Johnson's Corner

Here is our picture of our traditional Christmas Eve dinner at Johnson's Corner. It is a little dark as was the dinner. Although we had great service, our waitress did not write down our order, and everything came, the food is slowly over the years losing its charm. For example, the biscuits no longer are flaky; I suspect they are no longer made in the kitchen, rather off the Noble Sysco truck, as I suspect are the chicken fried steaks.

Christmas Tree

The tree went up right after Thanksgiving. Ainsley and Sofie decorated the tree and much to the delight of Atticus we lit it up right away. Atticus in this picture was calling out the colors of each light.

The Meal

Thanksgiving meal was a success. We were joined by Angie's Mother and Uncle and his partner Charlie. We had not seen Uncle Bo and Charlie for years so it was great to have them over.
Here are a few pictures of the feed.

Dreams

Ainsley, who along with her sister, is a good student. She has dreams of attending the University of Colorado in Boulder and she has a good chance of making it. We decided to document her first visit to campus, so when she returns in 8 or 9 years we can say we saw her first.

Thanksgiving

Mike has tasted a fried turkey and decided to treat us with one. The only problem was that it would not fit into our frying pan. We looked for a turkey fryer on Craig's list. We found some but they were about 40 miles away and were about $80.00 used. We looked on the internet for some at Home Depot and found that one could order and shipped in five days for about $80.00 plus postage. Angie being a great shopper chose to go over the the store and found them in stock for $68.00. Go figure.
Never the less we purchased two small turkeys and 6 gallons of oil for about $30.00 the turkey was cooked. I had to put dirt under the cooker to sop up the grease as it splattered like crazy.
After about 45 minutes apiece they were pulled out. It was great.

Uncle Mike Arrives

Uncle Mike and his family dropped in from Anchorage for Thanksgiving. Atticus Ainsely and Sofie really enjoyed seeing each other.

Atticus and His Letters

Atticus loves whenever he visits the grandparents, to work on gramp's computer. Grampa will bring up Word, enlarge the font, and then let Atticus type his letters. He loves to hold a key down and let the letter show up and then tell grampa what the letter is.

Great Grandparents

Here are pictures of my great grandparents. They are my mother's mother's. Antonia Strunk and her artist husband, Frank. They arrived from Germany in the early 1900's and moved to Chicago. Frank was commissioned by the Roman Catholic church to design and complete sculptures of saints for the church. I guess he was pretty good. In the mean time his wife, Antonia, raised a family and created a small fortune in real estate much of which she lost during the 30's depression. She climbed back though and by the time she passed on she had a comfortable portfolio of stock which she carried around in a carpet bag.

Dinner at Podolak's

Friday night a few ago, we had a fish chowder dinner. As usual, Chuck was over the top. In fact, it smelled so good, Ashley decided to come over.

Chuck's Neighborhood

Here are a few shots of Chuck's neighborhood. The first is the new building which looms over the Navy Yard Metro Station. Green Line.

The Ultimate Car

This Model A Ford started it all. The ultimate Car.

Retirement

Ahh I love a Parade. Labor Day we visited Louisville to share the parade with Daniel's family. Alas I saw a career.

Another Day at the Zoo

Joan, Atticus Annie and Jim all went to the Zoo and had a great day. I don't know which was more entertaining, Atticus or the animals.

DNC One

Plenty of hype and fun are leading up to the Democratic Convention. Here a steam engine traveled down from Cheyenne to show off.

Hiking

Egads, can't those bears find somewhere else to live. We want to hike in the pristine wilderness.

Ice Cream Stop

Not far from home, near the summit (a giant 2,000 feet wow) at 60 38 26.27N 149 29 56.80W we stop for ice cream. It is a great spot on the highway, some buildings, a lake and in the building a gift shop and of course a real bathroom with water.... The ice cream is not the Inuit type, snow, berries and seal oil (or Crisco), but one with real flavorings from New Jersey.

Heading Home

From our campsite, it is over a hundred miles to Mike's house, or if you are a crow, about 45. Sunday afternoon it is slow going as those from Anchorage who did not drive north are driving with us. Sadly, many people are impatient and die on this road. But looking at this scenery to those of us who don't live here one cannot hurry.

Shooting

A camping trip with Mike would not be complete without shooting. Mike has purchased Ainsley a 22 caliper rifle which he shared with us all. Mary shot her first round on that day. I, being a retired infantryman proved that it was good that I did not see action.

Food

The Kodiak, unlike its counterpart in the wild is camper friendly.Bunks on either end pop out as does the couch section. The trailer includes an awning for lounging outside with the mosquitos.
Mike is a great cook and if you get a chance to go 'camping' with him, you will not starve. The usual meal plan is spaghetti with MEAT sauce, salad and garlic bread. Next morning begins with eggs and eggs and eggs. A light sandwich lunch. The following night dinner is RIBEYE steak with desert of Mike's special grilled pies (to die for). The evening is topped of with Crown Royal and good conversation around the fire. All go to bed about sunset (3:00am it seems). The following morning , 10 or 11 we rouse with some camp coffee and a quick breakfast. And pack up and head on out.

