Cabin Photos

The gentleman talking with Stanley in the new sitting room is the famous Budd. I can't thank him enough for all the energy and thoughtful planning that went into the refurbishing of the cabin. If you have any doubt about how much energy went into this project, please refer to the pictures in the January 2010 blog entry.







This, ladies and gentlemen, is the finest addition or change to the cabin. A new furnace, hot water supply and pressure tank. Ah . . . the quiet is almost deafening.










And the quiet furnace made it possible to move the bedroom downstairs where there is same-floor access to the bath, walk-in closet and sun room. Pretty slick, huh?

I was almost ready to move back to Alaska. Not really.

Alaska - May 2010

Our good friend Don D'Onofrio and his son Andrew were in Alaska while we were there along with Kathleen Doyle and other friends. We had some good time with all of them and it was a pleasure to show off the cabin.

Even though it was not totally complete when we were there, it was a show-place compared to the mess I left with Budd in January.

We saw Clifford, the accountant. He had recently been in the hospital and wasn't feeling well, but you would have never known he wasn't 100% by the grilling I got on a couple of issues. Oh, that I could ever live up to his expectations.

We had a bit of time with Budd and Delight and with Donna.Budd and Delight are going to stay in the house for at least a few months and perhaps a year until they can find something to buy. We also got to see Sean and Scott, although the time with them was very brief.

We took time to visit Jaime's rock garden. We couldn't believe how many of his plants were in bloom. And me without a camera . . . again. It was lovely!

The Blue Poppy Garden was not so much in bloom. It was just a bit too early, but was showing all the signs of a beautiful summer.

The week flew by and all too soon it was time to fly off to Chicago and on to San Antonio.

May 2010 The Annual Mushroom Hunt

It seems we always have funky weather when we go to Illinois, and this trip was no exception. In fact, it was the worst yet. When we arrived in Galena on May 11, we discovered that Northwestern Illinois had had a very early, very warm spring. The weeds were already up to my knees and everything was WET! Although we only found one morel, we did find a several patches of wild orchids. They were well worth the hike.




Wet and getting wetter by the moment, we pulled ourselves up the hill and went in search of something hot to eat. What we had in mind was a nice bowl of homemade soup with some dark, heavy bread. What we found was a restaurant/antique shop/museum/greasy spoon/trailer park right on the Mississippi River, owned and managed by one weird guy. Stanley was a bit disappointed in his fish, but I had a fine hamburger.




We spent a few hours with Ruby the next morning and then we were off to Chicago and on to Anchorage.

Jim and Rori's Visit

After a week of language school for Jim,
Rori flew to Guadalajara to meet him and they traveled by bus to Parras to spend a few days with us. Right up front, I need to say it was not long enough, but every moment was perfect.

Solo Vino made a new friend! That seems easy enough for him to do - especially if the friend is a girl.

We spent most of the time relaxing. Solo Vino jumped right in there for that activity.

Some of the cacti was in beautiful bloom.

Of course, we had the ritual borrego, mariachi, and good time fiesta. What's not to love.

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