obsessed with light and trees in Sitka...

 these are the last of Sitka.  slowly getting some loaded.  it may take me all winter to get summer loaded.

 these are mostly from the way down on a hike we took in Sitka. i had opted to turn back knowing there wouldn't be too much view at the top and that i would be slower than the others coming down.  i quite enjoyed my little peaceful time with the trees.

 the light was filtering through the trees and clouds and just looked so amazing and peaceful.

 somewhere along the way down the church bells began to chime which was super cool.

 lots of big slugs all over down there.  we were all enjoying them

 i did make it to the pool yesterday.  i got 25 laps in.  the pool is clean and has no deep end or diving boards.  the dressing room was clean.  lots of showers so that was nice. i made it there before 3pm so it wasn't too crowded.

 i have a 10 punch card.  i think it did help my knee some so i will slowly get back into the swing of swimming.  debated going again today but i didn't want to push it too much.  it felt great to be swimming though. 

 i had joined LS for a walk before i headed out to the pool.  we did Rovers Run.

 today was a bit more wet out so i headed just to the dog park.  the swans have moved on.  there were 4 either otters or beavers playing in the middle of the lake together.  they all made a beeline for shore...wasn't sure if it was because of some dogs that were barking, but i made sure to keep the pups far away from those critters.

 today I'd put a turkey breast in the crock pot...that tasted so good.  i was making some homemade egg noodles this evening...will make the turkey soup with real egg noodles i think.  not sure how these will turn out, but it was easy so i could do a repeat.

 there were loads of steps out there.

 finished another good book yesterday morning.  today i was just reading a bit of one of the transcripts they just released. 

 sadly, most won't bother reading...even more sadly, many GOP members in Senate and House won't bother with them either.

 seems since the information that is coming out of these hearings is not looking good for the iitoo, his followers in DC have given up defending what happened and instead only scream and rant about the process or i think graham is now saying this administration is too disorganized and chaotic to be able to pull something like this off. 

 it's looking worse for them.  i think we all know the Senate process will be bull and he will not be removed.  i do want the stain of the impeachment on him and this mess of an administration.  i want the liars prosecuted and i want the truth to come out.  i also want him to be voted out. 

 Pence is not looking too good in this either. 

 see, i wasn't kidding, lots of stairs.

 i head back to work tomorrow night.  boo.  have had some nice reading/dog snuggle days off. read a few books.  always good.

 it was icy out this morning but it turned to rain before i headed out there.  felt a bit chilled when i got home so i ended up taking a nap to warm up.

 naps are always a good thing. 

 big old growth forests. 

 isn't the light beautiful?

 bought my ticket from UAA for the show at the planetarium.  that should be fun.  I'll go to the late show and sit with fish and game through the first one.  will be able to have our pamphlets and stickers out there.  do need to do another round of stickers and try to get some donations over the season. I'm terrible at asking for money and our web site is still not set up for donations.  it seems like it will cost more than we bring in to have that system so that bites.

 another slug

 I'm almost out of the trees.  then i sat below and made a phone call while i waited for my friends...wanted to make noise. I'm not used to being out there in the woods sans dogs.

 we were flying out that night so we had a list of stuff to try and do...which is why i didn't want to keep them waiting on me on this trail.

 little waterfall before i hit the main trail again.

 these were from a mural in town.  we headed for some food, to wander around the main town and then explore the low tide before we took off

 always love a good mural

 southeast has a lot of art and cute communities.

 i really enjoyed living in Southeast Alaska.  some days i yearn to return...so it was great to spend a long weekend there this summer.  anytime i can get back down there i am thrilled

 on the beach, looking back towards town

 that is the bridge over to the airport.

 my friends out exploring the low tide zone

 i think we all had a great time out there.

 next year it may be bears again...and 10,000 smokes. it's still on my list to do. 

 we never got any great views of the surrounding mountains...Sitka is a great place, I'd go back.

 I'd go back to any beach in AK....so many to explore.  Nome had some great beach combing!

 we wandered around the park with the totems for a few minutes as well.

 always so cool. 

 better head to bed i guess.  just a quick blog.

 this one looks fairly new and it was really beautiful.

 loved the eyes.

thankful for: A. the many opportunities I've had to travel around Alaska  B.  the friends who have joined me.  so many great trips  C.  coming home after to my sweet dogs and cats.