The frequency of moose sightings has shot through the roof since I've been down on the Kenai. In Anchorage I was seeing them maybe 3 times a week, while down here I'm seeing them multiple times a day. Yesterday alone I had 3 separate sightings. My favorite was a mommy moose with a baby right near the cabins - there's a little clearing about 100 ft before the driveway that they were standing in, just munching on some trees. The babies are just so cute. The moms don't care at all that you're sitting there watching them, but the babies haven't had the same exposure to cars, yet, so they get a little scared.
I don't know if I wrote about this yet, but I drove down this long road in Anchorage that goes into the foot of the mountains because I was just exploring. I saw some great houses down that road - funky looking houses perched on the side of the mountain, overlooking Anchorage/the valley. While up there, I saw a mom and baby moose on the side of the road. As I pulled up the baby started to sort of run away, but, when the mom didn't run away he ran back to her. He was right in the middle of the road standing a few feet from my car just running back and forth trying to figure out what to do. He was really young and was still a little clumsy so he looked really silly trying to change directions quickly. When he moved I drove past and turned around down the road so I could come back and take a picture and there was a guy on a motorcycle coming out of the road I turned around in. He started to go, but when he saw the baby he stopped and backed up because he didn't want to scare it, then he waved me ahead. How nice of him. Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone and it's a piece of crap so I can't get the picture off of it.
So, back to the wildlife sightings here. Last night I was out by the fire pit bringing some boxes out there when I heard something in the forest. I figured it was the little bunny that lives back there or a robin, like it usually is. Then I looked up and saw a big giant moose a few trees away walking toward me. I hit the fire pit stones a few times with a stick and spoke to alert it of my presence before she got too close to me without realizing I was there. She just looked up at me and stared at me for about 20 seconds. Longest 20 seconds of my life. After that she just walked away casually then as she reached the woods she started trotting off. Moose look hysterical when they run. Earlier in the day I saw one running through the backyard and up into the woods - that one was really hauling ass. When I see them run I'm always expecting them to tumble forward at any second because they're so awkward.
I keep finding fur out back. I think it might be bear fur, too. I originally assumed it was moose fur because I see them all the time, but, on closer examination, it's far too black to be from a moose. It's about 3.5 inches long and it's really fine and soft. I think bear fur is pretty coarse, but it could be the matting part. I'll take a picture of it later today. I'm really glad it's light for so long here because I'd probably be a huge wimp about going outside late at night if it did get really dark. It's comforting to be able to see my surroundings when I know there's wildlife around.
In my bear fur research, I came across this awesome article.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
The USPS website is horrible
Today I packaged up my paintings to be sent off to Sweden. I didn't do it in time to make the post office, but they'll go out tomorrow. I stared at them for a while before I packaged them up. Sad to see them go, but happy someone actually wants them, too. I can't wait to see how much it's going to cost to get there.
I asked a woman at the post office what the size limits are before they start charging me an arm and a leg to ship and she just wouldn't give me an answer. She actually told me to package up what I needed to ship and then call the post office to see if the size is OK. Uhh, I sort of want to know what the size limits are BEFORE I go over them, ya know? Whatever, I think I'm within. I looked it up online, but the website is a piece of crap, so who knows. I did the calculate shipping thing they have on there to figure out how much it might cost. I click the international large package option right off the bat, then it asks me all the information so they can calculate. Then it asks me what zip code I'm shipping from and to and it's a REQUIRED field. HELLO! I said INTERNATIONAL in the beginning, not domestic. So I figured I'd just enter the numbers that seemed zip codeish on the address I have - no go, it didn't recognize it. I use the 'lookup zipcode' feature thinking it will have something you can put in there for country codes or something. Nothing. I leave it blank and it still doesn't work. Basically you aren't allowed to calculate international shipping, even if you specifically select that option in the beginning. Websites that are stupid like that piss me off.
I thought about calling until I remembered they have one of those stupid phone systems where you have to speak to a computer. You know, the ones that NEVER understand you and you end up yelling "No." "NO." "I SAID NOOOOOOOOOO, YOU STUPID #*&$@#^$#&." At least that's what happens to me. Pretty much you try really hard to make it understand you, but it never does, so then you have to figure out how to get to a spot in the system where you can use touch tone or speak to an actual person, THEN by the time you get to speak to an actual person, you're fuming so the conversation doesn't usually go well. I feel bad for those people answering the phone.
