Great start…

to this book I caught the first few pages of on Amazon.com’s website.  The book is called A Year Without “Made in China”: One Family’s True Life Adventure in the Global Economy by Sara Bongiorni.  I found this book via the UCSD website, where the author, was highlighted because she is a UCSD graduate!  (And so am I!)  Anyhow, check out the book.  I’ve been trying to stop buying “Made in China” products and it is tough.  I haven’t been perfect at my own personal boycott yet…hopefully her book with shed some much needed insight!    On Amazon, you can preview the first several pages…I’m sure you’ll find it to be an engaging read, not just a tirade against buying Chinese products.

About to enter the tunnel…walkin’ to Whittier, Alaska!

About to enter the tunnel…walkin’ to Whittier, Alaska!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

This was a fun day…Lana and I just headed down to Whittier…the last 2.5 miles were on foot!

Pedestrians only allowed TODAY!

Pedestrians only allowed TODAY!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

This is what we did last Sunday, that was the day of the annual Walk to Whittier, when the tunnel that usually only cars and the train traverse, was OPENED TO PEDESTRIANS! Boy, did we pedestrian!

Sled dogs “pulling” a big truck kicked off the walking! It was fun to see the mushing dogs ready, ready, ready, ready to RUN! All they wanted to do was have some fu-u-uuu-un! (Props to the Dixie Chix!)

About to enter the tunnel…walkin’ to Whittier, Alaska!

About to enter the tunnel…walkin’ to Whittier, Alaska!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

I should have checked out how many actually made the journey, but….there were at least the two of us. At at most….one million! (Just kidding…checking to see if you’re on your toes!)

Tunnel Visions…ain’t we?!

Tunnel Visions…ain’t we?!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Well, we’re visions, anyhow! Visions of beauty…Alaskan Californian beauties! We had a good time walkin’ the tunnel…chatting…enjoying the 45 degree coolness and crowd of people. (And the gaps of space we found while walking amongst them all.)

Wiggly eyes in the tunnel!

Wiggly eyes in the tunnel!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Yup! You really have to keep an eye towards the end of the tunnel, even while walking a straight line. Probably good advice in life, too…keep at least one eye on the road!

Hey, there’s a waterfall over your shoulder!

Hey, there’s a waterfall over your shoulder!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Lana has arrived! She trekked through the tunnel…all 2.5 miles of it! Then we hoofed it another mile, or so, to the town center of Whittier where we were met with about 8 accordion players and lines WAY too long for chowder!

We found the silver lining, though. We mustered up the energy (with the help of a Luna bar) and made it to Chair Five in Girdwood for some YUMMY pizza! (Though Lana nearly lost an eye from a pool cue and a rogue player.) We yummed it up and got super full!

Chillin’ in Whittier, Listenin’ to the Squeezeboxes!

Chillin’ in Whittier, Listenin’ to the Squeezeboxes!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Now there’s a happy girl! Restin’ those dogs after the hike through the tunnel and down the road in Whittier…yes, the ONLY road in Whittier!

Fresh and Green!

Fresh and Green!

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

So vibrant! So verdant! So GREEN!

Miss Dana

Miss Dana

Originally uploaded by merrymaryallegra

Saw this in the Whittier harbor…thought of the Miss Dana I know in Chicago!