Winter is here!

Well it's hard to believe Michael and I have now lived in Sitka for 3 years!! We love it just as much as we did day one and it just keeps getting better. I have to say it is a bit more challenging to get up a blog post during the winter because we basically don't get out as much. It's cold, it's icky, and we basically don't wanna. LOL Sunday though turned out to actually be a fairly nice day so we went and checked on the boat and I took photos of our first snow of the season. We are covered in snow today and waiting for Swan Lake to be frozen enough to ice skate on, of which I may try this year. Different when there are no railings to hold on to if you fall. Guess I'll have to rely on Michael to be my rail!

Snow fills the gape and makes it Cross Mountain

Looking out from the Marina

Young Eagle hanging out

Out from the marina

On her nest

Verstovia is behind our house

I love whales!

Looking from out at the University  3 sisters mountains

Lots of snow up there!

From top the bridge

Mt Edgecombe covered!

Whales in Sitka Sound !!

So it was a fairly nice day today so we decided to take ole Belley Ache out for a spin. We went yesterday to check her out and she was about 4 inches too low. We have gotten a ton of rain the past few weeks and she was full of water. Got the bilge pump going and got her drained but decided we should go back today and check and make sure for some reason she was sinking. She was not today so we went out for a little ride. Came across a juvenile Eagle relaxing in a tree and he swiftly left and scooped a fish out of the water and was on his way. We also came across an Eagle that seemed to be sitting in a nest but this seemed the wrong time for that but I'll let you judge. Came across a Humpback whale having some fun fishing pretty close to town. We followed him for a ways and enjoyed him tail slapping . Always nice when it's a good day to go out on the boat, especially if you can enjoy the wild life. Love this place!

Beautiful day in the Sound

Juvenile Eagle hanging out looking for dinner 

Hey you! Yea the one in the boat! lol

Looks like a nest to me

What do you think?

Humpback Whale

See my pretty tail

Down I go

Up for a breath- so close to town

Jet propulsion! Down again!

WWWEEEEE!!!!!!!

The Party's Over !

Well another great season has ended once again here in Sitka. The last cruise ships, came, spent and went on their way. I had a great time working at the Alaska Raptor Center in the gift shop and hope I did a good job making good money to feed the birds that are rehabilitating at the center. I love visiting with people from different place around the world and this summer was filled with folks from Australia, CA, Texas, New Zealand and everywhere in between. It was awesome! I worked with a great group of people. I will truly miss Andrea that has left Sitka for her next adventure. Debbie our Director is retiring but Pete has been hired to replace her and just from working with him for a short time he will fit right in to our zaanie group. I look forward to my winters off but hope to be called in to help out with fundraisers and anything else they may need help with. Looking forward to working there next year and if you are coming for a visit to Sitka the Alaska Raptor Center is a must see. The work they do is amazing and the rewards are even more.

Could always count on John Bruce to vacuum. lol

Luciano loves to vacuum.....not!

Debbie couldn't believe Ange flipped me off...it's how we roll! hahaha

Pete our new director. Of course I'm working!

Caitlin getting ready for the day

Ariel bringing Tootsie out for the day

Carlene pretending she does't like having her picture taken

Robert and Volta doing one of the last presentations on stage. Can you guess who is who? LOL

Sunset taking a bath

Shake it shake it baby!

Oh that feels so good!

All clean and shiny  :)

Dad's 70th Birthday

Headed up to Wasilla for a few days to celebrate my father in law Miles' birthday. Took him on a Jet boat tour with Mahay's in Talkeetna. Went up the Susitna, Talkeetna and Chulitna Gorge rivers. It was a beautiful day on the rivers and the boat was comfortable and cozy. We saw lots of Eagles along the way and a black bear heading to shore. Took a short hike on shore to see some old trapping camps and had some fun playing with all the antlers. Did a bit of shopping in Talkeetna and had a burger at our favorite bar in town.

The colors of fall were starting to come alive so we took a day and drove up to see the Matinuska glacier. A chill was in the air but the colors of the trees leading up to the glacier were amazing.

Trip north wouldn't be complete without a trip to the State Fair. Michael and Miles always enjoy a couple dozen oysters and Kathy and I had jalapeno cheese hot dogs and of course a beer to wash it all down.

Michael helped dad with a few chores around the property and we had a nice visit. Got to see the super moon one night and it was spectacular! Had a great visit and fun helping Miles celebrate his birthday!

Hangin with his PoP

Our ride for 3 1/2 hours

Heading up Susitna River

Our interpreter Jennifer. I like her gun! 

Playing with the Moose antlers

Me and my honey

More antler fun

Food storage at a camp--I wanted to climb the ladder! 

Young Eagle taking off

Fly by!

Black bear swimming across the river to shore

What are you looking at? LOL

Off I go!

Super moon at Miles place- it was about midnight when I got this shot

On our way to Matinuska Glacier

Old bridge over the Knick river on the Old Glen Hwy with Kathy

See I was there too!

This was the view from the bridge

The lookout at the Matinuska Glacier

The Canyon the other direction

I love the colors

Up close of the glacier

I never heard of ice worms before!

The colors were stunning