What a fun adventure we all got to do as a family! I was thankful Greg found a place that would allow all of us to go rafting. It was a pretty easy rafting experience. The kids always impress me with what they can accomplish. They did a great job listening and doing the instructions our guide shouted out. They each sat on the ‘bull’ and rode the rapids. Watching their faces light up as they would hit a wave, was priceless. Full of excitement!     Rafting down the Payette River in Idaho was quite incredible. The beauty on the river is amazing. Taking these adventures with my family has made this summer unforgettable. I know the adventures will continue!      

Chris Ireland

We drove to Idaho. We parked in Crouch. There is a little creek that flows through our camp ground it is called the Payette River. We built a sand castle Cair Paravel. Then we went river rafting. There is a white bus ?, 4 boats ?, and 7 rapids. The deepest part of water ? was 80 feet deep! 3 people rode the bull which was the front of the boat ?. Then we had pizza ? on the campstove for dinner ?.I liked the camping trip!

Jadon Ireland

Going white water rafting list:

1. We got ready

2. Then we waited

3. Got on the bus.

4. Got the rafting boats ready

5. Then sailed away

6. Then we paddled some more

7. I sat in the middle

8. Esther rided on the bull

9. We went over rapid 1, then 2, then Mike’s hole

10. There were 9 rapids 

11. Jadon and I ride the bull like Esther

12. I sat in the front of the boat and I saw some little rollers coming towards me 
I just like rafting so much!

Our camp site had a stream in front of it. We played in the stream. The stream was warm and cold. We played house and we built a sand castle. The castle’s name was Cair Paravel. I was the queen of the castle with a stick. I told Esther and Jadon what to do.

Rahab Ireland

   I thought that the white water rafting was super fun. The types of rafting that we did were class two and three. We got on a bus and went 8 miles up river. Then we got off the bus and into the rafting boat. You put your feet in the boat and you sit on the side of the boat everyone had a paddle except for Rahab. Our guide’s name was Gary we were the only people in the raft but in a group of four rafts. When we went down the first rapid it was the biggest. Nobody fell off on our boat, but the boat behind us three people fell off their boat. I never fell off the raft, but on some slow spots I chose to jump in (it was really cold). Our guide asked if anyone would like to sit on the front with there legs hanging out. Which is called bull riding. I did it first it was really fun and I got really wet, but it was fun. Some rapids were names like white water 101 and others like Mike’s hole. I really like river rafting. I think that I would like it even if I did fall off, because it is just part of the fun. But I can’t say that because I have never fallen off.

Esther Ireland

   I went tubing! It was so fun! So, so, so fun! It was easy to hang on. I liked it when they went fast and turned corners. I first went with Daddy. Then I went on a girls ride. I just liked the tube ride!

   I played a lot in the water and on the park. I liked playing in the water. I liked seeing the Tidewater. It’s the best. The Tidewater is a barge that comes up and down the river. I liked seeing the Riverboat. I liked playing with Cora and Wyatt.  

   Cora made me a anklet, bracelet, and a necklace with her string. It was beautiful.  

Rahab Ireland

We went to fish ? hook there are 2 playgrounds. We only went to 1 of the playgrounds. We also went tubing and swimming ? and knee-boarding. Knee-boarding was really fun and exciting! I deep watered started with daddy helping me. I went knee-boarding for a really long run. Esther water ? skied.  

   We, also, saw the Tidewater barge come up and down the river. We also saw the barge that carried baby fish up. There was also a barge full of grain. We also saw a coast guard boat and a river boat, called the American Express.

   I loved FishHook. We go to it every year!   

Jadon Ireland

We got to Fishhook really late at night. Then we went to bed. Next day it was really windy. So we played lots of games and went for a short tube ride. Then we had s’mores and went to bed. The next day the water was completely flat, but daddy didn’t feel that good. We went to the sandy beach. Cora and I knee-boarded and looked for shells. Then we went back to our campsite. We got the tube and went for a crazy tube ride. Then I skied all by myself without any help. It was really awesome when I came up out of the water. I really liked going outside of the wake because it was so flat. Then we had s’mores and went to bed. The next day we went tubing, Jadon knee-boarded, Rahab tubed, and Mommy, Daddy, and I skied. Then we had dinner and mommy made apple crisp. Which was really yummy! We saw barges pass and lots of other big boats. We went to the park. At the park we played games like tag and what time is it mr. fox. I had a really fun time.      

