should be packing....

 

i've grown very dependent on the dogs.  these are all from the big camera.  thinking of heading to Valdez for a few nights. always fun.  the lupine is starting to go crazy which could make for some pretty pictures out there.  

i do love a little road trip anyway.  may leave later today and just go part way. clearly, i haven't made any set plans.

ended up with the start of another migraine and as i felt nauseated at 3 pm i ended up calling out...for fear i would have a repeat of what happened a few weeks back. it never got to that level...of course, maybe it would have if i had gone to work.  

i hear others call out because they are camping and the weather is nice so i am trying not to feel bad for calling out for the headache.  we were just raised with a different work ethic.  one that is probably too strict.  we were taught to go to work even if you felt like crap...decades ago though, corporations had some loyalty to their employees. now...that is less of a thing. now mental health and overall health seems a bit more valued. if not by the employers, it is by the employed. 

these are at deep creek.  

yesterday the dogs got to ride in the Element to their walk.  they were really pretty happy.  i felt more confident driving the Element. 

of course, i quickly realized that i had nothing in the Element.  no bear spray, no chuck it, no bear bells...no park pass.  so we ended up just doing a shorter walk.  did hit the Potter Creek Trail.  enjoyed some of the flowers popping up. we just went to the look out.  

the rest of the afternoon was lazy.  linen is changed and i did stop by "off the chain". they have odd hours because it's voluntary so i'll try to return when they are open and see if i can get the bike rack off. 

another of the Element owners who had inquired about buying was messaging me to check in.  have met some nice folks through the Element sale idea.  they may have a neighbor that is retired and may have interest in making the bed for the back of the Element that i want for camping. 

realizing i haven't eaten anything yet today.  busy doing litter and laundry, feeding the pups and cats. 

there is a quote out there that makes me sad some days...it's something like, "someday someone will hug you so tight that all your broken bits will fit back together" i totally screwed that up. you get the gist...who knew it would be the dogs and cats that would do it.  

they make me happy.  

got the quote for the flooring.  yikes! better just bite the bullet.  will be much nicer to get it done...first the stairs/hall and main room/kitchen, then the bathrooms.  lots of expenses, but better to get things done now.  

the eagles are so fun to watch. one day one of them will turn on Tusker.  he does have fun...

bummed that the glacier is no longer a stop out there. i got zero reply from any of the messages i sent to various places attempting to contact them.  

may need to move on to a letter to the editor. words can be powerful if used correctly. 

i still have more pictures to look through. 

in the end it was probably the best thing that i moved far away.  i suspect many feared i would negatively impact their kids...lead them to the dark side as it were. i was never that dark but it's easier to assume the worst that accept that someone doesn't believe the same things you do. 

where to walk the pups today. will have my bear spray...perhaps just a false sense of security.  

my roof basket is ready for pick up at REi.  that will be for the CR-V.  figured i could put non-bear attractive stuff up there. keep it out of the main car space.  so i can load it up later today i guess. 

should pick up some more hiking pants. these are looking pretty rough.  

i also need to sand and stain the stair railings.  better to do that before they do the carpet.  the carpet is cheap...the other flooring is more spendy.  

volcanoes. 

a stop at the wildlife conservation center. always fun.

at least they haven't stopped us from going... but i suspect one day i'll go and they will say that dogs can no longer be in the car while you drive around. 

can't believe it's almost 11. time flies

those big scary paws with big scary claws

they look so cute, even though they are killers.

these ones are safely behind fencing.  those bears are out there though.  

was good for me to walk sans bear spray yesterday.  need to get more brave. i used to be braver walking out there alone.  of course, brave and stupid are often interchangeable. 

look at this cute baby musk ox.  just a few days old 

the mama was very protective.

local moose action...

and an eagle in Homer.  that is all i have.

i better get some real stuff done.  walk the dogs, pick up my item at REI so i can load car and head out either later today or tomorrow.  i could do some sanding today.  hmm...

these big birds are so cool looking. i never get bored of any of this. 

thankful for A. the flowers popping out all over.  B. feeling safer and more confident in the Element.  C. being spoiled driving the CR-V.