I asked a woman at the post office what the size limits are before they start charging me an arm and a leg to ship and she just wouldn't give me an answer. She actually told me to package up what I needed to ship and then call the post office to see if the size is OK. Uhh, I sort of want to know what the size limits are BEFORE I go over them, ya know? Whatever, I think I'm within. I looked it up online, but the website is a piece of crap, so who knows. I did the calculate shipping thing they have on there to figure out how much it might cost. I click the international large package option right off the bat, then it asks me all the information so they can calculate. Then it asks me what zip code I'm shipping from and to and it's a REQUIRED field. HELLO! I said INTERNATIONAL in the beginning, not domestic. So I figured I'd just enter the numbers that seemed zip codeish on the address I have - no go, it didn't recognize it. I use the 'lookup zipcode' feature thinking it will have something you can put in there for country codes or something. Nothing. I leave it blank and it still doesn't work. Basically you aren't allowed to calculate international shipping, even if you specifically select that option in the beginning. Websites that are stupid like that piss me off.
I thought about calling until I remembered they have one of those stupid phone systems where you have to speak to a computer. You know, the ones that NEVER understand you and you end up yelling "No." "NO." "I SAID NOOOOOOOOOO, YOU STUPID #*&$@#^$#&." At least that's what happens to me. Pretty much you try really hard to make it understand you, but it never does, so then you have to figure out how to get to a spot in the system where you can use touch tone or speak to an actual person, THEN by the time you get to speak to an actual person, you're fuming so the conversation doesn't usually go well. I feel bad for those people answering the phone.
King Salmon Cabin
King Salmon is the main cabin here that was the existing structure when Frenchy bought the place. I LOVE this cabin. It's sort of my second home down here when I don't feel like being in Spider Cabin (That's what I like to call my shack because of all of my roommates).
This cabin is a little A-Frame that an old military guy built for himself out here. He really did a great job, too. The cabin itself has a bedroom w/bath, 2 sitting areas, a kitchen, a half bath and then there's a loft area which is treated as a bedroom. It's simple, but it has a lot of character. Just have to see it to know what I mean.
Out back he has a big fire pit, a horseshoe pit and all these little table that are at the right level to put a drink down if you're standing out there. The little tables are just existing stumps with a circular piece of wood screwed to the top to make the tabletop that are painted red, stump and all. It's really a neat little area. It's cool, also, because the vegetation back there is neat looking. The untouched ground beneath the trees grows this thick moss-like stuff that's squishy if you step on it. There is also a bunny that lives out back that I see out there everyday.
Aside from the actual cabin, the guy also built a garage, a fish house (now converted into my Spider Cabin with the help of a small addition) an outhouse and a tool shed. It's really a neat little property. The other two cabins stick out like a sore thumb here. Everything existing is dark green or red and the cabins are HUGE with light-colored vinyl siding. It's too bad they weren't built to fit into the landscape a little bit more, but that costs money! There are some really great log cabins on the way to this place that I just love.
And as for the neighbors. It's hard to describe. It's like I have them, but I don't. The ones across the street are down long driveways and I can't see the houses at all because of the trees. Can't see my next door neighbor, either, because of trees. I probably see cars drive by about 5 times a day and more often than not it's the same car. I'm pretty much at a dead end. There IS a road that extends beyond, but it's all private. Basically, I could walk around naked in the backyard without worrying.
To get here off of the main road I take a side road and go a little over a mile and then it's a little over a half mile of dirt roads from there. The dirt roads are BUMPY. I've started to learn the bumps, though and can get down it pretty quickly now. I was driving down the road the other day wondering if there would be enough room if a car came from the other direction then lo and behold, an ESCALADE comes around the corner. We made it by each other without slowing down much and it was even on a scary part of the road where if you go too close to the side you'd tumble down a slope. Because the road leads to a bunch of dead ends (not ALL dead ends, but if you're going down that way, you're not just passing through) you know that everyone you see on the road is a neighbor (by woods standards) so everyone waves. I was pulling onto the road and a guy was coming up in a big old jelopy of truck that had a fancy paint job. He slowed right down to give me a nod as I pulled in and his little adorable son (or grandson, he seemed too old to have a kid that young, maybe 6 yrs or so?) had climbed over and was practically sitting on his lap to get a look at who was going by. I gave them a smile and a wave, because that's what you do here.
I didn't really think much of the property when I first saw it. There wasn't much to think. Just a couple of brand new cabins that are actually more like houses. After seeing this cabin, I love it. I want my own little cool military man cabin.
