July 29

Awoke to heavy clouded skies, mild temps, no rain.  Spent the morning completing travel plans when Minde comes and making lists.  The apartment is small but we think we have it arranged so Minde is comfortable.  We will not be spending a lot of time here, just enough for showers, sleep and breakfast.  We spend the day at various stores that have the items we need.  Trying to gather food items enough for RV travel times when there are no stores and enough to allow not taking valuable fun time shopping!  We promise Minde will be fed regularly and given heathy options.  LOL.  In Alaska grocery lists include a canister of bear spray!  We drop off all our buys and head out to O’Malley’s on the Green, the city golf course/restaurant.  It sits half way up the mountain.  A course built while we were living in Anchorage, much more sophisticated now.  Bears and moose still wonder onto the course from time to time.  Not tonight.    Tonight is Burger, Brew and a Bucket of Balls for $15.00!  It is well attended by couples, groups of friends and families.  The driving range is fun they provide the clubs if you want.  The Chugach Mountains form the back drop of the range.  The burgers are cooked fresh on a grill and tonight Alaska brewing is featured.  We meet one of their reps who graduated from St John Fisher’s in Rochester, near where both our kids graduated from. He is from the Buffalo area.  They are serving Alaska White which is well established.  The other three beers are known as ‘rough drafts’, limited offerings of potential brews to be offered more broadly if well received.  There is one made with spruce fronds and cranberries.  Pat chooses Assaca, IPA and Chuck gets the White.  Stop off at the club restaurant and have an app and split a small dinner.  The view from one window is Anchorage cityscape, but it is socked in.  If it wasn’t heavily clouded we could see Susitna, Alaska Range, Denali and adjacent mountains.  The backdrop for the band is a view of the rising Chugach Mountains above.  The large windows have crossbars, likely for the winds that come through the area but may help in earthquake as well.  The band plays jazz and eclectic modern.  It’s five piece, horn, sax/clarinet, drums, 2 electric guitars.  The band’s leader sits at our table to talk.  Turns out he was raised in Alliance, Ohio about 45 minutes from us.  He attended Akron U and Cle State Uni.  Family is still in Ohio. He is itinerant music teacher in the Anchorage District, mostly as band instructor.  We share the changes and the now austerity being pushed on the District.  Two of his students have come tonight to jam in the ‘gig’ so it’s fun to watch the young men play.  Our waitress is a local hillside girl who knows our friends the Isley’s.  Anchorage is all about 3 degrees of separation!  Wonderful evening.  We have been able to watch the putters struggle below our window while listening to great music and views!  Minde will arrive very late tomorrow night.  I think we’ll all be sleeping in on Sunday.  Missing Dean as he is fishing in Seward. Let’s hope he and they catch some good fish!!!!

Night baby Dean, sleep tight in your cabin in the woods.

July 28

Awoke to heavy cloud and wind, cooler temps. Arrived at Casa Dean’s for awake time. We get our walking shoes on and off we go to the Campbell Creek Trail starting at Taku Lake.  The sun is out with wind and cloud, at least no rain. We are about 1.5 miles from our old neighborhood.  We used to ride our bikes to this lake from our house.  The Creek runs parallel to the lake and has spawning salmon in the current.  We walk upstream for a while to see where the Little Campbell merges with the main creek.  We are on a yet different section of this important creek that runs from mountain top to the Inlet, through the whole cityscape.  Brenna and Zach’s old condo sat directly on the creek upstream.  Am always amazed by these green belt areas that run through the city, little gems that remind us of what Anchorage must have looked like it its wilder days.  You would never know there is industry and roads all around us.  The paths serve as alternative traffic arteries for the city.  Pleasure and commuter bikers are on the paths constantly, there is actually a rush hour on the trails.  A commuter can cross the whole of Anchorage and not have to deal with road traffic but there are bike lanes on the roads as well.  In winter, they use fat tire bikes and or cross country ski. The fish are very red now with snarly toothed snouts and decaying skin.  They are not pretty at the end of their lives as they toil to secure future generations of fish.  Even in this state they remain noble in their cause and are to be admired for the long trip of obstacles they must pass to get to this important place of their birth.  Clean-up and river bank restoration are taken seriously and made part of the education curriculum.  People can fish the creek depending on the areas the different types of salmon that are in.  We take a couple trail trajectories to see different views of the creek as it winds through to the Inlet eventually.  See signs of moose browse but no scat.  Bears follow the creek through the city to pursue the salmon, often invisible to humans, no sign today.  Dean sleeps through it all with his stuffed travel gnome by his side.  Our path takes us back to Gallo’s restaurant and we enjoy a great lunch buffet and Tecate on draft.  How neat to be on the trail that his mother used as a child, eat at the same restaurant and be in the ‘old’ neighborhood!   Dean sleeps through it all.  He chalks up restaurant #5 and is a perfect gentleman!  Return home after picking up Brenna’s car with its new trailer hitch.  The Highlander is able to pull their rubber dinghy for fishing.  Dean is in Dr. Charles Ryan’s ped practice, same doc as Brenna and Seth. Doc Ryan took care of Seth as a newborn too.  Sadly he is retiring end of September but not until he was able to at least lay hands on Dean and meet Brenna as a mother many years later.  We say a brief good-bye to Dean as they prepare to go fish in Seward tomorrow.  And we prepare to meet Minde at midnight on Saturday!  Night little travel gnome!

July 27

Awoke to overcast and occasional rain spit.  We just heard the bear that has been scaring people at our future campsite in Denali Park has been killed.  We have known of the situation for some time but hesitated to say anything so we didn’t scare Minde.  The Savage River Campsite is known to be one of the least active for animals in the park. There are a couple good trails nearby that we wanted to take but out of the blue this young bear kept coming through and was very aggressive with humans.  We know this is incredibly unusual and suspected there was something physically not right with it.  They had closed the trails and restricted the camping to hard side vehicles only.  So, we could still camp but would have to be very careful and not be able to take the trails.  The bear was young, 3 years old, and had a list of issues from fractures to a tooth that grew through his jaw.  He was in pain and starving.  The park rangers tried bean bag shots to scare him away but he would eventually come back.  We are sad at his desperation but a cull was probably for the best.  Once they associate food with humans and the fact he actually bit a human, he was on the hit list.  The park has not had to kill a bear in 40 years which is amazing given the growing impact and intrusion of humans into this wilderness especially at the peak of their hunting for survival, preparing for hibernation.  It is likely this bear would not have lasted the winter.  Now things are back to normal and we should not have any problems at the campsite or the trails in the area.  Regardless, we will buy bear spray and have a canister for Minde.  And of course we will have our bear bells to warn them of our presence because they really want to avoid us as long as they have warning we’re in the area.

