Thursday, July 9, 2009

My Mom is here!



This is my mom. Although she thinks most of the things we do here are crazy, I'd like to think I get some of my adventurous spirit from her.

The first time my mom came to Alaska to visit was four years ago. Brian and I had just moved here a few months before and then I proceeded to break my leg a month later. I was on crutches for her entire trip.

But she let me drop her off in the mountains and went hiking by herself while Brian and I went to work. She climbed Flattop and then later I heard her calling her friends saying, "You should see the mountain I just climbed!" We don't have mountains in Pennsylvania, so this was a big deal.



Later that week she caught the biggest Halibut I have ever seen. It was at least 100 pounds. It took up the entire floor of the boat we were on. We were eating it for two years after she left and she took half of it home. I think there still might be some pieces left hidden in the back of our freezer somewhere.

She came back up to visit with my sister two years later. By that time Alaska was old hat to her. She was cheering my sister up Flattop when Angie just wanted to sit down and take in the view.



And now, four years after her first visit, she is in Alaska again, which will make her our most visiting visitor of all time. I remember when I told her I was moving to Alaska she said, "What do you want to live all the way up there for?"

But judging by the number of trips she has taken here, I think it's safe to say she likes it.

Oh, and I definitely get my fashion sense from her...

5 comments:

Tim said...

I hope we get to meet Mama Perilla in Valdez.

Julie's Mom said...

Julie
I am flabbergasted that you featured me on your blog and am truly flattered by your comments. It's true I was "smitten" by that first hike to
Flattop!!! One of my friends called it "God's country". I wish everyone I know could experience it. I have never seen mountains like that before, except maybe in the Alps!!! Even though it was my 3rd climb to Flattop this year I was still in awe of the landscape, despite the haze caused by the forest fires burning when we were there. this year we added a camping trip to Calisto Cove at Miller's Landing in the Sound. I am ready to Kayak on my next trip! I will continue to visit in order to see my daughter, of course, and also for the glorious scenery!!! I must admit, I feel guilty about not keeping up with the blog, but sometimes it gets scary for a mom to read about he risky activities; scarier than climbing the mountains there! BTW Julie you have become a great story teller and I agree you have inherited the gene of determination that runs in our family!!! Trek on with my blessing, be careful!!! Love, your
Mom
PS If you are thinking of coming to AK, GET IN SHAPE!! It's no place for the WEAK!!

Julie's Mom said...

Julie
I am flabbergasted that you featured me on your blog and truly flattered by your comments. It's true I was "smitten" by that first hike to
Flattop!!! One of my friends called it "God's country". I wish everyone I know could experience it. I have never seen mountains like that before, except maybe in the Alps!!! Even though it was my 3rd climb to Flattop this year I was still in awe of the landscape, despite the haze caused by the forest fires burning when we were there. I will continue to visit to see my daughter, of course, and for the glorious scenery!!! I must admit, I feel guilty about not keeping up with the blog, but sometimes it gets scary for a mom; scarier than climbing the mountains there! BTW Julie you have become a great story teller and I agree you have inherited the gene of determination that runs in our family!!! Trek on with my blessing!!! Love, your Mom

Julie's Mom said...

Julie
I am flabbergasted that you featured me on your blog and truly flattered by your comments. It's true I was "smitten" by that first hike to
Flattop!!! One of my friends called it "God's country". I wish everyone I know could experience it. I have never seen mountains like that before, except maybe in the Alps!!! Even though it was my 3rd climb to Flattop this year I was still in awe of the landscape, despite the haze caused by the forest fires burning when we were there. I will continue to visit to see my daughter, of course, and for the glorious scenery!!! I must admit, I feel guilty about not keeping up with the blog, but sometimes it gets scary for a mom; scarier than climbing the mountains there! BTW Julie you have become a great story teller and I agree you have inherited the gene of determination that runs in our family!!! Trek on with my blessing!!! Love, your Mom

Julie's Mom said...

Sorry about all of the posts of almost the same comment. As you can see, I don't have my daughter's computer prowess!!
Proud to be Julie's MOM!!