fall has begun...

 

decided sort of last minute to head north.  it appeared that Denali National Park may be hitting peak.  finding dog friendly was a bit of a tough job but i ended up back at the place in Healy i'd stayed at with my brother. last year they had said only one dog, this time i just ask vaguely if they were dog friendly. spendy but it was clean and worked. 

i stopped to walk the dogs several times along the way.  we did the loop around Reflection lake closer to home then headed to Talkeetna.  was going to take side trail at Reflection to the water but it's pretty flooded down there.  we did the Whigim? loop in Talkeetna. dogs enjoyed their off leash time. 

before we got to Cantwell there was a loud noise and then i could tell something was dragging or i'd gotten a flat.  no alarms on the car. i pulled over in a safe spot to investigate. the tray under the car had dropped and crinkled and was dragging.  i'd had the oil changed prior to leaving so i suspect they didn't secure this tray after they did that. i was under car trying to un bend it or just remove it but i wasn't able to 

looked like a simple fix but i couldn't fix it.  i called AAA for a tow.  Cantwell was 30 miles away from what i could gather i hoped they could either come out and detach it or haul the car there and detach it. it ended up being at least 3 hour delay, probably more. the owner of the tow company called to check on what i needed.  he was not very encouraging.  said they could only tow the car to Anchorage or Fairbanks.  i could only be taken to Cantwell and would have to find my own way back to Anchorage. the dogs would ride in the car.  

i could feel myself panicking a bit.  afraid i'd be stuck in the open in Cantwell with 2 dogs and all my gear. 

the actual tow guy, Andrew, that arrived was much more helpful and positive. the dogs did ride in the car but once in Cantwell he got tools and easily removed the metal dragging and i was on my way. no 4 wheeling and i just paid close attention to what i was driving over.  so we all survived. got to the hotel late but got in and settled. 

that had been another issue. trying to call them to say i'd be late.  i wasn't sure if it was where i was or note but i got other friends to attempt to call them and nothing.  it just kept hanging up on all of us. they had said if you can't get there by 8pm call. i was afraid i'd have to pitch a tent after all this if i didn't get ahold of them.  it wasn't an issue in the end. just an added stress. i had used the number earlier to add a second night since SH decided to join on night two. 

these pictures are from a recent train trip to Spencer Glacier and a boat trip out of Seward. 

i got the dogs settled in, they were as tired as i was i think. the colors were indeed looking beautiful and i was so bummed to have missed the rest of this day. Denali had come out while i was in Talkeetna and we did stop at the South rest area for views. i really wish the car had broken down at broad pass instead of where it did so i could enjoy the views and the big mountain.  of course, the views were amazing on the tow ride in but no stopping to take photos and enjoy.  

where i did get stranded there was a driveway to nowhere and at the end of that was a pond.  i was watching a solo swan swim around in there. i attempted to walk to a creek close by where the car was but i was stressed and the traffic flew by and Ivy Rose backed out of leash, causing me more panic. 

i walked the dogs at the tow place while Andrew removed the metal then we left. thankful for him and for AAA. it was free.  do need to get him a little thank you package. 

i went to walk the dogs after we got settle in at the hotel.  as we stepped out the aurora was exploding overhead.  it was a beautiful show. didn't last very long but we hit it perfect.  absolutely stunning.  no great photo's because i wasn't in any mood to attempt good photography. 

the next day was beautiful but going to get cloudy so i opted to take the dogs for a walk on the road in Denali. you can only drive in 15 miles then the buses continue on in Denali. as i started to cross the bridge i noticed ptarmigan on the road. the dogs were very interested.  i thought i'd just sneak past them but walking by the bus.  Ivy backed out of her collar and took off in front of the stopped bus to chase off the ptarmigan.  dogs must be on leash and omg, so embarrassing. 

there were several more ptarmigan, changing to white already, but i managed to skirt the birds as i walked up this hill with the dogs.  we pulled aside for buses.  no large animals sighting. we turned and headed back down towards Savage. boom...fox!  it popped out on the road.  far enough away that i could manage dogs still.  there were also still lots of ptarmigan out there to deal with. 

