Thirteenth Stop: Homer, Alaska

      I was elated to be able to come to Homer this weekend and explore.  It has been absolutely breath taking. 

     I got to meet up with a few friends who have been able to show me around.  We have had some amazing food and drinks through out this weekend.  It all started Friday night out on the Spit with a beverage at Salty Dog and then headed over to Little Mermaid.  If you are ever are in Homer and Little Maid is open,  you have to go.  The food is out of this world and it is an adorable family-owned-and-operated restaurant.  Saturday morning, we started the day off at the Sourdough Express.  This restaurant is organic and the food was delicious.  You know you are in a great place when you see the chef from Little Mermaid and his family there.  I recommend this great little joint as well. 

     Working off some of the great food, we took to shopping. Started out at the Homer's Farmer Market.  We were able to meet some local owners that had beautiful fruits and vegetables.   Something I was over the moon to see... fresh fruits and vegetables that were so vibrant in color.  There was also some beautiful hand made jewelry, quilts, bags, etc...  The creators of all these wonderful things were all so nice and had such great stories making every find that much more important.  We then headed over to the other shopping strip and went through the art galleries!,and then on to the Homer Book Store where I found a book on how to make sourdough bread.  This is a very popular thing in this area and people take it very seriously.  I cannot wait to partake in this cultural tradition. 

 We then took a trip several miles up the road to a little gas station that also serves as a general store with the best little deli.  So many people will drive to get the brisket sandwich that they serve there.  Again, I recommend taking the beautiful drive to get an amazing sandwich.   After the pit stop, we kept driving up the road to the dead end of the road that overlooked the entire area.   We could see the Homer Spit, the Glaciers, and Nanwalek.  The view was absolutely breathtaking and left me speechless. Hard to believe, I know.  It is reminder that there is so much out in the world to be explored.  It is a reminder that the world is more than just a small beach town or small farm town in California.  This is simple beauty that cannot be described and pictures can do no justice. 

Homer, Alaska Spit

Inside the Salty Dog. Dollar bills pinned all over!!

                        
Amazing food from Little Mermaid in Homer on the Spit.

Homer Farmer's Market and Zucchini Festival.

The little spot that is a general store, gas station, and deli with the best brisket. 

Looking at the Grewingk Glacier. 

Major thanks to my tour guides, driver, hotel, and information support for the weekend. I had an absolute blast and cannot thank you both enough. We will meet again. 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day. I am enjoying the beautiful sunshine and down time before I head back to reality. Hope everyone stays tuned. Seat belts fastened. 

    

Twelfth Stop: Patricia Zeuli.. Grandma

     A year ago today, this great world lost a woman who will forever hold a very special place in my heart. My beautiful, intelligent, loving, and stubborn Grandma. Some of my most amazing memories took place in Garden Grove. So many great weeks and weekends took place in the pool swimming, singing "When the Moon Hits Your Eye", or doing our exercises in the jacuzzi. Or spending the afternoons down at the bowling alley watching Grandma watch Grandpa with so much love in her eyes... ( at least most of time...unless he was having a bad game). Then it was just disappointment. There is just something about love from a Grandma and Grandpa.  

     These two both have passed and I miss them everyday, but I cannot believe it has already been a year since my Grandma left her body to join my Grandpa and our heavenly Father. Never take the time you have with loved ones for granted because you never know how much time you have with them. Hug them, listen to them, be with them, and value every minute you have with them.

                                              

                   

                                   

Eleventh Stop:Fresno Far Sighted Guide Dogs and Solstice

     For those of you who may not know, I had the honor of working with the Far Sighted Fresno Guide Dog Puppy group.  I was blessed to work with so many wonderful people who helped me raise an amazing puppy named Solstice.  I had her for about 15 months and she was more than I could of ever asked for.  Within those 15 months she became part of me.  She was like my daughter.  We would go to work every morning together and nearly every single job I had, she was there with me.

