North to Alaska!

Hey everybody! I realize I haven't written in this blog for over two years, but I thought I'd take it up again. I'm spending the Summer in Homer, AK working/living at a Bed and Breakfast and also working at an Art gallery on the Homer Spit. Last Sunday, I flew into Anchorage at 8:30pm, (11:30pm my time) and was pretty exhausted. My Mom's friend's sister and her husband were nice enough to let me collapse at their house. I had planned to take the Homer Stageline bus the next day from Anchorage to Homer because it was cheaper than a flight. Monday morning, I called probably 7 or 8 times and no one at the bus station answered. When they called me back, they were surprised that I didn't know they weren't running because it was a holiday (Memorial Day). Of course I didn't know because it wasn't on their website. When I pointed this out to him, he laughed like someone lazily trying to breathe while gargling water and said, "Oh...yeah. It's probably not on our website." So I booked a flight for that afternoon. After checking my bag, Barb walked me to my gate. We both expected to say goodbye at security so were obviously surprised when security never happened and we ended up at the gate unfrisked. After the initial shock, I settled into the fact that I was about to board a no-security 40-person plane with a handful of strangers, one of which was a jolly old man who had a shotgun as his carry-on.

Obviously, it turned out okay. The view was beautiful and the flight was short and sweet. The Homer Airport was a bit smaller than the main room of the VFW in Canby, MN (those of you who have been there are nodding your heads and smiling...everyone else, just picture a really small airport). I called a cab. A few minutes later, a man in carhartt overalls showed up driving a cab with no mileage counter. Nevertheless, he dropped me off, I handed him some crumpled bills and went on my way.

The view is beautiful. I'm a block off the beach of Kachemak Bay. My apartment is larger than expected and the light yellow cupboards, big rugs, and 1950's stove feel summery and cozy at the same time.

The first morning I was there, I walked to the beach. Growing up around lakes (well, growing up around friends who had lake cabins...), I was in awe by the low tide. It was calm, the sky was clear, and the water disappeared into the thick fog, leaving ocean floor paths between tide pools. I wandered out and realized the low tide stretched much farther than I thought. I met a local named Jason, who was walking with his dog. He said this time of year the tides are extremely low, but today was one of the lowest. The ground looked like a sparkly washboard. The sun shined patchy rays through the thick wisps of fog. It was so beautiful and so eerie.

 

 So far, I've spent most of my days wandering around the town, gaping at the beach like a fool, and reading at the library. Business hasn't quite picked up yet at the B&B but it will and I'm enjoying some time by myself. Up until yesterday, it has been pretty much sunny all the time. It rained off and on today so the ravens and crows were in full force, hunting for worms. Aside from buying a basil plant at the farmer's market, I've stayed at home most of the day. It's cozy in here with the rain at the window :)

Mikey comes here on June 10 and I'm so excited. He'll be working remotely in Homer for his Minneapolis job, so that works out great. Plus, it's harder for me to explore a town, its restaurants, etc. by myself than with someone else. And he'll love it here! Who wouldn't?

I'll leave you with a photo of a raven teasing an eagle.

Love,

Breezy