a park bus started up the hill.  suddenly, the fox got scared and ran right towards us.  this caused many ptarmigan to take flight. this was too much for Ivy Rose, she once again backed out of her collar and took off after both the birds and the fox. so a very eventful walk.  Ivy was harnessed up the rest of the trip.  i had the harness in the car.  she doesn't like it but that is what had to happen.  she can't keep getting loose.  there were also squirrels all over the place. 

after this walk i put dogs in the car and then i walked Savage. after this the clouds were rolling in so i went back to hotel to take a nap and eat lunch. 

later SH came and we met for dinner and a drive through those first 15 miles. i like to just go back at different times, especially early morning and evening. you never know what you will see. we did see a grizzly bear, at a distance so that was great. 

in the morning we stopped at Antler Ridge trail parking lot to get some energy out of the dogs. then SH and i did the horseshoe trail loop. she headed off on the bus. it was getting pretty out again.  i headed out towards home after a few short walks in Denali and lunch with the dogs. 

i stopped a few times heading south to walk the dogs. the dogs got a nice off leash walk at Byers Lake. 

then just home and unpack.  some of these are from Byron walk and Portage Valley

the dogs always have a great time. 

i'm busy getting ready for my friend to visit and another long drive. probably the last big thing before we give up on summer for good and settle in to enjoy some fall colors nearby. we will drive to Haines next week. it's a 14 hour drive so we will split it by staying in Tok coming and going. i've only stopped by Haines so will be good to explore it and feel like i've really seen it. hoping for a little side trip to Chicken if possible.  just because i've never seen that area in fall.  maybe some caribou sightings.  will be long drives though so we shall see. 

i got the car a new skid plate yesterday.  

looks like rain soon here. will walk pups then i was thinking it may be nice to give them baths. tonight off and then back to work.  

would like to do some more cleaning here and get the wall outside primed. 

hoping the shed gets done soon.  my handyman should be back from his vacation soon. 

turns out anji charged me anyway.  so i'm trying to get that reversed. 

still have to get the dogs health certificates on Monday. we will go into Canada coming and going to Haines. 

for sure winding down for the season though. summer goes so fast. i think i've done a few things.  nothing like what i used to do. no kayak trips.  some of those big camping trips are probably behind me.  so happy i had so many adventures when i was younger.  i'm 60...how do people wait for stuff until after they retire.  they miss out on so much of the good stuff when their bodies are more capable. 

just so many more aches and pains as we age.  makes doing those adventures a bit tougher. 

not impossible but certainly not as much fun as when you were younger and didn't pay for everything in body aches. 

finished a fairly dull book.  will start a new one soon.  

a few mushroom walks in North Bivouac this week. will probably head to the dog park in a bit here. lots to do and no time.  blog a bit.  blog, bathe the dogs...that is todays plan. 

just some tasky things to do today. good lazy day in some ways. that is the joy of winter coming. all things begin to calm down in life.  just this last adventure. my experience up north does remind me to make sure we have that tent and stuff as back up in the car for the trip. 

this place is amazing but it can get you if you aren['t prepared or careful. 

this was the quick run out to Spencer Lake. 

you always think there is another year and another year. this life and each day is a gift. 

some fun memories this summer as with all. 

i did back off i think from most others this year.  let them come to me.  re-evaluate who wants to be here and who wants less. 

Covid was that eye opener for me.  i was putting too much effort into relationships that were not real. 

we aren't always valued at the same level as we value others.  it's good to sometimes take stock in the reality of what is.  people do come and go. some stay, others go. i've been ghosted by a few friends and i'm sure i have ghosted a few.  i guess i see it as some people come and stay and some come and go. 

rain, tis the season. watching an Alaskan survival show.  always funny.  things you think they should be doing.  it's in Southeast Alaska.  wet all the time.  hard to stay warm. not sure why they aren't catching fish.  none of them have seemed to take advantage of the sea that is right in front of them. they also don't seem to realize the sap can be used to make fire. 

of course, these shows all have a full staff so they can get picked up and taken to safety at any time.  not true survival. 

not sure i'd do well, or even would have when i was younger. it's not easy to survive in the Alaskan wilderness with minimal tools. one was all talk about how she'd summitted all these mountains...that is with a crew and proper gear. 

well, i'll just head out and survive a walk in the woods..that is enough for me.  that is enough survival trials for me. 

grateful for A. safe travels to and from Denali despite car troubles. B. the joy of the amazing fall colors in Denali. C. that nothing bad happened with Ivy slipping her collar those times. 

still working on first run through of the Swift album...do we still call them albums?

