Alaska Living

Marquette The New Year 2012

2012-01-14T01:06:00.000-08:00

Apparently fellow former 91 alumni paddled out to paint the "rock" last year at the reunion.

Presque Isle from a distance..

Brought my own weather man for the video tour..

Marquette Lighthouse...

Always wondered how many layers of paint this rock has accumulated over the years..becha it's more than a bucket or quiver.. eh

Two ships docked in the day...as oppose to two ships passing in the night.. "smile"

The breakwall that my parents met on. It's crazy for me to think that if this was not built, I would not be here.

Weather man reports, wavy and sprayey, with continued frosty and blowy into the after noon, in a nut shell it's colder than a Ninny without a jacket.

Once again..with bigger splash.

Presque Isle Gazebo. Future location (I think) of my friend Keelan (from Alaska's) wedding this upcoming fall.

Here again, up close and personal.

My friend's the Nomes. "smile". Nick and Jill. They are soo cute!

Still cute...and what a home that Nick built..

Nothing say Christmas than two of your closest friends holding a pet chicken....

(Above) Pretty Mom...love you mommy! (below)...Thank You "Weather Man"! The trip wouldn't have been the same without you and your keen weather senses. If you would wear tights and drive around in a cloud car, you would be the coolest super hero I know.. "smile".

Copper after surviving 3 weeks of living in the wild at -0 temps. My poor puppy is one tough Alaskan pooch.

2012-01-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

A Quick Winter Tour Of Illiomna, Newhalen

2012-01-14T00:21:00.000-08:00

Friend's Bill and Kate's Driveway And Teacher Housing. Away from the school with a great view of the lake....A nice set up! Newhalen

Headed into Illiomna from Newhalen, looking out at lake and the island.

Road headed into Illiomna along the lake, island with lodges on it.

Illiomna general store...

Illiomna Church (Green building)

Driving back to Newhalen from Illiomna

Flight to village Illiomna

2012-01-13T23:48:00.000-08:00

Tim, pilot and the Poladas, my village chariot

co-pilot Kirsten

new fangled bush plane

inlet

redoubt volcano...

lake clark national park

newhalen from air

newhalen

newhalen again

landing

Newhalen airport

Epic Ski Day, Mother Nature's New Years Celebration 2012

2012-01-13T22:38:00.000-08:00

Parking lot, pre skiing, I'm on my way!!

Used to get kids in lessons from base lodge to beginner slope on Chair 3.

Alyeska base lodge, empty

The Sitzmark, Apre ski fun place. Music, Dancing, Good Food, Good Spirits, Great Memories. Oh, if the walls could talk, 13 years of my apre' ski life have been spent here.

Base of chair 3 in a white winterland!

Challenge Alaska, My home, sweet, home.

Locals Powder Day...No lines, No crowds, it's a beautiful thing!

Chair 3 (going up)

Chair 6 (and up)

At the top! Map shows "The North Face" The perfect place to spend a powder day and where I'm headed!

North Face Entrance-Chucks Gate.

Top Lodge and Tram.

After first few amazing turns down North Face under tram.

My wimpy fat skis..

North Face

Skiing North Face

More North Face..yea, I just skied that, so fun!

Exit here or keep going down to Tram...I kept going... "smile".

The insiders look of "The Tram"

No epic ski day would be complete without good friends! Andrea, Aaron, and his sweety!

One of the best ski days of my life. Powder, Powder, Powder and a locals only ski day! I very well might have only one ski day this year and to have one like this..makes me happy! Returned back in Alaska after visiting Michigan for Christmas only to catch the tail end of Alaska's "Snowmaggeden" 2 week snow storm. The rest of the country is as dry as a snakes butt in a wagon rutt and we get this. I'm so in love with Alaska and Snow! Above is my rental car after at the end of the day.

