Ethiopia- day 6

Well, I've learned one thing- I can't access my blog through the server here in the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa. I am connected via my brother's server in Colorado! crazy!! Well, in a nut shell, things are GREAT! The kids are fantastic and though it took them a few days to relax (understandably) they seem to fit right into the greoup and feel like they belong in the family. Ethiopia is obviously a culture shock, and I feel like I'm in a National Geographic documentary. The streets are filled with an amazing mix of old and new- cell phones, and SUV's, sheep, and garbage, glass multistory buiildings, and small tin huts selling the daily meat. I will have plenty of pictures to share when I return- but I may not have a change to write again.


hope all is well with you-
akest Carrie (aunt Carrie )

Africa. . . here I come!

Well, in 24 hours I will be on a plane headed toward the African continent (okay, maybe not right away. . . there are a couple (4) stops in between :). With all of the talking, planning and anticipation for the journey, it seems hard to believe it's here, and I'm really going! I have to admit that I've got that excited/nervous feeling in my stomach, and though I am eager for the trip, the unknown and the anticipation of things beyond the scope of my imagination is keeping my mind busy and unable to sleep tonight.

I hope to post a few notes while traveling to share the experience- so hopefully, the next time you read this, I will be in Ethiopia soaking up the culture and the enjoying the new members of our family! :)

Here's to safe travels. . .

My very own kayak!

My parents brought up a kayak from my dear neighbor Frank in Colorado. I could hardly wait to try it out, and my parents were the lucky subjects of my eager-beaver behavior. I drug them out to do a short float down the Chena river through town today, and despite the intermitten down pours we were subjected to, my parents were good sports and the short float was enjoyed by all!


My very own!! I'm so excited!! Can you tell by the smile on my face?!?! :) :)


The overpasses came at opportune times to duck out of the rain.


Dad, leaving all the work for mom to do!

Always An Adventure

Well, I've joined the crowd. A place to keep people up to date on my doings, because I've finally accepted that I am a TERRIBLE long distance friend. I think of all of you often, though time and other activities seem to keep me from staying in contact.

This summer has been a great one thus far. . . here is a quick run down of activities and some pictures to illustrate the fun!


- I bought a bike for my transportation (I can hear you laughing Josh :) and I've managed to get over 450 miles on my body/bike
thus far (that's what happens when you live 10 miles outside of town and go in nearly every day for one thing, or another)


- Took a 5 day trip to Valdez with my friend Colleen for a kayaking tip in Shoup Bay. That was a glorious trip with sunshine, wildlife and great paddling.




- Camping trip at Quartz Lake (Tangle Lakes, the original destination was canceled due to flooded roads between there and FAI) with friends, Signe and Melinda. A very relaxing trip with paddling and good company, and more sunshine!!



- I've gotten vaccinated for anything and everything you can imagine for the trip to Africa (Ethiopia)

- I am currently visiting with my folks who are here from Colorado (they drove up pulling a 5th wheel camper, and to add to the excitement, their truck was stolen in Edmonton- Josh, don't hurt yourself laughing too hard :). . . but everything has worked out, and they were up here only 10 days later than planned! They even brought up my very own kayak thanks to my good neighbor back in Colorado- I can't wait to get out on the water with it!! Hopefully I'll get out a couple of times before I leave for Africa. My nephew Onan wanted to test out the kayak too :)



- The big bummer is the bike trip adventure I was planning. Andrea (a friend from Unalakleet) and I were suppose to bike up the Dalton Hwy to Prudhoe Bay. Five people, 350 miles and a spring of planning mixed with uncontrolable events caused it to morph into something very different. First a change of dates, then a change of distance, then our numbers dropped from 5 people to 3, and then another change of dates caused the 300 mile adventure to become close to impossible with only 5 days for the adventure. At the last discussion it was decided that a trip to Cordova to bike the Million Dollar Highway might be a better choice for the limited time. After the many, many changes I decided that cramming a 2 day trip (and all of the travel to Valdez and then Cordova) may not be the best use of time when I had family here that I had only seen for 4 days instead of the expected 3 weeks. Bummed and a little disapointed after a spring of planning and preparations, I have vowed to do the long ride to Prudhoe next summer. As Deb reminded me, family is important and trips like this can be done any year . . . so next year it is!

- Africa travel will begin July 9th and has me going from Fairbanks, to Seattle, then Denver, San Fransico, Washington DC, Rome and then finally Addis Ababa. I haven't added up the hours of travel yet, but I will let you know. . . it might be insane :) I don't want to syke myself out yet :) I will try to get an update and some pictures posted while traveling. I'm so excited to be going with my brother and his wife to pick up thier new kids. . . it's so special, exciting and a trip of a life time. Please feel free to visit Kristi's and Troy's webpage for other updates and info on the adoption process and our travels abroad (www.tandk.us)

Well, I guess that brings me up to speed in a nut shell. . . always more to do, and get done. . .