Feeling like a single lady

We made it back to Utah just in time to send Travis off to Africa two days later. I am back living at my parents and sleeping in my old room. My Dad was asking my brother and I how we were doing and the bro said, "Well, I feel like I am reliving 17 Again waking up in my old room with the sports wallpaper and and old trophies on the shelf." Don't worry brother, at least you have upgraded to a big kid bed. Sometimes its tough to go back to where you started once you have moved past that point and have obtained an amount of independence. Lucky for me and my two siblings, who are also adults and just recently moved back home, we have the best parents in the world and a good family so we still feel grown up sleeping in our big kid beds back at mom and pops. Confession, may or may not have watched the Bachelorette season finale with my family late last night. I just had to know who she chose ok! I feel like a hippo because I am always bashing that show.

I talked to Travis today for the first time in 8 days. His back is ok, but he is still positive. He got some heavy pain killers so he is able to get up and move around. He spent a few days on his back when they got to Kenya, but is now able to get up do the work he set out to do. Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and love.

I have been looking at all the wedding pictures to keep reminding myself that I am married to the most amazing man and that he will be home soon. Hope you enjoy.

I love Alaska because.....

So my friends the time has come for my last post from North Pole, Alaska. The past ten weeks have been a really big learning opportunity for Travis and he put in about 480 hours of physical therapy work. Only if it wasn't free slave labor:) I have learned a lot too, and I have enjoyed blogging about our adventures here. We have met so many wonderful people and made good friends. It will be hard to say goodbye, but we know it's time to come home and do it all again. Isn't it wonderful to know that where ever you go you have the chance to meet new people, experience new things, and grow in new ways? We are excited. Although, I am not too excited about the triple digit temperatures that await us. I wore a sweater and scarf today! None the less, here are our favorite things about North Pole, Alaska.

1. Santa is your neighbor and you may get asked to put on an Elf costume.

2. The locals are very proud of their town and the Christmas spirit even in the middle of the summer.

3. I get to say, " I know him!"

4. They make sparklers Alaska size (36" long)

5. You're friends and neighbors have big toys in their backyards.

 (love this family!)

6. And their children are willing to do this.

7. Your town has a customized board game.

And you could be Ebenezer Scrooge.

8. You can make a late night walk to the grocery store at 10:00 pm and have it look like this.

9. Your town is very proud of it's name and you may get asked directions to Santa's house while walking to the store.

10. You can have free fresh flowers every week courtesy of the roadside.

Peony not on the roadside but still beautiful.

11. You have the urge to stop and take pictures of every candy cane you see (united states post office).

That's it folks. I could keep going. We have had so much fun and couldn't have asked for a better way to start a marriage, thousands of miles away from anyone we know with no one to rely on but each other. We were well taken care of here and had a blast everywhere we went.

Fireweed legend

 With each bloom a bit of summer slips away. Once the blooms reach the top winter is on its way. 

The fireweed has spoken and it's time to go home to enjoy the rest of a hot summer.

Pie

My sisters:)

I was looking through some old pictures and stumbled upon these jewels. Yup, that lady covered in razzelberry delight is me. Why did I have "enter a pie eating contest" on my bucket/to do list? I don't know either. I think I entered because it was a life's goal and a bit of peer pressure from my sisters and neighbors. So, the city pie panel placed me in the kid contest. Thanks. They gave us some lovely garbage bags to keep our clothing clean and assigned us to our hot seats and pies. Ready Go!

Pregame psyching myself up. Bring it on little kids!

 It was time. My heart was racing as I dove into my pie. Then, I stopped breathing because I had so much pie filling up my nose! The battle began and little did I know it would be a battle to the finish with her. That's right. The little girl to my left. I felt like I was taking those little kids to town until she started catching up.

The clock was ticking and I had just one more bite left. I finished and stood up. BUT she did before me! NOOOOOO! I just made myself sick eating a pie in 3ish minutes to lose to a little girl! But as I looked over to see how bad she schooled me, she still had a bite of pie left!! The judges came over and declared her the winner. That's right, they still let her win! As I watched her walk away with my free movie passes I realized then at that moment that it doesn't matter who wins. It is the experience that matters. Now, that moment may have been brief and I may have to remind myself about being the bigger person when I want those movie passes, but I ate a whole pie in 3ish minutes:)

God Bless America!

The End. #flashbacks

The Knotty Shop

All the locals have been raving about The Knotty Shop. I know what you're thinking. Jess, you can't spell and why would you want to go to a scandalous place?! Don't worry friends the "knotty" is a play on words. This cool place is a artisan store where they craft ornate sculptures, bowls, etc. out of the famous Alaskan birch wood. It was really cool and expensive..... sorry no souvenirs. But feast with you're eyes on what adventures we had.

Me and my pal Caribou

Trav and the Alasquito.

It really feels this way every time they bite you. These pesky Alasquitos are merciless.

Float time.

Chena Lakes (the secret port).

Pudding, need I say more. I love his intense stare down with the last spoon full. "I will get you!"

All you can eat Salmon Bake.

The crab was excellent! We are now professionals at breaking those puppies open.... with our bare hands! Well, and a fork and the claw things if necessary.

I knew I couldn't leave Alaska without seeing one totem pole. I give you Totem.

Bullwinkle. Rocky is taking a break I guess.