Moving To Sterling, Alaska (New House-New Life)

2011-05-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

WHERE: STERLING, ALASKA

Ten miles northeast of Soldotna, Sterling is a full-service community serving the needs of the outdoor enthusiasts before they venture into the surrounding wilderness. Campgrounds, state access sites and trails are plentiful but the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge draws most of the attention. Sterling’s location is the key to its popularity as the town serves as the base for anglers and canoers who arrive every summer to land trophy king salmon or paddle the wilderness waterways of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The surrounding area was home to the Kenaitze Indians 2,000 years ago and an archaeological site, containing prehistoric house pits, was uncovered at the Isaac Walton State Recreation Site just west of Sterling.
The Kenai National Wildlife Refuge encompasses two million acres and is home to the Swan Lake and the Swanson River canoe routes that connect 120 miles of lakes and rivers in an undulating landscape. The 60-mile Swan Lake route is the more popular choice for paddlers as it connects 30 lakes and the Moose River with portages. You could spend more than a week paddling this area and finish just west of Sterling at the Sterling Highway. For more information on paddling, canoe outfitters or drop-off services contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (907-262-7021).

WHAT: BUSINESS: TAKE REFUGE CANOE (SEE LINK)

http://alaska-guided-canoe-trips.com/

NEW HOME: 3 Bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1800 square feet, 1 car garage, two new decks, fenced in dog area (for Copper) on an acer of land, very nice area, 1/4 mile from the Kenai River (best fishing in the world) and a park with boat ramp. Neighbors are retired police. 3 hours South of Anchorage. 2 Hours North of Beautiful Homer, 30 min. from the ocean.

Mom and Karine Visit Alaska

2010-08-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

See Blog: http://bigalaskaadventure.blogspot.com

I love this photo! Nik and Thanos.

2010-08-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

Eriky's 36th Birthday--Happy Birthday Bro!

2010-07-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

I was given the gift of a buddy pass from a former Delta employee and as a result a lot of things worked out great this summer, as far as unplanned timing goes. One of those things was that I was able to spend my brother's birthday with him in Detroit on my way back to Alaska from N.C. This was something that i was hoping for when I decided to go down and visit Bill but wasn't 100% sure it would happen, I'm so glad it did. It was the first birthday I've spent with my little brother in years.

North Carolina Highlights

2010-07-27T13:07:00.001-07:00

Zoey (5 years old) and Bill, a little extreme father daughter bonding.

Dennis reliving his goalie days.

North Carolina is not a place for the vertically challenged, or motorcycles with poor front breaks.

Zoey's afternoon nap

Both Zoey and Alya-poster children for "the battle against childhood obesity". I was humbled each morning as they kicked my butt in both pull and push ups.

Backseat cute masseuse. Charge for services; 1 water bottle or 1 cap (that may or may not ever be seen again).

Have to hand it to Bill, if he's going to decide to live in 98 degrees humidity, he sure picked the right friends to play with. Spending a few hours on the lake was a welcomed treat.

This was Dennis's maiden cross country voyage on his motorcycle. He had just ridden a section of the road called "The Tail Of The Dragon" and lived to tell the "tail" "smile".: TAIL OF THE DRAGON AT DEALS GAP, with 318 curves in 11 miles, is America's number one motorcycle and sports car road.

Bill is the soccer coach for his daughter (Alya)'s team.

The beautiful timber-framed home that Bill built. This photo doesn't do it justice.

Bill and his beautiful girls (Zoey 5 an Alya 10)

Alya and her friend loving it!

Sometimes these emails pull me through some of the craziest times of my life

2010-07-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

POSITIVE QUOTE OF THE DAY
-----------------------------

I am convinced that the world is not a mere bog in which men and
women trample themselves and die. Something magnificent is taking
place here amidst the cruelties and tragedies, and the supreme
challenge to intelligence is that of making the noblest and best in
our curious heritage prevail.

