Working at the Store

Spent the past few days at the toy store, haven't been out much beyond that.

I did leave early today to go to Bishop's Beach for a walk, as there was a very low tide this morning.

Bishop's Beach Low Tide
Homer Alaska

After I was relieved from work I headed out to the Spit. It was very windy and though I drove to my favorite spots nothing was happening. I did catch this beach walker, walking the Spit, looking across Kachemak Bay.

I then went to the, Coal Point Fish Market, and bought some scallops and salmon.

I came back to the house and finalized the configuration of the iMac, then sent my order off to Apple. They will get back to me in a week or so to confirm it. It should arrive about the time I return home.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Moose at Beluga Lake

I headed out early today as I had to take the truck in to have the tires changed out. Knowing that they get very busy, I left early and arrived one hour before they opened, I was third in line. Chatted with a biologist while waiting, he talked about researching Elk antler size, that he had studied in New Mexico. Very nice gentleman from Eastern Europe.

After checking in I set out for, Beluga Lake, I was hoping to see some Sandhill Cranes, I didn't see one. On the walk over, a moose crossed the street in front of me. As I got closer to the airport I saw he had stopped in the field across from the airport.

Moose by the Homer Airport

I was about to go down the steps to the viewing platform, when I saw some moment in the bushes. I went over to investigate and found an Arctic Hare.

Arctic Hare by the Homer Airport

I proceeded on to the viewing area and found many moose out grazing.

Moose and Calf at Beluga Lake
Homer, Alaska

There are more pictures at: ALASKA PORTFOLIO

I hadn't heard from the tire store so I headed back to see how it was going. The truck was still out front so I took a seat and read. After awhile the sales consultant asked which vehicle I was waiting for. I told him and he said he had called and left a message for me at 8:15, which I never received. 

I should say that when I loaded the tires in the truck I saw they were almost bald and had a feeling that they would not put them on the truck. 

That was the reason for the call. 

Now the truck is my sister's the studded tires had to come off and I had now been there since 7am. My sister in out at sea tagging sharks. At the moment they are too far off the coast to receive any phone calls or texts. I sent an e-mail to the boat, which if they are working they will not receive or look at for awhile. Had to make a decision, so there are now four new tires on the truck. finally got out of there at about noon.

Fog on the Bay

Awoke on the 21st to the sun rising over a fog shrouded bay. this shot was captured from Fitz Creek out side of Homer.

Click on the image for a full view.

On Saturday, I took a drive to see if I could find some cranes. Didn't see any, then when I arrived home I saw a post that about 100 took off around noon. I was out at that time and saw none. I did catch this shot at the harbor of a fishing boat departing.

Balls Deep departing the harbor.
Homer Spit, Alaska

Went to a couple of shops in town, at the Homer Book Store, I was able to find a copy "Raised in Ruins, A Memoir" by Tara Neilson. @neilson_tara I will be reading this between customers at the store.
I am looking for some new knives and so I went to the cooking store and checked out Shun Cutlery. I have been doing research online, really wanted to hold them and get the feel. I have narrowed my needs to the; utility/paring, Nakiri and the Kiritsuke. Now, I am debating between the Dual Core or the Premier. I will be going back to check them out again.

Last night I went out in search of the Northern Lights, unfortunately, I did not see them. I did download the "Aurora" app, to get alerts to the nights it may still be visible.

A couple of moose were wandering around the yard this morning, buried in the bushes, therefore, no picture.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Moose in the Backyard

 I was standing at the kitchen window, it was early and overcast, so the lighting wasn't great. Having just gotten out of bed and fed the dogs, I was starting to get my vision into focus. Looking up I spied a moose just outside the dogs fenced yard. The dogs were in an after meal coma, sprawled across various dog beds and other pieces of furniture. As I grabbed my camera and iPhone, the dogs sensing something was up, jumped up from their repose and headed out the dog door. I went out and got a few pictures and a short video. Unfortunately, the moose was by the old TV Dish, so I was unable to get a good picture of it. This is what I was able to get.

I drove into Homer, stopped at the store for a few snacks to munch while at work. Filled the truck with gas and went to Bishops Beach, to see if I could see any Sandhill Cranes. There have been postings of sighting, I am hoping to see some. Many of them winter in New Mexico, where I live, so it would be nice to see them at the end of their journey. The Homer shorebird Festival is in a couple of weeks, which welcomes back the migratory birds.

As I drove into the driveway there was a moose in front of me, he casually walked down and then into the woods at the end. Wasn't able to get a picture or record it. It was raining and I couldn't get the iPhone to focus past the windshield.

 I was at the store, so I am posting some more of yesterday's pictures.