Esther Ireland

   This is my favorite camping spot tradition. It was a great time to catch up on some dearly missed friendships this summer. We played hard but with lots of relaxation!  

   All of the kids tried something new for the first time. What a confidence booster! Esther got up on skis, Jadon rode the knee board, and Rahab rode behind the tuba! I think next summer may be an expensive summer for the Ireland kids with all the new toys they want. 

   I love watching my kids find things to do in the down time at Fishhook. They were always the first ones up playing a game together. Waiting for breakfast to be ready. One afternoon Jadon and Wyatt took apart Rahab’s bike and set up shop selling parts! It got run over before we arrived at Fishhook.

   Thanks Hobbs and Tucker family for making us feel included in your family tradition! We hope to keep joining the camping tradition in the years to come!               

Chris Ireland

      Fairbanks was my favorite thing. Daddy took us to the end of the road. It was my favorite because we went to the end of the road and we went to a swimming pool. We found an airplane there, too. That mommy and daddy went to the hot springs. But we couldn’t go in it.      Bella! Bella was the best friend in Anchorage I have ever known. I just like her so much! Hudson and Bristol was Bella’s brothers. Bristol, Hudson, Esther and Jadon had a mud fight. Bella and I went on a hike before the mud fight. I liked playing with Bella.  

Rahab Ireland

     My favorite part of Alaska was the hike to Flat Top Mountain. There was American flag ?? on top.                                                                                                Jadon Ireland

      I really had a fun time in Alaska for the summer. One of my favorite places that we went to on the airplane in AK was Nome because it was so small, pretty and I liked seeing all the dredges. Two different types of hikes that I really liked doing was mountain climbing  

       And any type of hikes that have to do with water. I really liked spending the summer in Alaska with my family. We saw lots of moose and bears which was really cool.

Esther Ireland

Our summer in Alaska was amazing! With all the spectacular places we saw it is the intangible things that sticks with me.  

1. Visiting a different church every Sunday. We enjoyed seeing what God was up to in Anchorage. Each church had their own flavor. It was evident that God was moving in those churches. I just wish we could have seen more. What an honor, though, it was to pray along with these churches.  

2. The quality family time we had together was amazing. No distractions or commitments. We really did just go after all the adventures we wanted to see and do for the week and made it happen! I pray my children will cherish this summer for a life time!  

3. Thankful for my family, Guy, who went above and beyond taking such great care of us. From food to a car to great hospitality! Also, thankful for meeting the Ness family! It was such a blessing to find a family who is so similar to us in many ways. Praying that friendship continues to grow. These relationships are cherished and made our summer feel like we were at home!
4. Exploring the great state of Alaska. What an amazing state God created. We explored all over the state and still didn’t see close to half of it! I do feel that we got a pretty good feel of the different regions of Alaska. We went north to Barrow, west to Nome, south to Kodiak, middle of the state to Fairbanks, and southeast to Sitka and Juneau. Plus all the exploring around the Anchorage area. I really can’t pick a favorite because they are all so unique and beautiful in there own way. God’s creation is simply indescribable!

Chris Ireland

Jadon Hiked Flat Top Mountain

We hiked Flat Top Mountain in Alaska. It was a really steep hike and it was 1.5 miles each way. The best part was making it to the top. There was some stairs and a saddle before the steep part. Daddy was a really great hiker. Down was harder than up. Grandpa also came with us. He was also a good hiker. The second best part was the peanut butter m & m’s. I would do this hike again when I get a little older. We literally conquered this hike. If we didn’t make it to the top the m & m’s would have been the best part. It is the recommended hike for people who come to Anchorage. After we got down from the hike we went for the best burgers and milkshakes in Anchorage. Then we watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I liked it. I really liked it. Now I’m going home to Yelm.

Jadon Ireland

Climbing the mountain everyone in Anchorage is supposed to climb

Today I climbed Flat Top Mountain. It was really hard in some parts and it was windy in some parts. But I had lots of fun. Grandpa, Jadon and Daddy came with me up Flat Top. We hiked three miles total but it seemed like more. When we got to the top it was like the only part on the trail that was windy but we found a rock fort that somebody had built to keep off the wind. There was an American flag at the top of the mountain next to the flag of Alaska. On our way down we saw Campbell Creek, that’s the creek behind our house. Also it started raining on us when we were going down. The best part was conquering Flat Top and getting milkshakes afterwards. I would do this hike again if I happen to be in Anchorage.  

