Childhood Memories

I didn't get many pictures of the family events.  When I got in Thurs night, there was dinner at my Uncle Lynn and Aunt Roseanne's house.  It was great to see so many relatives!  Since it was getting late, they offered to let Jason and I stay in one of their small (tiny!) cabins.  It was great- except had no running water.  I was cold and slept in all my clothes and winter coat.  I felt like I was really roughing it!  

It felt pretty cold overall, but could have been so much worse!  AK has had a fairly mild winter with very little snow.  To that, I was grateful!

But who gets to wake up to such a cool view?!?

Since we were already in Nikiski,  Jason and I decided to drive around some more and get pictures of some old favorite spots.  We stopped by Salamotoff Beach (we called it the agate beach) and looked for agates.  This cool boat was there...

 At the very end of the road was Captain Cook state park where we occasionally camped as kids.  (And this cool beach!) I do miss living so close to beaches- even the frigid ones.

 Here's the Carlson Enterprises shop in Nikiski.  I remember finding my dad working in there, welding boats.

 The Blue Grouse restaurant has since closed.  But when we spent our summers at Grandma Herzog's fabric store, we would call this place about everyday.  And if the frozen yogurt flavor was wild cherry, we knew we'd get lucky and get some!  They had the best frozen yogurt ever:)

 Grandma Herzog has since sold her property, but they kept the sign up out front.  I spent countless hours in this fabric store.  (Too bad I can't sew a straight line)

 Sycamore Circle- where I spent the first 18 years of my life.  The whole neighborhood seemed so tiny and small.  With tons more trees than I remembered.

 Here's our childhood home- in good shape too!

 The Kenai LDS church 

 We used to be the Sears Snoopy's but our K-2 grade school  is now a charter school.

 Beautiful picture of the flats on our way to K-beach.  Sometimes you would see caribou out here.

 I got to spend the afternoon with this lovely lady and her two cute girls!  Emily and I were best friends from 1st grade on.  We were two peas in a pod for sure.

 Mt View elementary which had 3-5 grades

 I didn't get a picture of the Middle School (6-8).  But we did wander around our old Kenai Central High school for a bit.  Brought back a lot of memories... what a fun time of life!

 Blurry picture of the Arby's where both Jason and I worked in the summers.

 Enjoying a little bite of salmon at the family get together on Fri night.  I even had a bite of deep friend halibut that wasn't half bad!

We ran out to the property Sat afternoon before the funeral.  Here is the little cabin where Tom and I stayed when we visited last.

 Grandpa and Grandma Carlson's house

 View of the Kasilof River from their back porch

 The best and biggest swingset ever!  I love the boats in the background.

 Uncle Carl,  Uncle Bill, and Grandpa's aluminum boats (The Lucky 13).  Grandpa designed and built the first aluminum boats in AK

 My dad's graveside

We had a family dinner afterwards, followed by sharing stories about Grandpa.  Then it was time to head up to Anchorage.  What a whirlwind weekend... so glad I could go!