Hi Friends! So sorry it’s been so long. The alternative title for this post was Hi-brrrrrrr-nation. Get it?? Cuz we’ve kinda gone into hibernation, and the whole country was really cold for awhile???! Hahahahaaa (btw, this is Kayla, in case you didn’t guess that from this punchy goofy opening … but we’re sharing the writing below)
It all starts way back in mid-December, when we were in Michigan, packing to leave for five months (one in Bend, Oregon and four in Juneau for the Legislative Session). Even as we piled our suitcases in the back of Iris’ car to go to the airport, we were getting indications that maybe we were heading in the wrong direction. Kayla’s work folks were ready to let her go full time for several months, Matthew had yet to land a firm position for the session, and there were some needs and opportunities in the Lower 48 that were brewing. Kayla couldn’t work full time for an eastern time zone organization from Alaska (not without getting up at 4 am). The deciding factor was when we realized that we might have just one more year planned away from Sitka before returning to Alaska (for good?). While we were in Bend, we decided to buy a ticket back to Michigan instead of going on to Juneau.
That house sit in Bend was wonderful. We arrived mid-December and left a month later in mid-January. The folks that we were sitting for were taking a month being in (and getting to and from) Antarctica! We did a 2-week housesit for this couple back in March ’23, and received the best compliment we’ve ever gotten for pet sitting: “Our dogs were happy to see us, but clearly hadn’t missed us that much.” We were delighted to be invited back.
The kitchen at this place is amazing, so we really leaned in to cooking.
It was fun to lay out every ingredient for a meal, like on a cooking show. 
The oven room. With another sink. 
Christmas eve was seafood-based. 
Mussels and champaign for starters. 
Dungeness crab cakes on a red-pepper coulis served with warm kale and pomegranate salad. 
For Christmas day we went the other way: beef filets with blue cheese and asparagus.
Now let’s take a look at those dogs. Here are Lizzie and Molly:
The trick is to get them thoroughly exhausted. Since they are in pretty good shape, that requires some steep climbs and acrobatics. (And, yes, they always chase the same stick.)
We also had the treat of spending time with our friend Natalie and her family. Kayla and Natalie met in Sitka and became fast friends – even though Natalie moved away from Sitka just a couple years later, this is a sweet, lasting friendship.
One afternoon we took Natalie’s daughters out with us and the dogs. Some folks were chatting with us about how great the dogs were, and we said, “Those aren’t our dogs!” [a curious look from the chatterers]. Then we said, “Come to think of it, these aren’t our kids, either!”
Just as our month in Bend was ending, we had a chance to participate in a wonderful open mic night at a downtown coffeehouse. Everyone was blown away by the harmonies.
One last sunset in Bend and a goodbye to the fabulous house…
And then it was off to Portland! Since we weren’t in a rush to get to AK anymore, we just had to have a visit with our dear friends Poppy and Bill.
Finally our heroes return to Glenn, MI to settle in for the remainder of winter.
In mid-Feb, we took an excursion – first to Detroit to visit Ed and David, and then a quick visit to Matthew’s folks in Virginia, where we grabbed the Table Ease trailer to do some hauling in the midwest.
In Detroit (Eddie is a native) we stepped inside some incredible 1920s architecture, including the stunning Fisher Building:
We had lunch at a great place called the Green Dot, which I guess used to be in the area of the city where one stabled their horses. We managed to find some parking.
Next stop was Michigan Central Station. For decades, this building symbolized the decay and neglect of a once great city. Now it symbolizes a great rebirth. It had only recently re-opened to the public after it’s grand renovation. Even on a blustery winter day it was drawing crowds. You could really feel the joy in the air.
Here’s a few other highlights from Detroit. Third Man Records is a place that actually presses (and sells) vinyl records. It was founded by Detroit native rocker Jack White. (Photo credits for several of these plus the nice one of us at the top of the post are shared with David and Ed … but especially David. That guy sure takes some beautiful photos!)
From Detroit we headed to Cobbs Creek Virginia to check in on Matthew’s folks, and to check out the venerable Table Ease trailer, which is heading back to Iowa to do some hauling. (If you’re unfamiliar with the Table Ease story, ask Kayla sometime about the patent her dad owns.) We had an icy week (in the 20’s!) there, and then got ourselves back to Glenn Michigan, which will be our base camp for the remainder of the year (give or take).
So, these days Kayla wakes up and works an honest full-time job (not forever, just these few months). Matthew is working too, doing renovations on the Glenn cottage. We have a big Europe trip coming up in June, additional trips to see family here and there, and a few other surprises in store. In a couple of hours, we are heading to Chicago for the weekend to celebrate Kayla’s birthday week!
If you’ve made it to the end of this giant post, thank you for sticking with us. Until next time!
