I am back from 'The Rock' as they call Kodiak Island. Spent a lot of quality time with my son, dil and grandbaby, plus got see quite a bit of the island. Since my son lives on the base it was a little different being awakened by the sound of a C-130 taking off! Or the shooting of a type of gun to shoo the birds off the runway. But different isn't always bad! It is a beautiful Coast Guard Base much nicer then the one in Clearwater, Florida where my son was before.Â
I have lost a bunch of photos in my computer somewhere, at least I hope they are still in there, so when I find them (fingers crossed) you will be able to see the base from up on Old Woman, the harbor of Kodiak and the very small airport I flew into. Alaska is probably the most dramatic landscape I have ever flown over! I can hardly wait until next year when we are planning a trip not just to Kodiak but also the interior of Alaska.
The bear was the topping on the cake as they say. He was a fair size Kodiak bear fishing in the American river not that far from the base. Was I to close, yes I was as I heard all about it when Mr. Poppy received the e-mailed pics! But in my defense, the truck we came in was right behind me, plus the river was deep where the bear was. And the bear knew we were there. They are very used to fisherman at these rivers and as long as you don't disturb them or get near a sow with her cubs you are fairly safe and if they want the fish you just caught, well don't argue!!! I could have stayed there all day with the bear but grandbaby Brody had different ideas and he of course rules as babies should.Â
I was disappointed in a lot of my landscape pics, the overcast sky and the flat light was something I was not prepared to face. I should have had filters to compensate for that but next year I'll know what I need. The island is green all spring and summer, but after a couple of frosts turns a drab brown. Still beautiful coastlines and dramatic mountains are everywhere.Â
We had recently caught salmon and halibut, which are two of my favorite fish to eat. We actually cut the halibut in chunks and deep fried it with a spicy dipping sauce it was delicious. All along the rivers were dead and dying salmon, quite a smell! But it certainly gave the bears and other predators a good fat layer for them to make it through the winter.
Bald eagles are everywhere even in a tree right outside the Commissary. Having an eagle take off fairly close to me was a sight I won't forget!
The flight back was a bit trying as you fly from Kodiak to Anchorage and Anchorage to Portland, there I was stopped as they cancelled my flight home. So on to a small commuter plane to Seattle, wait 2 1/2 hours and back on a plane to Ontario, Ca.  About half way on the last plane I wanted to get off and walk the rest of the way!!Â
In Llano, the weather is just great. Blue skies and cool temps are perfect for fall clean up in the garden. So here are the pics, I hope you all enjoy them as much as I did taking them!!!!
Lots of eagles at this time of year. With the salmon dying, they are having a feast.
Lots of eagles at this time of year. With the salmon dying, they are having a feast.
We spotted this big guy on the American river on Kodiak Island. A dream come true for me to see a Kodiak bear. He was eating the dead salmon that have already spawned.
We spotted this big guy on the American river on Kodiak Island. A dream come true for me to see a Kodiak bear. He was eating the dead salmon that have already spawned.
The bear was looking up after eating another salmon
The main harbor of Kodiak
I just liked the name of this boat
Coming down for more salmon.
My adorable, chubby cheeked grandbaby, 2 months old
Here I am on top of Old Women, with Barometer mountain behind me. Chilly on the top!
These wind mills were really neat to see up close
A beautiful day and low tide.
this is a view of the city and harbors of Kodiak from on top of Old Women. Near Island is to the right of the picture and the main harbor and town of Kodiak to the left.
This is the Kodiak airport.
The Coast Guard base by Old Woman's Bay. Taken from Old Womens Mountain ( lots of old women here, LOL)
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Nobody has found the black and white pup, there is a lot of empty land out here and lots of brush that makes it hard to find a critter that may not want to be found now. They get scared. No pup adoption of the others for us, the guy who found them is going to keep the little guys.
Hi GG! They are getting snow now more then rain up in Kodiak, so winter is setting in.
Looked through the added pictures from your Kodiak trip. The swimming bear is my new favorite.