 

so far much of the album songs like one long song.  with her you really do have to focus on the lyrics.  her real "swiftie" fans seem to see all the twists and inner meanings more than i ever will. she has dated the time it covers. i suspect after all the years writing with an intent to please others in some way...this one is cathartic.  it's her raw emotion laid out for her own purpose.  i mean she's a billionaire.  who does she need to please really. she sold so many albums on day one.  

there are a few stand outs already for me. will listen again. was listening at work the other night. my first night was in the cardiac unit. not my favorite. just not a fan of hearts at this point.  funny, for all that time i was off i never needed anything for anxiety or heartburn...says something really.  i know it's time to pull the trigger sooner than later. at this point i'm thinking after the fall starts make my decisions. 

i wouldn't mind getting into some writing again myself.  i'm not a poet like Swift but i have quite a few pretty good ones. have always wanted to combine my poems and some favorite photos in a book, even if it is just for me ultimately. i also have a book idea, but due to content i'd need to use a pen name. Hippa stuff. 

years of working as a nurse has given me a lot to work with. 

i worked regular ER last night and i worked my butt off. that place is nuts sometimes. my rooms were just turning over and over and over. discharge 3/4, get 3 new patients. then the last several hours was almost all homeless. not sure what happened.  the place was filled with the homeless.  like it was below zero and they just wanted out of the cold but it really isn't that cold out there. perhaps just warm enough that they feel freer to escape beyond their encampments...so come to the ER. 

lucky for me i'm not as familiar with the regulars. who knew people went to the ER on a near daily basis.  it's pretty nuts. 

exciting week coming up.  picked up my prep for the colonoscopy. can't wait for that to start!

then i have Tonsina cabin out of Seward with friends next weekend. hopefully my gut is returned to normal by then. we have the boat arranged. it's a short hike, 2+ miles but with gear it's just easier and more fun to hop on a boat. 

went to the eye doctor. i was due and since i'm still having some symptoms post pink eye i figured it was time.  eyes are still dry with some floaties in the right side of the right eye.  the eyes got the all clear. eye doc thinks i had both bacterial and viral infections.  she gave me loads of free moisturizing eye drops. 

left work this morning at 6 am so one hour short, which is always great...i was getting pretty tired of dealing with drunks and drug addicts.  it's a sad thing but as a nurse working with them you do get pretty jaded. lots of attitude and at times uncomfortable situations.  some pretty foul smells.  do not remove shoes on the homeless is a lesson i've learned.  that Jesus washing of the feet is more of kindness than i am capable most days...of course, in the land of Jesus they were wearing open toed sandals i think...up here we have layers of wet socks and shoes that have been worn for weeks.  trench foot...it's truly disgusting.  

always collecting pens.  do other nurses do this? pens can be hard to find so anytime you find one you cling to it.  i wonder how long after i do retire i'll hoard pens. 

so far i think this is one of my favorite songs so far, "i can do it with a broken heart". many nurses are seeing this as a nursing anthem, taking away the spirit of it...how often we carry on with our jobs despite our hearts being broken at what we deal with.  other peoples trauma and drama.  for her it's more akin to relationships. it sounds different from the others.  as i said, many start to blend together on this one. will have to listen and focus more next time through. read the lyrics more. as i said i don't know enough about her and her relationships to guess which guy or situation this is about for her. 

when i write i end up taking the emotion and taking off with it.  it's not always some exact replication of true life. life is just the base. 

winter and Iditarod are what these pictures are about. 

trails here remain pretty dicey. snow packed but slushy. easy to twist the knees and back. Sunny chased another moose off this week.  that boy.  gonna give me  breakdown. driving home today a moose booked out in front of me, a few hundred feet in front of me.  crossed the street and then started booking down the sidewalk. not sure what spooked the poor moose.  they just have a little  bit to go before the green starts to show up again. 

