Alaskan Grandparenting 101 & Minde's Great Adventure 2016: August 22

Welcome

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.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

August 22

Awoke to heavy rain, mountains mostly socked in. Rain is becoming a common theme these days as the weather is transitioning. Much of being in Alaska is about being outside and outside they go! But even the heartiest Alaskans tire of the rain and all its gear. Brenna dropped off Dean this morning for trial run for Daycare. He is next to youngest baby in the group and his minder only handles two babies. He is a little fussy but after a little time in the swing he will be taking his nap. Lots of noise in the room so Dean will learn to sleep through anything. So far, he has done well with ambient noise. Mama is a little weepy leaving him behind but it will even out over time. Luckily he only has to be at daycare 3 days a week and home the other two. We pick him up at noon after only 4 hours and take him home. Lots of play time and tire him out. Light supper at home and early night. Night!