Wendell's First Day at Doggy Daycare

As we were preparing for our move to Fairbanks, I began expressing my concern about Wendell being by himself all day while we both worked. (Not knowing, but figuring I'd eventually get a job.) I suggested to Ray and Nic that we find a mush family to give him to. I strongly felt that we'd done our job--rescued him and returned him to his ideal environment. As I researched housing I kept coming across property after property that advertised, "No pets."

Ray wouldn't hear of giving Wendell up! In fact, as we'd been driving around looking for a house, we saw a couple of mush farms. They did not look inviting!! We both felt very sorry for the dogs (lots--50, maybe more?) as they were chained up. That wasn't what I had in mind. I thought we'd find a nice family with a few dogs. They'd get "exercised" every day and he'd have a great life. Still, I didn't let go and let God. I continued to fret.

Now for those of you that aren't familiar with Wendell's story--I'll bring you up to speed. In January 2006, while Nic was working at Mission Park South, he watched as this beautiful red & white Siberian Husky ran around the cemetery. It was a cold and rainy day (cold for SA). By the end of the day, Nic was very concerned that this beautiful dog had been out all day with no food or water and he was limping. He had no collar/no tag(s). So, he called me. The first thing he said was, "You'll never believe what's running around the cemetery. The dog of your dreams." He asked if he could bring him home. He tried to get him into his car and couldn't coax him in. I drove over, picked him up and called Ray on my way home telling him, "He's a gift from God." Ray groaned. As soon as we drove up, Ray opened the car door and announced, "We can keep him!" For weeks afterwards, I scoured the Express-News Lost and Found classifieds, watched Websites and never saw a posting for a Lost Husky. I named him after Oliver Wendell Holmes. The Supreme Court Justice. My high school alma mater. Our mascot is a Husky.

A few weeks ago, while I was up at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for a job interview, I overheard a conversation about the doggy daycare in town. Noah's Ark. When I was offered and accepted the position (Sr Administrative Assistant in the Administrative Office) I asked my new co-worker, Jodi, about the facility. She raved about it, telling me her Lab attends every Friday.
A couple of days later, Wendell and I went in for a visit. Turned out he needed a couple more immunizations that are required in AK. He then visited the "playground" and ran around with two of his new furry friends. He passed the screening process and today attended his first day at Muttesori!

We received a note, along with the posted pictures, from his teacher. It reads, "Mr. and Mrs. Torres, Wendell did great for his 1st day. He was very shy at first, but did start to warm up to some of the other dogs. He was a joy to have here! Enjoy your evening and hope you like the pics. Jen"

Jen is the wonderfully warm caregiver. I'm so grateful God brought us to Noah's Ark and Muttesori.
Enjoy Wendell's pictures!

(Take a good look -- like every good child by recess he'd already lost one of his snow booties.)

More news about our house hunting and my job to come...stay tuned.

Every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father. - James 1:17

We love you SNOW much!

R, Y and Wendell

Who Are Our Neighbors?

After dropping Ray off at the hospital this morning, Wendell and I took a drive through our neighborhood. As we searched for a home we'd gone in several directions but not southwesterly.

So about 5 blocks down and 5 streets over, here's what I discovered---Fairbank's Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, and the Food Bank. The sad reality is this...you don't have to live in a million+ city of folks to have the same needs. Poverty, violence, abuse, neglect, homelessness, and all that comes with a less-fortunate life, is everywhere! I'm just glad that Fairbanks has the ability and obviously interest to try to meet (some of) these needs for folks.

In the early morning light the lit cross caught my attention!

There are a couple of streets that look like a possible "Habitat" neighborhood.
Can you imagine building in this weather?! Voluntarily?! What dedication. There's even a "Women's Build." Check out the link.


In the past, Ray had successfully run a food drive at the VA hospital in San Antonio. When he sought permission to do it at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, we were glad to find out they already have one in place!


The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

We love and miss you all!

Y & R

What does Wendell Think about the Snow?

Up early today to take the Explorer in to get "winterized"--an engine block warmer, a transmission warmer and a battery warmer. For those of you not familiar with a winter climate, the vehicles look odd with these extension cord/plugs hanging out of them. We're also having an auto-start installed. You wouldn't catch this Texas gal going out to warm up a car an hour before having to leave for work!

They said it would snow again today. Wendell and I waited all day. It finally started about 4:30, just as a mist. By 5:30 you could definitely see the snowflakes!

Are We Ready for This?

Rumor had it--we might see snow this weekend. As I booked Nic's return trip to Texas, I joked with him that he'd miss the snow this weekend. We both agreed he'd probably see it while boarding the plane--which he tells me he did! No sooner had we seen Nic thru security and gotten back to the car and on the road when we noticed very small, light snow flurries! However, the show was quickly over. At the time I wondered if that qualified for the first snowfall recorded date.

Ray and I ventured out yesterday to have lunch at Gamberdella's. Our friend, Kathy Deaven Uriarte, went to high school here in Fairbanks with Lisa Gamberdella and so we knew eventually we'd try it out. It was one the restaurants Ray had printed info on before we knew about the Kathy-Lisa connection.