This cabin is a little A-Frame that an old military guy built for himself out here. He really did a great job, too. The cabin itself has a bedroom w/bath, 2 sitting areas, a kitchen, a half bath and then there's a loft area which is treated as a bedroom. It's simple, but it has a lot of character. Just have to see it to know what I mean.
Out back he has a big fire pit, a horseshoe pit and all these little table that are at the right level to put a drink down if you're standing out there. The little tables are just existing stumps with a circular piece of wood screwed to the top to make the tabletop that are painted red, stump and all. It's really a neat little area. It's cool, also, because the vegetation back there is neat looking. The untouched ground beneath the trees grows this thick moss-like stuff that's squishy if you step on it. There is also a bunny that lives out back that I see out there everyday.
Aside from the actual cabin, the guy also built a garage, a fish house (now converted into my Spider Cabin with the help of a small addition) an outhouse and a tool shed. It's really a neat little property. The other two cabins stick out like a sore thumb here. Everything existing is dark green or red and the cabins are HUGE with light-colored vinyl siding. It's too bad they weren't built to fit into the landscape a little bit more, but that costs money! There are some really great log cabins on the way to this place that I just love.
And as for the neighbors. It's hard to describe. It's like I have them, but I don't. The ones across the street are down long driveways and I can't see the houses at all because of the trees. Can't see my next door neighbor, either, because of trees. I probably see cars drive by about 5 times a day and more often than not it's the same car. I'm pretty much at a dead end. There IS a road that extends beyond, but it's all private. Basically, I could walk around naked in the backyard without worrying.
To get here off of the main road I take a side road and go a little over a mile and then it's a little over a half mile of dirt roads from there. The dirt roads are BUMPY. I've started to learn the bumps, though and can get down it pretty quickly now. I was driving down the road the other day wondering if there would be enough room if a car came from the other direction then lo and behold, an ESCALADE comes around the corner. We made it by each other without slowing down much and it was even on a scary part of the road where if you go too close to the side you'd tumble down a slope. Because the road leads to a bunch of dead ends (not ALL dead ends, but if you're going down that way, you're not just passing through) you know that everyone you see on the road is a neighbor (by woods standards) so everyone waves. I was pulling onto the road and a guy was coming up in a big old jelopy of truck that had a fancy paint job. He slowed right down to give me a nod as I pulled in and his little adorable son (or grandson, he seemed too old to have a kid that young, maybe 6 yrs or so?) had climbed over and was practically sitting on his lap to get a look at who was going by. I gave them a smile and a wave, because that's what you do here.
I didn't really think much of the property when I first saw it. There wasn't much to think. Just a couple of brand new cabins that are actually more like houses. After seeing this cabin, I love it. I want my own little cool military man cabin.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
So Cute
The following is from Erica's (My sister) blog and it's a hysterical conversation between her and Tyler (my nephew). I would just give you a link, but it's from a non-public blog, so I'll just repost it here:
Tyler and I were talking the other day about where people are.
Tyler ~ Where's Mamma Rain?
Me ~ She's at home.
Tyler ~ Where's Bampa?
Me ~ He's at home too.
Tyler ~ Where's Leah.
Me ~ She's at work.
Tyler ~ Daddy's working too.
Me ~ Yes he is.
Tyler ~ Where's Tara?
Me ~ I don't know, where is she?
Tyler ~ In Laska, I can't find her.
It was actually quite funny. Tyler will definitely enjoy seeing Tara when she comes home, even if it isn't for good! He doesn't have a clue what Laska (Alaska) is other than the fact that he knows that's where Tara is.
Tyler and I were talking the other day about where people are.
Tyler ~ Where's Mamma Rain?
Me ~ She's at home.
Tyler ~ Where's Bampa?
Me ~ He's at home too.
Tyler ~ Where's Leah.
Me ~ She's at work.
Tyler ~ Daddy's working too.
Me ~ Yes he is.
Tyler ~ Where's Tara?
Me ~ I don't know, where is she?
Tyler ~ In Laska, I can't find her.
It was actually quite funny. Tyler will definitely enjoy seeing Tara when she comes home, even if it isn't for good! He doesn't have a clue what Laska (Alaska) is other than the fact that he knows that's where Tara is.
Monday, June 2, 2008
"Welcome Home"
I had to pack and get ready to head to the cabins so I couldn't finish my post before about my latest specimens. I love to analyze, so it's fun to have guests coming and going. Fresh meat! The current guys at the B&B are the best guests yet, which I've already gone into. Last night (2 nights ago when I post this finally) we stayed up and talked over a few drinks and some food. Their eating style is similar to mine, too, which I don't see often. I eat a lot of mediterranean foods in a very simple manner with little prep.. I could live off of tomatoes, cheese, olives and olive oil, and I pretty much do! I may have found someone that likes olive oil more than I do. Imagine that! I love it so much that I'd drink it. He actually makes it and has started to sort of sell it. His dad is in Greece tending to the olives as we speak. I'll definitely be getting some of that one way or another.
