My wood shed surely has a headache....

Believe it or not, I never once thought of getting a photo while getting the downed limb/branch out of the way of the entrance to the wood shed, but this is what was left still when the blockage was cleared out.

Close up view of where the branch was twisted in our recent winds and then eventually snapped, long after the winds were gone, go figure.

Shot from the pasture, the house in the background. Poor shed but, wow, who knew the darn thing was built so sturdy. It stood up well under the thud of this big ol' branch and tho' I've covered up the wood within with the ubiquitous blue tarp, doesn't seem to be leaking. The bit of blue you see here was some tarp the previous owners had put over the top of the shed, too, so it's definitely well "blue tarped".

Musher History Conference, quick peek

Highlight of the day, Natalie Norris, with mic, showed up to be on the women in mushing panel which also included Kari Skogen, DeeDee Jonrowe, and Mary Shields, from left.
I need to get the full story from Donna, but apparantly some members of the WDMA agreed to decorate a husky cutout. This one was done by Suzie Dillon, who just happens to be my doctor, too, besides mushing dogs! It won the highest bid, eventually being won by Mary Shields. How cool is that?

Linda Chamberlain and Helen Hegener just before Linda's presentation on Mushing the Mail on the Iditarod Trail.

And, you just knew Pat would find a puppy to cuddle. Of course, she didn't have to look very hard as this little cutie, gads, love those eyes, belongs to Bonnie and Jim Foster, who were there, too.

During a break, I herded Thom Swan behind Rod Perry's table where Rod, center, was signing his new book for DeeDee.

Mary Shields, DeeDee Jonrowe, Erin McLaron, and Helen Hegener just before the women in mushing panel discussion.

Quick jaunt to Lakes Wasilla and Lucille

Wasilla Lake, looking quite lovely, albeit the mts. were a bit hazed in.

The rest are from Lake Lucille.

Rubber raft alongside the docks.

Wandering Through the Old Wasilla Townsite

I've always been one of those people who, for whatever reason, feels a sense of dread if I have less than three library books sitting around waiting for me to pick them up, so being down to one, a trip to the library was in order today. And, hmm, blue skies, cool but comfy, and Ol' Town Wasilla beckoning. Yeah! After putting off wandering around the site all summer, I finally made it there to meander! This is the cabin built for the governor in the unsuccessful effort to move the capital to Willow.

I'd swear I'd been in the ol' cabin, but didn't remember this at all, so poked around in there awhile since it was open. Various posters and literature relating to the attempt to move the capital were displayed.
And, besides all that, an interesting structure all in its own.
Someone once told me the rope was partly for decoration, partly to help block drafts from the outside.


Stepping back outside, looking at the library, left, and across the street, the Wasilla Post Ofice.

Looking right, back into the historical site. Seen here, the old school, sauna, house, and post office.

The barn was locked, so settled for some outside shots.

I was hoping this one would be open but, alas, it wasn't. Some furniture correct for its era is within, tho'.

To the left is what I think is the old blacksmith shop. Its sign wasn't up and there were a couple different signs leaned against the barn, right, so wasn't sure which was correct, tho' blacksmith shop seemed likely.

You can see some cool things if you peek in the windows!

Blacksmith shop, barn, Marion Cabin, and Governor's Cabin. Some trees are waiting to be planted to the rear of the blacksmith shop, which faces the fence on that side of the site.

Token flower shots of the day.

There's a lovely display of flowers sorta in the middle of the site, which is actually quite, quite small.

This is the, umm, now south side of the old post office.

What I assume was the front door to the post office. It also served as a home.

Taken from the front porch of the house, looking in the general direction of Dorothy Page Museum, just seen sorta left-center rear. I was thinking I could live there, imagining what it would be like, see how my mind meanders, until I headed back down the steps seen in an earlier picture and went, "Nah, I'd fall down and break my neck in the winter."

Some ol' pioneer tools.

Sauna in front of the house.

Ring-a-ding-dong, time for school!

Been awhile since I've been inside the school building, so was glad to find it was open for visitors.

Even as long as I've been out of the classroom, a wave of nostalgia hit me when I wandered inside. My hunch is that most teachers would have the same urge I did, to find some chalk and write their name on the board, then sit down and face the classroom. I didn't follow through but, well, maybe next time.

Wonder if part of the requirement to be hired was the ability to play this?

I'm sure it had to be part of the teacher's job to keep that fire going! I also now wish I'd thought to check how old the globe and map were.

Inside, looking out past the bell. That's the Marion Cabin sorta behind the bell.

There are several informative displays set up in the school house. One of 'em focused on May Carter, who I picked to show because I've read a book by a family member that talks about the family once living in the old post office, shown below with Carter. Can't wait till they get the post office renovated, too.

Oh, I sooooo wanted to not just touch this bell but to ring it. I was good, tho'! It seemed to make a nice final shot of my visit, tho', so, "Later, Ol' Town!"