Good to be home again, safe and sound.
Very tired.
Will try to re-cap and post something entertaining in the next few days.
I need to recover from my vacation!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Go, Spit!
Trav and I made it to Homer yesterday. We had lunch at the Sunrise Cafe, not far from Summit Lake, but before Soldotna. It hasn't been raining all that much, and there also hasn't been a huge amount of traffic, so it was a pretty nice drive.
It wasn't raining by the time we got into Homer, so we drove all the way down to the spit so that Travis could take some pictures without getting wet. It sprinkled and rained most of the rest of last night, and well into this morning. It is supposed to keep raining until after we leave. Oh well.
We had dinner at Captain Pattie's last night.
www.homernews.com/dining/captainPatties/
This is right on the spit. The windows overlooked the inlet, and you could smell the sea air coming up. We didn't have reservations, although they weren't absolutely needed, we did end up at a smaller table off on the side of the room. The place was full of plenty of fisherpeople and tourists. Food was awesome. Their service was good, but I think they were having problems in the kitchen. Our food took a long time, but the waitress gave us some free smoked salmon dip to soothe us. We weren't in any hurry anyway, so I don't think either of us would have complained anyway. It was a nice gesture, and she got a nice tip out of the deal.
Excellent food. I had fresh Alaskan prawns, and Travis had a seafood alfredo medley with salmon, scallops and halibut. We both left the restaurant very very stuffed!
After that we just hung around the cabin and watched some old movies on tv, had a few drinks (really bad bad bad alcohol out of a can, and some beer).
Today we have a few more adventures in Homer before we depart tomorrow.
It wasn't raining by the time we got into Homer, so we drove all the way down to the spit so that Travis could take some pictures without getting wet. It sprinkled and rained most of the rest of last night, and well into this morning. It is supposed to keep raining until after we leave. Oh well.
We had dinner at Captain Pattie's last night.
www.homernews.com/dining/captainPatties/
This is right on the spit. The windows overlooked the inlet, and you could smell the sea air coming up. We didn't have reservations, although they weren't absolutely needed, we did end up at a smaller table off on the side of the room. The place was full of plenty of fisherpeople and tourists. Food was awesome. Their service was good, but I think they were having problems in the kitchen. Our food took a long time, but the waitress gave us some free smoked salmon dip to soothe us. We weren't in any hurry anyway, so I don't think either of us would have complained anyway. It was a nice gesture, and she got a nice tip out of the deal.
Excellent food. I had fresh Alaskan prawns, and Travis had a seafood alfredo medley with salmon, scallops and halibut. We both left the restaurant very very stuffed!
After that we just hung around the cabin and watched some old movies on tv, had a few drinks (really bad bad bad alcohol out of a can, and some beer).
Today we have a few more adventures in Homer before we depart tomorrow.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Civilization
We made it back to Anchorage yesterday afternoon.
It was a fun couple of days at the cabin with the folks.
It was rainy for the most part, but the sun would shine through the mountains every now and then. The mosquitoes weren't too bad, and I don't think I got bit, for a change.
We were going to drive up to Palmer creek, but it was so rainy that there is no way we'd be able to see anything, as we'd be in the middle of the clouds. And since it is a one lane dirt road ( the word road is kind of an exaggeration ), if anyone were to come down, we'd have to pull off the road, and in the mud and snow, yes there is still snow up there, we might end up stuck.
We headed into Hope and wandered around the Hope museum. As we were wandering around past the museum, there were several old structure that have been moved / salvaged by the parks service.
A nice older woman came at us, she has lived in and out of Hope since 1969, and is a member of the Hope Historical Society. We were guessing that she likely doesn't get to talk much about her knowledge since there probably aren't a lot of interested people who go looking through the buildings. She talked to us for a pretty long time. She was very pleasant, and had lots to say about the buildings, the salvage going on, and what they were doing to restore things. We'll have to look her up next time we are there.
People were on the waterline fishing for 'pinks'. Mom and Dad were having a good chuckle. If you don't know, in Alaska, Pink Salmon is what you feed to your dog. Its not good fish. Ick. Glad the tourists love it. They can have it. (They can have all my salmon too, I never was a fan....)
Had dinner Saturday night at Bear Creek Lodge....
http://www.bowmansbearcreeklodge.com/
I had some of the best halibut I've ever had in my lifetime. I think everyone really enjoyed the food. It was awesome. They always have good food. It is pretty high cuisine, so don't go expecting burgers, its fancy food. Excellent though. Not what you might expect in Hope, Alaska. We were so stuffed though, we couldn't have dessert.
Travis and I drove alone back to the city, my folks drove my dads truck back in to Anchorage with the trailer. Along the way, Travis managed to see / get pictures of some moose on the side of the road.
We also decided to stop at Portage Glacier since it was actually sunny yesterday. Also, it was on the way back to the city, so it worked out. Got some good pictures along the walkway, but it was pretty windy and cold, as usual.
Had dinner last night with my younger brother, he came over to the folks house. He brought a bottle of bourbon. Yum. We all shot some pool for a while, and then wound down for the evening.
