Sun 'till midnight and snow 'till June

Anchorage from Blueberry Hill at 9:48 PM

The blueberry bushes

After a slow Friday morning and a casual day in town, the family (i.e. Stuart, Lyn, Katherine and I) joined together for a dinner of toast, eggs and homemade jam followed by a late night hike. Several other people hiked in Chugach State Park that night too, many going as far as the peak of Flattop, but we only went to the summit of Blueberry Hill. Yes, you heard me correctly, B l u e b e r r y Hill. I couldn't believe my ears the first time I heard that either. Mid-August, just before I leave, the hillside will be covered in blueberry bushes ripe for the picking. I will spend the last week in Alaska sitting in the foothills of the Chugach mountains, singing and eating blueberries, moving only when I have picked every juicy berry within my reach. For now, I content myself with a family hike along the trail, quietly planning my attack on the hillside.

Sometimes I forget how much I love being out and walking among the wild things, a pleasure especially satisfactory when barefoot or wearing boots. Since we were hiking, I wore my hiking boots. My feet and I enjoyed every step of the way. Mud, dust, shale and snow smiled invitingly rather than deterring us, and we could not refuse their invitations.

These geraniums almost reach my chin.

Yesterday, the women of the house ran many errands, my favorite one being our trip to Bells' Nursery. Behind Bell's gift shop stood a happy gathering of patient greenhouses. The warmth of the bright sunshine, the glowing colors, the sweet smells, the soft sounds and the beauty that touched every one of my senses was breathtaking. My soul was captivated.

At the direction of Lyn, Katherine and I ate a couple of the yellow blossoms shown bellow in the left side of the picture. First, they tasted plainly of lettuce. Once the lettuce taste left, a sweet, fresh tangy flavor developed. After 11 chews, a heavy, unwelcome pepper flavor suddenly exploded within the confines of my mouth.

Today, Katherine, Lyn and I spent our afternoon at the Sunday Market. Our new friend Eric performed another magic show (he is incredible and won the World's Best Teen Magician title in Los Angeles this year). When his friend began playing his electric guitar, I was stunned and immoveable for several minutes. Those who posses great talent, especially in one of the arts like music or dancing, have a power to move people in a way that nothing else can. It stirs that part of you that God rests in.