I didn't do anything special at all - just kind of hung out in and around town, going to baseball games and visiting some of our favorite spots.
We drove down to the Knotty Shop, a souvenir shop on the Richardson Highway southeast of here. In addition to the touristy stuff, they also sell locally made soaps, barbecue sauces and pottery. After we get our fill of looking, we head to the counter for an ice cream cone. The place is always populated with local residents, and I think the main reason we all go there is for the ice cream. This time I had a fat-free blueberry-vanilla frozen yogurt - it was wonderful and guilt-free!
While we were eating our ice cream, I shot this photo of one of the planters outside the log building.
Of course I went out to celebrate the summer solstice at the Midnight Sun Baseball Game June 21. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. and is played entirely without artificial. They estimated about 4700 people in attendance, making me truly appreciate the fact that I buy two box seats every summer. The Alaska Goldpanners - our team - won the game in the bottom of the 15th inning. After 4 1/2 hours - at 3 a.m. - I finally got to go home. But it was a good game and a fun night.
I've been taking the long way to work lately to see what's out there. Though I haven't seen moose too often lately, the osprey are still around and the flowers have been beautiful.
And one hungry guy looking for breakfast (and finding it in the patch of wild strawberries). If you look closely you can see one in his beak.
For the 4th of July weekend, I'll do some unwinding and relaxing. I will be a judge at the BBQ competition Sunday and am looking forward to that. I LOVE BBQ - ribs, brisket, chicken - no matter. I would be a terrible vegetarian.
Happy Independence Day to all of you. I wish you a safe, enjoyable holiday weekend.