:)
Amazing how many cruise ships you'll see in Alaska in summer. As you may have noticed, you can get all the way to Whittier on the Alaska Marine Highway, if you take the cross-Gulf boat out of Ketchikan or Juneau. Crossing the Gulf of Alaska can be seasick material, but the ferry that does this sailing is built for rough seas. I've made this passage twice in summer and it was a great trip! If you just do the Inside Passage, you'll see unforgettable scenery on the drive through the Yukon from Haines, AK to the Alaska Highway, or AlCan as we used to call it. As you probably know, you can catch a boat to Kodiak in Homer. I have not traveled that ferry route.
Thanks for the great blog!
:)
(All this "yous" are the General Yu for anyone who might be interested in travel to Alaska.)
Shores - I totally get folks who don't do Disneyland. It's just fine with me and I completely understand :) I just love the rides. I love roller coasters and fast rides - although I don't do upside down (very much) or backwards - I do have my limits. I guess that's my version of bungie jumping, which you'll never see me do. I value my life too much! LOL
We let our passes slide this year. Last visit was last May. They are opening up a few new rides in the next couple of years, so we might renew then. The crowds do get to me - which was one of the reasons we got passes. If it got overly crowded for us - we'd just leave. If it weren't for the fact that our daughters and grandsons love to go, I'd never get hubby there. He could quite easily not do Disneyland! Our passes were blocked during summer - the most crowded time of the year - and again, that was fine with me. I don't have the patience for THAT many folks. I do have limits, but I can deal for the rush of the roller coaster! If you get in the solo line, which I often did for the roller coaster, it wasn't hubby's favorite, I could get on the ride in 5-10 minutes! I can do that!
Hi shore! Thanks for the link! The blogger has done quite a bit of research on the Joshua trees, I believe it is coming out in a book. I'll have to look into it, since they are an amazing tree and one of my favorites.
Hi Karen! We got both rain and snow, though the snow didn't stick. I'm not one for Disneyland either. To expensive for what you get anymore. I use to like 6 flags Magic Mountain, cause I do like roller coasters, even though they scare me a little!
Not much of a day off today, went to the dentist then Costco, then Winco, then Target, Boy, were they crowded. On the way home up our long dirt road was a dog a German Shorthair standing along side the road. I stopped and he came right to me. Luckily he had a collar with phone numbers and he also had a radio control collar that hunting dogs wear. I called his owner and left a message, the dog was so skinny it was pitiful11, I left THAT on the message. He called me right back and said that is the way German Shorthairs were like, I don't think so!!!! He said he lost him hunting yesterday. Anyway he came out and got the dog. He turned out to be someone I knew who I don't care for one bit. Mr. Poppy (who had come down the road to wait with me) said if we ever see this dog again we are throwing away the collar and finding him a new home. Off to work I go tomorrow and if I see this guy I am telling him to treat this great dog right!!!!!!!
That is my animal rant for tonight, oh more puppies were found 3 more to be exact, younger then the first batch. Don't you love people :(((((
Some of 'em. Like the ones who care enough to help the critters and then rant about it so others might learn.
You know - those people :)
The moon the last few nights has been especially beautiful. Last night the moon was a wonderful half an orange moon.
Today Brody is 3 months old! Happy 3 month old birthday Brody!!
Another good "Coast Guard Alaska" on the WX channel last night @ 9! .. .looks like that will be it's time slot going forward.
Hope you are having a good day today.
When I was a kid, there was a period of time I wasn't allowed to play in the 80 acres of woods where we lived. The reason? A pack of feral dogs that were killing livestock. Eventually, the hunters in the area shot them all.
And 4 of the 5 cats currently in our household adopted us after city folk dumped them in the country "where they can take care of themselves". BS to that one. Since when does a kitten or housecat know how to take care of itself?
When making holiday and/or end-of-year donations, please don't forget your local animal shelter. They've fallen on particularly hard times.
There I go hogging your blog. Sorry. But you got me started and sometimes I don't have sense enough to stop.