Have plenty of things planned for today / tonight, and then tomorrow we head to Homer for a few days. I'll try for another update then!
It was a fun couple of days at the cabin with the folks.
It was rainy for the most part, but the sun would shine through the mountains every now and then. The mosquitoes weren't too bad, and I don't think I got bit, for a change.
We were going to drive up to Palmer creek, but it was so rainy that there is no way we'd be able to see anything, as we'd be in the middle of the clouds. And since it is a one lane dirt road ( the word road is kind of an exaggeration ), if anyone were to come down, we'd have to pull off the road, and in the mud and snow, yes there is still snow up there, we might end up stuck.
We headed into Hope and wandered around the Hope museum. As we were wandering around past the museum, there were several old structure that have been moved / salvaged by the parks service.
A nice older woman came at us, she has lived in and out of Hope since 1969, and is a member of the Hope Historical Society. We were guessing that she likely doesn't get to talk much about her knowledge since there probably aren't a lot of interested people who go looking through the buildings. She talked to us for a pretty long time. She was very pleasant, and had lots to say about the buildings, the salvage going on, and what they were doing to restore things. We'll have to look her up next time we are there.
People were on the waterline fishing for 'pinks'. Mom and Dad were having a good chuckle. If you don't know, in Alaska, Pink Salmon is what you feed to your dog. Its not good fish. Ick. Glad the tourists love it. They can have it. (They can have all my salmon too, I never was a fan....)
Had dinner Saturday night at Bear Creek Lodge....
http://www.bowmansbearcreeklodge.com/
I had some of the best halibut I've ever had in my lifetime. I think everyone really enjoyed the food. It was awesome. They always have good food. It is pretty high cuisine, so don't go expecting burgers, its fancy food. Excellent though. Not what you might expect in Hope, Alaska. We were so stuffed though, we couldn't have dessert.
Travis and I drove alone back to the city, my folks drove my dads truck back in to Anchorage with the trailer. Along the way, Travis managed to see / get pictures of some moose on the side of the road.
We also decided to stop at Portage Glacier since it was actually sunny yesterday. Also, it was on the way back to the city, so it worked out. Got some good pictures along the walkway, but it was pretty windy and cold, as usual.
Had dinner last night with my younger brother, he came over to the folks house. He brought a bottle of bourbon. Yum. We all shot some pool for a while, and then wound down for the evening.
Have plenty of things planned for today / tonight, and then tomorrow we head to Homer for a few days. I'll try for another update then!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Over the hill...
... and through the woods, to the folks' cabin we go.
Long day, but fun.
Lunch with Gramma Nori, Great Aunt Reva, mom, me, Travis.
The Alaskan's Pioneer home was much nicer than I had expected. I'm glad that Aunt Reva is in a good place, certain good for her.
Went out to The Pepper Mill for lunch. 1/2 lb burger with Jo-Jo potatoes. Wow.... was I stuffed.
No dinner, we spend the rest of the afternoon running errands, and packing to come to the cabin.
Got to the cabin by about 10 pm tonight, then had cheese, crackers, margaritas and salmon and beef stick as a snack-like dinner.
(Found Susans too, small round short bread cookies with a huge glob of chocolate frosting covering them. I could eat a ton of them all by myself.... soooo goooooood...)
Moved a recliner, my old recliner that I gave to my folks when I moved to Oregon, up the cabin property with dad, and it is now sitting nicely in the cabin living room. Mom is very happy.
Tomorrow will be dragging the new utility run / pole / grounding rod so that dad can get the new electrical run for the cabin.
The folks did get the new well drilled, 130 feet. A bit more than they wanted, depthwise, but still short of the neighbors 288 feet. That would have left them with zero extra money for the year.
Cabin is great.
Travis is great.
Looking forward to being alone though.... :)
More tomorrow.
(DSL at the cabin kicks ass, and I even have 1 bar of cell phone signal....)
Long day, but fun.
Lunch with Gramma Nori, Great Aunt Reva, mom, me, Travis.
The Alaskan's Pioneer home was much nicer than I had expected. I'm glad that Aunt Reva is in a good place, certain good for her.
Went out to The Pepper Mill for lunch. 1/2 lb burger with Jo-Jo potatoes. Wow.... was I stuffed.
No dinner, we spend the rest of the afternoon running errands, and packing to come to the cabin.
Got to the cabin by about 10 pm tonight, then had cheese, crackers, margaritas and salmon and beef stick as a snack-like dinner.
(Found Susans too, small round short bread cookies with a huge glob of chocolate frosting covering them. I could eat a ton of them all by myself.... soooo goooooood...)
Moved a recliner, my old recliner that I gave to my folks when I moved to Oregon, up the cabin property with dad, and it is now sitting nicely in the cabin living room. Mom is very happy.
Tomorrow will be dragging the new utility run / pole / grounding rod so that dad can get the new electrical run for the cabin.
The folks did get the new well drilled, 130 feet. A bit more than they wanted, depthwise, but still short of the neighbors 288 feet. That would have left them with zero extra money for the year.