They'll be in town for about two weeks, but Andreas (I suppose I should just use their names at this point. Sorry, guys, no aliases. I hope I spelled it correctly) is considering staying a bit longer and flying his wife out here, which I hope he does! I've become a cheerleader to get as many people as possible up here to see this place because it's just amazing. Andreas and Rick are considering visiting the cabins, I'm assuming work/time/desire to drive 2.5 hours away permitting. Once again, hope they do! It'd be fun to hang out with someone here in my new home away from home. There's a fire pit here and those are always fun. The only problem with that is that it doesn't get dark, so sitting around a fire just doesn't have the same effect as it might in the dark.
Tonight before I went to bed Frenchy said "welcome home!" It's nice to really start to unpack my things and settle into my little home. I like my little cabin, no matter how ill equipped. I had to do another spider sweep tonight, which I was hoping wouldn't be necessary. I'm such a wimp with any sort of bug that can bite me because of my reaction to the bites, but I'm thinking I may have to overcome the spider thing. I'm hoping once I paint in here they'll start to dwindle. Yes, I actually think that there will be less spiders when I paint, as nuts as that may sound. First off, I think bare wood is easier for them to adhere webs to and it's an organic substance which I would think would be more appealing to a spider. C'mon, do you think spiders are programmed to build webs on synthetic materials over wood? I would imagine, to a spider, wood equals tree, which equals bugs flying by to get caught in their web, while paint or other synthetic materials equals WTF?!?! I've famously said it before; all spiders are engineers, albeit pre-programmed ones. okay, I'm going to shut up about spiders, now.
I forgot to mention my other funny for the day. There were some christmas lights still on a tree in Frenchy's front yard in Anchorage and we decided they're tacky and had to go. The other day I finally got around to it and, boy, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I'd love to know who put these lights on that poor little tree. the thing was just COVERED in them with no rhyme or reason and even stapled to the tree in some spots. I figured I'd be able to just unwrap them and be done with it. Oh, no. There were nine strings of lights on this one tree and I'm pretty sure whoever put them on was practicing basket-weaving. They were all intertwined so I had to work my way up the tree taking all of the strands off at once instead of one at a time. Did I mention this was over a bed of freshly planted flowers? In an effort to not step on the flowers I was standing on a rock trying to reach over and I had one foot on a knob on the tree. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was sitting up in the tree. I spent so long balancing on some of the knobs of previous branches that finally I just ended up climbing the tree and sitting up in it while I unwound the lights. I'm sure the neighborhood will miss my antics. (I still can't believe the neighbors washed my car. Even though I helped them do it, I should really be neighborly in return. Maybe I'll bake them muffins - the most cliche neighbor thing ever.)
I just got the internet working at the cabin here, so I can finally post this! I've got a backlog of posts in my computer. Yes, even with the amount I already post, I've still got lots of material. You guys may never shut me up now.
They'll be in town for about two weeks, but Andreas (I suppose I should just use their names at this point. Sorry, guys, no aliases. I hope I spelled it correctly) is considering staying a bit longer and flying his wife out here, which I hope he does! I've become a cheerleader to get as many people as possible up here to see this place because it's just amazing. Andreas and Rick are considering visiting the cabins, I'm assuming work/time/desire to drive 2.5 hours away permitting. Once again, hope they do! It'd be fun to hang out with someone here in my new home away from home. There's a fire pit here and those are always fun. The only problem with that is that it doesn't get dark, so sitting around a fire just doesn't have the same effect as it might in the dark.
Tonight before I went to bed Frenchy said "welcome home!" It's nice to really start to unpack my things and settle into my little home. I like my little cabin, no matter how ill equipped. I had to do another spider sweep tonight, which I was hoping wouldn't be necessary. I'm such a wimp with any sort of bug that can bite me because of my reaction to the bites, but I'm thinking I may have to overcome the spider thing. I'm hoping once I paint in here they'll start to dwindle. Yes, I actually think that there will be less spiders when I paint, as nuts as that may sound. First off, I think bare wood is easier for them to adhere webs to and it's an organic substance which I would think would be more appealing to a spider. C'mon, do you think spiders are programmed to build webs on synthetic materials over wood? I would imagine, to a spider, wood equals tree, which equals bugs flying by to get caught in their web, while paint or other synthetic materials equals WTF?!?! I've famously said it before; all spiders are engineers, albeit pre-programmed ones. okay, I'm going to shut up about spiders, now.