//rant
Hi Ylee! Kids and animals, I can't bear to see them mistreated. Their inability to fight back makes them vulnerable to sick people. And then there are people who don't mean to mistreat but end up doing it out of ignorance.
Hi Briar! Feral or just loose dogs kill a lot of animals. Out here everyone blames the coyote for the disappearance of their cat or dog. I always tell them to look at the dogs of your neighbors before you go blaming coyotes. I know that my dogs would chase and kill a cat. They don't distinguish between a rabbit and a cat when they are chasing them. Luckily nobody has a cat out here! I get my cat fix at work where there seems to be an endless supply of abandoned cats. As I write this a new cat is thinking about coming into the office here for some cat food!
Thanksgiving Pictures Comments - Photobucket
This T-day we are going to butterfly the bird. Brine it, pound it, then bake it in a very hot oven. You put the stuffing underneath the broiler pan the bird sits in, so one it absorbs the juices of the turkey and two doesn't let those juices smoke up the place. You can get the stuffing made up, the bird brined and butterflied and the gravy made between one and two days ahead. Apple pie is all put together and in the freezer, I will bake that T-day morning. Pumpkin pie I will bake on Tuesday. Mashed potatoes made up T-day morning and kept in a crock pot to keep warm. So for the most part when guests arrive (all 2 of them, LOL) I can sit and relax a little with them. That is the plan so far, we will see if it all works out!!!
Raining today, ending tonight sometime. Another storm for T-day, yea!! Keep on sending them down, PSP and Briar!! :)
Calpoppy,
Up very early. Things I needed to get done before my son's arrival. He was visiting friends in Gainesville last night. The night prior to that he stopped in Atlanta to see friends there. With his flying schedule he has not been able to do this so inbetween jobs he is taking the opportunity.
We have nothing specail planned for Thanksgiving other than the complete meal with all the football games etc. Just the three of us. I hope for each of you your Thanksgiving is the best ever. Don't forget to give thanks for the many wonderful things we each have. Life has been good to us even with all the bumps. Love each one of you and thank you for being my friends for another year.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Thanks, OGal! I hope the three of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi PSP! I like that term 'leftovers'! Send more :)
To everyone a Happy Thanksgiving to you! Enjoy the food, the company and the deserts.
I would like to give thanks for my two great sons, a wonderful DIL, and a super little dude, Brody. I especially give thanks to Mr. Poppy who is my soul mate, even though we met later in life I feel we have known each other for much longer! Last but not least, I am thankful for the natural world I couldn't live without it :))
The in-laws are bringing side dishes and a cobbler.
It is going to be crowded.
Will be be doing one of those; "you know your a redneck when you use the ironing board as a buffet table." things.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving - it sounds like you definitely got the food covered - and, though you won't likely see snow, perhaps some nice clouds to view :)
SP, Lots of nice clouds on T-day. But the rain chances vanished. Had fun though, my oldest son and another young friend came over. They keep me entertained! Smart and funny, a great combo!!!
Hi Ylee! I had to go back to work the very next day. Butterflying the turkey is GREAT! I plan to do it next year too. A fifteen pound turkey done in less then 2 hours, and it tasted great, very juicy. It is a tad bit difficult to carve, but we figured that one out. I like your new cams!!!
Well, this blog has certainly run it's course. A new one sometime this week? :)
Seems like a person could hurt themselves splitting a big ol' turkey like that. I don't want to be ign'r'nt all my life.
I'm with BriarCraft, how on earth DO you butterfly a turkey.
Perhaps that could be the subject of a "How To" holiday cooking blog.
Today I'm going to maybe make a sourcream coffee cake for the first time if the wind doesn't let up a bit.
If the stiff breeze gives way, Roxie and I are going to the dog park.
Briar, the way to butterfly a turkey is to very carefully use a very, very sharp knife to cut that backbone off. It isn't really to hard, the tricky part when you are taking off the backbone is to be able to go through the joint of the wing and NOT the bone. That takes a little practice. The rest of the process is just to cut the breast plate and pound the poor bird to flatten it out a tad more. Did not take long, and I really liked the results, well except it did look like road kill!
