sun is starting to shine....

 will toss in a blog post and then head somewhere.  still debating a run to Seward, but i may just do something local instead.  feeling lazy this week.  getting stuff done but still feeling lazy

 i think i do tend to be mildly antisocial after I've been around people.  not that i hate people just that after being around them i need down time.  the introvert life.

 a few views of life on the boat mixed in here.  some of the iphone pictures are from my nieces phone so a blend.  can't take credit for all.  the guides took pictures or us as well.  easiest to hand people an iphone, most people can figure out how to take a picture with those.

 headed to bed early again last night.  chilled then fell asleep.  woke in the wee hours for a bit.  my fit bit gives me away.  had to get a new one as my old one finally gave it up. i think i had it for nearly 3 years so not bad. i also hit costco yesterday and purchased a new tv so i can stop hitting mine. 

 I'll have to get some earthquake straps for it before i actually set it up though.  the stand doesn't seem to stable and the sales person there said that she had the same stand and her tv crashed in the quake.  she did say that costco replaced tv's whereas she'd bought hers at Walmart and they wouldn't exchange any earthquake damaged tv's.

 the first morning in Houston we headed out to walk to a local cafe named, Betsy's.  a must for a girl named Betsy, right?  good food and a nice day to be outside.

 spend some of my day yesterday in a light exchange with an old school jock.  when it gets too tight for him, he pulls out his "I'm a liberatarian" card. this means he can say that he never votes for any Dem or Rep so he's completely above reproach.  he seems to feel this makes him superior.  he clearly is as orange as they come but just backs away from the iitoo when it suits him.  I'm actually Independent, but i clearly lean left. never keen on voting straight party of any party really...though the GOP is making it tough to vote for any of them considering how nuts they are becoming.

 the iitoo is back to the healthcare distraction...makes one wonder what they don't want us all to see in the Mueller report.  the spin is running deep at the moment.  clearly Barr's mandate was to make it all sound like a glowing report so that when the actual report comes out, everyone is so bored of it and will have moved onto the next disaster...with this administration there is always another disaster awaiting.  remove health care from all through their newly loaded courts.  Devos continues her attack on the education system.  this week kids with disabilities are under attack...gotta love the GOP...they care about kids....NOT.  if you are blind...screw you!  if you have a disability...screw you! if you participate in Special Olympics...screw you! 

 CB took these.

 sunset is back to me.  thought her shots turned out great!

 another armadillo shot. 

 grand niece at the outdoor pool.

 this is the muster station deck....the place you would come in the event of an emergency.  we never had one. 

 at the Betsy's cafe.

 the top floor jogging/walking deck.  i took advantage of it several times as i had over 20 years ago. they have cut the length in order to accommodate the climbing wall.

 got a few yoga poses out of my niece and her daughter....always fun shots i think.

 the battle is on to save the Alaska Marine Highway system.  our current trumpy governor is out to slash out states budget, while, of course, keeping all protections and tax breaks in for big oil, mining.  it's a sad place our state and our nation finds itself in.  protect the rich, protect oil, screw the general public.  not sure how so many seem to justify these acts to themselves and look the other way as our nation is torn limb to limb to protect the wealthy.

 did contact my handyman about changing out light fixtures...he says he's good with doing it after he returns from vacation.  i also need to get some tree removal quotes.

 won't take much wind to take out that tree and thus the shed.

 my friend helped get a powerpoint ready for me for our REI meeting.  looks like 18 spots left so quite a few have already signed up.  it will be a bit later than usual.  we were thinking of bringing a lap top and having the explore site up to encourage people to visit it often to encourage explore to continue to help out our little island and the walrus

 sounds like several of the turnagin trails are mostly clear of snow already. I'm a bit hesitant to hit those this spring though post earthquake. i just think there will be a lot of loose rocks/soil.  could be some slides.  seems a bit too risky. i tend to err on the side of caution.

 look at that beautiful clear water.  so pretty.

 i opted out of snorkeling but was all in for the dolphins. 

 I'm cool with armadillo's too.  haha.

 St Patty's, my niece shows off her green drink.

 my last day in Texas. it was pretty.  i just chilled in my nieces back yard and read. this was all under water not too long ago after Harvey hit.  they evacuated in waist deep water.

 more sunsets...

 my niece and i at the Dzibanche ruins. 

 happy times with the sea lion.

 doesn't sound like DVL is causing too much trouble for the island.  he took away funding already so i suppose there isn't much else he can do...but don't hold me to that.  Dunleavy seems to be able to find ways to damage the environment. 

 long whiskers on our sea lion.  not too itchy though. most of these would be much shorter in the wild.  same for walrus in captivity. 

 view from the 11th floor bar of the pool below on the 9th floor. 

 they showed various video's and movies on the big screen in front of the pool. 

 a few at the Houston Rodeo.  we got there late but still had fun.  we left a bit early since the performer they had was not one either of us turned out liking. 

 a few weeks back  guys cross country skied pretty much all 90+ miles of free style ski trails in Anchorage...in 12.5 hours.  not bad.

 they said they wouldn't take any family shots so i was happy that a few of these did come out.  i played with them on my phone, made some black and white. 

 the stadium for the rodeo was so huge they can do fireworks inside

 i guess i really should get motivated and get to the walk today. the puppies are patiently waiting.  as long as I'm upstairs they leave me be. as soon as i go downstairs, no matter what time of day or night Ivy gets the tennis ball and expectations rise. we had an influx of tennis balls last night as my neighbor must have went into their yard and tossed the winter balls back.  i don't expect to see any from the back fence or the neighbor on the other side....some tennis balls are lost every winter...it's just how it goes.

 a few more fun ones of me with the marine mammals.  so happy.

 this is the indoor adult pool area.

 more fireworks

 and a final shot of the sea lion who cuddled us.  :-) i better get moving...enjoy your day.

thankful for A.  an experience with these marine mammals that i will never forget B.  that we paid the extra for the pictures, they are really fun  C.  walking on crisp sunny days.