Back in Klawock

Today is July 27, 2012.  One year and five days ago, we left San Diego in a packed, week old Subaru, we being Kathy and I and Quinlan and Lakota.  That was a hard parting, leaving behind Kelli and Henry and Jared.  Eleven days ago, I put Kelli and Henry on a plane to Maine, another tough task.  Yes, that was after about a week and a half with them all.  Two trips to the world famous San Diego Zoo, one trip to watch planes land and take off at Lindbergh Field, a walk along the Harbor to see the Star of India, the USS Midway, and other boats, a trip to the Natural History Museum, with a walk through Balboa Park and spying turtles and dragonflies at the Lily Pond, and a walk along the San Diego River.  Henry and I packed in a lot in our short, short time together.  I wish we had done more!  :-)  Now they are all moved in to their new apartment in Maine.  Last year it was our move to Alaska, this year it's the McCannell's to Maine.  Oh, and Faith and Brady visited Miami and loved it:  could they be moving to another corner of the United States in the future?  :-)

I had to stay an extra several days, to get all the work done on the house.  Ugh, no fun.  The house was empty, and I kept coming across old pictures or documents that reminded me of our 15 years in that house, and previous several years in the neighborhood.  

The sockeye salmon arrival is late.  Some are being caught, but not in great quantity.  I saw about 30 huge King Salmon in the back of a pickup today.  Now I know why they are called King Salmon!  

The bald eagles and ravens are more active, seem to be anxiously awaiting the salmon runs.  I still haven't seen a bear.

I have seen two cousins though!  Kay and Carol arrived two days ago, on a glorious sunny day, claiming they brought the weather with them from Texas.  Fine with me, as long as it's here!  I had no idea how much I missed the sun until I arrived in San Diego three weeks ago.  Wow, it was sooooo nice!  

Yesterday was sunny most of the day, too.  

It was great to see my family again, after nearly a year.  Faith and Brady flew down, too!  Since my birthday was only a month away, my family threw a party for me, which was fun.  I got a Kindle, can't wait to figure out how to use it.  I also got a new digital camera, and am loving that, in this place of ultimate scenery.

Arriving home, I found the signature fireweed in bloom.  It's beautiful.  There is still quite a bit of snow on the mountain ridges, too.  


Not much of an update, kind of scattered, but I'm posting and counting it anyway.  Hope it finds everyone well.

San Diego Forecast: Sun and Grandson for Ten Days!

I made it to San Diego!  Wow, I can hardly believe it.  I really didn't realize how much I miss the sun.  I wouldn't say I was depressed, or felt any ill affects lack of sunshine, but I sure am enjoying it now.  The temperature is just right, too, not to hot. 

Henry I knew I missed.  He is so smart and so cute, and quite the mobile boy.  I was a little disappointed he wasn't standing at the airport waiting for me, but maybe that feeling was from pre-9-11, when people could actually meet you at the gate.  I really miss those days.

Henry is amazing.  I'm so glad he hasn't grown to the point I can't pick him up and hold him.  He gives great hugs, and isn't reluctant to share them.  Lately he's been endearing himself to parents and grandpa both by spontaneously offering "T'ank you" when appropriate.  What a precious boy.

I've been assigned the enviable task of keeping him occupied while Mom and Dad pack for their move to Maine.  At first it was a bit challenging:  he's a very busy guy, and pretty smart, so it can be a task to keep him engaged and out of their hair.  Fortunately, I like to go places, so we have started going on trips.  By the end of a morning trip, he's tired, and so comes home and takes a two hour or better nap, which helps as much as us taking a little trip.

Today we went to the National History Museum.  I was hoping something remained of the endless display cases of stuffed native birds and mammals, insect and rock collections, but they don't.  Overpriced and under-kid friendly, not like in the good ol' days.  Too bad.  Henry had more fun than I'm making it sound, but Grandpa was disappointed.  They do still have the swinging pendulum, from way, way back in the day.  It and the south steps might be the only remnants though. 

On the way back we stopped by the Lily Pond and watched the turtles and koi swim, found some dragonflies and butterflies ("Posa," in Henry-speak, short for the Spanish mariposa.)

I got to play Crazy Stroller, too, one of my most fun games, which Henry appreciated.  There were some very close calls with the bushes, the edge of the sidewalk, and anything else I could find to tickle his funnybone. 

It's wonderful not working, and being in sunny San Diego.  I've been up early two of four mornings and gone for long walks.  Sunday was through Murray Canyon, along Mission Center Road.  I heard or saw many 'old friends:' Anna's Hummingbird, Scrub Jay, Bewick's Wren, Northern Oriole, Yellowthroat, and others, including the California Gray Gnatcatcher.  I heard them in at least three different locations, glad they are doing well.

Monday I walked into the heart of Serra Mesa, to see how the Sandrock Gas Station was doing.  We had battled with him for years, and apparently he has now corrected all or most of the issues, and is doing well.  The station looked much better. 

Here is a video of our log house in Klawock, which I was finally able to upload here in San Diego:  Klawock Log House  I'll add other videos in future posts.

The truck arrives this afternoon, and Kelli and Jared and friends can start loading.  It will get picked up on Wednesday afternoon.  I'm sure it will all work out, but it's pretty hectic right now!