Winter and Spring and Other Things

 ... are fighting for supremacy. We've had temps in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, but not in that order. On four of the last eight days, we've had steady rains. In three of those, we've also had hail and strong winds.

We're still getting lows in the mid-30s, intermixed with lows in the mid-40s. And of course, there's still snow on the ground in shady, north-facing areas.

Three weeks ago, we had a foot of snow on the ground in our yard. Now we have leaves on the trees, the grass is greening up, and there are weeds a foot tall.

So we're going to put the cushions on the deck furniture on Friday evening, and this weekend we'll sit out on the deck. Even if we have to wear jackets. And perhaps Spring will be convinced to plow ahead by our stubbornness and resiliency. 

Or it won't. :)

On the home front, my wife's cast was removed three weeks ago, and she's been going to physical therapy twice weekly since then. She gets around the house pretty well in her sock feet, but still wears a walking boot and cane when outside.

She also tripped over one of the cats yesterday morning and fell down, twisting the ankle a bit. There's no apparent damage nor lasting effects other than some residual soreness. In her defense, the cat decided to lie down and roll over onto its back as D approached.

So life goes on up here. We're starting to get out and about a bit more, including booking a trip to a Navy reunion in Gatlinburg in September, and finally going back to Hawaii next spring. 

A Celebrity-Laden Vacation

Well, not exactly.

But we had minor brushes with the famous or infamous (you decide) while on vacation: Al Roker was leaving Alaska (and good riddance, Mr. Globular Warmening) when we departed.*

Mike Love of the Beach Boys got on the hotel elevator with us a few days ago. 

And Alaska legislator Eric Croft was wandering around the baggage claim carousels when we got back.

Only one impressed me, and you probably don't need to guess. But he's the one in the ballcap.

* It should be pointed out that while Al was in Alaska to report on global warming in the Arctic, he was wearing a parka while walking through the Anchorage airport. And he was "reporting" about how warm Alaska is getting.

Reunion, Texas-Style

I just made all the reservations for a trip to San Antonio in October, for my ship's annual meet. I've not been before, as work always interfered. Not so much now, though.

I haven't seen any of these folks since 1975 or longer, and there will be plenty there from earlier tours whom I've seen only on Facebook.

I'm stoked.

USS William M. Wood (DD715)

Let The Game Begin

We're scheduled to close on the new house next Monday, so things are getting real, now. My wife and I spend a few hours this morning going through the remaining unpacked stuff in the garage. Everything there is now ready to be loaded and shipped up the road.

The only parts of the current abode not ready to go are our clothes closets, the office furniture and the kitchen. By the coming weekend, we'll have a few days' worth of clothes in a couple of suitcases, and just enough food to eat for a few days.

Utilities have been transferred, forwarding address is being sent to those who need it, and the movers will be here at 9 a.m. Friday, May 13.

Nearly all our attention is on this process right now, so my scrolling around other blogs may (or may not) be limited. I haven't been back to work yet, so don't know for sure what may be awaiting me there.

Do I have to go back?  Oh, never mind.

Anyway, we've been out today looking at new BBQ grills, some furniture for the covered deck, and lighting for the master bedroom. Despite the lingering degree of travel fatigue (not much, but definitely there), the looking is fun, because we'll be purchasing those things in the next two to three weeks.

Meanwhile, I'm going to sprinkle in pics from our recent travels, just because. Hope you enjoy!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

No, not the Steve Martin and John Candy movie.

It was our 21 hours of driving, flying, riding trams, subway trains, and/or waiting around in airports to get back to Anchorage. But we made it home at 0300 hrs yesterday, and I even managed to squeeze 4 hours of sleep in there.

Made it until 2030 hrs last night, and then crashed hard. I'm feeling better enough, this morning, to care about opening e-mail.

See? Instant human: just add coffee.

Moving On

So we checked out of the Branson hotel a day early, and set out for my mom's house, some 90 miles away.

We stopped at the world HQ of Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, because hey, why not? It's over 500,000 sq. ft. of wonderfulness, and we spent a solid hour in the NRA's National Sporting Arms Museum. It's been a long time since I had to fight the temptation to drool ... just sayin'.

As Yogi Berra (I think) once put it, "Don't miss it if you can!"

Then we had lunch, and now we're safely ensconced at my mom's place for the rest of the week.

States I Have Visited

just for fun:



Create Your Own Visited States Map

I'm not as widely-traveled as some, but given enough time and a bit o' wanderlust, one can get around. :)

About That Trip To Homer

Okay, so I thought of something to write about, after all:


One of the places we visited for dinner, last weekend, was highly placed on tripadvisor.com's list of restaurants.

We made a reservation and arrived on time. We were seated promptly, and just as promptly, a waitress (or server, if you prefer) appeared at our table to take drink orders. But when she discovered that all we wanted was iced tea and a good dinner - and not drinks and appetizers - her enthusiasm faded like the sun passing behind clouds.

She came to the table only once more, to bring the dinners we ordered. After that, we saw her waiting on others, but not us. A different server asked if we wanted dessert (we didn't), and brought the check.

