Around Alaska's Mat-Su Valley with Pam Holen
April 28 , 2008
My son told me the blog dated April 19, 2008 would scare away potential guests. He said I sounded like a crazy lady. Crazy? I suppose to a son who has three cats and never owned a dog, my passion for canine companions could be interpreted as crazy. However, I prefer the word passionate. I am passionate about border collies. I am passionate about competitive sports with border collies. And, I am passionate about fair and open-minded competitors in competitive sports with border collies.
I suppose I could keep this blog airhead light and fluffy. It could be a regurgitated version of an Alaska Visitors’ Guide and/or Farmer’s Almanac for Alaskan-bound visitors. I believe Alaskan-bound visitors are looking for an unique experience – that’s why they stay at local B&Bs instead of the Motel 6. It is obvious to any web browser looking for a B&B that Dragonfly Gardens B&B has three border collies and a gray cat. You’ve gotta be a little crazy (or as I prefer, passionate) to share your home with three border collies and this particular gray cat.
On to lighter, well actually, heavier subjects. A flock of Canada geese honked their greeting when flying over the house last week. They signal spring and are always welcomed guests when they hang out on Cottonwood Creek for a few days. There are also a variety of ducks on the lake – it is time to dig out the bird book for identification. There were five consecutive days of spring – above 50 degrees and melting. Then came the snow. A heavy, thick blanket of snow covering the tiny green sprouts in my garden. It was a record-breaking depth of snow in Anchorage. The Valley got half the depth but all of the heavy hearts of gardeners who planned on spending the weekend in their gardens.
Our B&B association arranged for the Palmer Visitors’ Center’s staff to tour core area B&Bs on the “big snow” day. Luckily, the drivers are used to our weather and plowed on through with the four employees. They visited a dozen B&Bs, commenting on the uniqueness of each home – all run by caring Alaskans who enjoy hosting visitors to our area. They were on the down-side of the day when they drove up to our place. Jim had just shoveled the steps one more time. I arranged a vase of tulips in the bedroom, roses on the dining table, and Madeleine’s in the cake plate. It was a short visit but hope it built memories for them when visitors stop by the Palmer Visitors’ Center asking about places to stay in the Mat-Su Valley. It is the same way I try to build memories for visitors to our B&B - warm cookies when they arrive, bright and colorful flowers in the gardens, and an opportunity to meet two of the many unique residents of the Mat-Su Valley.
More of Pam >>
|
