Sister Returns, One Leaves

 Monday was spent awaiting the return of my sister from her trip. The flight was delayed over two hours due to weather. Then she had to get the connection to Homer, that flight was delayed, fortunately, and she was able to make her connection, otherwise we were looking at like driving up to Kenai to pick her up. After she finally arrived we went out to dinner and had a nice meal at the local seafood restaurant on the Homer Spit. 

Unfortunately, the next morning she woke up sick and ended up staying in bed all day and my other sister decided she didn’t want to stay and rebooked herself to leave this morning, Wednesday. Tuesday we sat around and just chatted and took care of her. This morning I took my sister to the airport and I am now at the toy store that my sister owns. Because we closed it for two days to do things and because of her illness we were unable to do that. Since she is still not feeling well I’m covering the store for a couple days so that we are not closed for four days which would not be good. I will cover the store again tomorrow and hopefully Friday, Saturday and Sunday she will feel better, then she and I can go do some things.

So if you’re in Homer stop by, The Captain’s Toy Chest, and say hello. 

Hopefully, I’ll have some new things to post and pictures to post in the next few days until then have a good day and thank you for visiting.

After dinner a flock of Seagulls on the Spit.

Bear Country

 As an early birthday present, for my 70th in October, two of my sisters and my son bought me a flight on Sasquatch Air to fly out and see grizzly bears. So today was the day.

I joined 20 other people and we flew in 4 planes out to search for grizzlies. The first locations were devoid of bears so we ended up at Katmai National Park. A very beautiful location. We landed on the beach, formed into two groups. After receiving instructions, do’s and don’t, we headed down the beach to the mouth of the river. Two male grizzlies were waiting for the salmon to run. Although, we could see the salmon jumping in the ocean, it was low tide and they were not coming up the river.

After a couple of hours we sat and had a bite to eat, waiting for the tide to come in.

We reformed our groups and went back to the river. One of the grizzlies spotted a salmon and charged for it, he missed. The other grizzlies decided he had enough of this poacher in his fishing spot and charged. Nose to Nose, they stared at each other, the interloper bowed his head and walked down the beach. After a few minutes the other one decided there were no fish and he wandered off.

Here are a few #iPhone12promax pictures.

Grizzly on the beach Katmai NP

Landing on the beach Katmai NP

Bear tracks by the plane

On the way to Katmai NP

On the way to Katmai NP

Seldovia, Alaska

Mount Saint Augustine Volcano

Homer Spit

I will have more pictures from my camera.

A Couple of Off Days

 Thursday I was back in the store, nothing really exciting to report.

Friday, went to the Spit to wander through the shops, went through the first section, let’s say one of us couldn’t continue to walk. As the parking was impossible down there we left and hit a few galleries, in town, had lunch and went home.

Attempted to go out again today, not much luck again. We came home watched the last part of a movie, we had started the night before.

I, also spent time preparing for tomorrow, packing supplies, snacks and cleaning my camera. should have some good pictures to share.

I did take a few picture with my #iPhone12promax as we drove around.

Riders on the beach in Anchor Point

We also went by the Farmer’s Market in Homer

Captain’s Toy Chest

 Mundane chore to do around the house today, watering, cleaning up after the dogs, feeding them. Have to take care off my sister’s house while she is away.

Then off to my favorite bakery in Homer #TwoSistersBakery and their wonderful, Chocolate Bread. The daughter of one of the sister’s whom I met last year was there and we reconnected. It has been just over a year since I was last there, I sure did miss that bread, okay I missed the chocolate. If you every get to Homer you have to try it. Get there early, they are open at 10am to 3pm Wednesday-Saturday, there is always a line. twosistersbakery.net 

This is from last year, ate it too fast this morning.

Took my bread and sat at Bishop’s Beach, beautiful sunny day, Then off to my sister’s store, The Captain’s Toy Chest, to cover for her.

Had pretty good day at the store, some nice conversations with people from both Alaska and many out of state travelers. Will be back there tomorrow.

Sister Leaves and the Siblings will Play

 Took my sister and her friend to the Homer Airport this morning. BYE BYE.

House now ours for the next week. My other, sister and I, went to a few of the places that I went to last time I was her to look for wildlife and the beautiful scenery.

Went to the Spit to see the baby seagulls and spotted an otter swimming around the harbor entrance. The seagull fledglings we saw were behind a fence, I couldn’t get a very good picture, but I will be back.

Drove out on Olsen Mountain Road to the end, fireweeds for miles. We were fortunate, the sun came out for a bit.

After, we ran some errands. It seems that she has only one key to one of the cars at home and she brought it with her. Had to mail it back.

Went to the grocery store, good luck finding anything, grab what is on the shelves and then decide what to make. Might have to go hunting and foraging for food.

Came home and mowed the yard, ate and now just relaxing.

This a picture of the Spit, Homer Airport and Beluga Lake from Skyline Road.

First Day back in Homer

 Must have been very tired last night. Finally went to bed at midnight and slept until 6. New Mexico would be 2am to 8am. I hardly ever sleep past 5am regardless of the time I go to bed. I guess all that traveling caught up with me.

Dragged myself out of bed into a hot shower and that woke me up a bit. Still feeling a bit tired.

My sister leaves tomorrow, so I will be babysitting the dogs and working at the store for a few days.

We ran some errands to prepare for her departure.

We were hoping for a few rays of sun to be able to veins the Fireweeds, unfortunately the clouds were not being very cooperative. We did walk through, Eveline State Recreation Site, and viewed the Fireweeds. We will attempt to return when the sun is shining.

Here are a few images I captures with my iPhone12ProMax.

Just arose from a from a two hour nap, past out for the afternoon after our walk. Now everyone else is asleep. So, I,  will sit in the sunny, okay partly sunny, window to warm up.

Had a nice dinner of Alaskan salmon and a salad. going after some details with my sister before she leaves. Then time for bed, still light out.

Made it to Homer Alaska

 Left San Francisco with all our goodies for my sister in Homer. flight was a bit delayed but we made our connection with no problem. 

Unfortunately, they had cancelled the late flight to Homer and we had to fly to Kenai. This is about an hour and a half drive from Homer. Being that it stays light forever up here it was a nice ride.

We did get to see a number of moose and eagles on the way.

Here are a couple or shots on final approach to Anchorage.

This is my sister’s dogs happy to see their “Uncle Steven”