First adventures in Fairbanks

A few of our first adventures in Fairbanks include going on for Wheeler rides with our new four wheeler’s, walking at Creamer's Field for something fun to do before school started, and also hiking around birch hill with new friends from church. Melanie and Nicole said the hike went so much better with my big kids as carriers and leaders for the pack of younger kids.

 The countryside really is beautiful, the trees and forests— thankfully the mosquitos were not as horrible as I had thought they would be- at least this year they weren’t. It is always a little tricky to find friends, and I have to say that everyone from church and the neighborhood has been so friendly. I was put into phone number groups and online contacts right away, which makes it easier to get involved. It can sometimes be awkward to invite yourself along, or reach out for playdates at the park, but I've tried to push past that uncomfortable stage and just go for it! I find that it can really be the difference between feeling sad leaving  where your were (your friends and such) and being more comfortable in your new place. 

Walk around Creamers Field. The paths around this field and forest are flat and easy, on this day it was a little warm so we were hunting for the shady paths to walk along. The kids were mostly in good spirits, but there was some weeping and wailing from a few (Cael wanted to stay in the car, Brielle was too hot, etc). And don't ask me why I can't get them all to pose nicely for a "normal" sibling photo-- it just never works!

Birch Hill trail- We were sitting in the hotel, which hadn't been horrible, but we were getting pretty tired of the same breakfast every morning and the feeling of being right on top of one another-- when I looked saw an open invitation to join some ladies on a hike. I was pretty sure I had met them before (or maybe not) at church that Sunday-- it's tricky to keep track of who you have met or not- but regardless... I quickly sent a message that I would like to join and got the location and details. I had to pry the kids away from the cable television and endless cartoons (not always a bad thing) and we loaded up in the car. There was a little wait at the meeting point and the boys joked around that I had been tricked "are you sure there are people coming?" Hahaha.... And they did show up and it was really fun to walk in the forest and get some fresh air. The brightly colored mushrooms were so fun to look at- different shapes and sizes of natural decomposers!

So here are some of the first adventures of living in Fairbanks... there will be more to come!

MARCH- Hiking, visitors, and springtime fun!

A few of the happenings from this last month:
CONNOR- March 16
Connor's class had a poetry jam with snacks after to enjoy. It is fun that we have family in town to support these school activities. Here is his poem:
PEACE
Peace is good to do
Martin Luther said to.
I like to be good.
by Connor

HIKING- March 19
While Ben's uncle Lee, Eugene, and my parents are all in town we went on a hike to the Waimano Tunnels. In hindsight this probably wasn't the best hike to take uncle Lee on. At the start of the trail he lost his footing and fell backwards into some bushes. I had Cannon on my back and tried to help him up, but couldn't really get him back up by myself. He cut his ear a bit, and I think we were all shaken up from the fall. We ended up walking farther up the trail, but I took the kids a little farther up while Eugene, Lee, and Cael got a head start going back to the vehicles. Cael took them down on the lower loop, which is steep going down and hard to climb back out of. I would not have taken them that way.. but Cael pushed uncle Lee up the hill when he needed help and we all got out of there alive.

March 21-We also went to Bellows to camp out and uncle Lee about got swept away in the ocean. The waves were fierce that evening- which was fun for the boys to boogie board, but still a little more rough than I like to play in. Lee went walking down into the water, but a big wave took his feet from under him. The waves kept beating down on him- I was actually fearful when Lee was under the water for so long. Luckily, Eugene went out and helped him up... and I got my pants wet when I went over to help him out too. He decided to sit on the shore the rest of the time, which I was glad about. It was scary!

March 22- The next day we hiked up to Pu'u Ma Ele Ele or Digging Hill. The view at the end is gorgeous of the Kaneohe Bay. It is always a great time taking the kids on trails that they have been on before. They complain just the same, but they know when the end is near and it is practically a race out when it is time to leave.

BEN's BIRTHDAY BASH- March 20
We had a little party with the family for Ben's birthday- surfing up at Ali'i Beach park and fruit pizza at home. Nothing too fancy, but a typical Platt Party at home.

WAIMANO WATERFALL (Cardiac Hill)- March 23
I had never been on this trail, but after going through my trusty hiking book, I wanted to cross it off of my list. There is a ridge trail that connects to the waterfall hike, so we decided to go on both of them. The Manana Ridge trail was pretty easy at first, and at the point where we turned around I was starting to feel nervous about one of the kids sliding off the steep ravine. The trail that heads down to the waterfall had a very steep decline with tree roots as the "stairs". There are some ropes and  parts that you really have to be careful with your footing, but we were all able to make it down to the river and double waterfall. Cael and Brecon joined with the adventurous group and climbed across a rope to drop into the pool of water below. It was nice to rest before making the strenuous climb out of there.
My favorite memory was going out for a treat after that hard hike. We took everyone to the Snow Factory, but remember, we have just been tromping through mud and dirt, swimming, and climbing out of the mountains- so we are not in the most clean condition. After placing our order and slurping up the delicious and cool treat, we looked around at the mess we had made. Not only was the table dirty, but the seats and floor had dirty mud tracks everywhere we had been!