Heading West toward the Setting Sun

We finally left Idaho on July 29th.  Our time at the 3M Ranch was filled with fun and learning since I'd never lived on a ranch before.  I learned how to feed horses, pigs and cows.  Our dogs had full run of the 9 acres which they adored.  They didn't quite get why they had to wear leashes at the RV parks we have been stopping at.  We are all getting back in our traveling groove.

To summarize the last 7 months, since I know I haven't posted very often, here goes.  We arrived in Winter and for me it sucked.  The cold was a shock for this California girl.  Tom needed eye surgery so we decided to stay to have that done.  They eye surgeries and follow up appointments took weeks longer than we thought.  Then at the end of April Tom had minor heart attack which as the doctor said "was God tapping him on the shoulder".  That kept us in Idaho for follow ups and to take a step back and see what we could change.  Since we were staying we went to Alaska and the nice owners of the ranch watched the animals for us.  After tying up our loose ends and saying Good bye to my brother and his family we have now ventured out again...

Our first stop was Seattle where I met up with a couple of friends for some catch up time.  Seattle was great but crowded.  After that we headed North to Anacortes and Tom got to stop in and see a childhood friend Vic and his wife Sandra.  They live in a beautiful place.

While in the North Washington area we went to Vancouver, BC.  Not my favorite city as I think cities are not where we are comfortable anymore.  It was ok.  

After landing in Birch Bay I accidentally dropped a coffee cup on the cook top. 

Tom Says: 

Cup $0 didn't break

Research: Repair, Replace or Upgrade $ 32 man hours (friends included)

Out of country call to order $ to be determined

New Induction Cook Top (shipping included) $ 420.00

New Induction Cookware $ 499.00 (Sur La Tab)

Time to drive and pick up overnight package $ all day

Fuel $ 100.00

Ship old cookware to truck $ to be determined

Couldn't she just ask for a new pair of shoes?

Love for wife $ Priceless

We took off from Birch Bay and headed South and stopped in Long Beach Washington... What a great little place.  While there we found a Kite Festival....That will be the next post !!

A little Canada holiday

Took a little Canadian holiday to see some family.  We stayed at a beautiful B & B in Fernie.

I don't take credit for these pictures they were taken by the owner.  I wanted to show you all how truly amazing this place was.  We had full use of the main floor and kitchen.  The owner Ian, cooked an amazing breakfast for us.

Then onto some afternoon sightseeing.

Location on the Map....

Tom's Hand....

We arrived back from Alaska and were helping our friends out with taking care of some horses.  Tom didn't take the horse back to the correct stall and she (the horse) was having none of it.  She wanted her stall.

She reared up and the rope caught on Tom's hand and pinched it.  She reared up again and the rest went really fast.  

An emergency room visit later found a spiral fractured finger and rope lacerations on his arms.

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES.....

It was not the horses fault.  Just unfortunate accident.  

I drove him to the emergency room in 15 minutes from 25 miles away and blew 5 red lights.  Safely though....A nice policemen came into the exam room about 30 minutes after we arrived and asked if we had a black Hummer.  We said yes and he explained he'd had some calls about us driving in.  When he saw Tom's hand and arm he said no problem he understood why we did that !!  

We don't think it was calls that came in probably cameras which are at all the signal lights in town.  

A Few More Alaska Pics....

Tom is one Salty Dawg !!!  Homer AK

On the Ferry Ride from Whittier AK to Homer.  

Alaska update.

Sorry for the delay in posting our trip to Alaska.  Life has been a little crazy.

Our trip started off in Anchorage, Alaska.  We then got on the train to Whittier, Alaska.  Our first boat tour to the see glaciers was to begin here.  Then we spent the night in a cute little hotel and met some fun people in the bar.  After we had enough of that little bar we all decided to find another place to go hang out.  Only to realize the hotel bar was really the only place in town because the town only has about 14 people living there.

Town of Whittier Alaska...Only one apartment building the whole town lives in. (Not pictured)

Glacier

The next morning we sailed on the Alaska Marine Ferry to Homer Alaska.  This part of the trip took us a day and half.  We had a cabin with bathroom and shower.  This was a great adventure.  

On the voyage we saw whales, which was the highlight of the trip for me (Lorraine )

This whale just kept waving at us.  I was in awe just seeing this beautiful creature so close to us as we sailed.  

We arrived in Homer Alaska and had a spa day then we were off to do some fishing. Our boat crew and fellow fishermen made the day extremely enjoyable.  Everyone caught their limit.

Next stop Soldotna and Seward Alaska.....We fished in Soldotna where it was over 90 degrees, yes 90 degrees in Alaska.  The hottest it's been in Alaska in about 200 years.  The heat was so intense Tom jumped into the 40 degree water to cool. off.  

We saw bears on this small boat trip.

These bears were amazing.  They each had 3 cubs following them.

The eagle was a great added bonus to the boat trip.    

After 11 days we met some great people, ate some terrific food and saw the most amazing landscape on this planet.  If you have not been to Alaska you must go.