We started our new work week the day after our day with Trace & Lee.  We had so many activities during our week off, including working a couple of days to help out (we’re just nice that way!), that we started the week pretty tired, which is never good!

Saturday after work, we headed to Seward for happy hour with Steven & Linda and some RVillagers.  We had a very nice evening meeting some new friends and enjoying a delish dinner of sausage, beans and rice.

Monday, Jim & Barb arrived at Renfros!  They “met” them originally on the RV Dreams forum, then in person for the first time at the RV Dreams Boondocking Rally in Feb 2015.  They are full-timers and have a Cardinal 5th wheel, but for this trip – they decided to put their 5er in storage and bought a truck camper.  A lot of people have doubts about bringing their big rigs up here to AK, but for Jim & Barb, it was more about being able to travel differently.  They like to get off the usual paths and explore down gravel roads, looking for the perfect place to fish.  Their decision has paid off well for them, as they have eating fresh caught fish since way back in Canada!  They are avid outdoorsman, so this is the perfect place for them!

Since Linda, Steven & Zac would also be joining us for dinner, I asked Gary would he mind if we are at the lodge and he graciously said that would be fine.   Jim & Barb cooked up some of their freshly caught halibut and salmon, I made a salad and Linda made some of Bills fav, Brussel sprouts!  It was an awesome meal, one we will not soon forget!  I didn’t even notice the lack of a sweet treat until 2 days later!  Oh well.  It was great to all be together and share our full-time and AK stories!  Thanks Jim & Barb for one of the best fish meals ever!  Knowing you caught it made it even more special!

Wednesday evening, after work, Barb and I had made plans to visit Seavey Ididaride, to see Iditarod dogs!  Neither Bill, nor Jim was really interested, so it was Ladies Night Out!  We learned all about the dogs, who looked nothing like I expected.  They aren’t the beautiful Husky dogs you see on TV.  Our guide, Sara, gave us a lot of info on how these dogs are not pets, but working dogs.  They do not have AKC papers, in fact she really disapproves of AKC practices b/c it promotes inbreeding and therefore exacerbates the issues each breed has, for example, German Shepherds have bad hips – dogs aren’t supposed to have hips shaped like that.  Anyway, these dogs are bred for running and have pedigrees.  We got a tour of the facility and got a ride on the dogs summer training wagon.  When we returned from the ride, we got to pet puppies that were only a week old!  So cute!  We also got to see the actual equipment used for the Ididarod race, which starts “officially” near Wasilla and ends in Nome.  It used to take 21 days to complete and now only takes 8 days.  Sara said it is b/c the dogs are faster and have better endurance.

Thanks again, Barb, for inviting me!  Had a great time!

Both Thursday and Friday were LONG work days.  We kept motivated by looking forward to our time off, as we are headed to Denali to see the BIG mountain!  Keep your fingers crossed that we become members of the 30% club!