I’ve still got another ten days or so to add to the Italy journal, but we’ve been home for two weeks now and are finally heading out to Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge for some spring caretaking. We’ve been in a holding pattern for over a week, waiting for the perfect non-storm of schedules and weather to coordinate, allowing for a fun and safe boat trip.
Here at the homestead it’s springtime in Alaska.
The welcoming committee was waiting for us.
Since I won’t be here to start the garden when I normally would—we don’t ask the caretakers to tend the garden—Mike shoveled snow off the beds, and I put warming plastic down. This extra-early start is an attempt to compensate for what will ultimately be a late start.
To help me stay in the Italy frame of mind as I continue to process and write about the trip, I’m perfecting my crusty-bread baking technique. By George, I think I’ve got it!
We’re off to the lodge and back to Italy.





Entering earth’s shadow.
Nearing totality.
Total lunar eclipse.
Total eclipse and Orion. See Betelgeuse?
Total eclipse.
Emerging from the shadow. See how much brighter the moon is here compared to the last image?
Once again, we had to make arrangements to vote outside the normal time and place. I applied to have mail-in absentee ballots sent to a location on our current journey. Mike got his ballot last week. 