Esther Ireland

Grandma and Grandpa’s trip with the Irelands

Grandma and me and momma we walked some and went over the first bridge. We could totally see it and there were signs on the bridge. We saw some mushrooms. Some pretty cool mushrooms. I had to empty my boots out because they filled up with dirt. I didn’t see any bears, not a single one. Not a single moose either. We got some bear bread. I’m going to paint them too, all myself. The bears should still have enough to have their lunch. I love my Mommy and Daddy. After the hike we went to get hot chocolate. I’m glad grandma came to visit me. That is how I really like it. I totally had fun in Alaska.

Rahab Ireland

August 17-18, 2017

   Ireland Grandparents came a visit up to Anchorage. We were so excited to show off where we have been living, and all the local fun we have found. We did experience I couple of new things during their visit. We saw the house Don, Ferol, and Greg lived in many years ago. Then we headed off to Gwennie’s’ for breakfast! This place was like a museum with all the fun history posted all over the walls!

   Another new experience was the Wild Berry Store while we walked on the Campbell Creek trail. I really wished we would have went to this store sooner. It was very unique store with lots of fun souvenirs and yummy treats. I hope to go when we go back up in November.  

   While Greg took Esther, Jadon and Don to conquer Flat Top Rock trail. Rahab, Ferol and I explored BiCentennial Park. It was a quick trip, but so glad we saw that park! Rahab was so excited to find huge bear bread! She couldn’t wait to show her siblings. We learned so much history just in our short walk. Crazy!  

   Don and Ferol helped us get home from Alaska. We ended up taking the all night flight home. We were all crazy tired when all said and done, but glad to be home! At least for a few nights before the next adventure begins! Jadon we a huge help at the airport as we checked 8 bags. We had to do some rearranging to get the 2 big bags under weight, but we did it! Thankful for Don and Ferol’s help loading up the car in Seattle. It was quite the puzzle! It all fit!

Chris Ireland

August 15, 2017       After our intense hike, our bodies needed rest. We didn’t want to ‘waste’ Greg’s last day off before we head home to Seattle. What better way to end the trip than with a good long soak at Chena Hot Springs. It was between Homer and Fairbanks, AK both forecasted to rain. If we are going to be wet, might as well be warm, too! The hot springs won! Just what we all needed!

   The trip started off with rain, but we ended our time at Chena with blue skies! Greg and I enjoyed the slow pace and heat of the hot springs on our sore muscles. While the kids enjoyed the pool and hot tubs. It was perfect! Hope to come back someday!

Chris Ireland

   On Monday August 14, 2017 we headed to Kodiak island to climb Mount Barometer. It is two miles to the top with a 2500ft incline. This hike was rated Class 1: underdeveloped trail, natural obstacles exist, and steep paths exceeding 60 degree climbing angles. Why you ask? Well why not?! It has spectacular views. Greg has been eyeing this hike since he has flown into Kodiak. If you over shot the runway in Kodiak you would hit Mount Barometer.  

   I’m always impressed by our kids as we push them to do hard things. Greg told them “set your heart on the mountain and go for it.” They truly did! Rahab and I made it about 2000ft. Everyone else conquered it! The last 500ft were some serious inclines, that would be too dangerous for Rahab, well they were probably on the border of being too dangerous for the others as well.

   As we were trekking up the mountain, there were several times when you would look out 5 to 10 feet and couldn’t see where the trail. I couldn’t help but pray that my kids would follow the Lord in this way. Keep your eyes right in front of you and the trail will be revealed to you one step at a time. We could see the end goal, which was overwhelming but encouraging at the same time.  

   After the hike we stopped for a quick tour of Fort Abercrombie. I’m learning so much WWII history on our trip around AK. Bunkers, guns, and lookouts! What is really hard to image is all these soldiers sleeping in tents year round! Wow! Couple of highlights was watching the whales and the hands on bunker. We didn’t see any whales breach, but could see the water sprout from the blow holes. In the hands on bunker the kids got to use a rotary phone. It was fun watching them try and figure out the phones.   