Brenna’s in-laws gave them a house cleaner for a couple sessions so we leave the house, aka Senor Dean’s casa, to let them get on with it.  Grandma S has been keeping the house in-between times.  Senor Dean is chalking up another restaurant visit, four so far.  The Village Inn is such a delightful little diner, the staff is so pleasant, the food is good and the décor is light, colorful and fun.  And it’s free pie day on Dean’s 7 week milestone.  We are discovering all the ways restaurants accommodate baby carriers.  We have seen very inventive contraptions and today the carrier sits perfecting in the space between the table and the back of the booth.  Dean is literally sitting at the table with us.  LOL. And as his practice has been, he sleeps deeply while we get on with our meals, all the surrounding noise is not a factor. Mama is not convinced that Grandma’s practice of putting Dean’s head in a blanket or hoodie ‘cave’ contributes to his deep sleep, but it seems to work. We read our books and exercise the legs.  He grips Grandma’s fingers and with very little help and pulls himself to a sitting position holding his head in place!  Ta Da!  His smiles are more frequent and he is mouthing ‘words’ and ‘answers’ when we speak to him.  He doesn’t seem to care if we are using Spanish words or gibberish, he seems to delight in it all.  Back for dinner and a little TV.  Starting preparations for Minde’s arrival.  Night.

July 26

Awoke to overcast and drizzle.  Finally bought a roll of heavy duty aluminum foil and taped it over our bedroom window.  It nearly blocks out the light from the long day and the neighbor’s spotlight.  This is old Alaska trick for dealing with long daylight. And it’s cheap and portable.  LOL  Back to the gym this morning.  Good workout.  Chuck’s knees and Pat’s back greatly benefit from the time.  Arrive at Senor Dean’s house and find him taking a little catnap.  Grandma quickly remedies that!  And is rewarded with smiles and gurgles and a full diaper.  We are all getting to know Dean better, is seven weeks old tomorrow.  His personality and patterns are emerging.  But change is always constant.  He is absorbing and learning at fast speed now.  He recognizes his Mom’s voice from across the room and he only has eyes for her when she is around.  We read at least one book a day.  Right now he likes the black and white images and colorful car book.  He still thinks Grandmas is silly and Grandpa, well, Grandpa is super silly. Grandma trying to remember what little Spanish she knows and saying words to him.  Brenna and Chuck run errands (aka fishing at Ship Creek for Chuck) and Dean takes a nap.  House stuff today, Chuck cleans up more old decking outside, Pat is washing clothes and freezing garden broccoli.  It’s also interesting to see how Brenna is changing as she gets back her energy.  Sitting at the table dressed, coifed and conducting work and house business with panache.  Yes, there is life after birth!  She and Zach are taking a weekend in Seward for fishing this weekend.  That gives Pat and Chuck time to prepare for Minde’s arrival Saturday.  We are very excited for her visit!  Back to apartment and make dinner.  Our native neighbor is now smoking fish and making unpleasant fish smells from next door.  The big fishing hump is nearing its finish, His fish cooking and preserving will be ending soon.  Maybe we can turn off some of the fans.  LOL.  And maybe a few slabs of his fresh smoked salmon may go missing!  Night!

July 25

Awoke to cool temps, mountains socked in and very drizzly.  Had a slow go morning.  Took Brenna and Dean to Penney’s for first pictures.  It was too funny how many outfits and props we took.  Dean was fairly compliant requiring a few breaks.  He had a couple half smiles but at least no tears.  Needless to say, we only made it through two clothes changes.  Celebrated first pictures at Glacier Brew House for late lunch.  Dean slept through it all.  Leaving Dean to a nap at home, we drove out to Eagle River Campground in the community just outside Anchorage going north.  We will spend our last night with Minde in the RV here.  It’s a very nice campground located on the swift moving Eagle River coming out of the Eagle Glacier. It borders on the Chugach State Park so wilderness just across the river.  Besides the fish coming up river the Anchorage city ‘dump’ is across the highway.  Black bears are especially active in this park.  We scope out a few campsites for our future overnight.  Back to Anchorage for some light grocery shopping.   Our next door apartment neighbor is now smoking fish on the landing, at least we can’t smell it.  But it would smell good!  Night!

July 24

Awake to pouring rain, mountains are socked in and the temps are very cool low 60’s.  We wonder how many grizzlies came into the Hope campsite last night after the fishers were in bed.  The stories about the size of these bears is epic. They would stay away while all the humans were active but once it quiets down, they will be compelled to come down to the easier fishing near the mouth of the creek.  All they want to do is fish, but if someone leaves food out they’ll go after that too.  This is why we call tent campers bear tacos.  Resurrection Trail takes off out of Hope and runs over the mountains down to Cooper Landing.  It is an old gold miners trail and very popular but better hiked in groups. Sent email to Minde today with list of items to pack and what we can buy for her prior to arrival.  We are on the week countdown now to her arrival!  The weather has changed quickly from high summer to late summer, early fall.  This is a better weather for animal viewing and less bugs so there are benefits.

We take a slow day and hang out in the apartment on this rainy day.  Dinner at Brenna and Zach’s.  Grandma Amy has made her family recipe spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and garden lettuce salad rounds out the meal.  This is the first meeting of all Dean’s grandparents and there is a lot of congrats and baby cooing going on.  Dean is having a lot of handlers today!  He’s very entertaining by looking adorable until it’s time for feeding.  Long story short about Grandma Amy’s ‘special bottle’.  We could not find Jura scotch anywhere online or local.  This is the scotch from Amy’s family’s origins, Isle of Jura.  While in Aus and NZ (lots of Scottish settlers, now dwellers) we were on a scotch treasure hunt with Scottish fellow bus travelers as willing helpers.  Scots understand pursuing and capturing scotch. After a few reported sightings and false leads a bottle was finally found in Hobart, Tasmania.  By the time Amy received it today the bottle had traveled from Scotland to Tasmania then through New Zealand, Sydney, Honolulu, Chicago, Hudson to Alaska.  We estimate distance of this message in a bottle at 40,000 or more miles!  Amy loved the bottle and we have now have the ongoing family joke and stories about the elusive Jura.  We wetted the baby’s head in a toast but Grandma Amy is in charge of the bottle!  Nighty night Dean.  Tomorrow is baby picture day at Penney’s studio.  Hope you have a good night in preparation!