-- C.A. Beard

A couple of the best friends a girl could have

2010-07-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Wilksboro, North Carolina July, 2010
Bill and Dennis have been there, kept me laughing and put up with me through every major event in my life since I was 17. The best friends/big brothers (sometimes little brothers) a girl could ever have. I got to hang out with them in NC together this summer, the first time the 3 of us were together in 3 years and was totally unplanned..I squeezed in a quick trip to see Bill in between visiting my mom till the 18th and my brother's birthday on the 23rd, as well as a potential sailing trip on the 25. Dennis just happen to be down there on a motorcycle trip and stopped by to see Bill. I knew he might get a chance to stop by for a bit but didn't expect to be down there in time or get to spent 2 days with the two together. Would never happen again like that in a million years. Hard to believe and I do wish some things turned out differently, but it was so great to spend time with the boys together again. With all the bush flying I do, a girl starts to realize what's truly important in her life and besides Ben and Jerry's ice cream "smile", I've learned that great friends and family are most important-and these guys are the top end of the list and will always be. This summer, for me, was about spending time with the people I really cared about, I didn't really have a plan but I'm so happy that I got to spend time with the most important people in my life. I've also learned on this trip that no matter how much you want to, you just can't ever go back-life is about change and it just keeps moving forward (which is sometimes a saving grace and sometimes a pain in the arsk). This summer proved to be both.

Although, I consider them my family, I'm not sure when or if I'll ever be in the same room with these two handsome men again (life is constantly changing and presenting new challenges), but I'm thankful for every minute I had this summer... Bill and Dennis, if you are reading this, you are a couple of dorks, but you are my dorks, and both more important to me than Ben and Jerry (and that says a lot). "smile" I'm so sorry for the individual challenges and struggles you are both facing right now (and my unintentional part in it) but know that there is sunshine and blue skies ahead-how could there not be for great guys like you.. You have and will always have the love, prayers and support of this crazy blond arctic gypsy friend of yours, so hopefully that means something..Nothing means more to me than seeing you two happy (sappy but the truth). Thanks for always making me laugh! Thanks for always being there! Thanks for your friendship and sacrifices! It meant a lot spending time with both of you this summer. For what it's worth, even though we were in NC, it really felt like home.

Marquette, Michigan July 2007

Marquette, Michigan July 2010

2010-07-26T16:21:00.000-07:00

My beautiful home town of Marquette, Michigan. It's always a great summer when I get to spend a nice chunk of time here. This is where my oldest and most weathered friends are (poor folks), where I feel most at home, and where I smile the biggest. It was really nice catching up with friends and getting to hang out with mother dearest. Highlights included, having a "Joe Dirt" party with the Economedies family (complete with Dirt Pie), taking a hike along Pictured Rocks National Shoreline with my mom, exploring the mtn bike trails with Dennis, sailing (including a 4th of July sail with my mom on the beautiful Coaster II) with great friends, running up Sugar Loaf, swimming daily in Lake Superior, teaching mom to kayak on Deer Lake, eating Gilberts ice cream, and visiting my Alaska friends up at their lakeshore pad in Big Bay. Below is the cutest couple on the planet, and a couple of my closest homegrown friends (Niko and Jill-Just Married Can You Tell?) Gotta Love Them!

Coaster II

First Mate Thonos-now a proud owner of a Toyota 4 Runner

4th of July Parade-Mom and I were aboard (see pick dot in the back) I was the official bell ringer.

4th of July again, see the pink dot yet?

Captain Niko in his element-what a great smile!

How Cute Are They?-Newly Weds Jill and Nik. Great friends from the good ol' HMC days.

Mom at Pictured Rocks

My Awesome Adventurous Mommy Learning To Kayak

Mom's Favorite Bridge-Pictured Rocks Trail

She'll Go Zip Lining But I Couldn't Talk Mom Into Taking A Dip With Me In The Big Lake?

Lower Harbor-Marquette

Marquette Light House

Refreshing--Swimming At Pictured Rocks National Shoreline

Our Joe Dirt Party With Jill's Famous Dirt Pie--Yumm!

Niko and Jill's (and Family) Beautiful Nome Home!

Amazing Stone and Log Work-Look At The Efficient Fireplace!

How cool are those round windows?

Beautiful Black Rocks

My Alaska Family, Summer 2010 (Taay Taay 21 years old)

2010-07-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

Detroit June 2010, Brother and Family

2010-06-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

My beautiful niece Khloe

Khloe and friend in the park

FREEZE!

