Oh Happy Day!

Ahh. The simple life....camping out at the bakery. Sweet!! So we found ourselves once again in the room above the bakery. I am proud to say however that I didn't really indulge in any sweets this trip. In fact, I didn't really indulge in much of any food this trip. You see, quite literally as I packed my duffel bag the morning we were leaving, like a swift wind across the desert, I was stricken with the flu. Just that fast! It set us back a day so that I could do all the fun stuff that people with the flu doo... But the brave and determined camper that I am, I insisted upon going to Homer anyways, despite feeling a hue of green and blue. It was the week between jobs for Maryann and we had both been looking forward to it for some time. So we went. Saved a hell of alot of money on eating out since we, or at least I, didn't eat pretty much most of the time. The amazing thing about Maryann and I is that despite any odds, we always find the humor and create fun. And fun times we had. So the flu really didn't slow things down too much. We still had a relaxing and fun time. This little bakery Inn is quickly becoming our little get away destination.

Interesting point of fact here. In the picture above you cant see the mountain range the other side of the bay. Believe it or not, there was a dust storm in the Gobi Desert in China during the week, and we were getting dust particles in the air here in Alaska. This explains the haze. No Joke. Now if that isn't 'foreign' enough, in addition to haze from China dust, there is also a bit of smoke in this haze from wildfires over in Russia. Yes, it is bizarre when you think about it. And to think I thought I would be closer to Oregon when we moved here!! ;) Spring is definitely here finally. The ice layer has melted, most of the sow is gone, and the ground is becoming soggy from the melting permafrost within the ground. Birds are arriving back in droves, magpies, Canadian geese, tundra swans, seagulls, the bald eagles are out everywhere, the grizzly bears are about and the trees are ready to explode into bloom. The lake is still frozen however, but the ice looks like it should be turning soon. People are finally starting to emerge from a long hibernation. Literally. it was amazing how most of the population just banished themselves into seclusion over the winter. Can't says that I blame them much, as except for when we had to go out we pretty much banished ourselves indoors! Everywhere but not as apparent as it was in Homer are businesses, shops, fishing outfits ect. gearing up for the oncoming tourism season. The fishing season opens up for King Salmon towards the end of May, and already the RV's and vacationers are starting to roll into the area. It is all buzzing with activity and is just amazing how the peninsula seems to have woke up from a long winters nap. Kind of exciting!

No Yvette....we didn't go to the prom, although you would think so, huh!?! The school did something really neat here. They have what is called the Prominaude before the actual prom. They have the theater stage at the school (they have an awesome theater as well as an auditorium) set up, this year was a Paris/French theme, and each couple strolls out onto the stage for introduction and a brief photo opp for the parents and audience. Then afterwards you can go up to the stage to do more of an intimate photo shoot with your kids and scenery. Was really cool, and very well done. Then afterwards the kids head off to the prom which was at the Nikiski community center. Afterwards, it is tradition for alot of the kids to go into Soldotna to the 24 hour diner for early morning breakfast. Yeah, yeah, I know what your thinking. The kids here are really good kids, and we are very impressed with the morals and responsibility most of them have.

Maryann is starting her new job tomorrow. At least that is when she officially starts her salary. She has been working hourly out of home and going out conducting interviews for her staff the past couple weeks. Even while she was still at the hotel she was working out of home for the lodge on her days off. She is excited and I have to say she is alot happier. This is the kind of challenge she needed. The hotel was good for a period of 'mindless' work, which God knows she needed after so many years of busting her ass. But this is a new beginning for her, and the future prospects, even after the summer months, looks very promising. She is also starting up the greenhouse. We officially determined today in fact that the furnace in the greenhouse has been deemed worthless. Another victim of the jackass before us. Mind you Maryann doesn't really need it through the summer, but we will have to work on an alternative heat source for the fall and winter. That and we are working on a rain collection system for storing rain runoff for watering the greenhouse. Have some good ideas, just need to find the parts and such to make it so. I am also thinking of getting a pump this summer to run water out of the lake for watering the lawn. Mind you it doesn't take much as we do usually have alot of rain during the summer. But for those dry spells to preserve the precious rank smelling water from our well. Don't want that to run dry, heavens no!

Looking forward to a great summer. Have lots of guests coming here and looking forward to it all. The daylight is pretty consistent now. Sun comes up around 5:20AM and sets around 10:40PM. Gotta say it's 9:00PM right now and I am ready to go out and "do"! It's a toughy as the daylight increase. Hard to calm down and settle in for the night. Take care out there, and treat yourself to some fun. Our love to all.