It was a cozy place, our waitress' name was (is) Erika. She's from Germany. Hmmm...what a Godincidence...today would have been Ray's mother's 70th birthday. For those of you who don't know, her name was Erika, too. She died in 2002 and it has happened that at significant times of the year (his birthday, her birthday, the anniversary of her death, etc.) Ray will cross paths with an Erika. So, he believes that's Erika's way of saying, "Hello."

Anyway, the real point of the story is that as we sat waiting for our food it began to "snow" again. This time the flurries were a bit bigger, but still nothing significant to write home about. Although, I did call Texas to let them know!

About midnight last night I noticed someone had spread salt...or whatever that "don't slip" stuff is...about the sidewalks around the apartment complex.

Well, I'm here to report that this weekend will now take the honors of the earliest recorded snowfall date for Fairbanks!! Here's what we awoke to...

View outside our front door.

View outside our back door.

Another backyard view.

Ray and Wendell decide to investigate.

Our car!

We're heading out this morning to worship at University Community Presbyterian. I, for one, will be giving thanks for indoor heating and thermals!! When we return, we'll be celebrating Erika's birthday by eating German Chocolate cake and watching the Cowboy/Redskins game!! How 'bout them Cowboys!!

Congratulations Rev Shannon Pappas who is being installed at FPC, San Mateo, this morning! We wish we could be there!! Praise God for Nic's safe return. Please keep our friend, Frank Lynn, (FPC, SA chef) in your prayers as he faces surgery tomorrow. And for the homeless and those less fortunate (especially here in Fbks) who don't have the luxury of heat, warm beds or clothing.

This is the day the LORD has made. Let's rejoice and be glad today! Psalm 118:24

Yvonne

Getting Settled

Fairbanks is a community of approximately 30,000 people. 80,000 if you include the entire North Star Borough. I'm grateful that God didn't call us to a big city as I'm feeling comfortable finding my way around here, just fine! Yep...I've gotten turned around, already.

We've met a couple of our neighbors. Greg lives to the right of us (different bldg). He & his wife, and their 6 yr old son, are leaving tomorrow morning. She's a travel RN. They have been coming to Fbks for the past 3 summers and are now heading back to southern CA...via Austin.

Marcia, who lives two apartments to the left of us, just relocated from Nome. She's a medical technologist. She's been in Nome for 14 years and has a home she's trying to sell there. Luckily, she works days and I've conveniently been able to pick up her wireless signal for our laptop.

I've shared with some the fact that the apartment is just as small as the city. I'm not so sure I'm grateful about that. Although, for free--we won't complain! Ray and I are making do in the space as we make our way around the kitchen as well as sharing a bathroom--something we haven't had to do in the 18 years our marriage.

Here are a few photos to show you around our humble abode.

Front door

Artic Entry

It's keeping Ray's 8 month supply of Big Red nice and cold.!

I'm not sure what this space is called...but it's come in really handy!

I think in most homes it's known as the foyer. You just hang what you need to grab on your way out--including Wendell's elusive leash.

The cozy kitchen in it's entirety! It is furnished nicely with a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, pots/pans and dishes. What it doesn't have is a dishwasher!! Thank God I have YEARS of experience.

Here's the living room. Considerately decorated in Cowboy colors! There's Nic in the corner working on getting our desktop computer hooked up to our own wireless router. The floor heater is all along the front of the living and dining rooms, thus eliminating one whole wall to work with. Same goes for both bedrooms.

The dining room that is presently serving as my unloading table. We have managed to have a couple of sit down dinners! Check out the 'pass thru'.

Here's the "laundry area" at the top of the 2nd floor landing. It's also home to Wendell's kennel.

One of the two bedrooms.

Our quaint bathroom!

Really--that's all of it!!

Oh, we do have a small deck out back. If we planned to be here thru the spring it would probably come in handy.

1623 22nd Ave, Apartment E

Fairbanks, AK 99701

Note...here's the phone number to the apartment: 907-374-8945

I passed the test and got my Alaska drivers license today!! It was a good day. Glory to God!! and Peace be with each of you.

yt

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

4,300 accident/incident free miles! Halleluia!! We arrived alive. Tired, weary, but happy to have finally arrived.

Ray did a GREAT job in getting us here and enjoying the trek. His prize was to FINALLY get to see a moose. In fact, several moose. But it didn't happen until we'd gotten thru the American checkpoint and into Alaska.

Let me share what happened before all the excitement in spotting the moose. Wendell was nice and cozily dreaming about the Alaskan snow...

But once the moose was spotted, he placed himself on alert! Just as he had done when we saw Bison along the way.