July 23

Awoke to cooler temps and clearing cloud.  Chuck drives downtown to Ship Creek to try his hand at fishing for Pinks (salmon).  Our preferences are Kings, Reds, Silvers and Pinks.  Pinks are a fun catch, they put up a fight  No luck today.  Late start, decide to explore some areas that are new to us and some old favorites.  The sun is out and very warm but air is cool. We return to the Campbell Creek Estuary to take all the trails.  We take the trails to three different destinations.  All overlook the Estuary.  We are able to see one Sandhill crane in the distance.  Volcano, Mt. Redoubt, is out today.  We pass moose tracks and old bear scat.  We’re sure Chuck’s bear bell is very scary to them.  LOL>  Varieties of salmon make their way up this creek.  It ends at the estuary, runs through the city with origins in the Chugach Mountains that ring Anchorage.  Campbell Creek runs through our old neighborhood and the kid’s elementary school is named for it.  From our viewpoint we can see parasailing jumpers from the cliffs in the distance.  We next go to the Chugach Park info site which is closed but good view of the Inlet and history of the railroad and its workers in the outdoor info kiosks. We decide to drive down the Arm even though the fire is still active.  The road is open to the public at a reduced speed.  The once beautiful McHugh Creek trailhead and picnic grounds are burned, the burn did come right down to the road.  Smoke is still coming out of small patches higher up.  A helicopter is picking up buckets of water and dumping it on the hot spots.  The fire jumpers are seen in their fatigues and helmets.  The Arm is in minus tide, the water is draining out like someone pulled the plug.  It leaves large swaths of tidal mud exposed.  The mud is very dangerous, it acts like quicksand and has killed animals and humans.  There are windsurfers riding the winds and the tide, it is a very dangerous sport.  We are noticing that in less than a week since we were last down here there are already early signs of fall.  The Fireweed is nearly bloomed all the way to the top, the natives say when it reaches the top summer is over.  We drive through Turnagain Pass and take the turn off to Hope.  Hope would be a 45 minute trip from Anchorage if there was a bridge.  Instead we must drive all the way around the end of the Arm and back up the other side.  Hope is an old goldmining town off the beaten track.  It remains very tiny with old log houses.  It is situated at the mouth of Resurrection Creek and Turnagain Arm.  The town is really hopping.  Trailers, RV’s and tents everywhere.  They are here for the Pinks and having a lot of success.  It’s a nice evening so there is a lot of outdoor activity.  A long time bar and grille, the Sea View, has live music today (blue grass), serving Alaska brews and very good food.  Chuck has a blackened halibut sandwich and Pat has a very excellent Reuben sandwich, both have hand cut seasoned fries.  Drive back to Anchorage, about 2 hours, is uneventful but the bore tide is returning to fill the Arm.  Everywhere the Pinks are in there are fishermen and women lining the creeks.  Pass the fire area again and can see how far up the mountain the burn has traveled.  There seems to be only two small hot spots yet to extinguish.  The weather seems to be holding and it will help.  Time for bed.  Another adventure day tomorrow.  Night.

July 22

Awoke to steady rain and cool temps.  Apartment much more comfortable.  Mountains are socked in.  Smelled smoke coming through our window as we slept from time to time.  This rain can only help tamp down the fire especially in the very remote difficult terrain.   Looked at email and saw that Brenna sent a recipe to me at 3 AM, lonely, tired time for a mom.  But Dean is getting better about feeding and going back to sleep.  Dean in playful mood today, much more time awake and engaging with us.  He exercises his little arms and legs with punches and kicks.  He is very strong, it’s kind of scary how strong.  He really likes some of the book pictures we show him and loves silly grandma faces (I tell myself).  But he always knows his Mom’s voice.  More hair has fallen out and he is looking more like a cutie bald Gerber baby.  Zach says he has Buddhist monk hair. We swear he is trying to talk to us with his grunts and squeals and mouths ‘words’.  We can dream.  Brenna off to doctor today for check-up to advance activity.  She is doing very well.  Dean’s daycare has called and wanting forms filled out.  It is a bi-lingual, Spanish/English, Montessori Program.  He will be Senor Dean.  LOL.  It’s in a space in a church just a few blocks from their house.  Bren planning to remote work 2 days a week if possible.  Schedule still up in the air.  Brenna will be back to work by the time we leave in just a few weeks.  Chuck worked outside today dodging rain drops.  He is disassembling wood decking around the house and emptying gutters.  Dean more in cat nap mode and play time today.  So less housework.  Bren has gotten an okay to return to normal activities with slow entry so that’s good news.  We stop off at Gallo’s Mexican restaurant for dinner.  One of our old neighborhood places we always liked.  Still good quality and good price food and friendly staff.  Note to self, get the steak fajita next time!  Back at cooler apartment but neighbor seems to be boiling fish heads or something.  We detached domestic dwellers are spoiled for communal living!  Our bedroom’s shade provides privacy and air circ but does not deal with light.  In Alaska. summer light is a frenemy.  You love the long days that allow for extra outdoor fun and travel, but it does interrupt sleep.  Even though we are getting some dark now, the next door neighbor has an industrial spotlight that is triggered by dark and it shines right in our window.  Good for security but murders sleep.  Grumble, grumble.  Now who’s cranky?   Night!

July 21

Woke to steady rain and cooler temps.  Now this is the Alaska summer we remember!  The rain must be drowning the fire and there is smoke and smell in the air.  It does cause some throat burning.  Will keep Dean inside today.  We skip the gym, just too tired and whole day of baby care and errands ahead. Arrive just as Dean finally has fallen to sleep.  Brenna immediately hands him over to Grandma so she can get about her day.  He is wearing his ‘flying squirrel’ swaddle night gown.  Nothing cuter, especially as he is sleeping.  Bren and Chuck take off for a Costco and errands run.  It’s just Gram and Dean, Dean looks as if to say, prepare yourself……

Anchorage felt a 4.4 earthquake this morning at 6AM. A quick jolt, we never felt it.  Epicenter north east of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley around Wasilla.  Day of baby care and marveling at the many changes for Dean just in the short time we have been here.  Had a very sleepy day and was able to get some things done around the house.  Back to the apartment for a salad/roast chicken dinner.  Bren’s fresh lettuces are so good.  Watch the end of RNC and the Trump speech.  Afraid we will be having nightmares after it.  Western Ohio in 100-105 temps, our area in the 90-100.  Seth going to our house for the weekend for AC relief.  Okay to miss that heat. Our small garden at home is doing well.  There should be a harvest soon.  Night.