     Some of the amazing trips we went on included flying to San Diego a few times to visit the family.   I even got to take her on the puppy beach... So much fun.   I got to see the world through a new perspective that was of this very curious, loving, compassionate black lab puppy.     She was so much more than just a puppy in training.  She provided clients with a relief when she would walk in.  She provided an opportunity for many people to over come their fear of dogs because she would sit there with the best manners.  To children, she was "someone" who would sit next to them and help them get through some of the grueling tests they had to experience.  All she would have to do is look at you with her big ol' brown puppy eyes and you would melt.  She had a way of making everything ok.     Her going back to the school in May was one of the hardest days I have yet experienced.  I had to give my baby girl back- my partner and crime.  I can tell you that I had never cried so much in my life and I am not a huge crier in my adult years.

    Every week, though,  I look forward to Thursday because I get a report on how she is doing based on whether or not she is in the same phase or moved up to the next one.  Today I got the wonderful news that she is now in Phase 6 of 8.  Instantly I have tears of joy.  I could not be more proud and I just hope that when she makes it all the way through (which I have no doubt that she will!)  that I can be there to see her walk across the stage with her new person that she will get to work with.  I hope and pray that I can make it - because I am so proud!     

     So here is to the wonderful Far Sighted group who welcomed me as family and to Mary.  Mary was our fearless leader who has taught us all so much and has raised so many wonderful puppies and puppy raisers.  She is about to start her own new adventure and wish her nothing, but the best.   God bless you all!!

Hope you all are still buckled in and with me on this wonderful ride of life!

Tenth Stop: Homer

Today is the day I officially booked my first trip to explore.

     This weekend,  I will be celebrating the 3-day weekend over in Homer.  From what I have seen, it is an extremely cute, artistic town.  This little town somewhat reminds me of Carlsbad.  There are so many adorable and interesting little shops and restaurants.  I cannot wait to update everyone with all of my pictures.  And...You better believe a glass of adult beverage(s) will be consumed!     

Has anyone been to Homer?  Any suggestions?

Stay buckled and get ready for a pretty amazing weekend... just a feeling though. 

Ninth Stop: Nature

How many of us take the time and look around us?  Do we take in the beauty that surrounds us?  

     I am guilty of not doing this.   I was blessed to live in California, specifically Fresno and Carlsbad, and never really took the time to enjoy where I was and what all it has to offer.  I am trying not to repeat the same mistake here in Alaska. 

     Every day, rain or shine, I have been going outside and trying to take in the scenery.  It is so humbling to see...... brings everything to reality. 

     Here are some pictures from the lower part of the village:  views overlooking the lagoon, the English Bay that meets the ocean, my own personal giving tree that has supported me for several hours already, the half mile run way, and the "top-of-the line" airport.  

     Please don't forget to take time to look at all the wonderful things that surround you and how truly amazing God is. 

Eighth Stop: Me

“Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving.  When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.”   Bell Hook

   This quote has never meant more to me than it does now.  I am learning a very important lesson that I have always been too busy to learn.  I have always been great at finding something to fill my time, or someone to hang out with as a distraction.  Here in this village... It is "me" time.  I cannot call someone to go grab dinner, I have no phone.  I cannot take my puppy for a walk because I do not have one... I can't spend endless hours at the gym acting like I am busy to avoid the underlying issue...ME.     

     I have been able to get in better touch with nature and see people living off the land.  Living with what many of us would classify as the basics is humbling.  It is refreshing to see kids outside being kids-Playing and being creative.  They do not have any video games, computer games, and whatever other distractions keep kids from exploring and playing.     Seeing that really has helped me focus on me and work on getting to the inner layers and issues.  My own personal therapist... time...  

Seventh Stop: Friday!

     I could not be more excited that it is finally Friday and absolutely beautiful outside.  I think I was more excited than my kiddos.  As soon as I heard the teacher said, "Have a great weekend!",  I was out of there.

     This week did feel like forever, but it was filled with so many learning experiences personally and professionally.  It has left me exhausted everyday and yet very excited to see what is going to happen next on this 9 month adventure.

    I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to all my friends and family who are along on this journey and have helped me get here.  There are no words to express my thanks.  Today I received a box from my Nunez family full of all kinds of great goodies that will keep me busy and on the fluffier side (nutella and peanut butter... heaven!).  I could not do this wonderful trip without each of you.  So here is to the weekend full of recovery, exploration, and laundry.

     Hope you all have had a blessed and beautiful Friday. I think you guys should unbuckle for a little and enjoy it!!

Detour: I will take my ipad around the village tomorrow so I can upload some more pictures. :)