basically a peer-group of state chambers who are sharing best practices and discussing trends. Last year was a totally different conference and I walked away totally shocked and felt like I finally understood my role a little differently. This time I felt a bit dizzy with being overwhelmed. So many good ideas and so many shops doing a lot of fun things but we have a small team at work and it's hard to dig in in the same way these big shops are. 

Teeth, sports update, weekend action, dry lawn

Summer is flying. Meanwhile Eleanor and I've both settled sunburns and been covered in bug bites. She has her mother's skin and even now I'm typing with an ice pack on a pack of welts that I gleaned from the weekend. 

It was a busy weekend - we are working to pack as much in as we can while the days have been pleasant and the sun is shining. Grady is winding down on golf and finished his last session tonight. He's been a wonderful surprise to watch play sports this summer. He's excited to play baseball... it was a building year for sure. There are moments when I can feel him getting it - the throwing, the catching, the batting - even the base running. But then there are times when I can tell he's all arms and legs and it's still development. When he played outfield there's a spot he would park himself in between 1st and 2nd and wait for his moment to shine/aka wait for the ball to come to him. I liked watching baseball - he had some really good boys on his team and

always was excited to go play. Golf also made him happy. This past weekend, upon his request we also went to the tennis courts to play a bit - he was so interested and wanted to swing and play but the hand-eye coordination is still a work in progress but he was a fantastic ball boy.

Eleanor and I had a big conversation about finishing things that we start and giving it our all when it comes to tennis - this past week was an improvement on her participation but we will not be doing day sports next summer.

E also a big week dental wise. She had a loose tooth on Monday that she
pulled out herself on Tuesday. And why stop there... she also ripped out the other front one the same day. Much to her dismay, she did not get $20 for both teeth from the tooth fairy. He, err... I mean she, was generous enough with $5.50. 

Matt also had a rough weekend when he realized that the cord he cut during landscaping project was not the deck lines that Amanda was excited about and he didn't want... instead it was his sprinkler lines. We only caught it after a month of non-watering and disappointment in the lawn conditions. Unfortunately, he didn't remember where the end he cut "exactly" was so it required some exploratory work. The good news - he did find the ends and managed to salvage the lines and he's back up and running... the bad news - all the new grass that he did get to grow is back to mud. 

The bad news doesn't stop there.. Matt was a two time loser in the badmitton off that we had in the backyard. Occasionally, we had a kid play with us and whoever scored the point got to have the interested kid stay/move to their side of the court. They were interested and tried and maybe we'll have more of backyard brawls but I'm the current undefeated champ. We did have to get official and measure the court out. The part that killed me in all honesty was E decided to be the sports announcer! Announcing the scores and providing color commentary to the action.

We had guests over for a well cooked smoked brisket too with some seasoned rice - and cleaned house. By the way, school shopping is done and 1/2 the garden veggies are too - E and I picked all the radishes and harvested a portion of beans. We also closed out the weekend with dinner with mom and dad who popped due to a rain shower. 

MJR: So Grady, what do you like better - golf or baseball?
GRR: Golf - baseball has a lot of running.

Lola gets booted out early sunday morning from main bedroom.
Lola begins crying sporadically to demonstrate her displeasure on the other side of the door. 
After awhile, door knob turns and Ainsley's arm becomes visible
Ains: Lola wanted in.
Ains shuts door. 
Lola begins crying inside the room to announce her presence. 

Boat. Gracie's first. River Run.

 So Matt finally got the boat out and running... it's been collecting rainwater for quite some time but it's been hard with the kids and all the activity and the stuff. So he spent a day getting it sea worthy - and the kids were excited at first... and then it took too long. They can only vacuum and turn the wheel until it irritates him so much.

