Over the
last 31 years together, we have developed an extended family in Fairbanks; it
is delightful to come together with many generations around the table at the holidays.
We are part of a big circle. And we are
always delighted when MELT are together – wherever we are. We were together
many places this past year.
Last
Christmas we celebrated the holiday with Tyler and Michael on the shore of
Tomales Bay CA, enjoying sunshine, sounds and smells of the sea, and family
spirit; then we went off to Yosemite for some warm-winter hiking. New Year’s
Eve found us in Bellingham and Tacoma with friends and Larry’s sister Janet and
her husband Larry. Six months later we were all together again to celebrate
Michael’s graduation from Oregon State University. In July E & L joined
family to commemorate Janet and Larry’s 50th wedding anniversary,
then snuck off for a few days alone in Victoria, BC. We squeezed in a few
Alaska adventures this summer. We spent a day fishing for halibut outside of
Seward. Along the way, we had a narrow miss with a mama moose and her new calf
in the woods near Hatcher Pass. We love weekend trips to day-hike in Denali
National Park and raft the Nenana River, the only white water within hours of
Fairbanks.
Tyler joined
us and a few friends on a 4-day raft and kayak trip on Alaska’s Tazlina River
in August; we had a great time appreciating campfire camaraderie, solitude and
autumn beauty along the river. Tyler is currently taking advantage of the
mobility of a web-programmer, being able to run projects and servers from any
network connection in the world. After spending a couple of years settled in
Oakland he hit the road this fall and has traveled between Fairbanks, Portland
and St Louis, carrying his office in his backpack.
Tyler and
Michael enjoyed 2 weeks of Alaska in July; Elizabeth had a great time with them
but Larry was in the field! Michael then tacked on a wilderness adventure on
the Tatshenshini River. In August, Michael began work with Glosten Associates [a
naval architecture firm] in Seattle. He and doggie Max found a home with a yard
and nice human and canine roommates. Michael continues to kayak often with his girlfriend
Anna and Corvallis friends, and is broadening his circle to include local
Seattle boaters and rivers.
Elizabeth is
transitioning to a new grant project for her last 9 months of employment at the
University of Alaska Fairbanks, and is reducing her work schedule to part time
until retirement on September 1st. She is still involved in several
non-profit organizations, but is slowly removing herself from leadership roles.
She spent time with family and friends in the Lower 48 this spring and fall,
and is looking forward to more time for that.
Meanwhile
Larry managed to shed the yoke of ski patrol leadership, just as he was
promoted to Mineral Resources Section Chief in the Alaska geological survey. The
new position is both taxing and engaging, and requires a lot of travel,
schmoozing and public speaking. He still enjoys fieldwork on geologic mapping
projects; last summer he was in the Talkeetna Mountains with challenging
weather, rocks, and terrain. However, the call of the sea is strong… he will
probably follow Elizabeth’s retirement by a few months.
The search
for our next sailboat is picking up momentum. We have made first-pass
inspections on several boats, eliminating a few from Larry’s nautical-obsession
list. We are looking forward to returning to the cruising lifestyle upon
retirement. We are grateful for health, comfort, family and friends – we wish
the same for you and your family. With the coming Solstice and the renewal of
light we wish you, your friends, family and community all the best for the
coming year.
Submitted with love and fondness -- L & E
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