July 20

Awoke to more sunshine and warm temps although the clouds are moving in.  At first it looked like the fire had reduced from distance but looks like the wind is whipping it up again.  It seems to be moving more down the Arm away from Anchorage, but there are still homes scattered in the area.  Back to the gym this morning to try to balance out the Homer weekend.  The apartment is still very warm but we are too tired to care.  Pick up Brenna and Dean and drive to the Campbell Creek Estuary Park just about 1.5 miles from them. Home to many bird species including Sand Hill cranes.  It’s a lovely area that is not well advertised, but now we know! They have a park host RV slot located here, now that looks interesting.  We stop off at the Peanut Farm restaurant upstream on Campbell Creek sitting on deck with views over the creek.   On to the Campbell Creek Science Center and BLM, federal Bureau of Land Management, Administration Center. The drive takes us far back into dense forest in the upper Campbell Creek.  Just when you think there is no open land other than city parks in the city, we find this. There are many old and new trails crisscrossing the area.  Including sled dog trail for winter races.  There is a very busy science day camp going on.  Biking, exploring the creek, canoes and hiking and art projects and science experiments.  The building is very nice.  We are told there are many black and grizzly bears in the area pursuing the spawning salmon.  We take a short path to the river and there are loud kids there so we feel pretty safe.  Chuck is wearing his bear bell and the camp counselors are carrying bear spray.  We don’t venture too far but we are able to see very large, red colored last of the king salmon that are already in the spawn and die stage.  The female is huge and the males are much smaller.  Dean has slept ever since we left the house!   Back at the house, the air is still and it is hot!  Bren fixes a wonderful dinner using Guy Fieri’s Greek grilled lamb and tzatziki recipes and Bren’s garden fresh herbs.  Eaten on good pita with garden lettuces and store tomatoes.  (not easy growing tomatoes in Alaska but Bren is trying.) A little toasted couscous makes the dinner more than complete and delicious.  We are going through Dean’s clothes and he is outgrowing newborn fast.  We are wearing the ‘Somebody in Angola Loves Me’ T-shirts from Gr. Aunt Kathy because they will be outgrown quickly.   End of the day and time for sleep!

July 19

Awoke to sunshine and very warm temps.  Take some time this morning to rest a bit and recover before going to see Dean.  Seems we just got through the fire area in the nick of time.  The fire has come down to the road and they have closed it to traffic.  The scenes of the Arm are blocked with smoke.  The fire has expanded into more acreage than anticipated.  There are alerts to the Hillside communities to consider evacuating.  Anchorage is not seeing much smoke thankfully.  We stop at the house and Dean is having a fussy day.  He is such a cutie even when he is fussy.  Mom doesn’t always think so.  He is losing a lot of his newborn hair and his face is changing.  He has so much more mellow face time as he watches us talk to him and he tries to imitate with his little voice.  The day is starting to cool and the clouds are moving in.  Rain is expected for the next week, they need it.  The smoke in the distance seems much less than before, perhaps they have finally contained it.  Leave Dean in his sleepy time and stop at Carr’s for salad dinner we will fix at the apartment. Enough eating out for a while and eliminating the extra wonderful calories of restaurant food! Seth texted that he is at the Daily Show taping in Cleveland during the RNC.  So far no violence has occurred and we hope it stays that way.   A game of Scrabble to clear the cob webs and time for bed.  More baby time tomorrow.  Night Dean, we hope all this day time wakieness will become sleep tonight!

July 18

Awoke to sunshine and warm temps but the mountains across the Bay have almost disappeared in a haze.  Quite a contrast to last night’s beautiful golden full moon rising over the calm Bay, light shimmering over the water and the mountains.  Brenna texted last night there is a forest fire near McHugh Creek, one of the last bends in the road between Turnagain Arm and heading into Anchorage.  We only know they have been flying over with retardant and helicopters are pulling water out of the Inlet and dumping it into the rocky terrain.  They called in the fire fighters who parachute in but their first obstacle was facing a mother bear whose cub had climbed into a tree and she wasn’t going to let them through.  The road for us into Anchorage isn’t closed but it can change.  Alaska has so few roadways, one of the reasons the fires are so dangerous to escape and this fire is very near houses in the far south Anchorage boundary.  Our host Ann says the ‘fog’ is from the McHugh fire (180 miles away as the crow flies), but we think it’s more to do with the extreme heat meeting icy water and mountain glacier.  We’re very lucky to have had the clear days we’ve had!  The Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage area have been on high to very high fire alerts, it is so dry with the heat and limited rain.