MJR begins pulling boat to front driveway.
G: I'm going to go tell my sisters.
Runs awkwardly to backyard, yelling: DAD'S GETTING THE BOAT OUT.
Yelling continues: DAD'S GETING THE BOAT OUT.
Yelling continues but is getting further away: DAD'S GETTING THE BOAT OUT.
MJR: Grady! Get up here and put blocks under the wheels so it doesn't roll away!
Yelling continues, uninterrupted, unphased: DAD'S GETTING THE BOAT OUT.

The next day, they took it out to run it around a bit. Matt wanted a quiet lake that they could open up on. He said they had a blast and luckily everyone understood that this was a driving time, not a fishing time. 

MJR prepping fishing poles.
Ains grabs her pole and begins to run out of the room. In this movement, catches MJR in the face with the edge of her line.
MJR: AINS! Watch your pole! 
Ains (singsong): Whoopsie daisy

The following weekend, given the success of the maiden voyage - they all went out fishing. Matt wanted to put them on some crappie or blue gill and basically plug and play. Luckily everyone understood that this was a fishing voyage, not a drive time and the lake didn't allow wake. They came home with one less fishing pole and 15 little fish. 

That evening, we celebrated our niece, Gracie's first birthday. It's so funny watching babies grow. You look for different things with each child. I know it's easier for me to observe given where I'm at in life and knowing what I know. The first birthday is a giant milestone in parenting life and I'm proud of my sister for getting there - it's hard and each day you struggle and each day you say good bye to independent life and those little people are wonderful and bright and make you laugh but also question everything in a swoop. I was excited to see our kids excited for her... especially as it can be hard to celebrate other people's birthdays. 

Ains: Why does Baby Grace get her own cake?
ALR: It's her first birthday, when you turn one you get a cake all to yourself.
Ains: Well I think she should share.
ALR: You didn't share your first birthday cake.
Ains turns and walk away: Nobody asked - I would have shared.

The following day we made a river run - this is probably one of my favorite things to do in the summer. We started doing this a couple years ago and have near about perfected it. We load up all the things we need - head down to "the dessert" aka Kimball Bottoms and within 25 minutes we are set up for the day. We pop up a tent, blow up floaties - rope and stake them, get sand toys, drop coolers... we usually have a lunch and snacks and everyone for a couple hours plays - no fights, no scraps, and it's wonderful. And the weather was grand for it... hot and made dipping legs in and dropping in wonderful. 

Other happenings of the week ... baseball, golf, and tennis... we are coming to the close of those as well but it's hard to believe summer is half over. 

PA: Part 2 - the Philly Stuff

Usually, I don't start with the quote piece but I think it sets up the second part of the vacation.
MJR laying down in his own bed upon arriving home: I've never seen so many public restrooms in my life.

We left Tuesday morning, the 4th for Philly - just our family. We said goodbye to Judy and Chris - appreciated their hospitality and tractor rides. Matt wanted to stop at the cemetery where his Grandmother is buried. G got out to take a look around too. 

G: What are you doing?
MJR: Talking to my grandma
G: Dad, are you going to die?
MJR: It will be a very long time before I die.
G: But you are going to die, right?
MJR (sighs): Let's not worry about that anymore, Grady.

After a public potty trip, we headed to Philly. We drove through the Lehigh Valley Tunnel, where they attempted to hold their breath - it didn't work. We also went past Allentown and decided to start Philly off with the Cheesesteak off. We've done this every time we've been to Philly - Geno vs Pat's. We got one whiz wit of each and sat down for lunch.

Video Spoiler: 3:2 - Matt wins with Geno's.

From there we went and got settled with our VRBO and then took on the history portion of the day. After a quick trip past Ben Franklin's grave - where we dumped quarters because we had no pennies, we took on Constitutional Center first - took in the President Portraits, the Hall of State Flags, the 19th Amendment display, and then the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. I don't think that we did a good job explaining the importance of the place and the trip - maybe E got it but those other two uncultured swine complained their way through that building as well as the Liberty Bell display. The whining subsided a bit when I bought Italian Ice... which I have to say the lemon was amazing. 

