Well, we are off! What a huge process. I had a difficult time trying to decide what to pack. If we forget something we won't just run back and get it. We left Wallsburg on Monday, July 19th and had some troubles with Matt's truck in SLC. Not a very good start. We got that taken care of and made it to Dillon, Montana. We stayed the night and made an early start the next morning. We pressed on and were able to make it to Canmore in Alberta. We are staying at the Worldmark resort, The Grand Canadian. This is located below The Three Sisters, three giant stone peaks. It is beautiful here. We have been driving around looking for wildlife. On the first day we saw several moose, deer, and a yearling grizzly bear. This is big country. Yesterday we took the kids on a river rafting trip. It was really fun. The boys loved it. When I can I will post some pictures of our stay here in the Canmore/Banff area. We will be leaving here tomorrow and will be traveling about 450 miles to Prince George. All is well. The kids are still alive, which is a miracle. We love you all and I will try post again soon.

Just the Beginning

As many of you already know, our family will be making our way to Craig, Alaska for the upcoming school year. I included an aerial picture where we will be living. I have taken a job teaching school at Craig Elementary. I am setting up this blog so family and friends can be with us in some way during this journey. We have always lived close to family and friends. This change will be new to us. I believe this blog will help me manage some long term relationships with those we love. You all know who you are.

I get the question frequently, "Why Alaska?". Many feel we are crazy! I feel I am living my dreams. I have always dreamed big. When I was young I wanted to be a professional baseball player. That was a big crazy dream, but why not dream for the unusual and impossible? I think dreaming has brought about some of the greatest accomplishments in this world.

Matt and I have always loved the outdoors. I grew up with my dad hunting. Some of my greatest memories were with him in the mountains chasing cougars and sitting in treestands watching elk waller. My passions and experiences make Alaska the perfect place for me. Matt feels much the same way I do. Matt and I took our first trip to Alaska two years ago and had a blast. I have never caught so many HUGE fish in my life! We started talking about the possibility of me teaching there on that very trip. We felt and still feel that this opportunity is a chance of a lifetime and an experience we will never forget. Much like my father did for me, I want to provide a great adventure for my wonderful boys. I want to provide them with experiences they will never forget.

I will tell you a little about Craig, Alaska. Craig is located in Southeast Alaska on Prince of Wales Island or POW. POW is the third largest island in the United States. Craig is a small community of about 1200 people. You must travel there by plane or ferry. I went there in April for an interview and loved it. It is very beautiful and the people are very kind. The fishing is spectacular with awesome steelhead and salmon runs as well as coastal fishing. We will be able to fish all year long! The climate is a temperate rain forest, much like Seattle. POW gets little snow in the winter, mostly rain. Because of the southern location, we will not experience the long, dark winter days, and the midnight sun. This new climate will probably be one of the bigger adjustments for us.

I need to get busy doing other things but I will try and post something at least weekly, if not every 3-4 days.