Ann says we can leave whenever we want today.  But the Fairbanks crew who took over the other cottages are quite loud and kids crying so seems a coffee on the deck and gone by 11A.  Pat is collecting her things and a white streak moves by inside the cottage.  Apparently there are even more host dogs, 2 more little fuzzy yappers.  One has decided to let himself in our door and visit. As I said, it’s time to go!  First things first, we head to Two Sisters Bakery for ‘breakfast’.  A brie/tomato/herb croissant, chocolate ‘bread’ and a cinnamon bun with lattes.  OMG!  The chocolate bread is a round of sweet bread dough stuffed with oozing real dark chocolate.  This means we must walk down the road to Bishop Beach and beach comb.  We are in Old Town Homer.  This area subsided in the ‘64 earthquake and no one really lives full time here anymore.  Besides the subsidence, the tsunami will get you in time.  So, over time this area has revitalized with funky cafes etc and small businesses.  Bishop Beach and Old Town are on the mainland and not the Spit.  The Beach is very nice and much less used than the Spit.  Beach combing around glaciers means rock collecting.  As the glaciers grind down through the layers of rock they release all kinds of interesting things and the waves do the polishing and shaping.  Between our pockets full of rocks and twisty driftwood we can barely walk back.  Decide to do the Spit shops which have we had avoided over the weekend.  Walked the Spit and found a few unusual items we just had to buy.  Dean is getting a cute fleece hat with a salmon swimming through it and found earrings for Bren and a Byron Birdsall print for us that is the exact view of the Spit with full moon that we saw last night.  One last time at Lands End, sitting in rocking chairs and a couple brews.  The humpback whales are active just off the shore.  We are getting quite a show. We meet a couple who partly grew up in Ohio and now live in Stamford, Ct.  Walking back to the car we stop at Boardwalk Fish.  Can’t resist a last Homer halibut fry up, it is a long way home after all.  While we are sitting in this little café, a humpback is acting very aggressively by pounding the water with his/her side fin.  Maybe a calf is nearby and the boats are bothering it.  The staff tells us there is a raft of 30 sea otters joined together in the area, they do this when the whales are around.  One quick stop at Homer Brewing for a growler of stout for Zach.  Finally on the road.  It will take about 5 hours to get to Anchorage.  The evening is beautiful although the fog is so thick across the Inlet we can’t see any sign of mountains let alone the big volcanoes. We have a pleasant and uneventful drive through the mountains until we round the bend to drive up Turnagain Arm.  Smoke fills the area and we can start to smell it.  There is no warning not to travel so we move on.  As we approach McHugh Creek area our eyes and noses are burning.  There is a huge plume of smoke coming out of the burn area.  The TV crews are on sight but we can’t see any flame.  We don’t want to stop but the views are spectacular with the orange setting sun coming through the smoke, the whole sky looks on fire.  We have to settle for pictures taken through the buggy windshield to capture the moment without stopping.  Once we pass the area all is calm.  We’ll have to turn on the news to find out the impact of the fire.  We have to go down that way again when Minde comes in order to start our RV trip.  We’re sure it will all be fine by then.  We make it back to the apartment, start up the big fan and unload our gear.  Off to see baby Dean tomorrow and find out what amazing things he has done since we left.  Night.

July 17

Awoke to bright sunshine and much warmer this morning.  The nearly full moon last night cast a silvery light on the Bay, very beautiful.  Met the Clark’s from Soldotna, Ak, on the Danny J. last night and they were a wealth of information on various highways and travel around Alaska and Canada’s Yukon Territory.  We learned a lot about traveling the Denali highway which we plan to do with Minde, very remote with good chance of wildlife sightings. (We’ve bought bug nets to cover our head and face, it’s not just mosquitos but no-see-ums and flies.   Knights had to lend us theirs when we were in the Aus outback, so they know about this too.)  They also traveled the road back to Kennecott Copper Mine and made us feel we might actually be able to do it too without too many tire blowouts.  Alaskans are selling copper nugget jewelry, pendants and erring nuggets.  They are kind of cool.  Shaped like gold nuggets only copper, and cheaper.  There is also a new stone being marketed, Colleville sp?, it is the stone the cooper comes out of.  It’s very deep purple blue, almost black with a natural sheen.  Lee Clark worked for a construction company during the pipeline and helped lay pipe in Anaktuvuk Pass located on the Dalton Highway to the Beauford Sea we’d like to take.  He told us how they had to blow up the stream bed (permafrost) to lay the pipe below it.  One of the large caribou herds watched them as they migrated through.

We leave to board the catamaran, fast ferry to Seldovia near where Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay meet.  Stunning views of volcanoes, Iliamna and Redoubt, are easily seen.  We slow down for another humpback whale who slaps the water with his tail, different markings than last night’s whales so there are lots of them here.  We enter the quiet and calm harbor of Seldovia.  This is also a Russian and Native settlement area.  However, what we are seeing is how these former industrious towns are becoming vacation houses for wealthy.  Less people live here over the winter and more just come for summer months.  We go immediately for lunch at the Boardwalk Hotel.  Very rustic outside with beautiful flowers and nicely done interior.  We sit on the tent covered deck for our meal.  Chuck has bacon, avocado, provolone, sourdough bread panini with a side salad/homemade gorgonzola dressing.  Pat has a cup of seafood chowder and the House salad, fresh bib lettuce, dried cranberries, candied pecans, feta, grilled rock fish and poppyseed dressing.  A side of homemade focaccia toast on the side.  Everything was great, the rock fish was somewhat strong; we have been eating mild fish so it’s an adjustment.  Chuck had Alaska Brewing Free Ride APA beer and Pat can’t believe her luck, they serve Kendall Jackson Chardonnay.  Not Vintner’s Reserve but Grand Reserve by the glass!  Set off walking through the town.  Everything is quiet and what shops are available many are closed.  We find the old Russian orthodox church that sits high on the hill where fishermen could see it coming and going far out to sea.  We find the Visitor’s Center/Seldovia Native Center.  Very modern, impressive exhibit of history and ancient tools for fishing and daily living.  Walk down the historic boardwalk.  Very short but reminds us of Ketchikan in the southeast.  It follows the slough and many old houses on stilts or built into the rock are here.  We cross the slough bridge where beautiful jelly fish are floating.  Clear round globs with orange star centers.  We also see large ‘red’ salmon moving upstream to spawn.  They are likely pinks or dog salmon, not the best catch.  We walk down a dirt road surrounded by thick forest and culverts loaded with salmonberry bushes.  We eat our way down the road.  They range in color from rosy gold to red to deep purple.  They are as big as our thumbs.  The darker berries have a more intense flavor.  Dessert on the go.  Our host Ann says salmonberries do not grown on the Homer side of the Bay, just raspberries and blueberries.  Rest a while back at the Boardwalk for a final Kendall Grand Reserve.  We are only here for 4 hours and we walked at least a couple miles.  It is very hot here, all over Alaska, Alaskans are shocked by the weather.  We fast ferry back to Homer passing a group of seals bobbing around.  This is a perfect weekend for tent campers.  They are right on the beach, all types, wilderness synthetics, old MASH style canvas and yurts with stovepipes coming out the top.  Then there are the RV’s/trailers, hundreds of them.  We stop at Fat Olives for a ‘light’ dinner.  Share a half dozen amazing Kachemak oysters and a hot smoked salmon/green chile dip.  We share a calzone, Chuck has a tomato based seafood chowder.  The marinara is outstanding as well as the Italian meats.  One of the cooks is flinging pizza dough in the air, some of the rounds are at least two feet wide.  Chuck tries a couple Homer brews and they are better than expected.  This restaurant is a winner.  We are getting back earlier than last night.  Ann has opened the cottage up for us since it has been so hot.  The other two cottages around us have had different people each night while we’re here.  A large group from Fairbanks have arrived lots of little kids and noise!  They are all BP slope workers.  They had to drive a very long time to get here so they are anxious to unwind.  The sun is slowly setting and it is very beautiful across the Bay.  It is hard to imagine that just across the Bay, over the Harding Ice Field, is the port of Seward, another favorite spot.  The temperature in Homer today was 85, had to be warmer in Seldovia.  Then we heard it was 88 in Seward.  No one can believe it.  But fall comes early here so these temps can’t last and the rain won’t hold off forever, hopefully.  They are dry down here and fire alerts are high as on all the Kenai Peninsula.  They had fires this spring that destroyed houses and many acres of forest.  We both got sun today, red faces.  Tonight is our last night and then to Anchorage and baby Dean.  He has turned a corner, eating less per feeding and sleeping more at night.  His Mom can’t believe it!  Looking for the moon, soon to arrive.  Goodnight Alakshak, Eskimo for Alaska!