This is a shot of the Golden Eagle just before being photobombed by the Bald Eagle.

Golden Eagle
Homer Spit Harbor

This photo is a view from Anchor Point across Kachemak Bay on a partly cloudy day.

View across Kachemak Bay
Anchor Point, Alaska

Made a few sales at the store, I saw that Ken had sold another of my maze books over the weekend. Only one copy left of the six I brought with me.

Came home and had leftovers, then started cooking tomorrow night's dinner. Yes, I prepare in advance, especially, if I am arriving home at the hour I prefer to eat, not, start cooking. Now, I am smelling, the almost done, baked chicken wings. Timer went off.

Fresh out of the oven, I may have to eat one tonight.

Eagles Feeding

I went for a drive on the Sterling Highway, some very beautiful scenery along the way. 

Kachemak Bay
Homer Overlook
Sterling Highway

These are a few shots of a couple of Seagulls chasing off a Golden Eagle.

Saw a bunch of Eagles gathering and followed them, I was rewarded with a bunch of eagles feeding on an otter. 

Eagles feeding on an Otter
Homer Spit Harbor
Alaska

There are more pictures here: ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Around Homer

I was working in the store for a few days, not much exciting happened.

Saturday, I took a drive into the hills and found a great view of the Homer Spit.

I drove out to the Spit to see what was happening at the King Salmon Festival. Loads of cars, not many shops or restaurants are open yet. I was looking forward to a nice seafood lunch, didn't happen. 

I wandered around looking for some activity to photograph, but not much was happening. I did have a seagull that flew straight at me. Too close to get a shot, although, I was in great range for the poop that it let out at the perfect time to get my hat, jacket and camera bag.

I came home and rested a bit before going out to find dinner. I had fish and chips at Alice's Champagne, Laura, my waitress was very nice. When she brought my order she told me the cook said one of the pieces was too small and that he was fixing me another piece. It was served nice and hot, just as I was finishing the last piece on my plate. Good meal, nice service, good social distancing and masks in use.

After dinner I headed toward the water to see what was there. I decided to avoid the Spit, due to the traffic as the fishermen were returning. I had just turned onto Kachemak Bay Road when I spied some crows chasing a bird of prey. I pulled to the side of the road, grabbed my camera and started shooting. The crows took off in one direction and this, Short-eared Owl, headed for the trees behind me.

It is starting to warm up and the snow is melting.

Below is a picture of the Homer Spit and one of the pictures of the Owl. there are more pictures in the:

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

 

Homer Spit
Kachemak Bay
Homer Alaska

Short-eared Owl
Kachemak Bay
Homer Alaska

While wandering around I did find that Santa has come to the King Salmon Festival. I believe he was out fishing at the time.

Just for fun a picture of Lola and her tongue.

Golden Eagle Attack

Awoke to snow falling adding a layer to the melting base layer. The snow had been rapidly melting, though they forecasting more snow, it is getting warmer and it is melting away. Soon it will be a muddy mess around here.

I spent the day at the store, it was soooooo slooooowwww, hard to stay awake. I did have an unexpected passerby just after I got to the store.

A Moose wandered by across the street. I just happened to glance up and see it.

When I was at the, Spit, the other day I captured a sequence of shots of a Golden Eagle attempting to get some dinner. 

The intended prey.

Swooping in to pluck dinner from the bay.

Where did they go?

They're back, is he gone?

After missing his intended dinner, he lands on the rocks to regroup.

 

Kachemak Bay

Drove around Homer today looking for wildlife, on the way to the Spit, I saw a Moose. I turned the truck around and went back to take a few shots. He was still there when I got back, so I drove past and got my camera all set, hopped out of the truck, quietly. Slowly, I walked back to the stand of trees where I had seen him, this has taken only about 15 seconds, he is gone, nowhere to be seen. Searched for about five minutes, no moose.

I continued out to the Spit, seeking more spots to observe the wildlife and scenery with different view points. 

These are a couple of the shots I took, there are more in the portfolio. I, also, took some bird pictures that I am still working on. I will post them later.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Scenic Overlook on the road into Homer Alaska.

A View for the Homer Spit 
Kaia, heads out of the harbor for some fishing

Bald Eagles at the Spit

 I left the house and headed to the Homer Spit, in search of Eagles. I had a little time before having to open the store. There is a driftwood log that I have been driving by since I arrived. I look at it each time looking to capture a picture of it. Today, when I got out there, there was a Bald Eagle perched on the log.

I got out of the truck and slowly approached it so as not to scare it off. I was able to capture a number of shots of it.

As I was headed back to the truck another Eagle soared overhead. It was a good day.

