disappointment after a beautiful drive....

 

another quick entry as i begin another day.  i'm back to work tonight...boo. dang work keeps getting in the way of my goofing off time. 

someone asked if i knew what i would do when i retired..i responded the same stuff i do now just uninterrupted by work. 

these are from homer/Kenai of course.  

yesterday i did manage to get to my plans...kind of.  

the dogs and i stopped at Reflections Lake for a starter walk.  the flowers are just getting started so it will be another week or two before they hit peak i believe. 

then, as it was so beautiful out, we headed out to the Matanuska Glacier. over the years we paid the $25 fee to have a self guided trek out there.  for me that just meant letting the dogs play in the kettle ponds in front of the glacier. 

when we arrived yesterday we were informed that the self guided tours have ended as too many liability issues have arisen with self guided tours on the glacier.  i let them know that i would not be going on the glacier but just in front of it.  still no go. 

i have written 3 notes to various places that may or may not get to those who run it.  

basically i have stated that i enjoy stopping by the glacier on the way to/from Anchorage and stretching myself as well as allowing my dogs to stretch.  i stated i would happily pay a fee to be allowed to continue to come and enjoy the area in front of the glacier without them incurring risk/liability from me being on the glacier itself.  

as the glacier is receding it seems there will be more opportunities for folks to walk in front of the glacier and i hope they will consider other options besides just tours.  i also mentioned that having walking opportunities opens up this Alaskan gem to those who may be too elderly to feel comfortable walking on the glacier itself, those who may have handicaps that make walking on the glacier difficult of folks with young kids who want to get photo ops and let the kids enjoy this place.  

i really get bothered by things getting shuttered. especially to those of us who live here.  things are made open and available to tourists while regular Alaskan residents are shut out.  we used to have an extra month ahead of anyone else to rent public use cabins, this is gone...now the Matanuska glacier is cut off.  so frustrating. 

if i get no response i will take further steps.  perhaps a letter to the editor or opinion piece. i'm told i'm good at writing those.  

hopefully, they respond though.  i think my comments are valid and i do hope we can return again to this beautiful place.  

so i was bummed to have driven the nearly 2 hours to get there only to be turned away. 

not even sure how much the tour would have been and i'm not opposed to doing the tour but i'd have to make sure and do it on days when i have left the dogs behind.  on a warm day it would be too long to leave them in the car alone. 

spent some frustrating time attempting to get the thule bike rack off the Element.  wanted to take it to the car wash.  no luck.  when i looked it up on youtube.  it does seem that it's not just me.  the key is not very effective so it doesn't work well. so still need to get the back seat out and find someone to build the bed area. 

drove it around the block is all, so i could reposition it again for mowing. 

after driving the CR-V the Element does feel pretty uncomfortable.  i feel like i'm going to have to gain confidence in the Element after that horrible drive back from my Seward attempt several months back now. 

gotta get the pups out for a walk again today.  

then back to work.  

my rock grinder/polisher has arrived and they have a little bag of mystery rocks so i get it started with those in a test round.  it only comes with the grit for one load so i ordered more on amazon.  

hadn't realized it takes days of grinding so we shall see how it all turns out.  the grit will arrive long before this test run is ever completed.  will be a fun process though.  

i did get my steps in yesterday despite not stopping at the glacier.  i took a few side trips to make up for not stopping at the glacier....not as cool but still there are often interesting things to see when you get off the main road. 

made the most of the few sea stars i ran across in Homer this year. 

put together these three for a shot

still thinking of heading to Valdez on my next stretch off.  always a fun escape.  will have to get the tent out for that one.  not as comfy but still....will have to check weather before i really start planning.  that is how it goes. check weather and then head to the place the looks the most likely to not be pouring rain the entire time. 

nice low tide and below is one of our local active volcano's. 

the new car is already nearing 3000 miles.  i keep busy i guess. the element only made it to 165,000 but i do overwork my vehicles. they are outside in the winter and driven into all sorts of situations. 

failed jiffy pop.  burnt to a crisp.  the dogs are doing so good at the whole campfire thing now.  it's awesome. 

they are settling into the mature dog stage...well at least once i've worn them out completely 

art on the rocks at low tide

it's cloudy out there today.  not sure if rain is expected or not. 

Tusker chills on beach.  he was busy watching the birds

such a good guard dog 

the car now has plates....with the vanity ones on the way.

enjoying our green world

took a drive while i was down there and enjoyed the views of the spit

back on the beaches.

i don't really stop moving when i do these trips. probably why i am always tired when i return home. 

i really should learn how to relax....though i do lazy really good at home.  

winter is also a natural time to be lazy. 

no critter sightings on the drive yesterday.  strange really.  

it's all luck of the draw...you just never know what you will see on any trek in Ak..that is what is so fun about it.  

the scenery is always impressive. 

though the dogs are never aware of the scenery, they do enjoy their time in nature.

such happy and spoiled dogs

time to get the day started.  well, i have done some stuff.  animal care always gets the day started.  

pets are great motivators.

thankful for: A. beautiful, scenic drives B. chill time with the dogs C. online shopping! so much less peopley!!