THE VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD

It's a cool drippy morning, so hop in the car with me and I'll show you my view through the windshield.  Our drive today takes us from Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula, to Wasilla, which is north of Anchorage.  It's not too far, a bit over 200 miles, and it's not difficult driving.  But it is absolutely breathtaking scenery.

Like I said before, it's drippy and cloudy.

Some of those clouds on the tops of the mountains look a bit menacing. 

And some of them contain snow, not rain.  You can see new snow on the tops of these mountains.  It's called termination dust.

The drive was lovely with lots of shades of yellow and green represented in the trees.

The fog and clouds just add to the layered look of the mountains.

Beauty around every curve in the road.

And some say there is no God?  Some say all this beauty just happened?  I don't think so!

As we approached Portage Valley the clouds grew heavier, and there was definitely a snow storm happening up top!

We turned into Girdwood where Chris and Amy used to live and drove past the hotel.  The Prince Hotel at Alyeska Sky Resort.  See the cables going up to the top of the mountain?  There is a huge tram that runs up to the restaurant up top.  To the right are numerous ski lifts going up to the huge bowl on the other side of this ridge.  This is Alaska's premier ski resort and it's a beauty.

Heading up Turnagain Arm provides many beautiful vistas....and today we were reminded of God's promise in the form of this beautiful rainbow.

The end of the line today is Wasilla.  And look at that definite snow line on those mountains!  It's coming!  Sooner up here than down home, but nevertheless, it's coming.

The camera battery is charging.  Tomorrow we drive the Parks Highway past Denali National Park.  We've never been up there so it will be all new territory for us.  And we are excited.  I am afraid, however, that the weather isn't going to cooperate, and the mountain won't be out.  Oh well.  I'm sure I'll find a couple of things to shoot!  You are welcome to ride along again tomorrow.

THE LAST BEACH PICNIC

Our time here is swiftly coming to an end.  And, according to the locals, the season is coming to a swift end also.  The season for beach picnics or shore lunches, or any of the other summer and fall activities.  It's been frosty several mornings, and the wood fire sure feels good in the house we're staying in.

However, the kids and their friends made time for one last beach party out on MacDonald Spit. 

After the kids put in a full day of work, and Ernie split a bunch of wood,

and I admired the garden,

we loaded up two four wheelers with food, beer, wine, and dogs, and headed out to MacDonald Spit.

And there we found the friends, with food, beer, wine, four wheelers, and dogs.

We had a wonderful time visiting with old friends and getting to know some new people.

The incredible scenery, the bonfire, and the friends made for a wonderful ending to the season.

Seldovia, you are in my heart.

TO CATCH A HALIBUT

It's kind of hard to get a strong enough signal to post pictures, hence I have done little other than check fb and email.  This morning I am sitting in front of the community center and maybe have enough of a signal to post.

One of the reasons I love to come to Alaska is the fresh seafood, especially the halibut.  Chris puts out a long-line, a long line with about 30 hooks hanging from it, attached to buoys and anchors on each end.  We had unsuccessfully set it twice with no luck at all.  But the third time was a charm.

Amy is suiting up in her fashionable orange rubber outfit, perfect for cold, windy, rainy boat rides!

Baiting the hooks.

Heading out

into the rocking rolling ocean.  The stomach was in a little distress after this trip!

Attaching the hooks unto the line.  After the hooks are left dangling in the water for 6 hours or so, you head back out and this time......

Success!

This baby was probably 40 pounds.  Good eating size.

Fish cleaner extraordinaire!  A slice down the middle of the back.....

slice along the bones to the edge.....

carefully lifting and cutting at the same time.  Chris is a perfectionist.  There is no waste, no mess, and no unrecognizable pieces!  Perfect!

Last but not least, the cheeks.  Halibut cheeks are a delicacy. 

A little peek of the sun for a lovely ending to the successful hunt.  But the best part was the big bowl of ice cream

with Chris, Amy and Stella, the grand dog.

And then the next night I ate my last meal of halibut, as I had a reaction to it and spent a horrible night sleeping with my epi-pen.  The end.

ALASKA 2012 - DAY 13 & 14

Yesterday afternoon, in the on again off again drizzle, I went for a walk.  The flowers in Seldovia are always so beautiful, and the drops of rain had washed them all clean and they were vibrant.  The only thing that would have been better would have been for the sun to come out!

I love the bright purples.

These are three little houses on the old boardwalk that is remaining from before the big Alaska earth quake over 50 years ago.

Cute use for two little worn out chairs.

Another house on stilts along the slough.

And why throw away old boots when they make such interesting flower pots!

Love the decorating style.....

even this interesting display in the yard.

This is just too cute, don't you think?

And they can grow romaine to die for!

This morning the sun was shining, so we went out to Outside Beach.

We did have a little wave action.

And, yes, I got wet.  Always do.

Homer is way off on the distant horizon.  And if I come here, I get cell reception!

Having a good time, wish you were here!

ALASKA 2012 - DAY 13

It was raining when we went to bed last night, but one of the umpteen times I was awake during the night, the stars and moon were shining.  Then it was raining when we ate breakfast.

And then the sky lightened a little bit so we took a walk.

This is the house we're staying in.  Chris and Jeff built it a few years ago for the couple that are letting us stay there while they are gone.

As we walked down to the beach, the sun shown a bit, and a lovely rainbow appeared.

I never tire of looking at this sight!

And I guess the boss doesn't either!

The sun didn't last long though, and soon it was raining again.

If it were not so muddy, I would take a walk on this trail.   Guess what the name is?  It's The Otterbahn!  Cute, uh?