class tomorrow so i've got to wake early

 the worst part of waking early is attempting to go to bed early.  that is not all that easy for a night shifter.  can't say that hospitals have ever really understood or accommodated the night shift hours.  they like to pretend the whole place is closed at night and we don't exist and quite frankly, we are generally pretty happy that the office sorts forget we exist. it's why we love night shifts.

 so these are along the Turnigan and then swimming pups

 trying to think where they were swimming at this moment.

 boarders riding the bore tide.  always fun to watch.  the bore tide is fun to chase from pull out to pull out.

 i tend to run in to it by luck.

 need to make another Seward run.  Aku, the baby walrus is over 200 pounds now . doing well.  i suspect he won't be here all that much longer so best to visit while i can still.

 did all my shifts this week in RCU.

 being a float pool nurse you get used to not having to deal with the same folks 3 nights in a row.  had to work hard a few times to be patient with one patient.  patience is not always my best thing.  i do try though.

 some adults whine.  it's annoying.  most of the time the crap they seem to think you are forcing upon them could have been avoided if they had healthier lifestyles.  sad to see so many who make terrible choices with their health and end up so debilitated. obesity really impacts every aspect of your life. i am overweight but i am functioning.  you have to make sure you keep that in check or it will take over your life.

 ate out with friends tonight...which was fun.  was on rainbow watch. i guess the full double rainbow finally did show up but i was sitting in the restaurant when it did.  heard it was quite the site.  we do get more than our fair share of double rainbows.  love them!

 slept in a bit and then met a friend for a walk in Kincaid.  one lady was sitting on the ground on the side of the trail.  she was right after a curve so no way for me to see her.  of course pups got curious and she decided to inform me of the leash law in Anchorage.  i always just walk on.  yes, there is a leash law. there is also a means for off leash training.

 i just always think in my head when people inform me like this that they too have no doubt chosen a few laws that they break.  we are not all above the law.  some speed or roll stops.  if she hadn't been on the ground around a corner i would have been able to prepare for meeting her.  my dogs have gotten pretty good..later they were in sit/stays as people walked or biked by...they got many compliments for being well trained. that is how it is.  more often now we get the compliments on their good behavior, but we do get the folks who think they are terrible and untrained.  just happy it's more on the good dog side now.  that is a sure sign of hope.

 eventually all the hard work of training does pay off.  some days it's one step forward and two steps back. some days the dogs just are better at listening than others.

 much of it still is determined by me.  if i am tired i tend to be a poor dog leader.

 i think this was a day where i went to Reflections Lake first then headed to Whittier to walk up Portage Pass...therefore they were swimming in Reflections Lake above.

 this is a great little trail.  such amazing views from up top.

 this is first tarn after you hit the top.  the pups swam a lot in here before we roamed on to other views.

 feeling pretty happy with themselves.

 trash and recycling out.  saw my neighbor putting her recycling in my bin. i  had told her that i rarely completely fill it for the every other week pick up and invited her to add her recycling in...so happy to see her taking advantage of that.  i have seen the guy across the street put his regular trash in his neighbors bin.  he had never had a trash bin so i now suspect he looks for trash bins to add his garbage to each week rather than pay.

 he seems to have changed jobs a few times since he moved in...if everyone just is nice to each other we all get by.  as long as nothing illegal goes in there...right.  could put a sign. "feel free to top off my trash but no drugs or dead bodies please.  haha.

 fall hikes are always great.  won't be able to get too much in the next two days but i will have to try and zip home and grab pups for an evening stroll.  still have light out til after 8pm and the class gets out at 5...so i do have time if i can keep from being too lazy.  the pups will be wild when i return home no doubt.  should have texted Lena to see if she is around and wants some dogs to join her on a walk.

 thinking the Monday walks will officially start this year Sept 25th. of course, perhaps we can do a few walks in different locations and take advantage of the weather if it's nice out.

 no more lupine.  a few flowers still bloom late though.

 more tarns.

 attempt at a selfie.

 views of Portage Glacier!! not a long hike, some steady uphill but you do get great views for your efforts

 getting closer

 a few more from Round Island.  seems ages ago to me.  fun little get away.  too short but such beautiful days out there.

 the cameras are down for the year.  bummer.

 still looking for some project for sale this year.  still have the grocery bags, which i love and will find another thing to get out there.

 flat rock...popular that last day.

 handsome walrus lounging about..kept me entertained for sure.

 still coughing...i think it's 5-6 weeks at this time.  generally lasts at least 6-8 weeks so i should finally be winding down.

 checking out the rock for potential resting spot.

 many kept doing swim by's, stopping, looking and then moving on.  some would work their way up the rock and then decide it was too much hassle...a few stayed and took a rest.

 time for me to turn in.  just a short update.  storms are still brewing in Florida. not sure how much damage Florida or Georgia will get.  the Carribean got some bad damage though.  at least it was something i could actually speak to my one brother with...weather is generally a safe topic.  the Hemingway polydactyl cats made it through no problem.

grateful for:  A.  walks with friends B. meals with friends  C.  conversations about weather and other safe topics.

just today....

 i'm always so behind so i thought i'd post a few just from today...ok the moose are from yesterday or the day before i think. i'll post the rest over time but it seemed a good day to just post today's stuff.

 i kept pretty busy despite sleeping in as usual.  it's almost 2 am and i head back to work tomorrow night.  have managed to get some needed stuff scheduled, including getting started on an estimate for the kitchen. hate to spend the money but in truth stuff is falling apart...like a sign i think.

 so we headed north first today to Reflection Lake.  the leash training is still a challenge, mostly i think with Tusker.  he's just always looking for something to chase or explore.  no escapes though. i  did let them play off leash in a few spots just because, they are puppies still in many ways. gotta get that energy out.

 it started partly cloudy in the morning but by the afternoon it was really getting beautiful.

 the pups enjoyed some great swimming.  they are really getting good.

 then we made our way south and we cruised out to Portage.  got lucky and caught the bore tide.  there were 4 paddle boarders out there so we cruised from pull out to pull out chasing the bore tide.  we being myself and the puppies.  the dogs were unaware of what we were chasing.  at one point a guy had a drone out and Tusker was barking at it...the feud continues. he doesn't like those things.

 beautiful day out there.

 since it was getting hot by Alaska standards we stopped at this lake near Portage Lake..or is it a big pond?  lake i think.  anyway, figured i'd get the dogs nice and soaked so they wouldn't get too hot going up the Portage Pass Trail.  it's 800 feet in 3/4 mile. so short and steep.

 it's totally worth the walk.  we hit the 4:30 tunnel to Whittier and it took about 45 minutes to walk up.  we chilled at the top until 6 pm.  figured it would take about 30 minutes to come down. plenty of time to hit the 7 pm tunnel back out of Whittier.

 this little tarn is the first thing you hit when you reach the top.  the dogs were in it pretty quick and i tossed the tennis ball in this little tarn repeatedly.

 from one side you have amazing views of Whittier and Prince William Sound and on the other...

 Portage Glacier. the trail does continue on down to the Portage Lake, but this was enough for us.  home by 8 or 8:30  i think.  better try and crash before it gets too late.  sounds like work has been busy.

thankful for: A.  health so i can get out and enjoy this amazing place B.  canine companions who are friendly and easy to be with  C.  time to enjoy