saw a few sprouts at work as i walked in the last few nights. 

took a walk on the coastal trail the other day. i was silly and thought there would be clear trails. nope, still snow packed. did see canadian geese and sandhill cranes.  always great having the birds return for the season.  everything moves so quickly up here.  it's pretty nuts really.  i love the drama of nature. 

much of this album is like a poetry slam except she sings her poems instead of just reading them.  not that this is unpleasant. 

wonder what the next album will be. at this time she appears to be in a new and exciting relationship so perhaps there will be some up beat songs...or she will just get engaged married and have some kids.  she never needs to write another thing, she is set financially for life.  she seems to really like to push herself and stay busy.  she's at that age to though where if she wants to have kids, it's gotta be on the mind. after this long international tour a big long break is not unheard of. 

have another escape to Homer in May for another low tide. i think i have vacation for that week.  

haven't seen the bear in the bear tree.  there are sightings of bears. perhaps a charge on the Potter to McHuge trail. that area gets the early bear sightings.  

you have to walk away from the person you had to become to get through the things you had to get through in life. can't be stuck being that person who was hurt and angry. you may have needed to be that person and personality to get through things.  it's a funny thought but probably some truth to it. 

have to allow your soft side to return.  would be easier to get sucked into the painful/hurt/angry stuff. i suspect this album, like my writings/blog is just how Swift is doing just that. just get all that out of your head and then live each day free of it all. 

these are from a summer hike out Powerline Pass. this area is always a great place for wildflowers once you hit it.  everything was delayed last year. the flowers.  like this year, so much snow. 

LS came by and helped do step one prep at fixing the little free library.  i picked up some stuff at Home Depot today for the repair.  it was funny. this worker started helping me, next thing i knew i had my own personal shopper. lol. much needed on my part.  

so many projects, all you can do is one at a time.  

love the purple pinecones up here.  so pretty

no gun shots leaving early this morning.  still parking in the same area.  probably won't have another situation like that. 

what to do if i retire from here. that is the big question.  do i pay separate for insurance? do i find a job where i get insurance? do i stick with current job but look for less stressful position within the hospital? 

slight distracted as i listen to the album and try to read lyrics. mostly, they blend together. she seems like a dreamer. often dreamers end up finding life tough. always looking for magic and often finding that path disappointing. so in love with love that they only seem to thrive in the infatuation stage. 

there was a country song about Mr Right vs Mr Right Now. i do think women are often kind of set up to dream of the big picture instead of just enjoying a relationship for what it is. wanting to make it the relationships to end all relationships.  many of us live with a series of Mr Right Now sorts. 

my adult years were a bit of a fun wild ride. lots of short and fun relationships. not many that stuck around.  one friend once said i dated super fun and cute guys but none that would match my intellect so after a bit i'd get bored. really had a lot of deconstruction and personal exploration in those years. i was a bit of a mess but it was some great times. no regrets. 

a few other stand outs.  Fortnight and Who's afraid of little old me. 

you learn and become more you with each person you gain in this life. best to be open to all sorts of personalities.  your potential grows exponentially with the experiences you allow yourself. people do come and go. it's sad at times accepting people moving out of your life but then you have to focus on all the experiences and growth that came from being with them.

in the end your world is filled with love.  some of that love sticks it out longer and some is more brief.  regret just is a waste of time. the joyous times and the times of trial all combine to create the best you. so it's best to ride the waves in this life, the ups and the downs. 

about time to crash.  2 shifts is so much less daunting than 3. 0 is the sweet spot though.  haha. 

the animals are chilling. love to watch the pets sleep.  they always have such peace. 

was going to look at a pictures from the big camera. don't think i've even looked at the ones on there from the iditarod. 

broke down and got an i watch.  my fit bits seem to break every year so i am hoping this lasts a bit longer. the fit bit just counted steps so this one is a bit more complicated.  still figuring it out. 

glaciers...soon will be out on that water again.  never know what you will see out there.  love the ocean.  some are ocean people some are lake people.  i'm an ocean person. 

grateful for A. recovery from pink eye, that wasn't fun. B. that i can work 2 shifts a week and survive. C. the people in my life who accept me and want me in their lives.