Here we are hiking with the YSA kids at Turnagain Arm, just south of Anchorage and at Kincaid Park, Anchorage.  The hikes are getting harder each week.  We don't know how much longer we'll be able to keep up with these kids!

Here is Curt in our kitchen with a beautiful piece of Copper River Salmon.  Now is their prime season, and the locals say they are the best tasting of all.  We enjoyed this very Alaskan treat!

Tuesday nights are "Hike Nights" for the LDS "Young Single Adults" in Anchorage.  Last Tuesday we went with this group to hike a section of the Turnagain Arm Trail around Potter Marsh just about 15 minutes south of the city.  They are delightful kids:  capable, clean and fun.  It was a beautiful evening, and we completed the six-mile hike about 10:00 pm (still in full light).  We had spectacular views of the mountains and water; along the way we saw a moose and a black bear!

The "ALASKA GROWN" logo is ubiquitous here.  It originated as a trademark for genuine Alaska produce, but now it is printed on everything.  We have been living in Alaska for only a month, so I don't really qualify, but I got an "Alaska Grown" apron anyway, so I could fit in with these Anchorage Institute girls.

Saturday night we had the annual summer kick-off BBQ and dance at the Institute.  Elder Hawkins grilled the hamburgers and hotdogs.  We had a great turnout, especially among our Polynesian kids.  We have been surprised to discover the large population of Church members here from the South Pacific.  There are three Samoan wards and a Tongan ward in our stake.  We're hoping we can get as good a turnout for the summer Institute classes which start this week.

Yesterday Elder Hawkins and I finished our library project at the Institute.  I sorted the books, arranged them on the shelves in categories, and made shelf markers.  He typed a catalog of the titles, authors, etc. for all 685 items!  We hope the students will be drawn here, my favorite room in our beautiful little Institute building.  We feel cozy and close as we teach small classes and share Gospel insights around this table.

We took this photo from the sixth floor of the Wells Fargo building in Anchorage.  There are splendid views of our mountains from all over the Anchorage basin. The total population of Alaska is only about 720,000; most live in this basin.

We had an interesting experience the other day at the "Alaska Fur Exchange."  Here is Curt wearing one of their creations, priced at about $600.  We saw pelts from seals, foxes, wolves, mink, otters, bear, lynx, etc.  It was not a place for PETA people.  There were also creations made from shark teeth, bear claws, mammoth bones, walrus ivory, whale bones, caribou antlers, and whale baleen.  Uniquely Alaskan!

2 May 2012:  Last night at the Institute building we had a pizza/root beer float party before our Old Testament class to celebrate the end of the semester.  We'll have another party in a couple of weeks to celebrate the start of the summer semester.  Our beautiful little Institute building is cozy and inviting.  We try to have good-smelling things baking in the oven whenever the kids are around to add to the ambiance. 

2 May 2012:  This photo was taken just about 5 minutes from our apartment near the "Smoke Jumper" trail in the "Campbell Tract"  in Anchorage.  The city is laid out around large  undeveloped areas like this with miles and miles of walking/running/biking trails.  You can see we still have big mounds of snow, but they are melting fast.  The city is very quickly and efficiently sweeping itself clean of the winter grit, and preparing for SPRING!  This photo gives you a glimpse of the mountain GLORY that borders Anchorage on the east.