I ran into a fellow photographer and had a quick chat about the birds that are in the area and where to spot them.

I then headed to the store for the day. Had a couple of good sales, early, then it died. Of course the weather played a factor, as it rained and snowed, off and on throughout the afternoon.

Ordered some Thai food for dinner, which was good. The dogs were glad to see me, more likely they were glad to be fed. 

Later I worked on the pictures and watched a movie.

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Bald Eagle Landing on Driftwood
Homer Spit
Homer, Alaska

Bald Eagle Screeching on Driftwood
Homer Spit
Homer, Alaska

Under the Weather

 I spent the day with severe stomach cramps. I believe this was caused by my, inadvertently, consuming mushrooms, no, not the psychedelic kind. Just regular mushrooms in food, which I am highly allergic to. Think of swallowing a glass full of sharp chunks of glass and have it excruciatingly and slowly moving through your system.

Still no reaction from the vaccine, though the injection site has gotten a bit sore.

Hopefully, I will have a better day and be able to get out and take some pictures.

Back out at the Spit

Beautiful sunny day, well below freezing. 

Took a drive out to the airport to pickup the meal I had ordered. Guess they read last weeks review, that I had split the meal with my sister, as they included two hunks of bread and two desserts. Very nice of them. The serving was very large with four meatballs on top. The meal was good, though last weeks was better, perhaps a bit too much cheese over shadowed the flavor of the filling. I will be watching for this weeks offering.

Drove to the Spit to see if there was any wildlife, I think everything decided it was too cold. I did spot a Golden Eagle and walked down the beach to take a few shots. VERY COLD!!!

I then took a drive out on the Steward Highway to Anchor Point. I then drove back on the "OLD" highway. I, again, was hoping to spot some wildlife, all I saw was a cat crossing the road. Very nice drive through some snow covered meadows.

Golden Eagle at the Homer Spit

Homer Harbor at the Homer Spit

Golden Eagle at the Homer Spit

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Captain's Toy Chest

 Had another exciting day at the store, started out by vacuuming the store. I attempted to remove all of the pebbles that have been left by the snow boots people are wearing.  Cleaned the entry rug of all the pebbles gathered on it, that were awaiting a ride into the store.

We received some snow last night and I had to clear the driveway and the porch before going to work. Came home to find it had snowed some more and had to clear everything again.

While I was at the store I was notified by the clinic that they had a vaccine available and could I come in on Friday at 1pm. I made the appointment, awhile later they called back and said they had a vaccine available, if I could get there in the next 45 minutes. I closed the store for a half hour and drove over, 1/2 mile very close, and received my shot. 

As a joke, I texted one of my sisters that I had received the vaccine. I stopped the post mid-sentence, I then texted asking if she was related to the person who owned the phone. (like I had reaction to the shot and passed out while texting). Two hours later she replies with "What?".  I text back again asking if she is related or knows a relative, no response at all. Fortunately, she is not one of my emergency contacts, I would have been dead long before she replied. 

I know I can rely on my sister, who I am housesitting for, she is listed as my emergency contact. If she had been contacted for a medical emergency I could count on her. She would direct them to euthanize me and put "her" out of her misery, for a hangnail.

I waited until this morning to post so I could relay my post shot experience, so far no reaction at all. Yeah.

No pictures for today, but I will leave your with a shot of the weather in Homer for today.

Stay warm and have a good day.

Day 1 at the Store

 Awoke to clear blue skies and a forecast of snow in the evening.

Went back to the Gear Shed to try on a pair of boots I tried yesterday. I brought different socks and gel inserts to see if I could adjust them to fit. Ended up with a size ten and my thicker socks. These will replace the North Face Boots that fell apart. They are good to -40 so I should be able to stand and take photos without my feet getting cold. Combine that with my Coyote Hat I and should stay very comfortable while here in Alaska and back home.
At the counter, the salesperson, who helped me was very nice and said he had many different boots over the years and when he bought a pair of these, they were the last he bought. Loves them, went on and on about them. Always, appreciate, an unsolicited review on a product I am buying, makes me feel I have selected the right item. 
Then he scanned them, BONUS, they are on sale.

Only Picture I have today.
My new boots.

I opened. Captain's Toy Chest, on time and then waited for customers to come. The eventually started to wander in. Since the store is out of the way, when people come they are buying. For a Wednesday and the amount of traffic the store had a pretty fair day. Even had one customer return and purchase another item. Ken, sold another of my books over the weekend, that leaves only four left, in the whole state of Alaska. You better hurry in.

Drove home under overcast skies. Fed the dogs and myself, then they all needed lots of loving and petting.