We took in a Ben Franklin story - as there were story tellers parked throughout Philly that day and then headed to Betsy Ross's house - where the heat and the walking (approximately 3.7 minutes) got to Grady. I unbeknownst to me, saved the day by buying our customary 2 water bottles (one for the backwashers and one for the nonbackwashers) - G chugged it to empty and seemed better. I won't disagree that it was hot - it was 90 degrees and the humidity was high but c'mon man.

We switched gears and went to Dilworth Park - where we had to convince those people to play in the fountains. We couldn't keep them out of the creeks in PA's country BUT apparently they need swimsuits for city fountains. After a bit - they figured it out. Also, Ains and I found our 3rd public bathroom of the day - which required a purchase again.

It started raining and we had the kids put on dry clothes before heading to my favorite Philly Restaurant - the Dandelion. It's so adult and British and it makes me smile - word play, good food, good drinks..... They had no kid menu and sharing a cheese board with the heathens was a bit unnerving as they poppped aged cheddar like it was skittles but it did make me proud to split mussles, fish and chips, risotto, and my unexpected favorite - their tandori chicken. 

We headed home for baths and downtime. I specifically found this VRBO because of the view it offered of Philly. Sure, it had a lovely downtown view but it was right in the center of multiple firework shows. They had cake pops and cookies with berries that they hustled from Aunt Liz and Uncle Dave on the roof while we watched side shows. The location was ideal as Ains tuckered out and wanted to go to bed, E did too - she thought listening to the booms while she went to sleep was fun. G took in one of the big ones with us but my favorite part of the entire trip - one that I will remember for my whole life was when all the kids gave up and I got to sit on that Philly roof with my person and watch the sky light up. I love my children and fight for them each day but it's times like that I love the simplicity and ease of the love of my husband. The day in Philly was the only thing I really pushed to do for the trip and the fireworks on the 4th in the city where it all started was easily for me a once in a lifetime experience.

The next morning, we headed to another place I love - Reading Terminal Market. First stop - donuts (m&m - Ains, caramel apple - G, bavarian - Matt, white sprinkle - E, and peanut butter).

ALR to G and Ains: Aren't these amazing?
G, mouth so full of donut, his cheeks look like a chipmunk (nods earnestly)

From there the graze was on - we had an Iberico Cone - which Manchego cheese, a salami and teeny breadstick. G and I devoured. Ains thought the cheese looked like dried pineapple and wasn't interested. We started the shop and walk.. the kids got hung up on the sweets and cotton candy but the cheese monger caught my eye. Matt loved the meat display cases. The kids saw a lobster tank and each took pics. I totally got sidelined by the famous mint lemonana - with rosewater splash. I had to share with gluggers before Ains decided she needed to add another public restroom notch on her list. They took in pickles and I split an Amish pretzel before we left for the Please Touch Museum. 

Ainsley's view of the lobster tank - no wonder she's angry, she can't see schit.

This was a beautiful concept because these children couldn't keep their hands on anything - bathroom walls, signs, fence posts, sidewalk glass - I'm not sure when they are going to understand filth and yuck but we are not there right now. There are all sorts of divisions in the museum - Alice in Wonderland, water tables, transportation, grocery store, bakery... but Matt's favorite was the money and currency section - of course it was. I got a kick out of the baseball exhibit that was up too. 

From there - we went to the airport. Took the rental back and caught the two flights back home getting in at approximately 1:15 ... AM. Not everyone was a good traveler that day. G probably was the best especially since he took a nap on the longer flight. But I will not forget the final leg into Bis where we had TV's and Ains just wanted to watch Paw Patrol but the announcements and safety briefings kept pausing her show. She lost her mind and I will always see this tiny hand coming up beside Matt gesturing emphatically, like an angry little Italian and wailing like an Irish wake that she didn't need the safety brief and wanted Paw Patrol. I sat across the aisle so maybe my humor in the situation is from not having to rationalize with that exhausted little body.