It's December, All Right!

Which means we still get daylight here in Southcentral Alaska, just not much or very bright.  The sunrise is at 9:53 and the sunset is 3:48 and between now and the solstice we lose about 30 seconds a day and obviously that pattern reverses itself after solstice.  December and January end up being the gloomiest months especially when there is a low cloud cover or fog like there was today.  I did happen to snap this picture when the fog moved away from the back deck, but it wasn't long before it surrounded us once again.

Bryant, having spent 3 1/2 weeks in the Mexican sunshine, decided he needed to lighten up the outdoors and spent some time hanging Christmas lights on the front porch, fence, and the garage.  I added a few more indoors, plus a Christmas tree, and other decorations, so we've managed to create an atmosphere of good cheer for the holiday season and through the darkest days.

We're Back Home . . .

A few pictures from the trip . . . the details will have to be interpreted through them as I'm not taking the time to write much now.  Bryant and Kenny (a friend from West Virgina) dealt with motor issues and maintenance in the beginning, and lucky for me, all that was taken care of by the time I flew down.  We found an RV park in Loreto to store the boat for us, which will make logistics a lot easier for future use.  I ended up with about 6 days of really nice high 70 - low 80's and then it dropped into the low 70's when a northern blew in on Thanksgiving Day. Overall, a great trip. 


Anchored in Isla Cornados



Agua Verde anchorage - south of Loreto

Palapas on the beach in Loreto - Isla Cornados in the background



Loreto Boat Harbor - Sol Searching's
mast sticks out in the background.

For more pictures:

http://picasaweb.google.com/jillcaho/NovemberMexico

To Do: and Done

Right now the "To Do:" list is bigger than the "Done" list as I get ready for my vacation.

My Done List : 

Wyatt - Not exactly a Jazz Instrument . .
but closer than the oboe or bassoon.

Gus - Tenor Sax, a true jazz instrument,
equally talented, less enthusiastic participant

 On Saturday, I enjoy Mat-Su middle and high school jazz bands and choirs.  They have clinics all day for the students, are critiqued by UAA jazz professors and Air Force Band Members, and in the evening they give a concert to the public.  I am amazed by the talent of all these young kids.  Instead of my usual, drop the kids and run strategy, I volunteered for the concession stand on Saturday.  This gave me the chance to watch the kids from 6th - 12th grade interact with each other, among their peers, and with the different schools.  I even had one ninth grader recognize me from 5 years ago when I taught 4th grade in another elementary school.  All I can say is what a neat group of kids.

On Sunday, I completed a stage in a running journey that began in January, but never realized the course it would take or even where it will end.  I ran 20 miles and I haven't done that in over 20 years. Surprisingly, I didn't do so bad, considering it was two women on a back road in 30 degree temperatures out for a Sunday run.  I found a local running partner at the race in August and she and I have been running one long run a week since September building again to the half-marathon in October with a final goal of 20 miles before my trip.   My legs feel better today than they have in the last month, but maybe they too realize that a Mexican vacation in the sand, sun, and sailboat are soon on the way.

Tonight, I came close to getting my suitcase packed and organizing my list of things "To Do:", which includes organizing the kids, the dog, fuel supply for the house, and the big one is my classroom.  Wow, maybe I better get to bed so I can attack that list tomorrow with some enthusiasm. 

Evening Alpenglow

Reflection of the Chugach Mountains in the Knik River

It is the time of year when the sunset casts beautiful pink color onto the mountains and conveniently it happens while I am driving home from work.  Yes, the sun is setting early these days around 4:30 p.m.  I couldn't help but pull over a take a few pictures.

Knik River looking into the sunset and toward the bridge.

What a Wonderful Winter Day!

Well, I'm not sure I would have used wonderful this morning as I headed to Palmer at 6:00 in the morning with thick wet snow flying into the windshield, but as the day progressed, clouds passed over, and it actually turned out kind of nice.  After school, Gus decided that the additional 2 inches of snow added on top of the 1 inch over the weekend was enough to try snowboarding down the hill. More than anything, I'm quite pleased that snow has held off as long as it has.

 Looking out the kitchen window . . .

Where did October go?  I noticed tonight I haven't posted anything for the month, so that usually means I haven't had the camera clicking much.  I do know I've been negligent in that department, but everything has been rolling along with nothing too out of the ordinary or interesting enough to take a picture off. The boys are busy with school, school activities, and friends.  There were a couple of weekends in early October that we went to the property and hauled wood around, the campfire trash wood, the cabin wood, and wood to be brought home wood.  And if I remember correctly, I was too exhausted to care about taking any pictures.  It's a good thing Bryant drank the kool-aid this summer and bought an I-Phone; now he takes a few pictures and passes them my way. 

Diesel Fuel - helpful flammable for soggy campfire wood

This year, I've been exercising so regularly during the week that the property wood work just plain wore me out.  In prior years, my exercise has been so sporatic I usually enjoyed a full day of labor in the wilderness. This year when I drop the kids off in the morning for jazz band, I run and swim before work.  Surprisingly, it works out well.  I also found a running partner to put in a long run Fridays after work.  On Oct. 23rd, I ran another half-marathon and improved my time by 3 minutes, so at least I'm feeling rewarded for my efforts. 

Bryant is busy packing as he heads to Mexico on Saturday night/Sunday morning.  He'll be down there for 2 weeks and then I join him for a week around Thanksgiving, which was a very pleasant thought, as I shoveled the snowy slop off the front deck this evening.