Dreams

Alaska is a place for dreams. Dreamers roam the countryside looking for THAT place. THAT place where one can buy a small beautiful parcel of land near the highway, put in some hookups, build a small motel, a few lawn chairs and of course a bar, and then make a small living sharing it. We found such a place along the Sterling Highway. Precisely at 60 20 22.72 North and 151 13 44.53 West to those who are GPS literate. Our campsite had electric hookups non working toilets, a lake and most important a bar. The only working toilet was in the bar, open between 7:00am and 2:00pm. Of course we have to stop and visit on the way and buy a drink. Mary got a free drink being the only single woman for a square mile. Ahh Alaska.

The Kodiak

Mike, our northern most son, has decided to buy a travel trailer for exploring the few roads in South Central Alaska. There are two roads out of town, one is a dead end, south, and the other heads to the northern interior and if you bear right you will eventually find Beaver YT and from there all points south.
This day the picture was taken we headed south along the Sterling Highway for a trip with the PodolAKs to the Kasilof River for a try at dip netting, a form of harvesting salmon reserved for the local Alaska population.
Sadly, we netted one fish which when considering the costs of food, fuel and the amortization of the equipment costs about $200. a pound.

Ahh Vacation

Dad is in Anchorage still as Mary left Tuesday night to return to work. Since is it pretty much light all day long, rather than stay up for 24 hours we simply go to bed when we want to and if we wake up and it is light, our brain says 'so' and we go back to sleep. That being the case I find we sleep until 9:00 or 10:00am. Get started rather late. I am getting plenty of sleep and since I do not have to work, I can sleep more and more.
Tomorrow I get to work fixing the fence to keep Winston the Hell Dog in the yard and away from humans.

Mary and Dad in AK Phase 1

Mary and Jim arrived in Anchorage 1:30 Friday morning to visit Michael. We spend a quiet Friday, sleeping and lounging around and Saturday morning took off to Kasilof River for a little dip netting. We set up camp nearby in a somewhat campsite. Then we set off for a little dip netting. It was crowded and full of fish guts. We spent a few days at this and then Sunday night we returned to Mike's for a badly needed shower and a sushi dinner downtown Anchorage.
You may have to wait for pictures as the camera was dropped in the sand.

Stoughton Bars

A few bars in Stoughton have interesting names.

Sheep at Stoughton

Stoughton's county fair had sheep right out of Wallace and Gromit.

The Fourth of July at Jon and Jills

We spent the 4th with Jill and Jon and all the family. But a better post is here and now.

Holy Stones

In Dickyville, Wisconsin, the Podolaks stopped at the grotto adjoining the local Catholic church. It is a must stop. Here are some details.

Spirit of Dubuque

Colorado Podolaks decided on our next trip to the Middle East to stop and take this tour.

Ooops

We found ourselves passing through Dubuque IA. There had been a lot of flooding in the area a few weeks before and we saw the outcome of the mishaps.

Atlantic Iowa

The Colorado Podolaks decided to travel to Central America. The first Step was Atlantic Iowa. We arrived in town for the evening enjoyed a meaty meal and decided for a rousing night life about 7:00 pm. Alas, the sidewalks were rolled up.

Scandanavians

On 6 28 The Colorado Podolaks traveled to Estes Park for a day with the Scandanavians, a dying breed. They celebrated by dancing around the May Pole in June.??
I found upon a nice Scandanavian on the walk.

The Bear

Joan when she visits Denver and passes by the convention center just loves the sculpture of the bear (left).



So on her birthday she found this bear in her retreat (right).

My Hybrid

I recently purchased a trailer for my bicycle for shopping to offset the high cost of gasoline. However, as this is a trailer for passengers other cyclist expect to see one. When they don't, I get a disaproving look. So in response to the shame I posted pictures on the windows, not unlike those on little tin toy cars I used to get as a child from Japan. I am sure this solves my shame problem.

Aunt Jill and Maggie

Jill and Maggie made a brief trip out to pick up a new dog, Gina. They dropped by and while Jill went out to Palasade to pick up Gina, Maggie and I toured the yarn shoppes.

Yondan Test

Jim recently was tested for 4th level black belt, Yondan, at Boulder Aikikai Dojo, an Aikido Dojo. It was a lot of adventure, and fun for all. Not bad for an old guy.

Memorial Day Visit

Chuck and Andrea visited us this Memorial Day. We had a quiet family weekend eating and catching up. The weather was great until Monday which was rainy. Mary was not around much because it was her first three days of work.
The center of attraction of course was Atticus.

Zoo with Atticus

Mary, Atticus and Annie joined me at the zoo today. Low 80's and sunshine made it a great day. Note Atticus' cool hat and Annie's new hair do.

Joan's Retreat

Joan has moved into her retreat. I have some cleanup to and I have to finish painting the outside door. But other than that, she is good to go. Compare this to the Feb 2, post and you can see the progress that I have made. I still have to build a porch but that will be the next installment.

Retirement Parties

Joan had two retirement parties. The first, a dinner, was for all 65 retirees this year. It was a jolly time and it was really a treat to see the hoards who have appreciated Joan's work over the past 15 years. The second was an afternoon reception in Louisville in which Mary and Annie (and Atticus) joined. It was a smaller venue for the group that worked in the Literacy department. There are more pictures for you to see.