Overnight in the Alaskan Wilderness!

Overnight in the Alaskan Wilderness!

Wow what an amazing adventure! The only thing I regret is not booking two nights one night was not long enough. Storm probably regrets not having a better way  to carry the sleeping bags. I think we need to invest in a hiking backpack for him, because I foresee more hiking and camping on our journey through the states.

We had perfect weather the whole time! We all needed the time away from our cell phones internet, movies.  We drove the 3 hours to Eagle river with a quick stop at the spring in Anchorage for a water fill up and through some construction they are doing on the road to the Eagle River nature center. 

We were all excited to get started so with our packs on and dogs on leashes we took off not knowing what to expect as this was all of our first time ever at the Nature center. It was very beautiful the trails are very nicely maintained and easy to navigate with the sign post that are all along the way.

The hike takes you along part of the original Iditorod trail. The beginning of the trail was Green grassy and had lots of big cottonwood trees but as we ascended closer to the, Yukla Yurt the terrain became rocky with smaller spruce and alders trees and moss covered boulders everywhere I felt like we were walking back in time. The boys must have felt the same because they were pretending they were cavemen and this was our first trip out of the cave. After what felt like a 10 mile hike, it is actually 2.5 miles, we made it to our destination, We all were happy to take a load off our backs. 

This is where we enjoyed it the most I turned off my phone because it didn't work anyway and took out the camera. Storm explored around the area and the boys ran from one boulder to the next. River had a favorite moss covered boulder he liked to sit on top of and Atticus was in stick heaven, he loves sticks. Dojo and Rex's noses went into full force and found plenty of spots to pee on, over and over I think they were having a who could pee most contest. We spent our time eating and exploring. River tried out carving sticks and Storm carved two wooden daggers one for each boy. Atticus looked for bugs and drew in his nature journal. Storm showed the boys how to start a fire, before we knew it it was 10 at night and we were still going strong but we decided to settle into the yurt with a book. The sound of Eagle River that is 40 feet away was a soothing sound to listen to and lulled you to sleep and the view from the window was absolutely wonderful to wake up to.

Unfortunately the time to leave came way to fast and we all were sad to go. Atticus cried a little saying he really loved it and didn't want to leave I felt the same, like I said it is my only regret I didn't book another nights stay. We all slowly packed back up and took in our last views of a beautiful place in nature that now has a spot in our hearts too. I am sure we will not soon forget it.

If you ever have a chance to go I would highly recommend it! 

It's A Beautiful Life! 

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We Are Going For It!!

We Are Going For It!

We have been thinking and talking and dreaming for a long time. We have talked hundreds of times about moving. We have talked about where we would like to move, what climate we would most enjoy, what things we could do when we move, and how far it is from family and friends we don’t get to see often enough because of our current location.

On Storms last 2 week hitch home we came to a mutual Dream that we feel we are willing to make a reality. We talked it over for the majority of his time home each time getting more and more excited that we were really going to go for it.

So you are probably wondering what that dream is.  Well we have decided to downsize, sell our stuff, sell our house and buy a motor home to travel the lower 48 with our 2 boys and our 2 dogs all while homeschooling. I have been reading and researching every free moment I get about homeschooling, downsizing, selling the house, how to organize in small spaces and reading success stories about families who have done the same and more. I have a few awesome friends that have experience that have been helping me out along the way too. 

I believe this is something all of us are willing to work hard to accomplish including the boys who have been a part of all the discussing, Isis will most likely be staying in Alaska for college. There are so many changes I get a little scared if I think too hard about what we have to do but, I will tell you not as afraid as I was to let the cat out of the bag. I was afraid to tell my friends because I thought they would think I was crazy but most of all I was afraid to tell my Mom. My Mom is the only family I have in Alaska and I would be leaving her ,what I felt like, alone and I was afraid to disappoint her. So when I decided to make the phone call  I braced myself to hear disappointment or sadness on the other end I wasn't sure but I was preparing myself. To my surprise and delight she was quite the opposite. She listened carefully to what I had to say and in the end she was supportive and even excited for us.  So now with that hurdle jumped onto the next.

We have made a tentative time frame to get things going. If all things go as planned which they seldom do, but I am being hopeful and positive, we should be starting our journey by end of summer 2015. Starting right away will be the preparations. We are prepared for challenges and for it to not always be like a vacation but It will definitely be an Adventure that we will not forget.
I plan on journaling and keeping those who want to know about what we are doing up to date on our progress starting with the downsizing and selling the junk.

IF you have encouraging words or advice on homeschooling, downsizing and selling a home or anything I have mentioned above I would love to hear it.