July 16

Awoke to full sun and clear skies.  It is a little frosty this morning and the dew is thick on the grass.  We are in Cottonwood season.  Anchorage has already gone through it and we are getting it here now.  The view is like looking through a snow globe.  Tufts of white Cottonwood seeds float everywhere.  We slept very cool last night needing a blanket.  We even have a grandma patchwork quilt on the bed.  Lots of hot water for showers.  We are on a well and septic here.  The dogs aren’t out and about yet, maybe we can sneak away before they visit.  LOL.  Just saw Sarah and Jed’s house pics on Facebook.  What a lovely home and the yard is gorgeous.  Ready for many happy family gatherings.  Hint, hint!  Homer is like Sausalito of the north.  An active artist colony and crafts of all types, yet has much ocean influence in recreation and industry.  We are off this morning for adventures down the hill.  Dinner tonight across the Bay at very famous haute cuisine Saltry restaurant.  This will be our 6^th visit over there, always delicious.  Pat is eagerly anticipating their signature pickled salmon.  Ann just walked down the lane like she’s a young girl.  These people must be 80, they have two sons retiring, one from Coast Guard in New Jersey and the other from BP, slope worker.  A third son continues to work on the slope.  The two slope sons have houses on the property.  Our first stop is the Homer United Methodist Church rummage sale.  We find a few eclectic items and avoid more.  Stop off at the Homer Farmer’s Market down the road.  A collection of tents with Kombucha (sp) tea, it sounds gross to me so we avoid it.  The peony stall with every color imagined and lots of local grown veg, seafood, baked goods.  Meet a local woman who sews children’s things.  Find a cute drool bib for Dean that looks like a neckerchief with moose antlers and a stuffed gnome with a pointy hat.  Can’t resist the made on the spot rounds of deep fried fresh yeast dough rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with rhubarb compote and walnut pieces.  But managed to resist the fried green tomato sliders, they looked most excellent.  An all female ‘band’ play awesome xylophone music on every size of instrument and a set of drums.   Stopped at Ptarmigan Arts, the second oldest local artist coop in the state.  Very beautiful works of art of all mediums.  One artist living across the Bay has to bring his glass across in a skiff and it’s incredible.  We decide to drive as far out along the coast as we can on East End Road.  We drive high along the cliffs to the end of the Bay where we see multiple big glaciers coming out of the Harding Ice Field across the Bay.  We are in full sun and the sky is blue with some cloud.  It makes taking pictures a bit difficult in this bright light.  We see the top part of Grewingk Glacier.  It is huge as it fills the valley.  Near the bottom we can see the glacier lake that has formed with calving and a river spilling out of it to the sea.  If the ice dam ever breaks that lake will cause quite a shock through the Bay.  We drive all the way out to the end of the paved road and enter wash board road that serves the Russian community.  These are the ‘old believers’ Russian orthodox and seem to be a little like the Amish in their separatist ways.  While the women wear long dresses like the Amish, unlike the Amish their’s are colorful and with lace and print.  Their heads are covered in brightly colored babushkas with lots of glitter and glitz. We did see some of them at the market this morning selling their veggies.  The road ends with a drop off a cliff so we decide it’s far enough.  We pass a pair of Sandhill cranes in a field, always a thrill.  It’s hard to describe the wild flowers, bright pink fireweed, white yarrow, Shasta Daisies, Cow Parsnips, white cotton crass are everywhere.  Stopped at the Pratt Museum back in Homer and visited the gift shop.  Found a few things that we liked.  On to the National Parks Alaska Islands and Oceans Visitor Center.  The displays are very nice and the facility is artfully done.  We listen to a presentation on the volcanoes that exist in this area, particularly those in the Aleutian Chain.  Find the wonderful handmade Alaska animal mobiles that we found in the past.  They are almost gone and not to be repeated so we buy swimming salmon and floating otters.  We drive out to the spit and right next to our car is a mile long flotilla of sea otters.  Hundreds of them, we have never seen such a thing!  Stop off at the Salty Dawg Saloon for a quick libation.  It’s a dark old log cabin with low ceilings.  People have left dollar bills tacked on every surface.  It’s a real class place; they sell thong underwear with their logo.  We go to the pier and board the Danny J. to cross the Bay.  We have done this a half dozen times in the past and it’s still a thrill to be on the water.  Today it is emerald green with big swells.  We pass by an otter, then a seal swims by and then a humpback whale surfaces, blows and then waves at us with its tail.  We enter the quiet Halibut Cove and it is as picturesque as any ocean spot in the world, with a few houses jutting out of the rocks and mountains looming behind.  On our last visit we were amazed by the devastation the spruce beetle had caused, looked like someone dropped a bomb.  But now the area is recovering fast with new growth.  We walk the floating ladder up to the Saltry restaurant.  We have come here a few times and the food is always excellent.  Some kayakers paddle in for a meal.  A couple boogey boarders paddle along.  We sit on the veranda overlooking the cove.  We start with a combo plate of veggie nori maki, shrimp poke with seaweed, halibut cerviche, smoked salmon spread with rice crackers, and pickled salmon.  A half dozen Katchemak oysters round it out.  Chuck has a cup of seafood chowder and Pat has frisee and arugula salad with champagne/pea snow vinaigrette and feta cubes.  The bread is a multigrain with sea salt.  Pat has grilled octopus with black rice and mango; Chuck has salmon three ways, one salmon is feeder salmon, very moist and mild with a side of chard.  A nice bottle of Oregon pinot gris is a good choice.  Pat has olive oil cake with rhubarb compote; Chuck has Callebut chocolate cheesecake.  We winch ourselves out of our seats and set off for the boardwalk.  We circle around the cove visiting a few small art shops and enjoying the beauty.  Time to return on the Danny J.  At least 3 humpback whales are blowing mist near us, one waves with his tail.  The water looks like quicksilver and the sun is getting low.  We walk the beach for a short time and then return to the cottage.  The moon is rising, it will be full in the next day or two.  Can’t figure out why we are so tired.  Brenna just sent pictures of Dean.  Can’t believe he has changed even more since we left.  Night Baby Dean, your grands are exhausted but thinking of you.

