Mendenhall Glacier Kayaking

Our friends, the Wellings, were kind enough to once again let us borrow their kayak on our day off this week. It was a shorter day on the water than the day we went sea kayaking, because we paddled the Mendenhall Lake up to the glacier--and the water was freezing! However, the frozen fingers were worth the views as we were able to get close to the face of the glacier as well as it's many icebergs. Paddling around here is a new experience for us--our inner riverguides are used to being able to set our paddles down and still float downstream on the river. Sadly, that's not how it works on a lake. But the good news is paddling on still water builds character and muscle all while letting you take in views you couldn't see any other way! The deep blue and white shades of the glacier and icebergs are stunning against the gray silty water and the low rain clouds. The trees on the banks of the lake are exploding into fiery reds and yellows indicating that fall is already upon us.

An iceberg window

Other than that it was a pretty slow week filled with lots of work (both of us), schoolwork (Chris), and playing in the kitchen (me). We've felt the need to temporarily eliminate sugar from our diet (for REAL this time - ending with a permanent and significant decrease of sugar intake for the future), and eat more whole foods as opposed to processed foods that are so conveniently sold in a price range that targets broke college kids like us. It's hard to believe how much sugar is in so many things until you read the ingredients on the labels (for clarification, we know there is natural sugars in fruit, and we are still eating fruit). As part of the change we've had to become creative with our food, because heck, it's not a doughnut so we need more than some gross kiefer to keep us satisfied!

Remember to pray and remember to play (and eat),

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew

Sea Kayaking

Let's start this post off with some good news - Chris finished his online math class!!!! Not only did he complete the class, but he got an awesome grade in it. I'm so thankful for the time and effort he put into this class, and that he puts towards his future career. He has a couple of weeks before his next math class starts, but don't worry, I'm sure we'll be able to find something to pass the time.

As for adventures this week, the one thing worth mentioning (and it is definitely worth mentioning) was our epic day off which we spent sea kayaking around the ocean. The Wellings, a sweet family in the ward, lent us a double sea kayak and we spent the whole day on the water. Though we had near constant rain it was all-in-all a spectacular day. We paddled over 20 miles, exploring Gull, Sentinel, and Benjamin islands. The one thing I wanted to get a picture of but failed to was all the whales we saw swimming around. By the time I would put down my paddle and get out my phone they always seemed to be too far away to get a good picture (maybe this is a good thing, as they could surely tip a kayak). Sentinel island was one of the most interesting islands to explore with an old abandoned lighthouse.

We snuck up on this sleeping sea lion before it realized we were there!

The sea lion's graceful exit.

Who needs a selfie stick when you can have a selfie paddle???

We got pretty close to this pair on Benjamin island.

The picture never does it justice - this male sea lion had to be at least half a ton. We kept our distance.

Taking a paddle break on Gull Island.

After kayaking the Wellings invited us to join them in their home for some fresh homemade pretzels. We had a great time getting to know them better. They have a remarkable story, and are truly wonderful people. 

On Sunday our friends Brooke and Garrison Field had us over for dinner again. We had a great time catching up with them, but to be honest, Chris's favorite part was seeing Fynn (the dog we had watched for a week). Fynn even remembered who we were which made all of Chris's dogloving dreams come true.

The last couple of weeks Juneau has begun to smell pretty rank with the rotting salmon that have completed their spawning and life cycle. All the streams and rivers that are deep enough for a fish to swim up have been flowing with salmon, and now they are starting to die. We mused one night on our walk home from work if this smell is even close to the stench the Jaredites endured during their final days of battle, when they didn't have time to bury the bodies of the dead and they were left to rot (Ether 14:22-23). At least we have the luxury of being able to close the window and the smell doesn't keep us up at night. On that happy note,

Remember to pray and remember to play,

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew