Our first lesson on why it's called a RAINforest!

August 20, Saturday, and it’s been raining nearly constantly since early yesterday.  See the rain totals below.  Hence the name, RAINforest!  J  We are nice and snug in our favorite cabin, listening to it continue to pour down.  We get to keep our windows open and enjoy the fresh air, it’s that warm.  The two big hairy dogs throwing off heat in the cabin probably don’t hurt!

Precipitation Amount 0.79 inches In the 3 hours preceding Aug 20, 2011 - 04:53 PM EDT / 2011.08.20 2053 UTC 1.33 inches In the 6 hours preceding Aug 20, 2011 - 07:53 PM EDT / 2011.08.20 2353 UTC 1.57 inches In the 24 hours preceding Aug 20, 2011 - 07:53 AM EDT / 2011.08.20 1153 UTC

Technology, yea, how naive was I, thinking everyone in the US was plugged in. I've read about initiatives to improve cell phone and Internet access to rural communities, but it didn't sink in until we got here.  I guess you don’t miss what you don’t know? They do have their DISH TV's though, virtually each and every house and trailer.

Kathy's work needs some technical help, too:  having to fill out three different forms for each case, two of which are paper forms, is not very efficient, or necessary, in this 21^st century.

The fun of the road trip, then the busywork of getting settled are winding down, and the reality of being so far from family is settling in.   Text messages and phone calls and emails from Brady and Kelli and family and friends grow more special each day.  

We’ve received two packages from home, with nice cards and pictures of Henry, thanks to Kelli and Jared.  This reminds me of another hitch in our move:  we can’t get the free post office box until we have an address, and we won’t have an address until October 5.  General Delivery works, but it doesn’t help us feel ‘moved in.’ We may break down and pay for a PO Box.

We found out Craig has a nice indoor pool, with some exercise equipment, that we hear is lightly used, so we will be taking advantage of that place.

Speaking of feeling at home, the City of Craig, six miles away, is having elections soon for city council.  There are three requirements to run:  one must be 18 or older, a resident of Craig for the previous 30 days to the Oct. 5 elections, and a registered voter.  Darn, too bad our place is in Klawock, or I’d be very tempted to run! 

This is the front of our home, beginning October 5th.

Next year, when I turn 60, I become eligible for exemption from paying city sales tax!  Cool!  There is no state sales tax either, so this is a very nice benefit of being, no, not a senior citizen, but an ‘elder!’  I like that label much better, sounds more about experience than age.  J  This exemption also works on a city tax on gasoline, sweet!

I guess raccoons can’t handle the rain, as they don’t occur anywhere north of mid-British Columbia.  The association between forest and raccoons is one I didn’t know I had until I heard there aren’t any here.  There are no horses on this island either, due to the fact they would contract hoof rot.  Seems odd to be in a rural area without horses. 

Friday was another moving day, oh joy.  I was homeless for the hours between check out and check in, and Kathy needed to visit the Hydaburg Clinic, 50 miles south, so I went with her.  I bought a book to read, and got a nap during the two hours she spent there.  It rained the entire time, so didn’t get out for a walk.  The trip took an hour each way, and was, you guessed it, beautiful, and deserted.  Every view is a postcard! 

The otter was on the dock Friday morning as we packed up.  It’s so cool to see an otter in the wild!