Henry and Becky did experience a taste of the hot summer we are having in Alaska before heading to Wisconsin last week. The picture below is of a Sunday at Maggie's right before the flight south. It began as you see in a windbreaker on the slide, progressed to a t-shirt as Henry and Maggie watered (read: dowsed endlessly) some plants, and finally ended in a shirtless Henry running around the front yard in the 70 degree sun proclaiming, "naked guy". We're a classy bunch.



The red eye flight with Grandpa and Lucille was as smooth as it could have been, though Henry only made it through an hour of sleep before a screaming baby on the plane woke him up. He then shifted into quietly looking out the window and just taking in his surroundings. Becky and company landed without sleep firmly in zombie mode, but Henry was a polite air traveler, which is all we can ask.

Amongst the text messages and photos I receive telling me all about Henry's travels across the various lakes and playgrounds of Waushara County runs the constant thread of his happiness. He enjoys all the folks he's meeting, loves the weather, and crashes out every night. I hope he has some gas left in the tank when I arrive later next week.

Grandpa and Lucille's visit is winding down and later tonight Becky and Henry will join them on a trip back to the midwest. I'll be joining them in a few more weeks and attending the Barnes reunion in Marshfield, WI. When Alaskans travel to the lover 48 in June we typically expect to get a dose of summer heat. Thus far, Wisconsin looks to have had a less than stellar summer. Alaska has been blue skies, 70 degree temps, and near 20 hours of daylight for the past 2 weeks (minus the day of the triathlon, thank you). At a glance, it looks like Wisconsin might be a step back for us. We're looking forward to seeing family and friends, hopefully tracking down some sweet corn, and sleeping under the blanket of a star filled night.

Henry has happily soaked up all the retaining wall construction he's had a chance to observe. Whether it be watching the cement mixer churn or inspecting the brush pile with Grandpa, Hank is signed up. I foresee many baths thanks to the digging and inspecting going on in outdoor Indiana and Wisconsin.

Our gears have happily shifted to fun activities with our visitors -- Grandpa Barnes and Aunt Lucille. The weather has been close enough to Wisconsin's, so our guests feel more at home then they might have expected (minus a few nasty, rainy days). Grandpa Barnes is working away at Randy's new retaining wall and Aunt Lucille has been enjoying some time at our home. In the midst of it all Henry is filled with glee at the happy visitors, heavy machinery in Chugiak, and hikes through our backyard bog. Along the most recent hike with Lucille this moose cruised across the trail. We really do know how to put on a show for the tourists.




I am very silly at times. In January I decided to participate in the Eagle River Triathlon for the third time. It is always fun and is an excellent push to hit the gym and steam through the remainder of winter -- It sets a bullseye on Spring. My training went well and I entered the home stretch fitter and faster than ever, though unfortunately the home stretch ended at a 40 degree rainy day in June. I would not see all of those training hours cast away, so I plowed ahead. Ultimately it was a fun event and I was pleased with my times, though I could have taken a pass on the need to run wearing gloves in June.