The very last day

The lake was stunning my last morning on the Pipeline Road. Calm and not a speck of rain on the surface. 

I had purchased flowers to leave at the house in a crystal vase. I thought the new owners would like them. However, since the sale didn't close til the middle of Nov, I'm not sure what kind of condition the flowers were in when the new owners took possession!! 

This was a bittersweet thing to toss. A million years ago, when I was in HS, I was part of a Youth Conservation Corps team in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. I used this back pack. It is completely outdated, but it was a part of my life for a very long summer. It held many memories, but it needed to be put aside. Kind of like the house out north. The house has always been a place of comfort, but it is just a smidge of my Alaskan root system. That part wasn't as hard to pull or remove as one might think. The rest of my roots, though..Those are still stuck hard. 

one of my absolute very favorite Alaskan songs by The Redhead Express: 

When I was cleaning mom's vehicle again, I found this. I'm not entirely sure how long it had been in the car, but it is clean now!!! 

This angel was one of the oddest things ever. It was in Audrey's guest room and it was so pretty. I didn't really notice it at first. Then, I turned off the light and saw a glowing almost mustache shape. Startled, I turned the light on again and found this angel. It was what glowing in the dark! I giggled quite a while before finally falling to sleep watching the sky and listening to the surf outside. 

What a blessed place North Kenai has been in my life. I'm so thankful I was able to spend so long back in the place where my roots are. Not just a summer, but entire seasons in a full circle more than once. The Peninsula will always be in my heart, my soul, and in the rocks all around me. I'm so glad I brought so many back to Oregon! I'm so thankful my family adjusted to my travels and to flying back and forth, themselves. It truly is a great place to visit and belong. 

 

Optical Indigestion

In one of my favorite Alaskan stories, a visiting character to the state of Alaska said during a trip up the Inside Passage that he had 'optical indigestion.' I've never done that trip, but I can see it might fit almost anywhere up north. 

This is a mom and a calf close to the old Lamplight Bar Mrs. Mika used to own. I didn't get  a good photo of the calf. It was kind of annoyed with the hackles up! 

A friend and her husband and brother arrived to get a work bench from the shop. Dad would be glad to have it go to someone who really could use it. 

When my friend, Julie B, arrived from ANC to help me, we came upstairs to find another pair of moose in the yard! Right outside the window. 

It was neat to see them swim the lake. That isn't something you get to see very often. Even if you live on a lake! Bulls will swim it, but calves are a bit more nervous. They went across and were scared back to 'our' side by dogs at the neighbor's house. 

 Fall was so beautiful this year. The colors of red aren't as prevalent as gold, but they combined to create stunning tapestries of autumn. 

Dad had a hat in the garage and in it was a tall white feather. Probably eagle, not sure. I left it under the trees with the colorful leaves. 

Those who Respond

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I had some stellar snow photos to share and never managed to get around to it. Snow is my absolute favorite thing. Ok, one of my favorite things. Like Maria, I have many!!!! Wind is not something I appreciate and the two combined make for dubious weather conditions.. As we were headed home today after one of mum's appointments, I slipped on the lethal corner as you approach Nikiski 1. It was practically text book. 

 I landed in the brand new feathery snow perfectly. If it was being judged, I might have gotten a rather good score! A 16 year old witness reported to his mom, 'Impressive! It was like she landed on a pillow.' The mom gave me a number for a tow truck and continued to text me off and on to make sure we were ok. (turns out she knows mom.)

 It doesn't look like it is too far off the road, but it was down in the ditch. We were not easy to see. The station was returning from a fire, the mom reported the accident, we were warm and safe. Mum sat reading til the tow truck driver arrived. I had to keep popping in and out of the car to tell people we were ok.

 This incredibly helpful man from Jenwar Towing took care of the hardest part. The soft snow cushioned everything and packed the engine full--not a thing was broken. I'm a bit annoyed by these photos, it wasn't that dark!!! Just blowy and snowy. And cold.

 When the tow truck arrived, personnel from the fire department arrived. They dug mom out and took her to the station to get warm. She got to visit with Terry, who works in the department and knows mum really well. (Janet corrected me on this, I should have asked more information before posting my interpretation. Insert sad face! LOL)

 Jennifer-she helped monitor traffic after getting mum out of the car.