July 15

Blew off the gym this morning claiming that we have to get on the road.  Landlord stopped off with more towels, her husband owns the complex we are in.  She explained the confusing TV arrangement, it will still only get us a couple channels.  Finally packed we head south on the Seward Highway in sun and warmth.  We are in Turnagain Arm once again, never tiring of the views.  We stop at a recently opened gift shop that specializes in chain saw art.  We have watched and wondered about this huge log cabin for years as it took years to build.  It’s a very beautiful building so nice to finally be able to go in.   The chainsaw art is very refined given the large scale of the pieces and the use of a big saw.  Lots of other kinds of art are for sale, two willow branch chairs we’d like to put in our suitcases.  On past Girdwood ski Valley and Portage Glacier, now we enter the Kenai Peninsula known for fishing and all kinds of outdoor recreation.  Beautiful passes, glaciers and rivers.  We turn onto the Sterling Highway to Homer taking us through Cooper Landing and the beautiful turquoise Kenai Lake and the opal waters of the Kenai River.  Stop off at the national designated Kenazi archeological dig by the river.  Take a brief tour on the boardwalk showing the remains of their house and underground food caches.  There are many berries and herbs growing here and a recent black bear sighting.  Through all the main salmon fishing rivers and towns we finally start directly south.  The big volcanoes are in clear view across the inlet.  Even Augustine can be seen like a ghost in the distance. Luckily none of them are active today, but tomorrow who knows.  Stop at the Russian orthodox church and the conservation village of Ninilchik. Beautiful sites with the volcanoes as a backdrop.  Finally we come to Homer and it is partly overcast and warm.  It will be clearing out for the weekend.  We have booked at the Wild Rose Cottages, we are in the Raspberry Cottage. We have a very difficult time finding it. We are located high up above the Home Spit along a ridge running above it.  After several attempts we finally get there.  The property is owned by Bob and Ann for the past 50 years.  He was a commercial fisherman in Kachemak Bay (Homer), harvesting three types of crab until they were fished out and then went to halibut and salmon.  This is a several acre property with family homes and small homey cabins. Ours has antiques, kind of a grandma’s house.  Beautiful flowers are everywhere, even the famed Homer peonies that flourish and are a big market commodity these days.  We have a deck that overlooks Kachemak Bay below and Beluga Lake where float planes are taking off.  The owners have 2 miniature Australian sheep dogs and a female black lab.  They follow us into our cabin and make themselves at home until the male Aus dog tried to lift his leg on the corner of the bed.  Chuck makes short work of his leaving.  We drive down to the spit, a ‘natural’ thin strand of land that ‘spits’ out into the Bay.  The cliffs on the Homer side have seams of coal in them, so coal washes up on the shore from time to time.  It’s crazy out here.  It is now like Homer Disneyland since we lived here. They have filled in the spit and now hundreds of campers are everywhere.  We drive out to Lands End to sit on the patio in rocking chairs with an unobstructed view of the Bay, away from the madding crowd.  We can see the top of Katchemak Glacier as it spills into the Bay. Two large sea otters float by on their backs while the gulls try to steal their food.  The bald eagles, America’s national symbol, are dumpster diving for fish entrails and trying to steal food from the gulls, when they are not eating them!  Fishing boats, charters and Ak Ferry sail by.  Dinner at Captain Pattie’s per Ann’s recommendation.  It was good, but not outstanding.  Fish, scallops and shrimp all seemed fresh, the chowder was a little salty.  Back to the cottage after a full day.  Sitting on our deck overlooking the bay as the sun begins to sink behind us.  It’s still very light, very late, but we are losing minutes fast now that solstice is past.  As the sun leaves the temps drop dramatically, we can see our breath.  No hot sleeping tonight! Thinking about baby Dean, can’t believe how much we miss him already.  Even his temper is endearing.  Nighty night Dean, the neighbor’s dogs will not be sleeping with us!!!

July 14

Awoke to mostly sunny skies and warm temps, in fact, hot in the sun.  It’s not humid but the heat from the sun is intense.  Everyone is saying they can’t believe how hot it is in their houses.  Our apartment windows only face directly east and west and unless there is a breeze we’re not cooling. The portable fan is a small help.  Off to the gym early.  Pat in Jacuzzi and warm water pool and Chuck on the machines.  Off to Dean’s house, this is what we call it now.  The house of milk-monster-cutie-face- little-toes.  Pat picks a quart of red raspberries from Bren and Zach’s bushes, more to come.  The garden is overflowing with lettuces and herbs. Bren runs errands and Grandma Pat has a whole one and a half hours with Dean in mellow face time.  He is mesmerized by her silly talk and facial expressions.  He seems to be changing daily just since we arrived.  His soft little head is so fun to nuzzle.  Friends from San Fran are visiting for the weekend arriving tonight.  So, we take the opportunity to take a long weekend out of town.  Stop off at F. Street café for an incredible dinner of seasoned fresh grilled king salmon with lemon buerre blanc risotto and veggies.  We watch the chefs cook right in front of us.  Who would think this tiny bar would have such elegant tasty food.  Leaving for Homer in the AM.  Nightly night baby Dean we are missing you already.

