My snow parka sure came in handy

While packing in Juneau I was torn between two coats. My trusty snow parka and my beautiful new red wool coat Ken gave me for Christmas. I really wanted to pack the red wool coat but the reports of blizzards in the Northeast made me think the snow parka might be the better choice. In the end practicality/the snow parka won. 

Traveling and changing planes four times with this huge coat was annoying. I had to put it under the seat in front of me along with my backpack and I was wearing my big snow boots (Extra Tuffs). The space was cramped. Arriving in NY I decided the snow parka wasn't the best choice, it was in the 60's.

Today is our fifth day in NY and I am glad to have my snow parka and boots. It snowed all through the night and into the morning. We walked to get a bagel in a beautiful white fluffy snow and then shoveled the driveway. 

Snow is the best. It makes me want t sing the song Snow, Snow, Snow from the movie White Christmas. Only if Bing Crosby were here.

Off the subject

This blog was created to track our travels. I have talked myself out of blogging about Eagle vs. Shark and M. Ward several times but decided that today was the day to just blog it. It may be a stretch but it could be our minds travel with music and movies.... So it sort of fits the blogs purpose.

We watched Eagle vs. Shark a couple days before leaving Juneau. It is a beautifully simple movie, about ordinary interesting people, in ordinary situations (sort of). I was surprised to learn that this movie came out in 2007 so you may have seen in already. If you haven't and you aren't tired (not a movie to watch tired. Ken fell asleep and he was enjoying it.)you should check it out. Keep in mind that you may not agree with my movie tastes, but if you liked Amelie or Penelope you most likely will like this one.

M. Ward is my current favorite musician. I discovered him a few months ago and can't stop listening to him. His lyrics and voice are haunting in a good way. Each time I listen to his songs I hear something new I haven't noticed before. I hope to see him live one day. He is playing in Seattle in March... 

www.mwardmusic.com

I decided to blog Eagle vs. Shark  and M. Ward together because one of M. Wards songs is used in this lovely movie during an animated

(real life animation)scene towards the end of the movie. It was interesting to see the two fit together, the music I have been enjoying and this movie that stands out from the pack. Both are compelling.

If you have an opinion of Eagle vs. Shark or M. Ward I would be glad to read it. Please add a comment.

Canandaigua, NY

This is Canandaigua Lake. We walked around despite a very cold wind prior to a wine & chocolate paring at the New York Wine and Culinary Center (www.nywcc.com). 

Down south safe and sound

We made it safe, a bit tired, but sound to Rochester, NY. We weren't sure if the flight would take off with the blizzard-like conditions in Juneau. There was no delay with multiple snow plows clearing the runways. The other three flights also took off without a glitch. 

We are glad to be on the ground with all the leg room we need.

What a Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a lovely new year. Drink Wine 2009!

Today, Christmas, is our last day in Juneau, Alaska. We fly out around 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. Our flight path will take us to Seattle - San Fransisco - Washington D.C. - stopping in Rochester, NY. The trip duration is just over 15 hours.

We spent the last couple days/weeks cleaning and packing. Tomorrow after we make breakfast all we have to do is clean the fridge, do a load of laundry, take a few pictures and we are done. 

We had Christmas dinner at a friend's house. Thank you J.A.M.M (James, Anji, Mason, & Max) for having us over and enlightening us on the aerobic benefits of Wii.

Our walk home tonight was one I hope to remember. All the houses were decorated. The twinkling lights catching small glittering snow particles that were much to small to catch on our tongues. A peaceful silence. Juneau is an amazing, beautiful place. We will always cherish our time here.

A Sunny Christmas Eve on the Flume trail

Busy, busy, busy

The past two days have been busy! Franticly packing boxes. Taping boxes. Addressing boxes, buying more boxes. Finding parking at the post office. Standing in a very long line at the post office. Lifting boxes. Paying for boxes to be shipped. Times that by three. Almost selling the car but not selling it. Almost selling it again but not selling it. A little bickering. Eating. Drinking. More packing of boxes. and repeat. Whoooh! 

This morning when we woke up it was snowing. Everything is now covered in a fluffy white powder. If is is still fun snow tomorrow we are going to build our first and last snowman in Juneau.

A sunny day on the lake

Today was much warmer than yesterdays 6 degrees it was a balmy 26 so we decided to take a walk on the lake, the Mendenhall Lake. The glacier was as beautiful as ever and it was fun to watch about 20 - 30 Juneauites enjoying the nice weather. Some were sledding. Others were ice skating. And a crazy few were climbing on the ice burgs that gouged the frozen silt laden lake.

We have walked the lake before but never when you could see the cracks so clearly. It was the perfect day to say goodbye to the glacier. We will miss having such grand natural beauty in our backyard.

My priorites

My day started like every other day, with a couple cups of coffee and checking in on my friends blogs. With no new posts to read I decided my blog needed a new look. This idea has consumed my morning and afternoon. Yes, we are moving in a few days and yes, there are other things I should be doing. I guess to my credit it is 10 degrees outside. I am now going to force myself to step away from the computer and pack something?

My last day at The Creating Place

What a wonderful experience it's been managing The Creating Place.

I had a great time learning how to craft. I enjoyed helping and swapping ideas with all of the creative customers. 

Thank you Anji and Amy for taking me in and teaching me to think outside the fine art box, the details of managing a small business, and mostly for being my creative inspiration and friends. I will miss you very much and look forward to following your future endeavors.

We have a closet inside of our closet (a.k.a The Grinch Closet)It is a scary kind of closet. One you could easily imagine some kind of troll or Grinch living in, hence the name. Well, the other day Ken braved this small strange space and found a box of my clothing that would have been in there since we moved to Alaska two years ago. It was a very exciting day for me, my birthday and Christmas wrapped into one. I now have a brand new/old wardrobe. I recommend that tomorrow you pack up a box of clothing you don't wear. Hide them from yourself. When you rediscover this hidden treasure it will make your day. Ken had the same experience with his comedy Cd's. 

There are perks to packing.

Southeast Alaska on a sunny day

On Monday we drove up to the Eaglecrest ski area it was 13 degrees! Our long johns and wool socks couldn't keep us warm so we went for a drive out the road on North Douglas.

Juneau is amazing when it stops raining!

These pictures were taken from the North Douglas boat ramp.

                  Gastineau Channel 

                    The Mendenhall Glacier 

I will miss the native art and Raven

Downtown Juneau

Sitka, Alaska

Juneau, Alaska