Bucky Brushin

The Alburg Big City Pad

Yea, I called Child Services after I took this shot. "smile"

Road Trip Fun

2010-06-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

Great New Friends Jim and Sophie, wish we had more time but loved the visit!
This summer's journey took me on a road trip between Colorado and Michigan with a quick stop in Omaha, NE to visit some new friends. To pass the time I captured a few things that made me giggle along the way.

Crested Butte, Colorado..June 2010

2010-06-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

In June I got to spend a week in the Crested Butte-Gunnison area of Colorado. This is the first place I moved to after I left home at the early age of 19. It's a breathtaking place filled with great people and an amazing play land for the outdoor lover. I thought that I landed in heaven. However, after a bit, I was officially bitten by the travel bug, and I moved away after a year and half to explore the rest of the world but continued to revisit and keep close ties on the great friends I made there. I was happy to see my old friend Steve (beard playing guitar) performing in one of the local bars this summer-still playing the same old songs. I also reconnected with my "brother from another mother" Charlie Zeiter Jr (and his family), my great friend from Aspen (now Carbondale) Brian who was in town for a bike race, my great friend Kirk (thanks for saving me this summer man-love ya), my good musician friend Bruce Hayes who was performing at the Cajun Fest (it was great sharing the alligator experience with ya bud-Congrats on the new baby), and the pile of new friends I made in the women's mtn biking group (not seen-couldn't take pics, had to focus on breathing). "smile". Thanks Everyone, I had a blast!

"Brother from Another Mother" Charlie Zeiter and Family.

Crested Butte, Colorado

Bruce Hayes, my favorite musician next to Kenny Rogers "smile"

Old Friend Steve--Still playing the same ol' songs.

Crested Butte has some of the most beautiful Mtn Bike trails in Colorado.

My great friend Kirk "see Aspen Rustic Billards (Kirk's amazing company)

I love the home designs around Crested Butte, a bit of a fan.

This is a great guy that apparently I worked with when I was 19 but didn't remember. Charlie reintroduced us and we hit it off (yet, I can't remember his name). Probably the hottest over 60 year old on the planet--had this whole Robert Redford thing going on. We shared a drink in the local pub (listening to Steve) an hour after the pic was taken.

Great Friend Brian (if you scroll to 2007 you will see other entries with him). Brian and I actually met in the Anchorage airport years ago. This guy is an animal and the nicest man on the planet. Sadly, this was the only time I got to see him, we lost touch that night and then I had to head out of town early the next morning. Still, it was great to see him and get a quick hug. Next time buddy. By the way, he told me later on the phone that he didn't ride very good this day (wasn't feeling well)--yea, he finished 3rd in this race. "smile"

Photography By Jake, Immy, and Nik -Leadville Colorado

2010-06-17T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is the result of what happens when you hand your digital camera over to 3 fun loving rug rats. My friend Dean's kids (Jake, Immy and Nik) are some of my favorite kids on the planet. It was great to get to spend time with them this summer.

Adams Family-Leadville, Colorado June 2010

2010-06-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Leadville, Colorado was my first stop this summer. The Adams family was nice enough to store my 4 runner for me all winter. My original plan was to spend a day or two here (re-regestering my car) and then hit the road to see my friends in Gunnison/CB and then onto North Carolina to see my buddy Bill, however the powers that be had a different plan for me. It took a lot longer than I thought to get my title and registration dealt with so, I ended up spending a week in Leadville. This set back however was a nice one as I got to spend some extra time with my friend Dean and his awesome kids (and parents). This summer was about flexibility. Below are some of the highlights: (Nik, I can't believe I didn't get more pictures of you in all our bike adventures--next time buddy.) Love you guys!

.

Taay and Mark's Alaska Tour 2010

2010-06-06T16:29:00.000-07:00

My Week With Taay, June 2010--Look Out He's 21

2010-06-05T19:18:00.000-07:00

Here he is the love of my life--at 21--Yikes!

PWS Kayaking Leadership Trip

2010-05-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a visual summary of the 10 day Prince William Sound Kayak/Leadership trip that I and 3 of my amazing teammates just lead with some awesome AK student participants from around the state.

