Memorial Day Weekend

Brent fishing on Saturday evening on a lake near Donnelly Dome
Ches chasing the ducks

Courting ducks

Donnelly Dome

The Granite Mountains on a Sunday afternoon drive

Wanna Ride?

Sunset at 11:30 on Sunday evening

Mama Squirrel

We had a great weekend. It was nice and relaxing, and really no reason to complain. I would have liked to have spent more time on the water, but since tourism season is here, we'll have to take advantage of the week nights, I think.

Friday evening we went to a friends home for dinner. There were 3 couples, we all brought dishes and it was a nice, relaxing evening. Though the temps have been in the upper 70's and even topped out at 80, the evenings are cool, and sometimes even the days can get cool. So we moved inside for dinner and dessert and just enjoyed the company of others.

Saturday morning we woke, went for a walk and then headed into town to run some errands. We spent the morning running and visiting, it was a great day! We decided to lay low in the afternoon and head out for some late afternoon fishing. We didn't catch a single fish, but we managed to watch a trio of courting male ducks. Boy, they are some aggressive little buggers, I'm not sure the hen was very impressed! :) When we were finished fishing we threw the stick to Ches so she could get some swimming in despite the icy water temps. Then we drove slowly home, and didn't see much of anything.

Sunday we headed for Fairbanks in the afternoon. The roadways and waterways were packed with travelers, explorers, boaters. It is absolutely amazing how many people they can cram into one boat landing. We did a little shopping, checked out the new Sports Authority in Fairbanks, and then hit up the Santa Claus house in North Pole. What a cute little place! Mom, it's way better than World of Christmas!! Way. Better. :) We stopped to see if friends of ours were home, but they were out partying so we headed home.

Monday morning we woke and decided to attend the Memorial Day service at the cemetary just down the road from us. There was a spattering of onlookers in the beginning, but it quickly filled up. I was impressed. They played music, read poems, and read off the roll call for 2009. It was hard to hear the mothers, wives, families mourn for their lost loved ones. It was very sobering and I'm happy that we attended. At the end of the poems being read, from out of the distance, somewhere near the back of the cemetary, a lone trumpet belted out the notes to Taps. I always get chills when Taps are played. When the ceremony was over an elderly man in the crowd requested permission to sing a hymn I had never heard. Some members of the crowd joined in, and then everyone dissipated. A very nice day.

For the rest of the day we just lazed around, played with Ches, and while I napped Brent grilled us a lovely dinner of fresh trout. It was a very relaxing weekend. He's working short days this week, which is nice.

Hoping that you all had lovely weekends! Happy Summer!