A Different Memorial Day

The Bear Jumped Over the Guard Rail

A Caribou Meadow

Ralf, Tracey, & Max

Kerrie & Levon

The Bunker Family Reunion and Memorial Day Picnic

Monday, May 30

The gifts continued as we said our goodbyes to the Australians and headed back to Butch's. We were not far down the road before we saw a huge black bear beside the road. He jumped over the guard rail and scampered into the woods. Right after that, we saw a moose and then a caribou. I can never get enough. What a thrill.

We stopped at a meadow at mile 195 to search for caribou shed. Eric, the state policeman we met watching the bear, told us where to look. Unfortunately, we didn't find any and I was constantly, nervously, watching for bear.

It was a clear, sunny day and the ride back was beautiful. We got back to Butch's and went next door to visit Ralf, Tracey and their 5 month old little boy, Max. Ralf runs a bike shop in his downstairs. He was once Butch's son in law and they have remained close. He was the one responsible for helping Butch plan his biking trip across the country last summer. We had a very nice visit with them and it is interesting to see different ways people make a good life up here.

Then I rode with Butch and Kyle rode with Bob and we headed south for the Bunker Family Picnic and Memorial Day Celebration in Willow.

We met up with Butch's daughter, Kerrie and her son Levon. Her husband, Eric, had to work, so we still haven't met him. It was great to be able to catch up with Kerrie even though it was a busy family picnic.

Many of the Bunkers had their roots in Michigan and we found many connections. Those of you who might be old Clarklakers would know they are relatives of George and Alice Bunker and of Spike and Betty Reynolds. One lady I met, would have graduated with me at Michigan Center if she hadn't moved to Alaska in the 9th grade. She had been best friends with Nanette Redmond.

Anyway, they insisted we stay and eat and it was a great time on the shores of a beautiful lake. It made it seem more like Memorial Day.

From the picnic, we headed out for Anchorage. We ended up in a rough part of town at the Golden Nugget RV Park. There were some scary characters walking around and some unfriendly Native Americans having a picnic in the playground. We tried to make the best of it as it was clean and we caught up laundry and headed out to explore the downtown.

We went to dinner at the Glacier Brewhouse on Kerrie's recommendation. We had salad and chowder and it was delicious. The atmosphere was fun and it was exactly what we needed. We poked through some shops and drove along the harbor.

We got back and tucked in for the night. Our neighbor idled his deisel truck for long in the night and again in the early morning. We sure didn't feel the safest, but we finally slept. We would pick out in the deep woods any time. Maybe bears aren't so bad.