More on Juneau

Mr. C has more pictures of our Juneau adventure.

Click on this BUTTON to visit his post.

What Color Is Your Aura?

Once in a while I like to play with these *tests* sometimes they are right on the money, sometimes, nowhere close. This one has a little truth in it.

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Juneau Vacation - Part Two

One of our favorite places to fish is at Kowee Creek, actually a small river.

I like to fish here off the bank when I can't be bothered pulling on my waders and boots.

It is so peaceful and quiet, just the sound of eagles calling to each other, and water tumbling over rocks of a small downhill stream about 50 feet towards the mouth of the creek.

The color and milky appearance of the water, is caused by deposits coming from glaciers and is called glacial flour, and make no mistake, that water is Bloody cold.

For all of you asking about the bears, here is a picture of a black bear. I did not take this picture, but I thought you should see what a black bear looked like from about 300 feet up the road from us.

Mr.C and I had just climbed the guard rail back up onto the road after fishing under the bridge and were talking about how a black bear had walked the trail right behind Mr.C as he was fishing on a previous trip. The bear looked down on Mr. C and decided he was not worth the trouble and wandered off.

I had no sooner said I was glad it was not me the bear was considering as lunch, when I looked up the road and saw a black bear walk halfway across the road. I can tell you, I had an adrenalin rush and hoped the bear could not outrun me to our vehicle.

Just as I was about to make haste to our vehicle a car came down the road toward the bear who decided it was time to get off the road and back into the brush. Whew! that is about as close as I want to get to any bear.

Here is one of Mr. C's favorite places to catch fish, and as you see he landed this very nice pink female salmon.

Now why couldn't I catch one like this. I did manage to hook a good size fish but just as I was about to bring him in he broke my line. I did get a look at him before he swam away and he would have been worth landing.

This a male pink, or, they are also called Humpys because during spawning the males develop the hump on their backs. Take notice of that snout and mouthful of very sharp teeth.

The drive back from Kowee Creek passes through some spectacular country. Everywhere you look there are snow covered mountains wonderful wildlife and the roadside is brilliant with wildflowers.

Fireweed grows just about everywhere you look.

Dipac hatchery should be on your list of places to go if you are ever in Juneau. The hatchery was founded by Mr.C's friend Ladd Macaulay, who was killed by a drunk driver April 2000

We were a couple of weeks early for the salmon run. The salmon were just starting to come up the fish ladders into the hatchery. This photo I took with my polarized glasses over the lens of the camera. You can see a few of the many fish which were in a holding tank before being released up into the hatchery for processing.

This fabulous sculpture is out front of the hatchery.

Oops, I was a little close to the plaque, but you get the drift of what it says.

Part three coming up in a few days.

Kitty In The Suitcase

"Ok, you won't take me on vacation with you, but I see fly tying stuff in those ziplock bags, which means, you will probably catch some salmon. So if you bring me home some salmon I may forgive you!"

Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Carnival of recipes this week is celebrating their 100th Anniversary Celebration.

On such a grand occasion I thought something special was called for, and nothing is better (in my estimation) than chocolate and peanut butter.

I did not want to make this pie just to take a picture, because I would have to eat it all and I already ate more than enough on vacation, so stole, errr, borrowed a picture from:www.hoodhomedelivery.com

Microwave Chocolate peanut Butter Mousse Pie

½ cup sugar
2tbsp. Corn starch
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 graham cracker crust about (9-inch)
1 cup heavy cream

In large microwavable bowl mix sugar and cornstarch.
Gradually stir in milk and egg yolks until smooth.
Microwave on high, stirring three times, 7-8 minutes until mixture boils and thickens.
Beat in peanut butter until smooth.
In small bowl combine 1 cup of warm mixture and chocolate pieces; Stir until chocolate melts: spread over crust.
Cover surface with plastic wrap; chill.
Cover surface of remaining peanut butter mixture with plastic wrap; Chill 45 minutes or until cool but not set.
Whip cream until soft peaks form; gently fold into peanut butter mixture.
Spoon over chocolate layer in crust.
Chill one hour.
And decorate just like the picture.

Tuesday 18th July....... I gave in, and made a pie today. As usual it is (was) delicious.

Juneau Vacation - Part One

Mr.C and I arrived home from Juneau Alaska, 2:30am this morning. We had to be driven back to Whidbey Island in Kenmore's shuttle van, as the airport at Oak harbor had bad visibility due to the weather and Kenmore Air decided against risking the flight.

Click on pictures for larger view.

July 3rd we boarded Kenmore Air for the 20 minute flight to Boeing Field. On previous trips we had used a shuttle van service to take us direct to Seatac Airport, but that took longer, so we decided this 20 minute flight and then the 15 minute shuttle to Seatac would get our vacation started out on the right foot.

The flight in the Cessna Turbo Caravan was very pleasant.

Leaving Whidbey Island on the first leg of our journey.

Our last glimpse of Whidbey Island before heading to Boeing Feild.