Looked out the window and the snow has started, time to curl up and veg for awhile. Back to the store tomorrow.

A Good Day for Eagles

 Started the day by packing all of my camera gear in the truck and headed out.

I took a drive out the Sterling Highway toward Anchorage, I turned off on Diamond Ridge Road. I headed up into the hills to seek wildlife. I did not find anything up there. I headed back toward Homer.

Decided that, as long as, I was passing Safeway I would purchase the few items I needed. Grabbed my camera and my canvas camera bag, okay, where is my camera bag. Back on the kitchen floor with my wallet. Drive back home, get camera bag, head back out. 

I stopped at a store to check out their products. Grabbed the camera and go to attach it to my, Cotton Carrier Vest. Left it at home when I took it off to use the bathroom, no, I am not making another trip to the house. Homer Truffle is across the street, need chocolate. Checked out a couple of stores, stopped at Safeway, then headed to the Spit.

I drove out to the end, there was no action. Drove back down the Spit and stopped when I spotted some eagles hanging out. I sat for there for about 2 hours. I was rewarded with some nice shots of a Golden Eagle. This was courtesy, unknowingly, of another photographer who was taking pictures at the water's edge. He got too close to a Golden Eagle and it flew off, headed in my direction. I aimed and held the shutter release until the cache was full. I hung out for awhile longer and then headed home.

Arrived home to find a couple of puddles on the floor. The roll of paper towels has two pieces left on it, text my sister "Where are the paper towels?" She writes back they are in the basement, though at the bottom she states the "garage" not the "basement". That part is not showing on my screen, so I head to the basement. this involves lifting a couple of plywood doors in the floor of the garage and then removing the slats the that keep the the floor secure when walking on the doors. On the way down you have to be careful or you will (ouch) bang your head, which is exactly what I did. Found them in the garage, after texting her they were not in the basement "why didn't I read her full text". Why didn't she delete the reference to the basement before sending the text????? I don't know.

I posted a number of photos to my site you can see them here:

ALASKA PORTFOLIO

Sunshine and Blue Skies

 Sunday was a total bust, cold, rain alternating with snow. I curled up and watched TV, read and ate chocolate.

Today, Monday, I awoke to sunny, blue skies and twenty-seven degrees with a bit of wind. Loaded, ALL, of my camera equipment in the truck with high hopes of spotting some wildlife.

Threw the trash in the back of the truck and headed to the dump, a good place for scavengers and foragers. I guess this was not their day to frequent the dump. Drove back to the scenic overlook, where I had passed a few Eagles soaring. They had scattered, probably to the dump.

I went back through town and drove out to the Homer Spit. Drove past numerous Eagles soaring down the beach. Of course, they were where I was unable to pull over to the side of the road.

I parked at the end of the Spit and walked around for a bit. The sun was hot, but the wind was finding its way through every layer of clothing. I was able to catch an Eagle posing and a shot from Land's End across Kachemak Bay. From, May 5-9 they will have the 29th annual Shorebird Festival. Looking forward to that and the return of the Sandhill Cranes, some flying in from New Mexico.

I ordered a sandwich from, Mike's, and went to pick it up. I went part way out the Spit to a picnic area, the closest I could park to the Eagles I saw earlier. They never came close to me.

I was debating whether to check out some of the shops in town, decided not to.

I drove down East End Road looking for wildlife, it was not my day. Took a couple of scenic shots and drove home.

Now, I am going to rest a bit and then watch the NCAA Final game. I will be rooting for Gonzaga.

Click here for More Picture of Alaska.

East End Road

iPhone12promax

East End Road

iPhone12promax

Homer Harbor on the Homer Spit

iPhone12promax

A Day of Rest

 I didn't intend for this to be a day of rest. I had planned to drive around and take some photographs during the day and return in time for the UCLA/Gonzaga game.

The dogs and I awoke, in the dark, at around 6am. I feed them and made myself some breakfast.
I then did the blog that I neglect to do the night before.

The dogs had retired, one to the couch, one to a dog bed and the third grabbed a chair. I took the other chair to check my e-mails, social site, etc. The dogs were asleep, I feel asleep.
I believe that after flying here and running around all week and then playing snake in bed last night. This involves twisting your body around the various dogs who are strategically positioned to make your body contort into a snake like position. The humans body is not really made for this.
My body gave out and I crashed. The dogs were nicely curled, while I was now contorted in a chair.
I am still not sure if my body has straightened out yet.

Tomorrow I will be going out to get some pictures. Plus, I have to go fill out some paperwork at the store.

In case you are interested in the, UCLA/Gonzaga, game. It was tight from start to finish, at the end of, regulation, play the score was tied. 

