Flying Things -- Planes, Ducks, Chickens ... Words.

We had a wonderful week around here leading up to Mother's Day.  On Wednesday we took a trip to Ultima Thule Lodge, which I think I will give a post of it's own in the next day or two.  I got quite a few fun pictures to share of our time there and the beautiful flight home.

Yesterday the kids and I drove to Valdez for the annual air show.  This year Bry and Johnny decided to compete in the take-off and landing competition and it's almost always (weather depending) a fun little event to check out.  Not to mention the drive to Valdez is one of my favorites in the entire state.  The kids loved driving through "Waterfall (Keystone) Canyon".  Even Tell caught on to spotting the waterfalls; some running, some frozen.  The guys didn't do as well as they would've liked in the competition, but it was really fun watching them.  Plus the kids got some cousin time in too :)

:: the crew standing in front of the Otter at Ultima Thule ::

:: photo of the grounds taken as we flew home ::

:: stopped at McCarthy for fuel ::

:: Bry & Johnny headed to their planes for the Valdez Airshow STOL competition ::

:: Grama took Ever to get her face painted at the airshow ::

:: Another kinda cold, rainy Valdez airshow ::

Every year around this time when the snow melts, the land in front of the house temporarily floods making timely ponds that we sometimes get to spot ducks in.  The water usually disappears within a week or so, but this year there is more water than usual.  It's so lovely.  On Saturday we woke up to a dozen geese in the yard and at least that many ducks swimming over in the "lake".  Every year it makes me want to make a man-made pond of some sort .... dreams.  Bry says there's about 40 ducks out there right now.  So fun.

Today, as a bit of a Mother's Day treat, we went and picked out three hens from a local farmer that is getting rid of his birds.  They are about one year old and should be laying as soon as they recover from the shock of the move.  Right now they are staying in the duck house until we can build them a proper coop.  Cross your fingers that they like it here :)

The last flying object -- words :(  Today, I got in my first "facebook fight" with some stranger from Anchorage that I share a mutual friend with.  I don't know this person at all, but couldn't resist to respond on her bashing of the patriotic display of eagles around Alaska.  I thought twice about writing anything, and then my pride got the best of me.  Say what you like about political parties, I'm well aware that practically 1 out of every 2 people will disagree on that.  But don't talk bad about veterans.  

And that's pretty much all I said, that as a veteran's daughter I always feel pride when I see an eagle sticker on anything.  Within two comments the lady was calling me choice words, it was really incredible.  It was the first time I'd experienced that kind of hatred in a very long time.  Probably since I was in college.  It has really bothered me so much all day and I'm hoping it's therapeutic for me to put it in words.  That said, I've resolved to take a slight step back from social media.  I was kind-of feeling like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram were causing me to spend more money than I usually would anyway.  So it's a good thing.  I'm not calling them off completely, but I think checking in only once a week might be a good place to start.  I don't need to bring that kind-of negative into my home...

And last, but definitely not least. 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

To all of you Mom's, but most especially to my own, whom I miss every day and can't wait to see.  Hopefully this fall ....

:: lots of ducks in our "temporary" lake out front ::

:: Ever welcoming the ladies to their new home ::