I forgot to mention my other funny for the day. There were some christmas lights still on a tree in Frenchy's front yard in Anchorage and we decided they're tacky and had to go. The other day I finally got around to it and, boy, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I'd love to know who put these lights on that poor little tree. the thing was just COVERED in them with no rhyme or reason and even stapled to the tree in some spots. I figured I'd be able to just unwrap them and be done with it. Oh, no. There were nine strings of lights on this one tree and I'm pretty sure whoever put them on was practicing basket-weaving. They were all intertwined so I had to work my way up the tree taking all of the strands off at once instead of one at a time. Did I mention this was over a bed of freshly planted flowers? In an effort to not step on the flowers I was standing on a rock trying to reach over and I had one foot on a knob on the tree. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was sitting up in the tree. I spent so long balancing on some of the knobs of previous branches that finally I just ended up climbing the tree and sitting up in it while I unwound the lights. I'm sure the neighborhood will miss my antics. (I still can't believe the neighbors washed my car. Even though I helped them do it, I should really be neighborly in return. Maybe I'll bake them muffins - the most cliche neighbor thing ever.)
I just got the internet working at the cabin here, so I can finally post this! I've got a backlog of posts in my computer. Yes, even with the amount I already post, I've still got lots of material. You guys may never shut me up now.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
How 'bout that weather?
As I'm sure you've figured out, I didn't get to go on that flightseeing tour - I would have been spewing about it on here if I had. That was the number 1 thing I wanted to do here in Anchorage. I'm going to see if I can do one from somewhere on the Kenai. I refuse to leave Alaska without doing one!
This afternoon sometime I'm headed down to my little cabin. My shack, I mean. I'm really excited to get down there, but a bit sad to go at the same time. We finally have some guests here I can actually relate to instead of watching them like they're in a zoo like I do the others. Two guys from Greece by way of Cleveland (as I understand it). They're here doing some AV work for one of the military bases. They're interesting, personable people and I've found I have a lot to talk about with them. So far with the guests I've felt the same way I do when I see someone from High School that I haven't seen since we graduated. Usually you spend all of your time talking about stupid superficial stuff that neither one cares about, but you do it to be friendly and to cut the awkwardness of not knowing each other. You know, those 'how 'bout the weather' conversations where you revert to talking about stupid stuff because you've got nothing else to say to each other. For some reason we feel obligated to catch up with people simply because we recognize them, which I find to be a bit stupid. Yeah, I know I went to high school with you, but I also know you probably didn't know anything about me then and you don't know anything about me now, so why do we have to talk about the weather like we care? And all that based on the fact that you know what I look like and nothing more. Meaningless!
Whoa, tangent. Back on track here: It's a friendly atmosphere with all of the guests, but there are no real conversations. It's been a pleasant surprise to have like-minded guests that I can actually talk with like a human. I'm more than okay with anyone that can follow my nerdy line of thought and reasoning!
More later, gotta go get packed up and ready to go.
This afternoon sometime I'm headed down to my little cabin. My shack, I mean. I'm really excited to get down there, but a bit sad to go at the same time. We finally have some guests here I can actually relate to instead of watching them like they're in a zoo like I do the others. Two guys from Greece by way of Cleveland (as I understand it). They're here doing some AV work for one of the military bases. They're interesting, personable people and I've found I have a lot to talk about with them. So far with the guests I've felt the same way I do when I see someone from High School that I haven't seen since we graduated. Usually you spend all of your time talking about stupid superficial stuff that neither one cares about, but you do it to be friendly and to cut the awkwardness of not knowing each other. You know, those 'how 'bout the weather' conversations where you revert to talking about stupid stuff because you've got nothing else to say to each other. For some reason we feel obligated to catch up with people simply because we recognize them, which I find to be a bit stupid. Yeah, I know I went to high school with you, but I also know you probably didn't know anything about me then and you don't know anything about me now, so why do we have to talk about the weather like we care? And all that based on the fact that you know what I look like and nothing more. Meaningless!
Whoa, tangent. Back on track here: It's a friendly atmosphere with all of the guests, but there are no real conversations. It's been a pleasant surprise to have like-minded guests that I can actually talk with like a human. I'm more than okay with anyone that can follow my nerdy line of thought and reasoning!
More later, gotta go get packed up and ready to go.
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