Hi Nekeopbarren! Thanks for stopping in. Might have to nickname you Nb or Nek or something!
Hi GG! Read my response to Briar on butterflying techniques not that hard to do. And it sure saved on baking time. I love sour cream coffee cake!!! Walnuts and cinnamon, warm from the oven. Okay I am coming over! We can eat the coffee cake on the way to the dog park.
I have done all my shopping on line, except for a couple of impulse buys for Brody. I found the cutest hat for him, it is a knitted hat with bear ears. Is that cute or what!!! I could go nuts, but I have contained myself (barely).
Trying to think of a really nice desert for Christmas, if anyone has any ideas, please share :))) I usually do a New York cheesecake, but something different would be nice to try.
Looks like a windy forecast ahead, inside slider coming down and those are always tricky to forecast. But as always if we don't get rain we sure will get wind.
Not sure what to make of the 'inside slider', windy or not, rain or not?? We got no rain for Thanksgiving but lots of friends to be thankful for!
Something with dark chocolate sounds really good for a Christmas dessert!
Three chocolate Kings of Orient far
Not rabbits white: now that's bizarre!
With crowns of gold
And gifts, we're told,
They bring you a peaceful December.
It has been so much fun on the blogs this morning as Ylee, Pros and I have chased each other around, leaving Happy Month Greetings!!
I have had a good laugh... and that can only set up the day in the right way!
Guess there's some wind going in SoCal today.
Happy December 1
Thanks for stopping in my blog the other day.
:)
Have a good eve.
Here are some of my favorites. If anything sounds vaguely interesting, I'll share the recipe.
Apple Cake - lots of raisins, nuts, spices. Whipped cream or cinnamon ice cream to top. Super easy.
California Fruit Cake ~ Nothing but apricots, dates and pecans
Cream Cheese Cupcakes ~ not your NY style. Each with a dab of lemon curd, preserves, etc.
The Angel-Food Cake Routine ~ Old family favorite. Split cake into three sections, horizontally. Fill between layers, frost and freeze: lemon curd/whipped cream frosting, orange and lime sherbet/whipped cream, raspberry preserves/chocolate drizzle, etc.
Pumpkin/cream cheese roll
Mince & Apple pie with cheddar cheese
Killer Chocolate Heart ~ Flourless cake that is as dense as... anything. Eggs. Whipping Cream. Grated chocolate. Etc. Bakes in a water bath. Spoon Raspberry sauce over it.
I've got to stop or I'll be on my way to find something good to eat!
Thanks Ylee! I have finally came up with something, now I just have to write it. Sunday maybe?
Thanks Pros for your December greetings! Sure hope you are feeling better!!!
Ylee, 3 white rabbits and Sandi with 3 chocolate rabbits. All the blogs I went to had all three of you in order!! Thanks to you both!!! 3 great minds in sinc!
Hi BF! Thanks for the hula girl greeting! A friend in Hawaii sent me a straw hula girl, she said it was good luck and I needed some at the time. Just broke my leg and had to have screws put in it. Since I have had the hula girl, no more broken legs. LOL!
Hi Shore! Thanks for the ideas on christmas deserts. Could I have the cream cheese cupcake and the angel cake recipe? Thanks! I bake fruit cake every year but my guests don't care for fruit cake. This year I will be cooking up a prime rib. I am going to age it first in the fridge for 6-7 days. Then cook it in the oven at a low temp. The butterflied turkey came out well so I hope I am on a roll!
Have a good weekend!
You know, I scrolled back far enough to read that Brody is now 3 months old...so I think we deserve a new pictures. I know how fast those little ones grow!! So share!! Please???
Also do the same as you, I leave the most meat in the fridge (except for hamburger), for three to five days before freezing or using. Makes a huge difference.
So hungry. It's a cooking weather day, rainy and cold.
Now that the fix-it guy has left will finish my blog hello and go to the store. Big kettle of soup is on the menu.
Have a great day!
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