2 day ropes course with National Guard (in Anchorage)--focus, team building and leadership.
2 days of trip prep, shopping, packing (all student lead)
9 days of wilderness first aid training.
9 days of intense leadership training.
6 days of on water kayaking experience (Blackstone Bay, Prince William Sound).
6 days of "Leave No Trace" camping training.
2 hour boat ride (to and from Blackstone Bay) via Whittier.
9 days of very little sleep (bedtime 11pm-earliest, morning 7am latest) We had one 1am night coupled with a 6:30 am morning.
6 hours of boat set up and break down.
6 days of really fun camp songs.
4 hours of pre and post assessments.
9 nights of "reflecting" on performance.
9 days of laughter
9 amazing students
4 great guides
0 cell phones or ipods
1 campfire
50 surrounding mountains avalanche"ing" in the sun each hour.
2 mornings of humpback whales breaching
3 major glaciers calving and rumbling throughout the day.
15 sea otters splashing in the ocean outside our tents, keeping us awake at night.
6 days of "blue bird" skies, tons of sun, and calm waters.
100's of icebergs floating around us.
15 wag bags filled every 3 days.
1 trip of a lifetime.

36 year old Grandma, didn't see that one coming.

2010-05-04T20:22:00.000-07:00

Taay Taay is now a father and I'm now a grandma...Introducing Donivan, my grandson.

Challenge, end of the seaons bash "Heather's birthday"!

2010-04-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

Greatest friends on the planet celebrate another successful ski season together. This marks 10 years of volunteering together for some of us. This is the result of a group of people who have been threw a heck of a lot together...insanity with a smile. My Challenge Alaska family is one of my favorite parts of living in Alaska.

Health Fair Adventure- Chengea 2010

2010-04-16T18:50:00.001-07:00

Here are the travel tales of 4 castaways during their Chenega Health Fair adventure.
Dale (Vogue meets bush)-district grant evaluator
Michael (Washington D.C. HP. Grant Supervisor--first time in Alaska)
Carol (Chugach HP Grant Director)
Kirsten (Chugach Alutiiq Life Grant Director)

Supporting Cast:
Mark (district/community counselor)
Chris (not seen in photos)-district wide counselor.
John (Lodge owner and boat captain)
Students (so busy cooking and visiting-didn't take pics).

