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July 3- Our group left Hattiesburg for the New Orleans airport. From there we flew to Chicago and then headed to Anchorage, Alaska. We had some plane trouble along the way and ended up in YellowKnife, Canada. After going through customs (with no passport!) we spent the night on the floor of the airport. Not the most ideal situation for a 7 week pregnant lady dealing with morning sickness. .

July 4- We left Yellowknife and finally arrived in Anchorage (24 hours after leaving Hattiesburg). My cousin Anne met Wes and me at the airport and took us out for a much-needed breakfast. Then the three of us boarded the Alaskan train south to Seward. We spent the day in Seward and watched the Mountain Marathon Race, toured the Sea Life Center, and ate dinner at a Greek restaurant. yum

July 5- After breakfast (and my first taste of reindeer sausage), Anne took us to visit a   Musk Ox Farm. The musk ox is a very interesting animal. For more information on the musk ox, click here http://www.muskoxfarm.org The photos on that web site can also give you an idea of what it is like in that part of Alaska. Then we headed to Hatcher's pass to tour the old abandoned Independence Mine. Perhaps this will give you an idea of where we were and what the area is like there. click here http://www.hatcherpasslodge.com/ Wes panned for gold. Ate at Italian restaurant.

July 6- Anne drove us to the church in Anchorage where we would stay the rest of the week. We attended the service and then went out for lunch and to tour downtown Alaska. We came back, set up our 'bedrooms' and prepared for the week.

July 7- first day of VBS- Wes was supposed to help with the crafts, but he ended up doing other various projects during VBS that week. Mainly, he was in charge of the painting projects (painting the church office, pastor's office and breakroom). I (not gifted musically) was supposed to help with the 3-5 yr old group but was volunteered to instead help with music! I had a great time but was hearing the songs in my head by the end of the week!

July 8- second day of VBS- after lunch and more work around the church, we headed to Palmer to visit the Case family. They invited us for fried halibut and grilled salmon. yum. Then we headed up to Hatcher Pass/Independence Mine for a quick tour. Since Wes and I had already been there, we knew what to expect. Wes headed straight to the creek to pan for gold and I headed straight for the bathroom! The group had such a great time that we decided to come back the next day for a hike!

July 9- After VBS and more work around the church, we headed back to Hatcher Pass to hike. We climbed above an abandoned mine shaft. Wow the air coming out of the hole was so cold! I will never forget the roads that we traveled to get to the bottom of the mountain that we climbed. You really needed a 4X4 to get to the parking site and there we were- in 2 mini vans!

July 10- After VBS, a member of the church, Michelle, took us for a seaplane ride. She could only take 3 of us at a time, so Aunt Bea went with us. Michelle flew us about 60 miles from Anchorage to a lake where we landed. Then she got out and pulled a John boat practically out of the woods and the four of us climbed in. Wes was in charge of the boat and drove us to an inlet. Of course, I had to go to the bathroom again by then, so we looked for the landing spot and port-a-potty. We finally found it and the three girls hiked up clapping hands, singing, *anything* to keep the bears away! What an experience. We got back in the boat and saw bears! There was a family wandering around looking for the stream to feed on salmon. We sat and watched them eat, play, sleep and swim. It was cooler than anything that I have ever seen on Discovery Channel! We were right up close, and could see them so well! We got back to the church just in time for the Samoan members of the church to put on a performance for us. They sang and danced and brought a ton of food for us to eat! It was an experience like no other.

July 11- 5th and last day of VBS. That afternoon, Anne picked up Wes and me and took us for another outing. We visited a ski resort and road the cable car up to close to the top of the mountain there. We left there to hike a mountain to a glacier. The mouth of the glacier was big enough for an 18 wheeler to pass through. Incredible. Then we left to eat some really good food at the only 5 star restaurant that I know of that is located on a dirt road! It has been there for years. It was the best food we had had all week! Anne took us back to the church so that we could start packing to go home the next day.

July 12- We finished packing and wrapped up the work projects. A few of us went shopping in downtown Alaska for those last minute souvenirs. We then headed for the airport for the long flight back home.

July 13- HOME AT LAST!!!