Moose & Snow in May

Right outside the house:And just when we thought winter was over (5 May)
2 weeks later and summer is finally here!

Congratulations Kristina!

My little sister graduated this week with a BS/MS in Aerospace Engineering. We're so proud of you Kristina!

with Mom & Dad

what are these wings for?

and what's up with this hood?

Not only is she smart, she's got style, too!
The 'airplane' dress. In her spare time, she's working on getting her pilot's license.

Not only did she finish the program in 5 years,
she also received an award for service:

Master Wang receiving her award

PhD's get to wear smurf hats.
I think they should wear blue wigs instead.

where's my diploma?! :)

I was reminded of how stunning Boulder campus is.
Waves of nostalgia came over me this week - my time at CU Engineering was very different than Kristina's but I have some very fond memories from my undergrad days.

None of us would have been surprised if she had completed her degree at the age of 4:

I can't wait for her visit this summer! Lots of fun planned before she starts her PhD at University of Washington in the fall!

Biking Denali Park Road

Our Alaska To-Do list includes biking the Denali Park Road in the spring. Dave has done it once, and the rest of us (me, Dan & Adrian) did it for the first time this past weekend. The park service starts plowing the road in the spring in preparation for the upcoming tourist season, during which (starting 19 May this year) the road is open to traffic only out to Mile 15. But before then, the road is open to the Teklanika River Rest Stop at Mile 30 and bikers and walkers can follow the road for another 60 miles if desired.

We made it out to the first pass, Sable Pass, which comes out to ~ 18 miles roundtrip, ~1245 ft climb in elevation. Not too shabby for the first bike ride of the year.

Photo op in front Denali

Denali!

the boys

stop to check out the view

food break, almost there!

just amazing to be biking around surrounded by winter scenery

made it to Sable Pass!

the temps were probably in the 40's and the descent was a bit chilly

What a spectacular day! glad to have been able to share it with good friends :)

Talkeetna

Mandy and I met up with Ann and Jill in Talkeetna for a little girls weekend without the dogs!
Ann found a cute cabin for us to stay in: Susitna River Lodge

We checked out the town during the day. Didn't take very long - it's small a town.
Too bad the chocolate shop was closed!

horsing around!

I love moose!

Fun to see the Seward ladies! miss you guys!