These photos were taken day two-day 4 of our 5 day trip through Prince William Sound (ie: Chenega Bay). Prior to these pictures we had a scary bush plane ride from Anchorage to Tatitlek where we had an eventful day and a half of touring, meeting with community memebers, teaching nutrition lessons, and sleeping in the community center. Our flight from Tat to Chenega, was fairly smooth over the water (the day was nice). Normally we stay in the school but due to the fact that we were trying to give our DC guy (Dr. Michael an Alaska experience he wouldn't forget), we arranged for overnights at the Jumping Salmon Loge (across the bay, boat access only from the village). The first night, the boat ride was a bit cold and damp but not bad. We traveled by an open bow skiff, with captain and lodge owner John at the helm. We had a wonderful night laughing and telling stories by the fire. We learned that you can recrisp year old potato chips by putting them on the fire overnight, that spotting seagulls are exciting to men from D.C., that when a remote lodge owner tells you he put a solar system on his roof, it's not a mobile with planets, and that Michael must be a double agent for Russia as he strangely knew the exact make and model of submarine clock that John had inherited with his lodge (just the fact that he knew it was a submarine clock baffled us all)-infact he knew a lot of odd details about everyone.. Oh, and I also learned that the word "fussen" is still alive and well and didn't just die with my grandmother.
The next morning we woke to a frost, fog, snow covered, and sleeted world, with continued drizzling of rain. I was pretty discouraged by the idea of boating across the bay in such a mess (esp. since none of us brought rain gear), but was cheered with the natural comedy of watching my co workers (Dr. Vogue and Dr. D.C.-as well as Carol) deal with the challenge. (See nasty boating pics for this). We all did survive and made it to the school for a wonderful day of working with the students and a candlelight memorial dedication of the new parent resource center at the community center.
Our second night and boat ride to the lodge was a lot dryer, but still cool. Our community counselor Mark joined us for the evening (being a good friend of John's he was able to take another skiff back to the school later that evening). This evening, being that it was fairly nice outside, I spent getting to know John and hearing the story behind his life and the lodge. We talked about how just life in Alaska challenges you and especially when you try to live remotely. He had a wonderful story and it was great getting a chance to get to know him. He was also interested in life in Savoonga, so that was fun to share as well. After my deck conversation, I headed back in to talk/laugh with the gang until time for bed. As I was sleeping on a couch way to small for me (but close to the fire), I woke up in the middle of the night to see a beautiful starscape and smiled happily knowing that our last morning/day in Chenega would be a sunny one.
The morning was beautiful but clear skies brings cold weather so there was a skim of ice on top of the bay, and our toilet water line had frozen up (no bathroom trips that morning) again discouraging but I found humor in the idea of my co-workers having to use the outhouse just outside the door (which never happened because they all, refused to use it, and held it until we boated over to the village) 'smile". Which must have been a very uncomfortable trip for them in that way. "smile'. I, having lived with nothing but an outhouse for 2 years, had no issues with using the man made toilet, in fact it had one of the best views I've ever seen from one. It was a pleasure. "smile" We had a very nice boat ride over to the village that morning (see sunny pics), cooked a healthy meal for the kids, and then had a beautiful flight back to Anchorage (see picts of plane and bush pilot). As we were leaving the ferry from Whittier/Valdez was pulling in (see big boat pic). It's an event that happens once a month and provides an 1.5 hour opportunity for the community members to come aboard for a hot cooked meal (floating restaurant) while travelers can visit the village. Another one of the photos (from air) shows just how close Chenega is to the Gulf of Alaska (ie: open ocean). Flight pics show, glaciers, the hundreds of mountains that span this region and there is one that shows the town of Whittier (also one of our school sites). You also may see shots with a barge in the background. This is the floating Health Fair barge sponsored by Exxon Valdez Oil Company and takes health providers throughout Prince William Sound to visit remote communities and inspire healthy life practices (physical and emotional). There was no room on the barge for us so we flew to each site, following the health fair through it's journey.
After we arrived back in Anchorage we all got a good nights sleep at our homes (Michael had a nice hotel room/very nice meal he told us later) and drove to Whitter then next morning for a day of visiting and teaching there. The weather was pretty windy, rainy and it actually started snowing again in the afternoon. We were all very happy that we weren't flying this day. In the afternoon, we made the 3:00 tunnel and exhausted from all of our travels, we grabbed a diet coke in Girdwood to toast the end of our week long adventure and bid our good friend Dr. (earned his Alaska stripes) Michael from D.C. a safe journey home.

Ski Season Fun: 80's party, spring skiing, great friends

2010-03-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

X-Country Skiing--Leadership Ski Camp

2010-01-29T17:09:00.000-08:00

I was in charge of running the ski aspects of the leadership ski camp we had this January. We had kids from around the state participate. My great friends at Challenge Alaska worked with our kids in alpine skiing at Alyeska Ski Resort (did an amazing job-thanks guys, I owe you one), and I ran the x-country ski program (which was a first for me). The kids had a blast learning to do both, very positive feedback, but look at those faces (kind of says it all doesn't it!). Love it!

Christmas With Khloe 2009

2010-01-29T16:58:00.000-08:00

Love my little niece!!

Khloe's First Snow

2009-12-19T17:31:00.000-08:00

Khloe's First Snow and Aunt Kirsten got to be there for it. Christmas 2009, Detroit. She had a blast and loves the white fluffy stuff! A chip off the ol' Aunt. "smile" Now all we have to do is get her on skis!

