2010 Midnight Sun Run

As you sit in your little corner of the world, Alaskans are celebrating a very special time of the year. The Summer Solstice. Since winter is long and dark, we enjoy the longest day of the year. The sun rises at 2:57 a.m. and sets at 12:47 a.m. That is almost 22 hours of daylight!!!

With all this sun comes lots of fun. We grow some of the biggest vegetables in the world. We can watch a baseball at midnight. We even run races at midnight!

This is exactly what Mike and I did. We entered the Midnight Sun Run 10k race. We didn't exactly run the race. We more walked and/or jogged the 6.25 miles. Here are some pictures of our fun!

Kristie poses at mile 6
(even though she's smiling, her feet hurt).

Kristie and Mike cross the finish line at 11:41 p.m.

Kristie poses with Alaska Governor, Sean Parnell, after the race.

Mike's parents, Bob and Linda, cross the finish line at 12:24 a.m.

Memorial Day in Denali

Mike and I spent a four day weekend with our neighbors, and friends, camping at Denali National Park. Here are the pictures of our fun!

At this point in the camp out, our camp site is very neat.

Dave and Mandy brought this nice food tent.

This was sign was next to our campsite. Yikes!

Mike and Kristie relax at their tent.

Kristie enjoys some fresh, cold water.

Mike and Dave finish unpacking Dave's truck.

Dave starts our first camp fire!

Here are the results!

On Saturday morning, Mike and I awoke

to this 3 week old baby moose.

Compared to its mother, this baby is tiny!

The baby looks for its mother.

Mother and baby wandered through our camp.

Mother Moose is very protective of her baby.

They passed right in front of our cars.

On Day 2, Mike and I rented bikes to ride into the park.

Kristie rides down the hill. (She pushed it up)

Kristie coasts down while holding on for dear life!

Kristie's thinking, "If I make it back down the hill,

I'll never get on another bike. Ever!"

Kristie takes a breather.

Mike enjoys the bike ride!

Dave pedals up hill with ease.

On Day 3, we hiked down to Horseshoe Lake and the River.

Dave and Mandy were great sports on this hike!

We found these bones while on our hike.

When we got down to Horseshoe Lake, the "men" quickly fell asleep!

Mike is completely wiped out from the 0.8 mile hike DOWN the hill.

Dave decides to take a quick nap, as well!

Mike at the river.

The view from the river near our campsite.

Another view

We encountered these flowers while out hiking:

A beard update from Mike (see the progress?)

AC is in Heaven

It is a sad day in the Calvin house. Our beloved AC went to be with Jesus in Heaven yesterday morning. He spent a wonderful 13 years with Mike and me. He was an incredible kitty and great companion. We will miss him so much. Thank you for your prayers during this time.

A New Pair of Shoes

On Saturday, Mike and I went out shopping at a few garage sales. One of my best buys was this pair of Lobben's. For those of you unfamiliar with Lobben's, these boots are made in Norway. They are constructed of boiled wool. Apparently, these are some of the warmest boots you can wear in 50 below zero weather. Many people with whom I work wear these all winter long. They retail for $135 at local outfitters. This pair was being sold by a lady who had bought them only to find out they were too small. They had never been worn. I was able to get them for $10! What a buy!!!!