Day 4: Friday, 8/20/10, Seward

Once we got off the train, we met up with the other Weil crew at the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward.

"All Aboard!" cried Captain Paul! (Well, not really. He mostly said "Boat! Paul in boat!")

Puffin!

Sharing!

Touching!

Grinning!

Learning!

All right, enough of the one word captions. Sorry, I'm crabby.

Thanks, Joss - can always count on you to laugh at the bad jokes.

Speaking of jokes, these seals would swim in one direction, as observed by Safta and Aunt Andi. . .

. . .then swim back upside down! Silly seals!

Joss enjoyed watching the many fishies. . .much like another boy we know did at around this age.


We all loved the aquarium, but we had the most fun just running around outside. . .

Hi, Jacob!


Apparently, every year there's a foot race to the top of that "hill," and this year's winning time was something sick, like 24 minutes.

Safta and Joss hope to beat that time next year. . .or at least, to get to the top by next year, if they start now. . .

Sophia chillaxing on a swing.

Trouble & Trouble, Inc.

Hanging in the playground was wonderful fun, with amazing scenery.

Dog-pile on top of a rabbit!

A boat much like ours, and a massive cloud hovering over the mountaintop.

Finally! In our room! Paul and Joss made themselves right at home - but where are you going to sleep, Mommy & Daddy?

Day 4: Friday, 8/20/10, Train to Seward

We woke up reeeeeeally reeeeeeally early to catch the Alaska Railroad train to Seward. Paul was in train heaven.


We didn't see too much wildlife from the train - a lone moose, and a few bald eagles (look for the white golf-balls in the trees - that's your eagle) - but the scenery was breath-takingly beautiful.


We also saw a few Dall Sheep.

There was also this one little cloud that was lost in the valley. . .Mommy couldn't stop taking pictures of it (don't know why).

Safta was camera-happy, too.



Safta was also Joss-happy. Which worked out well, as Joss was Safta-happy, too.

More of Mommy's little lost cloud.




There were some rather twisty-turning sections of rail as we went over and around the mountains.



Even way, way above the 49th parallel, Daddy is a loyal Buckeye.


One of a series of very small tunnels. Paging Dr. Freud!


Joss enjoyed the scenery. . .




Water like a mirror.

Day 3: Thursday, 8/19/10, Anchorage

We went to the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn more about the diverse peoples of our northern-most state. Seriously, this stuff is pretty cool. Different tribes, different languages, different traditions, but all creating full and fascinating livelihoods in extreme weather conditions.

We heard a story-teller telling stories. . .

. . .and Paul always manages to find a puzzle, wherever he goes.

Safta and Paul explored some of the outside exhibits while Mommy fed Joss inside the center.

We saw a sporting exhibit - these athletes were getting ready for the inter-tribal games. The goal was to see who could kick higher in two divisions, single footed and with both feet.



We also heard some traditional music and saw traditional dances.

After Paul and Safta went back to the hotel for a much needed nap (for both of them), Daddy took Mommy and Joss on a tour of the reproduction tribal houses. We stopped to pose in front of whale rib bones. . .



The elusive picture of a solo Mommy.

That evening, after Paul went to bed with Safta, Grandma Shelly, Grandpa Steve, Cousin Shira and Jonah came by to visit, having just made their way to Anchorage from Denali.

Joss approves of his cousin. Which is good, since Jonah was here first.

Grandma Shelly.

Charlie Manson Grandpa Steve

Where have we been?

Where have we been? In the past month, there have been vacations, milestones, holidays, visits, new foods, new schools, and lots of other stuff!














There have also been piles of laundary, surprise projectile vomiting, work trips, and other annoying distractions from our important blogging! Don't worry - we'll get this up-to-date soon.