They got ready to play a five minute overtime.

With seconds left, in overtime, the scored was once again, tied.

Gonzaga, has the ball out of bounds on the UCLA side, the ball is thrown in, after advancing a few feet into Gonzaga territory, the shot is made. It arches high, the clock shows "0:00" as the ball reaches its apex and starts falling toward the basket. It strikes the backboard, within the square above the basket and banks into the basket.

GONZAGA WINS. THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!!

Hope to have some pictures for you tomorrow.

To all who have been following, THANK YOU, for your comments, support and re-Tweets.

Lisa Departs

Sorry no pictures today.

Lisa made her finally preparations to depart on her trip.

While doing that the, blind men, came to install the blinds. Of course the ladder they brought with them was too short to reach the higher windows. they installed the lower windows and then went to get their scaffolding to reach the upper windows. They look great and should help in keeping the house warm.
Add to my "leaving the house duties" raise the blinds so the dogs don't destroy them trying to look out the windows.

I went  out to pick up my lunch at the airport, it was being flown in from Seldovia. I had ordered it earlier in the work after seeing a post on facebook. There is a food truck in Seldovia that makes the food and on Fridays they will sent your meal to Homer by plane. this weeks offering was Cioppino.

Lisa, my sister, and I split this for lunch and we were both full.

Amazing amount of really good food.

Looking forward to next weeks selection.

It was only $12.00 total, unbelievable price for what you receive.

We are getting ready to leave for the airport and Lisa tells me to "remote" start her truck, click the top button, so I click, "no hold the top button, so, don't click it, no click it, but hold it. Wait if I am clicking I and not holding, I am either clicking or holding. Who's on first? No Who is....FINALLY got the truck started. Hold; don't click.

Took Lisa to the airport and then got lost attempting to go to Safeway. Made a right when I should have gone left, quick recon (NO I AM NOT LOST) of the town.

I then had to come back home to let the blind men finish. 

After they were done packed up and left, I heard a phone beep a message, not my phone. So, Drew, one of the, blind men, had forgotten his phone, I ran out but they were gone. I was hoping he wouldn't get very far before he noticed it was missing. Approximately, ten minutes later there is a knock on the door, I grab the phone and answer the door. I hand the phone to him, we laughed about it. He left, I went in the house and see his phone on the counter, SHXX, I gave him my phone, I run out the door and almost knock him over, as he is returning. We laughed.

That was when I noticed that the BBQ Grill had returned, they put it in the garage and left, no sound, no word. Couldn't even thank them. It originally came in a box unassembled, which is not how she ordered it.

So, Lola, and I curled up together to watch UCLA beat Michigan and advance to the final four. We will be watching the UCLA/Gonzaga, not sure who to root for. I always rooted for the California team as I grew up there, but I have followed Gonzaga for years and have always rooted for them. Well may the best team win. 

Lola and I, new blinds behind us.

It is just me and the doggies for the next two months enjoying Alaska.

Training Day 2

Yesterday, when we left the house I had forgotten my phone when we went to the store, bummer. Since I had to go back to the house for a delivery I was able to retrieve it. 

So this morning I am searching everywhere for my hat. Gave up and went with another one. When we arrived at the store, Lisa, discovered she had left her keys at home. We had planned to do some work before opening, but since we would have to drive home and back that was not going to happen. At least not before the store opened.
We drove back to the house and as we turn onto her street I spy my hat on the side of the road, by the mail boxes. It must have fallen from my pocket when I checked the mail the night before. Somehow, nobody had driven or walked over it, it was just frozen to the ice.

It was very slow at the store and we were pretty bored. Lisa had an appointment at five to go to. Around four o'clock, being bored, I said let's start a countdown. I then proceeded to countdown the seconds backwards. Lisa, who had just taken a drink of water, lost it. Fortunately the bottle was still at her mouth so the water didn't spew all over the counter.

Then as we are leaving the store, I am searching all over for my hat. Check the stockroom, the counter, all of my pockets. Of course the last place I checked was my head, found it.

That was our fun for the day.

Captain's Toy Chest

345 Sterling Hwy.

Homer, Alaska

Lisa laughing after spitting up her water.

These are some pictures taken on the ride from Homer to the house.

Beautiful blue skies over the mountains, a nice crisp 27 degrees.

I grabbed these out the window with my iPhone12promax.

No throw up or poo on the floor tonight, don't ask.

The other night I was telling, Lisa, about my friend, Trixie Bloom, and her book Facebook Blues. I showed her one of, Trixie's, exercise videos. We had a great laugh, I enjoy her immensely.