What a wonderful view of Seattle.

We could not have asked for a better view of Downtown Seattle.

We are aboard Alaska Air heading toward Juneau. The snow covered mountains are so spectacular.

Juneau at last. Actually I am cheating as this picture was taken when we were leaving Juneau to come back home. We arrived in Juneau around 9:30pm.
How many airports have a fabulous view of a glacier like this one of the Mendenhall Glacier?

Our first day in Juneau we drove out to Sheep Creek to check out the salmon run. Our drive takes us through downtown and past the docks where all the cruise ships tie up. This day, there were five ships in port, that means thousands of tourist cramming the streets and spending all their money on souvenirs.

A beautiful day at Sheep Creek. The tide was out so we walked quite a distance out to the mouth of the creek. We saw just a few salmon and it appeared that we were a couple of weeks early for good salmon fishing.

Driving back towards the center of town.

Just a few tourist here, we are not quite into the main part of town where the tourist are as thick as flies on a sticky bun!

The end of Part One of our adventure. Check back in as I have many more pictures to share.

First Year Blogiversary

Keewee's Corner was one year old on July 11th.
I was on vacation so did not get a post up to celebrate the occasion.

What a wonderful adventure this past year has been and I hope this next one will be just as much fun.

Thank you to all my readers.


Picture from www.dotgiftbaskets.com

Whaa! vacation is nearly over

Our vacation is nearly over. We leave Juneau tomorrow around 3pm.
Yesterday we were fishing for most of the day and I got a little sunburned, yes, I did say sunburned, it does get hot here.
Fishing for me has been a non event, Mr.C has caught all the big salmon, I have managed to bring in a couple of small, ugly fish, the name of escapes me at the moment, but today *is MY day* we are going out once again before going home and I am determined to get my salmon today.
Mr. C tells me the little fish I caught is a Horned Sculpin, or *Double Ugly* as the Alaskins call them.
Well wish me luck for my fishing adventure today, and stay tuned for many pictures when we get home.

I am Lonely

Gee, I wish my family would come home soon. I know Auntie Lori is taking good care of me, but I really miss my family. Perhaps they will bring me some salmon from Alaska.

Six Days Already?

Yesterday we did not go fishing, but did *play the tourist* and re-visited many of the usual tourist spots and took a bunch of pictures to share with you when we get home.

On the way back home we did stop at one of the places we like to fish near the fish hatchery, and the salmon are starting to come in, so today, if it is not raining tooooo hard, we will get out again and try for a few more salmon.

There were five cruise ships in the harbor as we drove across the bridge from Douglas island, where we are staying, into Juneau. One look at the streets packed with shoulder to shoulder people from the cruise ships convinced us that shopping was not going to be an option.

It is time for breakfast, then the decision to be made, if we will brave the rain to go fishing.

Vaction update

Yahoo! I am out of bed way earlier than Mr.C so I get the computer first.

Yesterday we bought our 7day fishing licenses $55 Gasp!! and headed out to see what was swimming up Kowee creek/river to spawn.We are here a little earlier in the season this year, so there are not as many salmon heading up the rivers yet. This could change very quickly, and we could go back to the same place today and there could be hundreds swimming to their spawning grounds.

Mr.C and I enjoyed a very pleasant day yesterday fishing. I did manage to hook a very small Dolly Varden but it jumped the hook just as it was nearing the bank, but Mr.C brought in a very nice bright silver, Pink salmon or also called a Humpy which is now cleaned, sealed and in the freazer ready for our trip home.

We had just pushed our way through the lush green vegetation up the bank, to cross the bridge back to the van, and were chatting about Mr.C having a black bear walking the trail behind him while he was fishing on one of his previous trips, when I glanced back down the road and said * look! there is something black down the road!*
As I looked fhe creature turned sideways, OOOH! it was a black bear, nor a huge one, about 250-300lbs but a bear none the less, it was time to get in the van and go home.They do get to be really, really big!!

I know I said I would have pictures, but they will have to wait until we get home as we do not have a way to get the pictures into the computer. Stand by, and I will have pics around the 14th.

Blueberry Coffee Cake

The heat of summer is upon us and I intend to keep away from a hot stove as much as possible.

I have two small slow cookers which are just not large enough to hold a decent sized baking dish, so I have just bought this very nice 6 quart stainless steel cooker with three temperature settings, High, low, and keep warm. Aint she a beauty?

The theme for this week is Life's a Beach. Supposed to be healthy recipes that are tasty, satisfying and will keep you looking good at the beach . Well, you could eat just one small portion and the blueberrys are good for you.

Sunday mornings we like to have brunch, and this dense blueberry coffee cake, is a breeze to make and cook in the crockpot. I sure am getting used to *fix them and forget them until they are cooked meals*

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tap. salt
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup fresh or frozen and drained blueberries
cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar

Grease a 1 1/2 quart mold or baking dish
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add egg, oil, milk and vanilla; beat until smooth.
Fold in blueberries, pour into prepared mold and place in cooker.
Cover mold with 4 or 5 paper towels.
Cover and cook on high 3 to 4 hours
Cool on rack 5 minutes.
Remove from mold and sprinkle with sugar.
Serve warm.