As we approached the border checkpoint, and I was reading the "traveling" section of THE MILEPOST [Note to self--do this BEFORE you get to the border!!] I informed Ray that he was only allowed to bring in 12 bottles of beer, 1.5 liters of wine, and 5 Cuban cigars. We were ok with the Cuban cigars because we didn't have any. The beer and wine was another story. Ray actually had brought his wine club bottles with him (probably 15/20) and had picked up 24 bottles of beer at Yellowstone. So, we hurriedly decided that the one who could drink 12 beers the quickest would be Wendell. We had purposefully not given him too much water as we didn't know what arrangements we could make to get him out of the vehicle to relieve himself.

He's definitely gotta have some German in him (like Ray). He had NO problem downing 12 bottles of beer. Check it out!!

Ok, so we NOW know it wasn't the brightest or best idea. But, it beat Ray being pulled over and getting a DUI!! If you're going to get upset with anyone, let it be Nic. It was totally his idea!! Now today, all Wendell is doing is laying around the apartment complaining about the bright light, noise and asking for pain relievers!!

The rest of the drive was pretty uneventful but beautiful, nonetheless. The first thing we saw were the Kluane Icefield Ranges. They are Canada's highest and the world's largest nonpolar alpine ice field.

In Haines Junction we stopped to see Our Lady of the Way Catholic Mission. It was built in 1954, using parts from an old Army Quonset left from Alaskan Highway construction days.

At the next town, Ray saw the World's largest gold pan (Burwash Landing). He wasn't impressed enough to stop and take a picture. (Nic & I again were napping and missed it!) We stopped in Beaver Creek for gas and a quick bite. 3 ham & cheese sandwiches and 3 sodas for $30!! Toto...we weren't in Kansas anymore...

Next up was the International boundary marker at the Alaska-Yukon border and the next stretch of driving was along the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge was established in 1980. The complex association of lakes, ponds, marshes, streams and rivers provide habitat for 143 nesting species and 47 migrants.

Beyond that were the towns of Northway (very small) and Tok. Tok (rhymes with poke) had it's beginnings as a road construction camp on the Alcan Highway, in 1942. It's believed the name was derived from Tokyo camp and was patriotically shortened to "Tok" after WWII. Because Tok is the major overland point of entry to Alaska, it's primarily a trade and service center for all types of transportation, especially for summer travelers. It's also known as the "dog sled capital of Alaska" because so many residents are involved with dog mushing. (Alaska's official state sport.)

At this point of the drive it was evening and too dark to take landscape photos. The last pic we took was at the Visitor Center in Delta Junction--95 miles outside of Fairbanks--and the official end of the Alaska Highway.

We got to the apartment about 10:30 PM. It's a two-story townhouse. 2 bedroom, 1 bath. We unloaded the UHaul this morning and the unpacking begins...

Stay tuned. YT

"Follow your dreams, be kind and always remember to enjoy every day of your life."

Douglas Richard Twiss II (Dec. 13, 1982-June 3, 2005)

Destruction Bay, Yukon Territories, Canada

The story posted about Wendell is just a joke! As I took the photos of him--it was as if he was mugging for the camera--Nic & I cooked up the story to post. Peace to all. YT

On the Road Again...

Today, Wednesday (Sept 17, my brother Ben's 49th birthday!) is our fourth day traveling in Canada. Just to recap...we crossed the border into Alberta, and have now traveled thru British Columbia and today Yukon Territory.


Now, I've been to a few countries--Germany, France, Dominican Republic, even Russia--and I can tell you that these Canadians aren't the warmest, friendliest bunch I've come across. Do you suppose it could be the lack of sunshine?!



We've made it to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory this evening. After having dinner at the Wolf's Den (schnitzel and spaetlzi) we're bedding down at the Yukon Inn. We spent last night at a cozy lodge located in Muncho Lake. [It reminded me and Ray of the Agape Dome, up in the hill country!] We met the lodge mascot, Muncho, who looks alot like this guy.

[Here's a stock photo since we didn't take an actual one of the lodge.]



Part of the excitement for yesterday and today was seeing wildlife on the road--finally!! No tigers or bears, but plenty of caribou and bison. Ray saw a red fox today, but Nic & I missed it while we were napping.



I'm pretty sure we'll see bears and moose as we either get closer to Alaska or once we're there.

Another quick and fun highlight for today was checking out the Watson Lake Signpost Forest. It was started in 1942 by a homesick US Army GI working on the Alaska Highway. The GI put up a sign with the name of his home town and the distance. Others apparently followed suit and according to the 2008 edition of THE MILEPOST, as of 2007 there are over 61,000 signs posted. If you're traveling this way--be prepared--I wish we had been!!






(That's alot of Texans who have come along this way!)

Tomorrow is our long stretch--600 miles to Fairbanks. We continue to be blessed with good health and a safe journey...but it's not over, yet.

Bonne Nuit, Gute Nacht, Buona Notte, Buenas Noches,
R, Y, N & W

P.S. Interesting to note...I'm not too sure what all the talk about "a recession" and "the high price of gasonline" is about. There's plenty of construction going on in every state we've been thru [much of it in downtown/urban areas]. Not to mention the HUNDREDS of recreational vehicles we've passed on the roads and seen in the campgrounds!!