 

   This trip was our last adventure trip outside of Anchorage before we leave for the summer. Most likely our last intense hike. What a way to end! We couldn’t have asked for a better day in Kodiak!

Chris Ireland

Photo 

August 15, 2017 Chena Hot Springs 

I played in the pool. I went in the hot tub outside and the 2 inside. There is only 1 pool. There was not a life guard. We played Marco Polo. Mommy and daddy went in the big hot springs. At the end of the road there were hot springs, airplane, 3 hot tubs and one pool. It was a fun day! It was a day trip to Fairbank, AK.  Love,

Rahab Ireland

When we got home from Kodiak Daddy told us I think tomorrow we should go to Homer because I’ve heard so much about it so we should go, it would be fun. So we all decided to go so of course I went to bed thinking we were going to Homer at 8:15 in the morning Jadon and me both woke up early because we could not sleep we woke up at 6:30 in the morning my coughing woke Rahab up but I told her it was early in the morning and she should go back to bed so she did. Jadon and me played games until I looked at the clock it was 7:35am I told Jadon if we are going to go to Homer we better get ready to go lets go wake up Mommy and Daddy so we did and Daddy said I think I have a different idea for today. But Daddy did not tell us where we were going so we guessed then we found out that it was a daddy surprise but he did tell us that we needed our swimming suits and that we were going to stay in the state of Alaska but where in AK can you go swimming, it’s so cold. We got on the air plane that said it was going to Fairbanks we got of the airplane in Fairbanks this was still a surprise for us because we did not know what we were going to do here in Fairbanks we rented a car then drove about one hour away from the airport. When we got where we were going it was like a resort type thing daddy lead us into a building that had a swimming pool in it we went to the swimming pool and swam all day. There was a really big hot springs there to but you had to be 18 or older to go in the hot springs so I just swam in the pool. But I had lots of fun I asked Daddy if we could come back to the hot springs when I am 18 and he said maybe. Then after playing for a long time we went back into town and had dinner at a Thai restaurant. I thought that you can find really any type of food where ever you want even in a place like Barrow, AK. I really like Daddy surprises and exploring. 

Esther Ireland

We went to Fairbanks, AK. We found at the end of the road there was a swimming ? pool ? and a hot spring. You had to be 18 or older to go in the hot spring. There was 3 hot tubs, a DC6 airplane ✈️ , an old car ?, and in old snow ❄️ machine. It was a 1 hour drive to Fairbanks, AK. 

Bye ? 

Jadon Ireland

August 14, 2017

I had a really fun day in Kodiak. We woke up really early in the morning and got on the airplane to Kodiak. We climbed Mt. Barometer that was really hard. Mommy and Rahab made it most of the way up but Jadon, me and Daddy made it all the way to the top of the mountain. It was four miles round trip with a gain of 2500ft. In some parts we wanted to turn around but we kept going to the top of the mountain. It was a really nice day so we could see every thing there was not a cloud in the sky. It was really fun. Then we went to Fort Abercrombie. The fort was from World War Two when the Japanese tried to take Alaska from America but the fort was never needed. I got to go in all the bunkers and we were right next to the ocean and I spotted some whales. Then we went home on an airplane. 

Esther Ireland

We went to Kodiak and hike Mt Barometer. It was a really steep hike and fun. Esther, Daddy, and I made it to the top. It was really hard and exciting! Mt Barometer was the tallest mountain on the island. I could see the whole island from the top. I saw lots of airplanes taking off from the airport.  

   Then we drove to Fort Abercrombie. It was really fun. There is some war bunkers there. One was a museum. We could call each other on the old phones. They really rang! We also saw some humpback whales.  

Jadon Ireland

We climbed Mount Barometer in Kodiak, AK. Daddy had to help me on the steep parts. The airport was a good view. We saw some boats and airplanes land and take off. We loved the pretty flowers. I saw pink, purple, blue, and yellow pretty flowers. Mommy and I sat on swishy moss. While Jadon, Esther and Daddy climbed to the top. We stayed behind because I was too tired and the trail was too steep. It was super nice there, not even a drop of rain.  

I like climbing mountains.
Love,

Rahab Ireland