Good Bye to Mornings on the Highline Canal Trail

In Denver all month, we walked the Highline Canal Trail every morning to catch the sun rise.

Flossy really liked spending a bit of time off leash, chasing squirrels and visiting with the ducks who shared the path and the mornings with us.

 Grasses blowing in the cool beneath the giant old cotton wood trees made shifting patterns as I thought about the day ahead, and asked for direction; for comfort sometimes.

 

Tomorrow we will be heading north and west, leaving Colorado - perhaps for the rest of our lives.

And although we are excited for the drive - who doesn't love a great summer road trip? - we are going to be sad, too.  My Father, born here, and my Mother, who raised our family, five miles from this neighborhood. 

Who ever thought we would be this old? 
Who ever knew we would travel so far?
And thank God...
we can't know these things.
We probably couldn't bear it.
 

I will be taking a little blog break now, but will be posting to my Instagram place as we travel, as well as visiting around Blogland in the interim.  Flossy and I wish all a beautiful end of May and hope to see you in early June when we get back to Seattle and whatever the future may bring.

My Journey Outside (by Flossy)

As Readers may know, Mother and I have moved to the City.  I thought an account of our voyage here on the Alaska Marine Highway would be of interest as a cautionary tale if nothing else.

Mother's last maudlin walk with me down Sing Lee Alley toward our former studio (distant center roof with dormer) was a very cold one.

We boarded the ferry in the dead of night.  (I was too exhausted for observation, but Mother did post a picture or two of me on Instagram).

Wrangell was our first port of call, at 6 am after only about 3 hours of sleep.

The view from the forward observation lounge approaching Wrangell.

I was certainly ready to get out of the truck and go exploring.

The long blue thing on the left is the ramp one enters and leaves the ferry by - even cars.  Dogs have to stay out of the way.

Turns out there was a great Pack traveling with us! 

This lady had a very nice Beagle and a 20-year-old Italian Greyhound named Luigi who was too cold to say much.

 When we were back on board, it was time for my breakfast.  Well, guess what was forgotten?  My food and water bowls!  Mother improvised, using a CD case for my plate.  I drank some water from a paper cup. 
Hmmph!

 When we got to Ketchikan mid-afternoon, Mother redeemed herself by purchasing a lovely heart-shaped crystal water bowl and adequate food dish at a very nice Thrift Store we found on our walk.

 The sunset on Wednesday was beautiful, Mother reported.
Dogs are Not Allowed on the upper decks.
Hmmph again.

We traveledthrough Canadian waters all day on Thursday.

I had to take her word for how stunning the views were.

 Since there were no towns that we could stop at, the Ferry Captain ordered Car Deck Calls so People could come visit us Dogs.
The Others were actually relieving themselves ON THE DECK! 

 Quelle horreur!  It was so WRONG!  I absolutely refused to sink to that level and steadfastly waited until we were safely off the ship at Bellingham.
Dare I say, Hummph?

 The rest of the voyage was a blur...

 Finally, early Friday morning right on schedule...

...we drove off the ship!

I was as glad as Robinson Crusoe to be on dry land again, I can tell you!  We stopped for a lovely walk at Larrabee State Park.

We were both thrilled with the warm good smelling air and beautiful scenery of our new home.  Glad to know that the City is not all buildings!

If you are Canine and ever have to travel by Ferry, get one of those 'Service Dog' vests and ride in style with the People on the upper decks.

Detour

So I stopped in Seattle on my return from Denver.  Daughter picked me up at Seatac and we drove down to the Sailor’s ship which had arrived at the Port of Tacoma early that morning, just like we planned.  

We got to have lunch on board of there and took the grand tour, had a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate...

The Sailor in his safety jumpsuit

... and said good bye.   

There was a big storm coming and they had to leave to get across the Columbia River bar in time.  

 And then it was Saturday kicking around Seattle (too numb and jagged to take pix, sorry), and then Sunday morning I got on the jet to come home.   

When we arrived in Wrangell, an all-too-typical thing occurred: FOG on the runway in Petersburg – everyone going there get off the plane NOW.

Wrangell, Alaska

So I enjoyed a lovely, if unplanned for, afternoon in Wrangell, our neighbor 40 miles to the south on another island...

the totem park in downtown Wrangell

...waiting for the ferry to arrive and deliver me and the other refugees safely to Petersburg.

the weather was chilly and a fine mist was in the wood-smokey air

perfect for visiting these watchers of the forest

I ran into a couple of boys hanging out on their front stoop

and one of them took offense at my interest.

 

The fireweed is shot for the year, autumn is truly upon us here in Southeast.

Right on schedule, the noble State Ferry arrived and took us HOME!

Alaska State Ferry arriving at the Wrangell terminal

See you this weekend for the Drawing Challenge at Stefanie's place. 

 (There is no place like home).

Fooling Around with the Locals

While here in Denver I had a bit of time to put my new-found enthusiasm for dyeing with plants to use.  I researched a few of the neighborhood trees to make sure they were not toxic, and made a brew of bundles with sumac, cottonwood, and honey locust leaves, pods and bark.

kettle from thrift store holding bundles of cotton/linen blend also from the thrift store

My parents were intrigued and very patient.  Not much color, but a nice tea-dyed effect.  I definitely have some more learning to do!

I am heading back to the West Coast day after tomorrow, and on up to Home and Flossy on Sunday. 

Mother's studio window ledge

 

Will catch up with you here in Blogland on Sunday evening, Dogs Above willing.  Best wishes to all 'til then!

 

 

 

 

traveling tomorrow

part of my recent exhibit - work squeezed onto one wall now

I am getting ready to leave Mitkof Island tomorrow morning heading for Lopez Island and Wayfarer's Windfall Workshop with India Flint.


Last Friday evening was the  opening of my solo show at one of our local galleries.  The event was well attended and exciting, and I spaced taking pics so will just share a couple taken the next morning after the gallery put all the work together on one wall.

sorry about the reflection on the glass... poor photos, I know

I am traveling light and may be taking a week off from posting here - you can find me on Instagram in the mean time.  Peace be with you.

As I Left It

'Passing Over' acrylic collage on paper; 12"x9"

detail 1

detail 2

My work table as I left it mid-month.

I am anxious to return to the studio tomorrow, looking forward to continuing the work for our Juneau exhibit in December as well as a couple of group shows here in town this fall.  My creative cup feels full to overflowing from the brief time of traveling just ended.  Are you flowing?

Scene Recently, #20

I am traveling right now.

 Maybe you can guess what pacific northwest city i was in yesterday?

 It has a phenomenal book store...

 ...and food of all kinds sold from carts everywhere.

A great thing: they are still having Fall rather than winter!