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

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