 Freezing cold selfie of the daughter at the scene of the crime. I really wished I had worn long sleeves, I was very cold under that handy polar fleece. BRRRRRR. My boots are still soaked through and squished when I walked!!!!!

  It took quite a while to get it out of where it was tucked in, but by 445, we were free! I was able to drive it home and it seems to be ok. Full of snow, but working well. Friday mum has another appointment, if the wonderful woman from Katmai can get down from Anchorage! I'll take the car to Steve's, if it needs to be seen.

 We got to the house and the snow had filled the drive, mum's car made under belly prints as I drove!!!

 Much later, John, from next door came to plow. This photo is his son from the previous snow. I don't have one from tonight. I did notice, the drive is not quite as wide anymore!!! I only hope the new snow and wind doesn't fill it up again. I wish I could do something to thank this absolutely truly amazing family for all they do.

Help is found in many places. I'm so thankful to find them under every snowflake and bough. They are gifts. Some are trained, all are generous and willing to go the extra mile just because. 

Jon's Alaska-Thursday (Fellowship of the Bridge)

Jonathan spent most of Thursday and all of Friday fishing. In the rain. I went with him on Thursday afternoon. To read and take some photographs. I sat in the car most of the time, it was really very wet! 

Before he left,  Jon was discussing different sorts of lures and bait with me. Things he'd learned  the previous day. The Fellowship of the Bridge is a very real thing out on the Swanson!

You can see how wet it was. I opted not to add the photo where all you can see is rain! 

3 fish were caught this afternoon. None of them by Jonathan. 

You can see the difference in the river . Tides are a huge factor in fishing off the bridge. When they come in, they bring the fish. When they go out, the fish seem to be waiting under it. 

Of the three fish caught, this one was the most aggravating. It tried a couple of different hooks, before succumbing to one of them. Meanwhile it managed to tangle lines completely. Jon was out for the count as his line was one which was threaded hither and yon around the net.  

Nets on the bridge consists of the bag part of the net with a rock tied in the bottom, and ropes around it.When a fish is caught, the fisher folk sort of move out of the way a bit, the closer net is lowered , and the fish is hauled up to the bridge. 

This is another prettier silver-

 Who happens to have a mouthful of teeth!

Bank fishing is pretty popular. Some of the guys take plywood down to stand on. The bank is rather soggy and the silt on the river is not cool to get stuck in. 

The Fellowship of the Bridge doesn't extend to everyone. However, this particular group is the friendlier one. The lady in the jacket facing us is married to the guy in the yellow coat. They were given all the fish at the end of this day and the remnants of the eggs one of the other guys was getting rid of. They were from Germany, I believe. The couple brought a bottle of wine with them to give to another couple they'd befriended over the days or weeks fishing. The lady in the pink hat with the bottle was pretty excited this day. The fish responsible for the tangled lines was deemed hers. She'd never caught a fish off the bridge before! There is one woman, Gina, who appears to be one of the main fishing gurus. Not many women fish off the bridge, Gina is one of the best and adopted Jon as he entered into the Fellowship. 

Later in the day, Jon was in the shop and found a new musician. Buzz Martin, an Oregonian logger and singer. I must admit, the stories he sings  definitely have a northwest flavor! 

Snow in Kenai!

Sparkling snow fall-photo at midnight thirty. (Mom is making a  hat shawl thing like one she made me. One I packed and then took out. I should have left it in my bag.)

 Kids from the Alternative HS who helped shovel out mum's car the morning after our first snow. It was moved to a  more logical spot and I am grateful to everyone who helped me!

 Mum waiting to see her doctor--

 Snow is being removed from key areas near the hospital. The Helipad has small mounds of snow around it!

 Mom had Arby's for lunch. She was glad to get some fast food for a change.

Glittering white powder on the red berries of the tree near the old Kenai Elm. 

 The caretaker for the house we are in has an incredible way with flowering plants. She has a grand collection of African violets and this cactus started blooming just after she brought it over for mom to look at.