We Park on Driveways . . . and Drive on Parkways

Looking at this video you may notice our paved driveway and wonder who we think we are, calling ourselves Alaskans and then getting all fancy with the driveway. The thing is, we live off a tiny dirt road snaking back into the forest. It is full of ruts and potholes. There are no culverts or drainage ditches or wide shoulders. Those of us who live along this glorified pathway are responsible for plowing it in the winter, digging troughs during break up to direct the water off the road and into the woods, and managing the dust problem in the summer.

Our neighbors up the road have a tricky driveway that circles around a stand of trees. Still further up the road, a couple maintains the driveway and parking areas for their house as well as for their parents' home sitting on the back of their property. Our own driveway climbs a hill before leveling off in front of the garage. ALL of us have paved our driveways. Beautifully graded, smooth asphalt driveways. No mud getting tracked into the house. No holes to break a child's ankle when falling off a pogo stick. No dust billowing behind the twins as they ride their Dora trikes at breakneck speed straight down the hill.

Once you've navigated the dirt trail to get to our home, it's smooth sailing. Paved driveways are the Alaska way.

Dinner last night: chicken broccoli casserole over rice

Exactly one year ago today: Say "Cheese!"