A Clark Thanksgiving 2013

The Family Bunch on their way up Verstovia

                We ended November 2013 the same way we ended November 2012- with the Clark parents visiting Alaska for Thanksgiving. This year Mom and Dad had to venture only as far north as the Southeastern Panhandle due to our move back to Sitka over the summer. They noticed the absence of an outhouse this year; but even so, their visit was not only a blast but gave us a nice family break from the whirlwind of working.

Mom and Dad enjoying the walk on the beach

Emily and Chena taking in the view of Bear Mtn.

                This year proved significantly warmer than last year’s 20 below zero week. For Sitka standards though, it was cold. The temperature teetered around the mid-30s and rained and snowed off and on while they visited.

                We were worried about trying to live up to last year’s Thanksgiving extravaganza. We experienced true interior cold, sat in a natural hot-spring, Chena Hot Springs, at 20 below, went to the museum of the North, had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with Nellie and Pete, and watched the dancing Aurora Borealis, making it hard to compete with for this year’s break (Read previous blog entries for more information on our previous Thanksgiving).

                But, at least for this writer, this year did not disappoint. After the long awaited introduction, Mom and Dad were able to finally meet Chena, who at the time of their last visit was an imaginary dog that we constantly joked about. We knew last year that we wanted a dog and after our wintery hot spring visit we decided our imaginary dog’s name would be Chena. Thus, when we went to North Pole’s animal shelter and met our soon-to-be dog, we rightfully named her Chena.

Chena teaching Mom and Dad how to behave

                Mom and Dad immediately fell in love with Chena, which was no surprise to us. The two walked, fed, hugged and scratched Chena to meet her necessary requirements of daily attention. Dad faithfully took her out every morning during his visit. Even two weeks after their departure, Chena is still sulking in their absence.

                Mom and Dad’s visit did not revolve simply around the canine pooch. They were able to meet my mentor teacher from my student teaching year, Bob Potrzuski. We had Thanksgiving dinner with him and his wife, Carol, and some friends of theirs, the Howards. Many educators sitting around the table made for an engaging and interesting, along with differentiated, conversation with excellent food. After the Potrzuski meal we had a second Thanksgiving dinner with some Sitka friends who roasted up some delicious venison.



Walking on the Sea Walk

                To work off the Thanksgiving feast we went on plenty of hikes to burn the excess calories away. The weather did not always cooperate but as any Southeast Alaskan knows, you must bare the weather. Mom and Dad went right along, loving the scenery and beauty of the Tongass National Forest.  

Two Knee replacements cannot stop Dad from hiking up Verstovia!

                The highlight hike for us was a mountain ascent of Mount Verstovia. The mountain watches over the seaside town of Sitka and is distinguishably recognized by its steep rocky ridges leading to a pronounced pointed peak that is visible from many street corners throughout town. Mom and Dad, along with both of us, Chena, and our two friends Matt and Patrick, ventured upwards even with the less-than-desirable weather. The hike goes up a 2500 foot elevation gain and is in any hiker’s term ‘a steep hike’. The trail zig-zags along a precipitous mountain side that leads to Picnic Rock, a rock cropping that sits out above the tree line and provides spectacular views of not only Sitka but a large portion of Baranof Island. We all arrived to Picnic Rock learning the unfortunate fact that the clouds rolled in, making there no view at the top. Even so, we soaked in the alpine hike and Mom and Dad took in the realization of accomplishing a feat even few Sitkans accomplish. Their hardcore factor escalated rapidly once proving their ability to scale an entire mountainside; they probably think this sea level living is a cake-walk.

The Verstovia Ascent Club- Minus Chena and Emily

 

                No Clark Thanksgiving would be complete without a Christmas tree finding. This year we debated on possible trees. Should we cut one down or help support the local Boy Scout troop? With an eventful week, we decided to buy our tree, which turned out to be a very successful purchase. We put the tree up and decorated it with past and current family ornaments. It was a nice ending to a great week.

 

Christmas Tree 2013

Chena is behaving nicely in order to have a fully stocked stocking!

 

So much for that fully stocked stuffing, Chena was misbehaving and rolling in decaying Salmon....... again!

                Living in Alaska allows for few and far between visitors, but when possible and available we love to entertain and show others our love and joy of the area. It was evident with their visit that Mom and Dad love exploring the adventurous terrain that inspires us to continue to live in such a serene place.

Enjoying a hike on the Cross Trail

Hey is that the red-headed History teacher Mr. Clark- Hey, yes it is!