Yahoo we on vacation at last

Vacation has started at long last.
We had an incredible flight starting at Oak harbor with a short flight to Boeing Field on Kenmore Air.
The day was sunny and clear so the view was wonderful.. We were vanpooled to Seatac and left there around 8pm
From Seatac to Juneau, we had another super flight and the view was spectacular to say the least. I will have photos later.
Today we have a little grocery shopping to do, and as the usual vacation goes, we will play it by ear.
More in the next few days.

Leavin' On a Jetplane

This afternoon we are jettin' out of here for our vacation in Juneau Alaska. Just have to throw some clothes in a couple of suitcases grab our flyfishing gear and we will be on our way.

Some of the spectacular scenery we will fly over as we head further north over Alaska.

We are staying, as we always do, with our friends C & S and will call this A-frame, attached by a breezeway to the main house, our home for the next 13 days.

We plan on bringing salmon home this year, that is if they are still in good shape, and are not too far into the spawning. If they are far into the spawning cycle then the quality of fish is not good.

I plan on keeping up on my posts from Juneau, that is, if I can push Mr. C away from the computer long enough to get my turn.

Getting ready for vacation

This coming Monday we are off to Juneau Alaska for 13 days. I usually have my friend Lori come over and water my garden, but this year there is more garden than usual, and I do not want her to have to stand around with hose in hand watering my garden for half an hour each day.
I happened upon this yard watering system at Wal Mart for under $40. It is so cool as I can hook four hoses to the system if I want, and program each station to come on at selected times, days and length of watering times.


I have hoses attached to two valves set to come on and automatically water my front yard garden and the new side garden. The timers are set to come on early evening and shut off after just 99 minutes of water through soaker hoses. Just enough time to keep the ground moist in this heat.










There are two hand held hoses are hooked to the system, ready to water my pots. I am sure my friend will appreciate not having to spend any more time than needed to keep my plants from drying up and dying while we are away exercising a few salmon in Juneau.

Will you Please leave me Alone

*Aw gee! can't a fella' get any rest around here without you flashing that #@?%# camera at him?*

Saturday Chuckle

Never Argue With A Woman

One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap.
Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out.
She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.
Along comes a Game Warden in his boat.
He pulls up alongside the woman and says, "Good morning, Ma'am.
What are you doing?"
"Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't that obvious?")
"You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her.
"I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading."
"Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at
any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up."

"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault," says the woman.
"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.
"That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could
start at any moment."
"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left.

MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

Thanks to Lou G

Bacon & Egg Potato Salad

With 4th of July celebrations just a few days away it is time for picnics, B-B-Q's and parties.


There is nothing quite like a tasty potato salad to go with B-B-Q'd steak, chicken, hotdogs or anything else you like.

This is one of my favorite Potato salad recipes.



5 cups cooked, peeled and cubed potatoes
¼ cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup water
¼ cup vegetable oil
11/2 tsp. Celery salt
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. Dry mustard
¼ tsp. Pepper (I like white pepper)
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 hard cooked eggs, chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbs. chopped parsley.

In large bowl, combine potatoes and onions.

In small saucepan, combine lemon juice, water, oil, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper; bring to a boil.

Pour over potato mixture; mix well.

Cover; chill overnight to blend flavors.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving; stir in bacon, eggs, Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Picture from www.eggs.ab.

Another day in the life of Keewee

We have this Gloxinia on our kitchen table and have been waiting to see the blooms open for weeks. This morning one bloom has finally opened and there are many more to follow. How beautiful it is.

The morning is very quiet, unlike yesterdays ruckus. We did not have any repeat visit from the owls.
We could still hear the bird's alarm cries for hours yesterday so I went to investigate. One of the owls had tried to take refuge from the birds in a large willow tree on the lower part of our property, but getting any rest was out of the question with all the birds dive bombing it.

Mr.C decided the owl needed to leave our area, so he took his Paint Ball Gun (kept for stray, pesky critters we don't want on the property) and lobbed a round through the branches of the tree very near the owl. We did not want to hurt the bird, just scare him away so he would leave the critters around here alone. The owl did not care to have paint balls whizzing by so flew off to find a nice quiet place to get some rest before his nightly hunt.

I so enjoyed my day off work yesterday, and had planned on getting our things ready for our trip to Juneau Alaska next Monday, but like many plans they were changed. Mr.C had a service call up in Coupeville so I decided to ride along, then when he was finished with the job, we would drive up to Oak Harbor do some shopping and have dinner at our favorite mexican restaurant.

It is time I stopped playing on my PC and moved my rear, and got myself ready for a day at work.

You all have a wonderful day.

Carnival of Cats

Do you like kitties, well stop by the carnival of Cats
over at pets garden