Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Well, after my two week vacation in Alaska where it rained all but 2 days, I was hoping my work trip to Alaska would be different--and, I did see the sun, something that hasn't happened much in Sitka this summer. They call it the summer that wasn't. Even the greenhouses have been having problems--not enough sun to warm up the greenhouses, things have been rotting on the vine.

I can say that other than the travel to get there--basically took 13 hours, especially with a delay out of Atlanta-the co-pilot's seat broke, and a delay in Ketchikan--a bird flew into the engine on landing, and the mechanic had to come from town--unfortunately, the airport is located on an island, and the only way to get to the airport is by a ferry that only runs so often that I had a great time. (Is this a run or sentence or what?)

I was picked up at the airport that evening by my program person and her daughter, invited to dinner to meet the rest of her family which included her husband, older daughter and their rescued dog--amazing how many folks I know these days have dogs from rescue outfits--including my own Border Collie (that's another story too).

Had a great time, then was dropped off at the bed and breakfast where I stayed for the rest of the week. Absolutely beautiful place-and the owner had everything imaginable ready there, down to the magnifying mirror in the bathroom so that I could see to put my makeup on in the mornings. It was one of the nicest places I have ever stayed, and the breakfasts were amazing. Even though I was the only guest, she would get up every morning and make baked eggs, or french toast, or other creative offerings--always accompanied by fruit, yoguart, coffee, juice, and one morning, reindeer sausage. She had a library of books on Alaska that was amazing, a DVD/Video collection to check out, including Alaskan videos, and a CD collection that was out of this world. In each room there was a BOSE stereo system, with mood music and relaxation music ready to help lull you to sleep with the sound of fountains and a pond with a waterful outside your window. Other than dealing with the time change, I had no problem getting to sleep.

The second day I had the great opportunity of taking a float plane ride to the small tribal community of Angoon. WHAT an adventure. The ride over was great--we passed by mountains, glaciers, and just amazing scenery. When I get back home I will try to upload some of my pictures. We walked all over the small town from the highschool with 59 students in 7-12, to the small clinic, senior center, and general store. Of course it wasn't until after we had walked through the woods on several trails that they told me that the island we were on, Admiralty Island has more Grizzly Bears than almost anywhere in the world. Thanks a lot guys. They wanted to walk out to the dump to see if we saw any, saying that with three of us along we shouldn't be bothered--that's okay, if I was in a vehicle maybe, but not on foot.

We were told that there was a storm coming in, so we wouldn't be able to spend the night and would need to get back to Sitka that evening. Well, by the time the pilot came back for us, it was 5:30 and things were starting to go downhill fast. He tried to make it over the mountains, but the winds were gusting and the little plane wasn't making much progress, so he turned around and took the long way back--more along the waterways. It was still bumpy and pretty nervewracking for me with limited experience in small planes--I can say I was white knuckled on the back of the front seat, often with my eyes closed. But what great views (when I did have them openned) and what a great experience.

The next couple of days were spent in business meetings, but Thursday I was able to go out to the raptor center and see the birds that they fix up and then release, and the birds that are now permanent fixtures at the center because of their injuries.

well this enough for now>