July 15 A Surprise!

So now it's time to get things done around the house for the next 2 days to prepare for the big barbeque on Saturday. First order of business this morning was Barry & Dan's trip to Soldotna to order new springs for the boat trailer. On the way back, Barry wanted to stop and get his picture by the division of forestry helicopter (top 3rd pic) right there on the Sterling Highway. He also took these pics of an antique tractor and car (top row) he saw in Sterling that he thought his dad would enjoy.

After tonight's exciting soccer game in Kenai (7-0, Kami's team!), we had a surprise in store for Barry. Meet Mick Audette, (center), Suzanne's dear friend & colleague & the best music teacher in the state! Mick and his family also own and operate the peninsula's 1st and only Coldstone Creamery right there in Soldotna. Mick told Suzanne to stop in with Barry for a true ice cream experience. Whne we walked in, there were no other customers in the store. He invited us to come back behind the counter and mix our own ice cream and goodies right there on the cold stone slab. Suzanne & Kami had a blast (2nd row end) making their treats while Barry preferred picking from the many flavors (bottom row 1st pic) and goodies and letting the experts mix up his custom-made milkshake. As well as being a very caring and generous person, Mick is quite the character and those 2 had a great time goofing around together! We all had a great time!

On the way home we stopped to watch the 4 day chain-saw carving competition going on at the same place where we rode the carousel 2 weeks ago. There were 4 carvers creating some very cool wood sculptures. We especially enjoyed the mosquito (bottom row last photo), jokingly known to state residents as the Alaskan state bird.