Flat Peyton

Dear Peyton (and Peyton’s first grade class),

Flat Peyton had a great time in Palmer, Alaska!  Palmer, Alaska is where the Bright Family lives (4,000 miles from Beaumont). Petyon’s Dad and the Bright’s Dad have been friends for a very long time.  We were excited to see Flat Peyton come to our house. I know he was ready for the snow, but most of our snow had already melted.  He enjoyed stepping in the tulips (that were almost blooming) and relaxing in the hammock on his first day here.  

He almost stepped in some moose poop—YIKES!!

   

On Day 2, Flat Peyton went to the Palmer Museum and Visitor Center.  He met Balto, a sled dog.  Balto ran a long, long ways to get medicine for sick kids in his Alaskan village.  No humans could make the trip, but Balto knew he had an important job, and he saved many lives.

 

Flat Peyton also learned the city of Palmer was a colony developed by President Roosevelt in 1935. This was an opportunity for families who were suffering during the Great Depression to have a new start in Alaska. They built their homes and barns and prepared the land for farming.  Some colonists started dairies as well. 

Flat Peyton was so excited to go to Hatcher Pass (he had heard there was still snow in the mountains). The ride up to Hatcher Pass was beautiful.  He was able to see a rushing stream (the water was so cold)! 

Flat Peyton was excited to see SNOW at the top of Hatcher Pass, and the ruins of an old gold mine called Independence Mine.  He even made a snow angel.

On the way back down from Hatcher Pass.  Flat Peyton saw MOOSE!  It was a mom and her young moose son.  Can you see the moose in the picture?! 

On the last day of Flat Peyton’s visit he got to go to school.  Mrs. Bright teaches at Colony Middle School.  Flat Peyton hung out with a bunch of Alaskan students that day. 

All in all, his trip was a success!  Flat Peyton learned so much about Alaska!  He wants to go back again really soon and bring the whole O’Brien Family next time.

Thank you so much for visiting the Bright Family.  We love our home, and we were so excited to share Alaska with you!  We are sending some Alaskan taffy Flat Peyton really loved when he was here. The taffy is made with glacier water (we have over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska).  

Your Friends,

Josh, Amber, Cami, Karston, & Kayden Bright