On Saturday, Steve & I decided to take a drive to Chena Hot Springs Resort - about 60 miles away. We stopped along the way to hike a little bit near the Tors Rocks and explore the campgrounds and river accesses along the way. It was a beautiful, sunny and very warm day - absolutely perfect for taking in the sights.

When we got to the resort, there was a "Renewable Energy Fair" going on with free food and handouts and seminars, etc. Instead of free hotdogs and chili, we opted to pay for lunch and eat at the restaurant. We did a lap through the tents and display booths, before heading off on a 3 mile hike around the resort and down the nature trail. We ended up about a mile from the resort, on the highway, and had to walk back - but it was great exercise and such a gorgeous day! I took quite a few photos along the way - mostly of the gorgeous Fly Agaric mushrooms (Amanita muscaria). They remind me of Alice in Wonderland with their bright orange coloring.

We didn't start home until 5:30pm. We saw one moose (no photos), and she was standing in the slough grazing on the grass growing near the edge. We were worn out. It was hot out there - about 80F with brilliant sunshine. Another benefit to the Pineapple Express that came through this way last week.

And now for the news: Steve started work on Monday! He's working at Fort Knox Gold Mine (26 miles north of Fairbanks), as a security officer. They interviewed him several weeks ago, and really liked what he had to offer in the way of experience and knowledge. The position offers a good salary and excellent benefits. Two of the negatives are shift work and 10-12 hour days, but the positives are overtime pay and a week off every month. But the biggest positive of all is that Steve is back to work and in a routine, and feeling really good about it. I'm so happy for him!

Looking back at the past several months, we are both thankful for the time he was able to be home while he made the mental and physical transition from army life to civilian life. We were lucky to have 4 1/2 months of downtime. Over these past months, Steve and I traveled the state, took day trips, explored new areas, slept in if we wanted, followed no schedule, and took life one day at a time. Steve was able to stop shaving everyday, and realized how much he missed having a goatee (which he's allowed to keep at this job). He was also able to have the surgery and other medical treatments he needed, but never had time to address when he was still active duty. I think every soldier should take a long period of downtime before moving into their 'next life'. I'm glad we were able to do it.

On Monday, I spent the day with my friend Hannah. She took the day off to get her girls off to school on the first day. I picked her up at 9am and we went to Dalmans Family Restaurant here in North Pole. It was my first time eating there, and breakfast was pretty good. I'll have to take Steve back sometime.

After breakfast, we did a short drive in North Pole, and she showed me where the library is (good to know for when winter hits and I get into my reading mode). Then it was off to Chena Lakes Recreation Area to walk.

We drove down to the dam first, and came across a moose 'sculpture' that was obviously made of burl wood, but covered in tin foil. I don't know if the tin foil was meant to be, or if someone did it as a joke, but the moose antlers also had bells hanging off them and he was wearing a patriotic hat. Of course I had to get a photo.

We walked the 4.5km ski trail that starts near the river view campground area. It was a nice morning - not too hot, not too cold - and it felt great to be outside and getting some exercise. Conversation was ongoing too, which is always a plus - even though I sometimes get out of breath.

After our walk, we went back to Hannah's house to chat some more about Alaska, fishing, kids, military life (her husband retired a couple of years ago), civilian life, and more. I didn't leave until it was time for her to go get her daughter at school. I really enjoyed spending time with her and hope we can do it again soon. (Thanks for spending the day with me, Hannah!)

Yesterday, while Steve was at work, I gave the house the deep cleaning it needed. Truth be told, it was really nice to have the house to myself; I could blast the music and get into cleaning mode. Not only was everything spic n' span by the time Steve got home, but I had dinner ready too. I think he really liked the "husband goes to work, wife plays the happy homemaker" scenario. Maybe a little too much!

When I finished my chores, I took Sedona out for a walk in the woods near our house. I snapped a few photos using my macro filters to get closer than I usually do, in addition to 'regular' photos.

Sunflower *almost* bloom	Sunflower bloom-to-be	Prickly Rose - very late bloom!	Amanita Muscaria
	False Turkeytail Fungus	Leaf Miner damage	Birch leaf in spruce
Fall colors	Dwarf Dogwood Berries	The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~

My friend Carmen emailed me last night to let me know she saw the Northern Lights in the sky. Of course, I was sleeping. This morning I was up at 3am (insomnia) and glanced out the sliding glass doors. The sky was a deep gray (not yet pitch black) and I could see stars twinkling in the sky. It was my first time seeing stars in months. I admit I was quite thrilled to see them.

Typically, I've had my first aurora sightings in mid-September. However, the Aurora Forecast website says that next week (Tuesday - Friday) will be active for the lights. I might just have to stay up a couple of nights and hope for a sighting. I'm not sure if the skies are dark enough yet, so I don't know if they'll be that visible.