Quick Trip to Eklutna

The day trips from Anchorage continue!! Despite the less than stellar weather, we didn't stay around the house all week, which I'm sure was a relief for my dad who I dragged on about 12 Costco runs and had doing electrical repairs around the house while Andy went to work during the week.  Sadly dad got our ugly track lighting working again, so Andy wins the battle and it stays in the house.  Dad, could you be a little less proficient with home repairs next time?

On July 3rd we went to Eklutna, which is becoming a favorite spot of ours since it's only about 45 min away.  Next time we're taking the canoe, mark my words.

Right when we arrived, dad noticed a curious sign.  Can you figure out what the middle symbol is? No beavers in sunglasses? Cool weasels prohibited? I just don't know.

Ripley headed straight for the water but was quickly foiled by Andy.  No swimming with the stitches!

The scenery was great as always - enhanced by the cotton weed blooming all along the lakeshore.

Ripley decided that if he couldn't swim, he'd just get as dirty as possible.  Tricky dog.

We walked over to that little structure and each donated about a pint of blood to the mosquitoes in the process.  They ruin everything!

On the way Mom got a good lesson in balance (I think dad was not so secretly hoping she'd fall in.  Don't worry, Andy was thinking the same about me while I stumbled across the rocks)

With all the bugs the swallows were out in full force.

After we got back from the little structure, this is what Ripley looked like.  Swimming probably would have been less detrimental for his wound than filling it with mud, huh?

Mom found this crazy flower.  The book says it's a Swamp Cinquefoil, which is a horrible name for a pretty flower.

Obligatory couple pose! (It's so nice to have visitors, we are getting so many pictures together!)

The fireweed was in full bloom, which Andy kept reminding me was a sign that summer is heading towards its end.  It just started!!

On the way back we made the brilliant decision to stop at the random ice cream shop located on the side of the road to the state park.

Not just an ice cream shop stop, but also a general store.  I had to check out the goods!

Aside from firewood, matches and other basic camping supplies, like marshmallows, they had a library of used paperbacks, pretty much all romance novels.  Man Trouble looked appealing.  The cover raised a lot of questions.  Who is this middle aged couple and why are they at the prom? Is it a high school reunion? I didn't buy it and now I'll never know!

They also sell t-shirts.  They have a slogan at Rochelle's: "Everyone wants a lick and a promise for more." Huh.  I don't think that's something I'd wear.  If you want one, let me know and I'll get one for you next time we go up there.  I think they come in about 10 colors.

The best was the "put your head in the thing" feature at Rochelle's.  Dad had the best pose, which was quickly copied by the dozen or so Asian tourists who watched him do it.

Another fun day trip! Next up, the 4th of July!