I'm not going to mention the establishment's name, for reasons you can probably surmise, but it wonders me* why a person whose income is at least partially based on tips would decide some customers are less important than others.

My semi-educated guess is that she gets a higher commission on drinks than food, but still ...

Oh, well. We won't be seeing that place again, so it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.


* Just something that my mom says to be humorous, from time to time.

The Road ... It Calls to Us

Back later.

The Weekend

Ours was busy, but good.

On Saturday, we got up early, got the oil & differential fluids changed in the truck, did some grocery shopping, cleaned a little, and drove to Big Lake.

Big Lake, with Mt. Foraker, Mt. Hunter, and Mt. McKinley on the horizon (click to enlarge)

This gave me a chance to get the new-to-us Explorer into 4WD for a bit, as we followed an ATV trail for a bit. Had to make sure everything worked okay, ya know? :) After a round trip of roughly 150 miles, it's safe to say the truck meets our expectations, and we can take longer trips without worry.

Yesterday, we cleaned the rest of the house, grilled a bunch of turkey burgers (beer & brat mustard, some local seasonings, and BBQ sauce mixed in - yum!), went to the wife's summer company picnic, and then back home to watch a couple of movies.

Oh - what longer trips?  We're thinking about taking the Alaska ferry from Whittier to Kodiak Island. It'll be nice to take the new truck along, so we can explore Kodiak in our own vehicle.

I hope all y'all had a good weekend, too. Thanks for stopping by.

Post-Vacation Rumination

The move back into our normal routine was easier than I expected, but then our trip last week wasn't so much a vacation as a road trip. We spent a couple of days sitting more-or-less still at my mom's place, on Sunday/Monday, and were then on the move for the remainder, with driving from point A to points B, C and/or D, every day. It was tiring.

One thing I'd forgotten - and missed, when I realized that - is how friendly folks in the Midwest are.

We pulled up in front of our hotel on the first night, and an older fellow came over to the car stating, "Now don't you lay a finger on those suitcases - I'll get everything." We were just thinking that perhaps they'd added a porter, when he leaned over far enough to see me at the wheel.

"Ohmigosh, I'm so so so sorry!" as he backed quickly away.

He explained that he was expecting friends, and my wife looked enough like "the other gal" that he thought we were them.  No harm done, we assured him, and went on our way.

Next morning at the gas station, a man at the next pump said, "You can tell an election's coming up, when the prices go down."  I thought he was on a cell phone as I glanced his way, but nope ... he was addressing me. The price had been $3.69/gallon the evening before, but was $3.42 that morning. I told him it looked a lot better than the $4.27 back home, so he asked where "home" is.

When I told him "Anchorage," he said, "So what do you think of that Sarah Palin?" and was off to the races: "That John McCain done her wrong, 'cause he didn't know what he had there. He's a communist anyway, just like that John Kerry. Obama's a communist, too, and it's the New World Order. People just don't see it." He continued in that vein until my car was topped off, so I waved goodbye & he tipped his cap.

Salt of the earth, those folks. I miss that.

* * * * *

The situation here at my office us about where I left it, with no major developments or crises. Those who covered for me while I'm out did a great job.

We're in the second day of a month-long project to upgrade the elevators, replacing all the hydraulics, tanks, hoses, pumps, etc. When it's complete, they'll run at 150 fps vs. the current 80 fps. And no, that's not pronounced "fips", the way my wife used to tease the girls.  :)

The weather is turning warmer from its unseasonably cool spell while we were Outside. AccuHunch is calling for 55 today, and temps in the low 60s for the rest of the week. Nice.

That's all I've got for now. Have a great day.

Waiting at the Gate

We're sitting at Sea-Tac International, waiting to board our flight home. It just arrived some 45 minutes late, due to storms between here and Houston. Oh, well, we can see it, and it's just a matter of time. We'll still be home in the wee hours, and can still get some sleep while it's still "tonight".

Nothing beats "home" after a long week of traveling.

It's Hot

Too hot. It was 93 yesterday at Seekrit Destination #1, so we mostly stayed indoors. Last night, we drove three more hours, arriving at S.D. #2, deep in the Ozarks, about 8:30.

It's only 68 at 7:25, but the humidity is 95%. That's how yesterday started, too, so I have no particular hope that today will be any cooler.

How do you people stand it? It's 38 back home ... as is right, and just, and proper. Okay, rant off.

* * * * *

We'll be here until Tuesday morning, then drive back to S.D. #1, where we'll remain until flying home on Friday.

Dang, it's hot.

Destination the First: We Haz Achieved It

We left Anchorage at 0230, flying into Sea-Tac some three and a half hours later. Then there was the four and a half hours of layover - definitely better with my lovely bride than the alternative. Sitting alone in a strange (or even a familiar) airport for hours and hours is not much fun.

Another 3 1/2 hours to St. Louis, and then off for points south in a borrowed sedan (thanks, Dana & Sandi; your help is so very much appreciated). We're in a hotel tonight, but will be at my mom's house tomorrow.

In the meantime, we've had only about two hours' sleep in the last 36, so it's time to kick back & relax before Mr. Sandman whisks us away.

Later!