Spencer Glacier Trip

My dad and Jared got drawn for goat permits by portage. So we took a trip on the train to Spencer Glacier to scout goats. It had been pretty hazy, as the forest fires are raging up north, but as long as we could see the mountain sides, we could spot goats.

We had a great time riding the train and hiking out to the glacier overlook. We camped past the end of the trail pretty close to the glacier in the bottom of a valley where a small creek ran through. We figured the best way to see goats was to hike along the valley floor back as far as we could. Once we set up camp, we hiking back into the valley. We had beautiful views of the glacier and found a huge river that went from the back of the valley where we were trying to go, to the glacier. We hiked along the river. Hard hiking. We hiked back a mile or so with no luck of seeing any goats. Back to camp.

The next day we hiked back into the same area just much further. We had to cross a little cliff that fell straight into the water, and then we found that it continued to narrow and there was no rela way to pass. And so ended our hike, with no success of seeing any goats, and the hope of using Spencer Glacier for the hunt in August, gone. We had to find another way into the area and not to mention find some goats.

We got back on the train early and were able to see Grandview. It was beautiful. I thought driving the Turnigain Arm was pretty, but the train takes you through valleys, past glaciers, and by waterfalls. Things that you don't get to see from the road. I would recommend the train and Spencer Glaicer to tourists and locals. We loved it!!

I know, I'm slow.

So I realized how incredibly slow I am at getting pictures up and posted on here. And now isn't the best time to be noticing this, because I am starting a full time job at Everts Air Cargo on Monday, and just started three classes last sunday!! I'm going to be one busy girl on the week nights!!! Good thing I have time on the weekend to go outside and play!! : ) I am so grateful that Jared has the weekend off. He works night shift so if he didn't, we would never get to see eachother!!

It's also been fun lately because my friend Nichole and I have been quilting and we have all these great ideas and projects we're working on. (Yet another thing I don't have time to do!)

For those of you that aren't on the call-if-jared-gets-drawn-for-anything list, he got drawn for a goat out by spencer glacier with my dad. It's all he talks about and if you're melissa, you know how I feel, since Jed got drawn for a sheep. They talked for an hour about how to kill a sheep, but Jed neglected to tell us that their car got broken into last week!! Priorities, I know!! But, that's what we get for marrying huntin' fools!! Huh, Melis?

That's about all that's new so far I think. I am going to actually try to keep up to date. Our camers needs a new battery so I haven't been able to take any pictures recently. Hopefully I can remember to get one here pretty soon!

Our ring ceremony in Arizona...

After we were married in the temple, we had a ring ceremony in Arizona at my parents new house. We had a lot of help from friends and family for decorations, set up and music. Everything looked perfect.

Around my parents new pool, there was just enough room to set up the chairs. It was a sunny day, but really, really, windy!!

All the girls packed into one bathroom to get ready...

I love these girls!!

The dresses were super cute. Green and brown were my colors and that turned out really cute once all the girls were dressed and ready. The guys looked pretty sharp too. Who knew friends of ours could clean up so well!! : )

This dress was made by my grandma Saraha for my mom at my parents wedding. My mom made it longer and made a few other changes for it to fit me and so I could wear it outside the temple. It is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I wish my grandma could have seen me wear it as my mom did.

Jaron Pope, one of Jared's mission companions, was the best man and my maid of honor was my best friend Casey Martinez.

The best men were Barry, David Smith, and my cousin Joseph Lee.

The bridesmaids; Ashley Bixler, Margaret Griffin, and Jaime Martinez.

We had so much fun in Arizona with all the friends and family. We are so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives all around us.

Fishing in Hope, AK

The humpys were in, so we decided to take a little fishing trip to Hope (about 3 hours from Anchorage). We left in the morning and brought Mark Forrest who was up visiting from Arizona. Once we got there, we found a perfect spot beneath a bridge, parked, and got our gear out. We had a great time. We caught far more than those fishing on the other side of the river. We each caught our limit (three) and snagged more than we can remember.

The Date That Started it All

November 22nd, 2008; two hunters set out on the greatest wolf hunt in history. Arriving to an undisclosed location at about 9am, they suited up for the cold, wet, journey ahead. It was blowing rain and the combination of wind and water was startling to the senses.

Armed with a hare-in-distress call and a 30.06, they embarkedon their excursion. As they walked, snow crunching beneath theirfeet, they stopped to listen (as any great hunter periodically does). What they heard excited them. It was wolves howling. They picked up speed and headed toward a clearing where the river offered a view of the opposite side of the valley. They hunkered down and began to call. Nothing. They continued to call for about half an hour. Still nothing. In the midst of all the calling and waiting, the huntress' left boot began to cut off circulation to her foot, as the bunny boots being used were that one of the hunter's younger brothers and as a result, were too small. (This huntress has slightly larger-than-usual feet.) So, she took off her boot it helped, but was then pretty cold. The asked if she wanted to go back and said that he wouldn't make fun of her or give her a hard time for doing so. The huntress never was or ever will be a wimp, so she refused. She put the boot back on and they treked on, determined that there was a wolf out there that they could call in.

After walking along the river, the hunter saw some hares and decided to call by a large fallen tree next to the river. It provided perfect cover and if the hunters sat back to back they could look along both ends of the bend in the river. The hunter began to call using hand and mouth. He called for about 45minutes. Just when they thought they may need to move on to another spot, the hunter spotted a wolf through the scope of his rifle. It was far and in the trees, so it wasn't a clear shot by any means. And not only that, but it was on the move and the hunters couldn't get a good look at it. It went out of sight and he called again. He continued to look through the scope. Then suddenly right accross the river only 10 yards away, was a big, beautiful wolf. The hunter, still not seeing the wolf right in front of him (at this time the huntress would like to remind the hunter that see loves him very much and he's the best wolf hunter there ever was)...so the huntress nudged the hunter and without a moments hesitation, the hunter pointed the rifle at the wolf and shot. The wolf ran along side the river and after only a couple seconds, falls to ground.


WOO HOO!!! They hugged excitedly and then considered how they were going to cross the river to get it. THey found an old bridge and the hunter crossed with ease. He returned with the wolf on his shoulders only a few minutes later. It would be much harder to get back across with the large wolf. He decided to cross in the middle to avoid the old broken bridge, but as he waded in it got deep fast and befre he knew it, he was up to his chin in water and the wolf began to float.

He immediately got out and headed back for the bridge. They found a rope and he tied it to the wolf and threw it accross to the huntress. Then he safely crossed.













...and they lived happily ever after. All it took was a little sweat, a wolf call, a rifle, and one of alaska's most elusive, majestic animals. Oh and some good hot chocolate on the way home.