Alaskan Grandparenting 101 & Minde's Great Adventure 2016: July 21

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Rambler’s Blog – Alaskan Grandparenting 101 & Minde's Great Adventure July 8 - August 31, 2016

A word about this blog…. It has been our goal in recent years’ lengthier travels to record for posterity a diary of travel stats, pictures, and personal reflections. So, when we can no longer indulge in trains, planes and automobiles we may relive fond memories. We have invited a few friends and family to ride along through this travel blog (a combo of blather and log), risking exposure to bad puns, spelling errors and sore feet complaints.

This is our first trip to Alaska as Grandparents. We sure hope we do it right! There are majestic mountains and valleys, mighty glaciers and roaring rivers but they pale in comparison with the power of baby Dean. He has filled our hearts to bursting with love and makes us speak gibberish. He is very patient with us and we're sure he thinks we're 'special' already.

Another first born, niece Minde from Buffalo, is joining us during our stay. She is celebrating high school graduation and taking a break before starting at Erie Community College in the fall. We have assured her parents, Wende and Pete, that we will take good care of her. She is already refusing to carry the bacon on hikes. Way smarter than us!

We will blog off and on. You are welcome to join us as you will. Glad to know you're out there!
Grandma and Grandpa Simons

* We may not have daily access to Internet so updates may be delayed, but once they appear they will be in sequence
* The blog includes pictures based on the day’s blog, sometimes delayed depending on schedule and access.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

July 21

Woke to steady rain and cooler temps. Now this is the Alaska summer we remember! The rain must be drowning the fire and there is smoke and smell in the air. It does cause some throat burning. Will keep Dean inside today. We skip the gym, just too tired and whole day of baby care and errands ahead. Arrive just as Dean finally has fallen to sleep. Brenna immediately hands him over to Grandma so she can get about her day. He is wearing his ‘flying squirrel’ swaddle night gown. Nothing cuter, especially as he is sleeping. Bren and Chuck take off for a Costco and errands run. It’s just Gram and Dean, Dean looks as if to say, prepare yourself……

Anchorage felt a 4.4 earthquake this morning at 6AM. A quick jolt, we never felt it. Epicenter north east of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley around Wasilla. Day of baby care and marveling at the many changes for Dean just in the short time we have been here. Had a very sleepy day and was able to get some things done around the house. Back to the apartment for a salad/roast chicken dinner. Bren’s fresh lettuces are so good. Watch the end of RNC and the Trump speech. Afraid we will be having nightmares after it. Western Ohio in 100-105 temps, our area in the 90-100. Seth going to our house for the weekend for AC relief. Okay to miss that heat. Our small garden at home is doing well. There should be a harvest soon. Night.