Cabin is great.
Travis is great.
Looking forward to being alone though.... :)
More tomorrow.
(DSL at the cabin kicks ass, and I even have 1 bar of cell phone signal....)
Friday, August 08, 2008
Made It!
Flight went really well. Travis was a trooper. We only had a slight bit of turbulence, and even though the flight was full, it seems that mostly everything went off without a hitch.
Can't confess that I'm overly fond of the Alaska Airlines 'credit card' only money payment scheme for inflight services (food, drinks, etc.) Seems grossly inefficient and slow. I realize making change and such is not fun either, but what can you do?
Mom picked us up at the airport. New truck looks nice. I like the grey color. Works.
Went to Gold Rush liquors and stocked up on all of our beverage needs for the coming days.
Dinner was salad and pizza from Pizza Pete's.
Tomorrow, lunch with Great Aunt Reva and Gramma Nori. Don't know where yet, but we'll figure that out as the time comes.
Mom and Dad got me a pretty seriously awesome serigraph from my cousin Dick Clifton, long since passed away. It is a nice piece of art over Multnomah Falls. Dad is going to frame it, and that'll be my birthday present, most excellent gift. I'm stoked about it! (Even though now it means I have to put a hole in the wall...... taboo.....)
Off to the cabin in Sunrise tomorrow evening for a few days.
More later.
Can't confess that I'm overly fond of the Alaska Airlines 'credit card' only money payment scheme for inflight services (food, drinks, etc.) Seems grossly inefficient and slow. I realize making change and such is not fun either, but what can you do?
Mom picked us up at the airport. New truck looks nice. I like the grey color. Works.
Went to Gold Rush liquors and stocked up on all of our beverage needs for the coming days.
Dinner was salad and pizza from Pizza Pete's.
Tomorrow, lunch with Great Aunt Reva and Gramma Nori. Don't know where yet, but we'll figure that out as the time comes.
Mom and Dad got me a pretty seriously awesome serigraph from my cousin Dick Clifton, long since passed away. It is a nice piece of art over Multnomah Falls. Dad is going to frame it, and that'll be my birthday present, most excellent gift. I'm stoked about it! (Even though now it means I have to put a hole in the wall...... taboo.....)
Off to the cabin in Sunrise tomorrow evening for a few days.
More later.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Cell Post: PDX Airport. Breakfast
Cell Post: PDX Airport. Breakfast with Travis at Gustav's. Kicks Ass. Servers name: Fabio. Wow! Mmmmm Schnitzel!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Auf Wiedersehen!
Bon Voyage!
Tomorrow is the big day. Taking Travis to Alaska as my graduation present to him.
He's nervous about meeting the family, and he's not too keen on flying, so tomorrow will be a full day for him.
I've been trying to keep from getting overly excited, myself. So much to get done, not sure how everything was going to work out, fitting everything into one smaller suitcase to avoid the temptation of bringing 100 pounds worth of crap.
Tomorrow, excited about tomorrow.
I have a few new stories to post, but I will need to write them out first, they are fairly in depth and not something I can monkey-bang out in just a few quick sentences. I need to give full attention to detail, or my saucy and snide wit is lost in translation.
(Yeah, I'm modest too!)
Looking very much forward to showing Travis where I grew up, and all the fun places I remember from my youth, adolescence, and delinquent days.
This first weekend will probably be playing tourist, shopping for trinkets, and maybe hit the Alaska Zoo.
Tuesday we leave for Homer to spend two nights at my Aunt and Uncle's cabins (which they rent out for tourists... www.glacierviewcabins.com ) , and then we are driving back, with my 10 year old cousin and her best friend.
Hoping also to spend a few days at the folks' cabin in Sunrise.
Should be a full trip!
More from the road later...... stay tuned for more updates....
Tomorrow is the big day. Taking Travis to Alaska as my graduation present to him.
He's nervous about meeting the family, and he's not too keen on flying, so tomorrow will be a full day for him.
I've been trying to keep from getting overly excited, myself. So much to get done, not sure how everything was going to work out, fitting everything into one smaller suitcase to avoid the temptation of bringing 100 pounds worth of crap.
Tomorrow, excited about tomorrow.
I have a few new stories to post, but I will need to write them out first, they are fairly in depth and not something I can monkey-bang out in just a few quick sentences. I need to give full attention to detail, or my saucy and snide wit is lost in translation.
(Yeah, I'm modest too!)
Looking very much forward to showing Travis where I grew up, and all the fun places I remember from my youth, adolescence, and delinquent days.
This first weekend will probably be playing tourist, shopping for trinkets, and maybe hit the Alaska Zoo.
Tuesday we leave for Homer to spend two nights at my Aunt and Uncle's cabins (which they rent out for tourists... www.glacierviewcabins.com ) , and then we are driving back, with my 10 year old cousin and her best friend.
Hoping also to spend a few days at the folks' cabin in Sunrise.
Should be a full trip!
More from the road later...... stay tuned for more updates....
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