A conversation we had with some customers at our register today: Husband: “Good thing we’re throwing out our underwear so that we can pack this in our suitcase”Wife: “Yes, we packed all of our old underwear and socks on our trip, so after we wear them, we’re just throwing them out! They’re disposables!” Now, it’s one thing to do that…and another thing to TELL people you’re doing...

makes you lose faith in people. Seriously, I think it’s created a bit of a cynic out of me. For example, when a lady today brought up a children’s hat without a tag and asked for the lower price of some of the other hats on the rack, I immediately doubted her honestly. I went and grabbed a matching hat priced at $3 more, and explained to her that was the price. Sure, perhaps she might have just picked up the hat and brought it...

Amidst the craziness of this summer, I have acquired 3 new kitchen tools that I wonder how I ever lived without? It all began when I found this nifty tool at the hardware store (yes, that is the 2nd most valuable store in small-town Alaska…after the grocery store). An avocado slicer! I managed to get 6 edible avacados ordered in from Costco (well, not edible to me–but Maiya loved them). It really slices avacados this perfectly!...

The whole truth, and nothing but the truth… So, we’ve decided to close our doors because it has proven to not be financially viable, particularly in the upcoming downturn of Alaska Cruise tourism that is headed our way next year (and perhaps beyond). In addition, it is a ton of work for little or no (financial) reward. Granted, it has had it’s reward…we have obtained amazing on-the-job business training and...

Permanently. Yup, you read that right. Enough is enough…and we are closing our business’ doors at the end of the season, perhaps never to return to Alaska. Whew. Now on to the task of selling off our lives here….

Jared’s parents, and Aunt & Uncle Pat & Mike (wonderful family who live in Germany!) came to visit last month! They drove up from Washington State…the grueling 3 days-each-way drive…and they survived! We had fun showing them around Whitehorse, Dyea, and Skagway. We were able to enjoy some fun whale watching (see bottom left hand photo). I couldn’t get a good photo of the whales spouting, but I got...