Last night we drove to Sunshine Cove for some sunshine and for our last campfire on the beach. We had so much fun exploring the rocks nestled along the coast and finding just a few of the interesting creatures that live in the ocean. This has definately been one of our favorite things to do while we have been in Alaska - especially campfires on the beach. As if exploring the rocks and the sea creatures doesn't make us feel like kids all over again, we found something last night that sent us right back into our childhoods. This being a...
ROPE SWING!
This was awesome. We all had a great time taking turns swinging in the tree tops. Here are just a few pictures of the things that make us feel the most like kids: 
Brett and I are also preparing for our journey home and one of the things we needed to do for that was buy a inexpensive tent. We already have a tent at home in Utah but we didn't bring it with us because - well I don't know why but we didn't. So we didn't want to spend a lot of money on a tent but we are camping on the coast on our way back home so we need a tent. We ventured to Walmart and made a purchase of a kid tent. We brought it home and set it up to try it out and make sure that we would fit. As you can see, it is a little tight for Brett. It's a good thing that he is a fetal-sleeper and doesn't need a lot of wiggle room when he sleeps. Dax also helped us test out the tent and he loved it. Here's a few pictures to demonstrate. The last one is my favorite. He liked the mesh and he squished his head against it to get Megan on the outside of the tent. What a cute boy! 
Friday evening we did a small hike/walk called the Treadwell Historic Trail. This trail takes you through the ruins of what was one point the largest mine in the world. The hike also goes along the beach so we enjoyed playing in the water and the sand. Dax especially enjoyed the feel of the sand between his toes. After we were done exploring we headed over to the Island Pub and had some amazing pizza. YUM! Here are some pictures of our explorations on the Treadwell Mine Hike: 
Saturday: I had to work in the morning so everyone came to visit at work and got some yummy breakfast. After they finished eating they headed up Gold Creek and checked out one of the mining museums there and saw were Brett likes to do his gold panning. Then they picked me up and we headed up the Mt Roberts Tram. We were able to have a great view overlooking the Gastineau Channel and Downtown Juneau. We really enjoyed the view and the sunny weather. Unfortunately, on the way down Craig was not looking where he was headed and tripped over a root sticking out of the ground. Suz and I saw it out of the corner of our eye and thought he was joking when he said he sprained his ankle. At this point me and Suz were cracking up and couldn’t stop laughing. Finally, we realized he wasn’t joking and felt bad for laughing so hard at his expense. Sorry Sparks… 
Sunday: Brett and I had to work so Craig and Suz went to church with Megan and Zach. After church, a nap, and dinner we headed out to the glacier to look for bears again and to walk out to Nugget Creek falls. We didn’t make it right next to the falls but we made it pretty dang close. Suz had to rock hop in a few places and I’m proud that she didn’t give up and go back to the car or anything. Way to go Suz – what a woman. We did spot a bear on our way back to the car. Suz was a little obsessed with seeing the bears but I do have to admit is quite the sight when you do see them and you can just sit and watch them fish and eat. They are quite the creatures. 
Monday: Brett had to work so it was just me, Craig and Suz hanging out. We went up to the Glacier to see if we could spot any bears but were unsuccessful. So we headed to the end of the road, the roads ends at a place called Echo cove. We got out of the car and checked out the area for a few minutes and then made the 30 minute drive back to the valley. We stopped by Skater’s cabin and Montana creek just to check things out and show them a little bit more of the area. There is a large fire in the Whitehorse, Canada area making the Juneau area very smoky. It was very hazy and we couldn’t even see the Chilkat mountain range just across the Gastineau channel or the glacier from Skater’s cabin (which you can always see both – even on the really cloudy/rainy days). It was kind of an eerie feeling and you could smell the smoke everywhere we went.
Wednesday night we had a Seafood FEAST! We had dungeness crab and coconut halibut and everyone ate so much our bellies hurt. After dinner, we headed to the Mendenhall Glacier to take some pictures and see if we could spot a mama bear and her 2 cubs that have been hanging out fishing at the glacier for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, the mama bear moved out of the area but we got some great pictures of the glacier. We were just about to call it quits and go home for the night but Brett decided to stop and check out the beaver pond just off the road. So we were checking things out when all of the sudden a cinnamon bear wondered across the road and headed straight for us. It sauntered right past the car and into the stream, not even batting an eye at us. It was a pretty great experience and Suz was still talking about it this morning when we woke up. I think they enjoyed that.
Yesterday, we got to join Brett on the job and went for a tour to Glacier Gardens, Mendenhall Glacier, and MaCaulay Fish Hatchery. Craig got some great ideas for his garden at home at the gardens, the bus almost left us at the glacier and there were so many fish at the fish hatchery we could have walked on water. 
This last picture is our favorite - Craig and Suz staring into a romantic sunset on the beach, rekindling their love.