July 13

Awoke to sunshine and warm temps.  The apartment was very warm last night, partly due to the Mexican food.  Late start, over to Bren’s around noon.  Dean had a very fussy night but it’s hard to tell because he is so cute.  We pull all the baby stuff together and set out for Girdwood the ski valley along Turnagain Arm.  This continues to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world and one of our favorite.  The mountains are covered in green with small spots of snow.  The tide is coming in and the foliage is thick and green.  We spot a mountain sheep on the way.  We drive into the valley and go for lunch at Chair 5.  Dean’s first restaurant experience and he is very agreeable while we eat.  On Uncle Brian’s recommendation we visit the voted # 1 most beautiful laundromat in the world!!!!!  On up the valley to Crow Creek Mine to visit where Brenna and Zach got married.  The site is beautiful as ever with flower baskets everywhere.  Visitors are up here trying their hand at gold panning.  We take some pics, one with Dean and Mom in front of the sign.  Less than two years ago Dean was but a twinkle in their eye.  Back to Anchorage for some face time.  Dean is changing very fast now.  He is focusing on our faces and objects in the room.  His smiles are coming more frequently and less often as gas.  Leaving the cutie and returning to apartment for the night.  We are always tired at night, not sure how Mom and Dad do it!

July 12

Awake early to sunny skies and head to the gym. Going earlier has it advantages as to the number of people at the facility. Back to the apartment for breakfast and then head to the Petrusa homestead for more Dean time. Brenna and Chuck head-off to get Brenna’s car tires changed and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Peanut Farm on the patio while the tires are being changed. Meanwhile Grandma Pat is enjoying her one-on-one time with Dean.  We depart for dinner, first try the 49^th Brewing Company which just opened in the old Snow Goose facility but the wait is too long so we head to Bear Tooth, and have an enjoyable Mexican dinner. Back to the apartment and watch some British comedy before turning in for the night. We are planning to go to Girdwood tomorrow with Brenna and Dean.

July 11

Awake to cloudy skies and threat of rain. We head to the gym to get back into our normal early morning workout routines. After workout we stop for coffee at a drive through, in which the drive through was an unique experience. Coffee was good and reasonably priced. Head over to Brenna and Zach’s for more quality time with baby Dean. Chuck takes off again to try his luck at salmon fishing at Ship Creek. No luck again, though he does see several silver salmon in the stream. We depart for dinner at Lucky Wishbone, Pat gets the halibut sandwich and Chuck has the Fried Chicken. Will need to come back again so Pat can get her normal order of Fried Chicken Livers. Back to the apartment and settle in for the night.

July 10

Awake to blue skies, hot sun and warm temps.  We have a leisurely morning and head over to Brenna and Zach’s to see baby Dean.  Chuck takes off to try his luck at salmon fishing at Ship Creek which runs through downtown Anchorage. Ship Creek is still open for king salmon and silvers are starting to show up, but he has no luck as the fishing is slow. Chuck gets quality time with Dean as Brenna and Pat enjoy mother and daughter time.  Early dinner this day and then say our good-byes and head back to our apartment. Tomorrow Anchorage will be back to normal work day, so will see how traffic affects our sleep tonight. LOL

July 9

Awake to blue skies, hot sun and warm temps.  The apartment was very quiet for sleeping and comfortable bed.  We’ll see how it goes when commuter traffic starts on Monday.  Anchorage is a ghost town on the weekend, everyone is out and about camping and fishing. Run errands to get groceries and other necessities.  Stop off at Lakeshore Hotel on the shore of Lakes Hood and Spenard.  Have lunch on the patio watching the float planes take off and land.  The big airline planes do the same in the distance.  Always a thrill.  The food is not as good as we remember, so next time, go with a burger or apps, a safer bet.  It’s worth it just for the views.  Stop off at Brenna and Zach’s.  We try out Zach’s new smoker with Bourbon brined chicken and lettuce salad from Bren’s garden, very good.  Chuck helping Zach with projects, Brenna gardening and Pat holding Dean as he sleeps.  Long periods of sleep today and lots of other baby functions.  He makes little snorkel sounds and moves his lips as he sleeps and dreams.  He is so cute as he stares at us, as if to say, you’re not the Mama!  Day goes by fast and due to the late sun we can’t believe it is 10PM and sun is still high.  Time for sleep.  Nighty night Dean, sweet dreams and hope you give your parents some night rest after Grandma had you napping all day!  But she gets to go ‘home’.  My work here is done!  LOL

July 8

Up at 3:15AM, left in limo at 4:15 with Seth waving good-by.  The flights went well, econ on United to Chi and an empty seat between us, always nice.  Had to pick up our luggage after landing, get new ticket on Alaska and resend our luggage. Chuck over 50 pounds in one bag, removal of Chaveta’s into the duffle bag kept us from fine.  We had Pre check TSA which worked well in CLE but in Chi people in front of us had large shampoo and water bottles and didn’t want to give them up, than another person was carrying a 6 inch screwdriver, saying he didn’t know how it got in there.  Then they went through Pat’s carry on because the bank for the baby looked suspicious.  So pre check in CHI was a fiasco!  Alaska ‘first class’ had no divider, we were just part of the whole plane, bigger seats, better foods.  Ak cod was very good and the steward scared up one bottle of Chardonnay, almost made up for the heat in our area and uncomfortable seats.  Traveled over cloud most of the way and then it opened up and we were flying along the coast of Prince William Sound, huge glaciers spilling into the sea.  Flew over Copper River, Cordova, Valdez, Portage Glacier and Whittier.  We are traveling via RV to Whittier where we will take the ferry to Valdez with Minde, always fun to see it from the air.  Landed in bright sunshine and warm temps.  The Chugach mountains in town have no snow on them.  We are reminded we have not been in Anchorage in July for a very long time.  But the best thing about the trip was sleeping Dean in the backseat.  Grandma Pat tried to wiggle him awake, even the slamming doors didn’t do it.  He was out!  Back home we got some face time in between feedings and a little temper.  His little bright eyes peering into our faces trying to figure out who the heck we are.  His eyes are very blue, but we’ll see.  We went to our apartment in midtown.  Small one bedroom with full kitchen.  Very clean, on the second floor, via open stairway.  It’s quiet here as we set back from the roadway.  So tired, we have been up for 24 hours and a four hour time difference.  Time for sleep.  Night baby Dean, sleep tight, more fun tomorrow as we feed you, change diapers and other fascinating infant activities.