Alaska Living: 8/10/08

Mark and Taay Taay's Spring Island Hunting Trip 08

Taay Taay and Mark where able to spend a little time together hunting this spring out in Savoonga. Photo's taken from Taay's 20 foot Lund in the middle of the Bearing Sea. For those who don't know Taay Taay is a former 6th grade student of mine and over the years has become family to me. He is the 19 year old love of my life-I'm so proud of him and am blessed to have him in my life.. Mark is another good hearted teacher who saw something special in Taay and has made him apart of his family as well.

Teacher Inservice Adventure Highlights-McCarthy Alaska

The McCarthy area tow truck. The Chugach Girls decide to pose for the company's 2008/2009 calendar in exchange for fixing our flat tire. "smile"

Alaska bush plane gassing up at the local Tosoro after landing on the hwy.

Beautiful lake we passed on the way to McCarthy

Main lodge where all of our inservice meetings took place.

It took us 10 hours from Anchorage to get to McCarthy, the last 2 hours of it were over an old rail road covered with dirt. Our group was blessed with 4 flat tires on this adventure. This was the perfect example of a "true Alaskan tire repair shop"

Shrine outside of our tire fixing company

Our Fearless Bob jumping with kids, family was welcome at our McCarthy adventure.

Flat tire.

Classical guitarist that entertained us our second evening in McCarthy

Bob and son (Rolie), our fearless leader.

Teacher Inservice Adventure--McCarthy Saloon Open Mic

Our last night in McCarthy, the McCarthy Saloon had an Open Mic Night, an event that Chugach teacher's couldn't resist. Although none of us got up on stage (for once) a fair bit of interesting local folks did, creating lots of laughter and a "Northern Exposure" uncanny feel. Sidenote: in the 70's John Denver visited Kennicott and McCarthy, sang in this very bar. Harrison Ford was just here last month. Pretty happening Alaska town.

Teacher Inservice Adventure--Kennicott Glacier

These mounds of dirt are actually part of the Kennicott Glacier. The dirt you see is just a "dusting" of glacial silt, no more than 3 inches thick, hidden below is pure ice. Cool isn't it? You will notice this in the photos to follow.