Fuller Lakes Trail with Rowdy

Ok, I'm being ornery! I include the brown bear tracks to scare you all! I wasn't afraid or nervous the entire time I hiked up to the lower Fuller Lake! No, I just normally jingle every possible noise-maker, talk loudly to my dog, and jump at every bird.

Once we got to the lake, I enjoyed a light lunch and the view while Rowdy inspected the entire area and marked it (for our protection, I'm sure!). I felt much better about all the tracks, since we hadn't seen anything and now planned to head back!

On the way back down, Rowdy flushed a few "stupid chickens" one of which landed in a tree right next to the trail. Since I had my vicious .357 loaded with .38's that Pat specially loaded light for me, I thought I'd try and see if I could help Rowdy with his retrieving! I did good, but Rowdy was a bit distracted with all the birds that kept flushing! He did come around...The views were beautiful with the fall colors. This is the "Lord of the Rings" tree on the trail!

Painted Kitchen

I finally have a photo of the painted kitchen! The cabinets are the color of the other walls in the house and the counter top is black. So far, it's pretty good! Much Richer!
Next, my wonderful husband bought me a new refrigerator that will be here next week!

Long hard week

As you can see, Pat has been able to take a break from his arduous work to take the company boat fishing. They did have to quickly scarf down their rib dinner to make it to the boat in time to fish before bedtime! His Inuit guide (actually he's Korean) took him up to where the fish were biting.

In the span of an hour and a half, he caught 7 "beefy" Silver salmon, and a nice Rainbow. They did have to rush back to camp and get a good night's sleep to get to work the next morning at 6.

Lest you all think that Pat's week was all fun and games, he did bring proof home that he did do a bunch of work! I won't even pretend to remember what he told me he was doing, but it was really detailed and he had to do it all from the hip.

This genius man of mine had to fit up all this pipe and even run a "pig" through. To keep the animal theme going, Pat had a good time with the local pets. The labs there were endless fetch-maniacs and bear alarms/attackers! They kept Pat's throwing arm in shape.

What day is it?

Another wordy entry follows, so if you want pictures, check next week when Pat gets home!
Well, I don't really know what day it is. I have been home and without working, the days run into each other. This week has been full of me trying to get used to being home. I've stayed up late often and slept in a couple times. I've run around with the dogs and have discovered that Rowdy likes to hang out inside the house with Bella and me! He stays on the rug by the door, and Bella has her bed. They behave angelically. At least when I am right there. I am postponing my shower until I put Rowdy in his kennel for the night.
I've been trying my hand at my initial list of projects. I have been severely humbled many times. I have realized how dependent I have become of my wonderful husband, and that's been a strange trip for me. I have finally mastered starting the weed-eater, but I apparently can't tighten or have broken the skill saw. I did discover that one can saw into concrete! Oops! That may have had an impact on the saw... That woodworking may take me a while! I moved on to a last-minute plan to paint my cabinets/counter top. The existing counter was previously painted a light sage green. Not a bad color, just pealing/chipping off and very stained. I chose a high gloss black. I'm not sure how well it will stick since I didn't sand it or anything. I'd heard of a trick to cover it with contact paper, but with all the chips, the surface isn't smooth anymore and it may not stick well. We'll see how the paint does first. The cabinets are now painted the same color as the walls in a semi-gloss. The previous white was very stained and also chipping off. I know that with my very small kitchen, the darker colors will likely make it look smaller, but since it's only temporary, I thought I'd play with color a bit more! I really like it. I wouldn't have chosen the color for permanent cabinets, but it looks warm and cozy - like a cafe! Pictures later! I like how the color takes the focus away from the cabinets, specifically. They don't stand out like they did before. Now all I can't stand to look at are my mismatched appliances, but they work and will stay until the kitchen is remodeled next year, hopefully!
The garage is slowly but surely moving forward. We've had all the concrete work done, I believe, and we'll work on the first floor framing in a couple weeks.
I just peeked out the window and was shocked that it was pitch black out. It's almost 10:00 pm, so I guess it's time, but it's strange to be in the dark. I told my dad that I saw the stars again for the first time this fall a week or so ago. It's always fun to see them again.
I felt an earthquake recently. I was sitting on the couch and Bella was asleep when I felt it. It felt like someone was shoving the couch a bit. I thought maybe I'd imagined it, but Bella jumped and looked at me as if asking "what was that?" It was only the 2nd one I've felt since we moved and it registered as a 3.98. It was a bit south and pretty deep. It's a bit freaky but kinda exciting as long as it's a small one. Similar to the tornado situation - exciting to see, but not to experience.
Tomorrow I have to go and pick up Pat's moose meat from the processors. I'm a bit nervous to pick it all up and find places to put it. We picked up a new freezer just for that reason, but there's going to be a bunch. On that note, I also just boxed up my bear skin and Pat's wolf skin to ship to Idaho to be rugged. All I need is his mailing address and off they go for a year or so!
Well, I really need to shower. TMI, I know. That means Rowdy's out and time for bed!
Oh, PS: You all need to move up here! We are getting $2069 for our dividend, and an extra $1200 for our fuel! I do think it helps to pay our still expensive gas. We did just recently drop a bunch to $4.44 gal for reg. unleaded. Still over $5 for diesel. Glad to have a woodstove!

All Grown Up!

I searched and searched, and I finally found the little guy! The frog is for Jackson, Sydney and Raegan to see what their pet tadpole became! He has lots of brothers & sisters as I can barely walk along the bog without seeing them jump away from my feet. This little fella is about the size of a thumbnail.
The weather has been changing, and my tomato is not happy. It was beginning a big second flush of growth and blooms before getting hit with a 35* night. I don't think it will come out of it.

In order to keep myself from really believing Fall is here, I keep watching my wildflowers bloom. They haven't minded the cool, wet summer. It took them longer to bloom, but I don't mind the late color.

Pat has left for a week or so to go across the inlet. He took the camera, so I may just have more wordy entries! One thing (among many) that I miss when he's gone is the fire he starts every morning. We've been feeling the chill in the mornings, so it's beginning to feel very cozy to have the fire! It's so nice to have the chill gone by the time I bring my coffee that he wakes me with into the living room. Yes, I'm spoiled and thoroughly happy!