Missoula foray

We took advantage of pleasant summer weather to visit the farmer's market in Missoula. What a great time we had!!! Lots of goodies to enjoy and sight's to take in. We're sure to return!

Friday in Stevensville

rain coming in

Wesley has being relaxed down

Monty plays aloof

Food and song in Stevi

 We had a blast tonight at the church picnic/sing-a-long!  Good food and great people!

Early summer outting

Blossoms in the woods

A group playing through on the sixth fairway

Floating along

Charles too advantage of a delightful early summer afternoon to get in nine holes of golf at the Whitetail Golf Course, located on the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge.

Another Annual Conference in the books

Picnic @ Covenant UMC

Meeting with our circuit

A break between sessions

Smiles all around!

Starting year #4

 The week just ended saw us at the Yellowstone Annual Conference (YAC) sessions in Helena. This marks our third time at YAC (the first time was in Billings) and with the 'fixing of appointments' at the concluding service on Saturday Charles was officially reappointed to Stevensville UMC for the fourth year.

Alkula reunion, pt. 11

Sandy: Perry (OH) HS - 1966

Jackie: Largo HS - 1972

Joe: Largo HS - 1974

Charles: Largo HS - 1977

Dale: Largo HS - 1986

Charles left Tuesday morning for Montana. Jackie (Missouri) and Dale (Ohio) made their journey home on Wednesday.

It was an all-too-brief reunion but one that was important that we make. Milestones this trip included observing these 2016 anniversaries:

+Mom's 85th birthday
+50 years since our move to Largo, Florida (from Perry, Ohio)
+30 years since Dale graduated Largo HS
+25 years since our dad's death
+20 years since Charles' ordination in Nebraska

Alkula reunion, pt.10

Making the drive to Clearwater Beach

Sand Key

Searching for a cache in Belleair

A pirate ship on the Intercoastal Waterway

Banana splits for everyone!

Gathering up mom in the afternoon, we drove around parts of Clearwater, the beaches, and Largo that had special memories for our family. We got to see Key West, the former Suncoast Hospital (where Dale was born), a golf course where our dad worked, and more!

We ended up at Strachan's Ice Cream on Dunedin's Main Street. It was the first time any of us (other than mom) could remember having a banana split!

Alkula reunion, pt. 9

Lunch at the Olde Bay Cafe`

Dunedin Marina activity

Time to look for another cache

The osprey atop the masts had a great view

Memorial with state stones

Charles, Jackie, and Dale took advantage of a slow morning to take in a lunch at the Olde Bay Cafe` in the Dunedin Marina. Great food and great company!!

Alkula reunion, pt. 8

Plenty of available seats

Autograph from the mascot

Behind the scenes

Dale, Jackie, and Joe make the turn!

Following worship, Charles dropped mom off at the condo and then gathered up the remaining siblings for an afternoon of minor league baseball. Jackie, Dale, and Charles were joined at the Clearwater Thresher- Brandenton Marauder's game by Joe and his children for a terrific (although too hot) game!

Afterwards we headed to Celebration Station for some go-karts and games!

Alkula reunion, pt. 7

Lake Tiffany resident

Charles, Dale, & Jackie's base of operations

FUMC - Dunedin

Ready for worship

Sunday morning saw the first departure of the group as Sandy headed north to Georgia early in the morning. 

Charles was up about the same time, going to worship at the Union St. UMC service (held at First UMC-Dunedin). This is a small congregation rediscovering its mission in a new setting.

Alkula reunion, pt. 6

the game's afoot

Mom & Sandy

Jackie & Mom

Joe & Mom

Charles & Mom

Dale & Mom

Saturday evening saw the final member of the family arrive! Dale made the trip from Ohio and we had an awesome time playing a rousing game of "Alkula trivia!"

This was the first time since our dad's death in 1991 that our immediate family has been able to come together.

Alkula reunion, pt. 5

A more formal find

Hidden in a kayak

Into the woods

At Eagle Lake in Largo

"But have fun"

Saturday morning saw Charles assist Jackie in searching for "Geocaches" which is Jackie's passion! Using a hand-held GPS, Jackie found eleven of the fifteen she looked for!