Outdoor Leadership, Outdoor Classroom-Village Tat. Prince William Sound

2009-10-04T17:15:00.000-07:00

The Adams Family Adopted Me This Summer

2009-08-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

A Special Moment In Dean's Dream Town Of Broken Bow, Nebraska

The Adams Family resides in Leadville, CO and pretty much stay there. However once in a blue moon, when the stars are aligned just right and the sands of the Mojavi desert stand still, a member of the Adams family will venture out into the world. This just happened to be this summer and the member they call "Dean" broke away from his comfortable and familiar Colorado for a 4 day journey that lead him to the shores of Lake Superior. He was there long enough to go on to sail the waters of the great one, cross the never ending boulders of the Presque Isle break wall, have a 2 hour conversation with my step father and a bag of paperclips, abduct me, and race back to his comfort zone (The Rocky Mountains, specifically the Denver-Glenwood-Salida Triangle) where he will stay for another 40 years.
Even though I was rejected and shipped back off to Alaska, it was really nice being apart of a family for a while. Thanks everyone!!! I'm looking forward to the next time the stars align so you can all come up to Alaska for an adventure!

Two cuties playing with their altered egos.

Travel In Alaska (Work Commutes)

2009-04-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

Trains! The Whittier Tunnel was closed due to a massive rock slide for 6 weeks. They reported rocks the size of houses. Whittier is only accessed by one 3 mile long tunnel (which is one land and both cars and trains share). It is the longest tunnel in North America. Anyway, somehow the train track was not affected by the rock slide, which was a 1/4 mile before the tunnel, off the road. So for 6 weeks, the state of Alaska opened the passenger train early (risking avalanche possibilities) for residents and workers needing to get in and out of Whittier. What was cool about this is that it was free and it was the first time I've ever been on a train. it was an awesome experience however, after riding it twice a week for the six weeks, I was excited when the road reopened and I could get to Whittier a lot faster. It was really nice kicking back and letting someone else do the driving while I chatted with the locals and drank my chai tea in a really plush cabin, while I watch the winter wonderland roll by out the window. This train started in Anchorage and ended in Whittier but you could jump on it in Girdwood or at Portage. I rode it all the way from Anchorage the first time (6 hours round trip for a 2 hour round trip drive) but then figured out that I could sleep in a little and drive "faster than train speed" down to Portage and just meet it there for a 30 min. ride to Whittier. Still loved it!

Planes! This is my main form of transportation. It's exciting, breathtaking and down right scary at times. It's like a box of assorted jelly filled donuts, you never know what you will get (unless you look for seepage on the ends) "smile" There are days, I'm like "Wow, I can't believe they pay me to do this" and others that I say "Wow, they don't pay me enough to do this." "smile" However, I have an amazing bush plane company with amazing well trained pilots and a great safety record. So, most of the time, I kick back with my tunes and enjoy the views. Regardless, I'm always glad that I'm not sitting in a traffic jam trying to get to work.
Automobiles! Not photos but (sorry) but yea, I have some pretty cool shots of driving to Whittier. Turnagain Arm is beautiful.

Planes

The Amazing! Here are some of the most beautiful spring flying shots I took this year. On these days, I'm loving life and wishing I could share it with all you!

The Ugly (Below). Here we were leaving Chanega trying to fly into Tatitlek but there was a storm hovering right over the village. Although we had a rockin ride, we landed just fine.

Prince William Sound Health Fair Fun

2009-04-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Spawns are basically sea weed with haring eggs attached to them. A favorite food of the locals (and our bush pilots). This was a huge event for the village as "Spawning" doesn't normally happen on the village beaches. Usually the locals would have to travel far and wide looking for a "'Spawned beach". Spirits were high. What I learned, the seaweed with air pockets that pop are nasty, you need to boil hot water and dip them in for five seconds before eating, and adding butter makes them a lot more yumtastic. I also learned that I would rather eat anything else in my fridge before my giant bag of spawns that they nice locals sent me home with. "smile". It was fun being around all the excitement.

Our district ordered a fleet of new foldable kayaks for our outdoor leadership program. Here is the first one being assembled and having it's test drive. It was snowing on us this day but after taking an hour to put the boat together, my new friend "The Legend" I like to call him, and I weren't going to let anything stop us. We had a blast and even got to see some sea otter up close and personal. Wow those things are big (sorry no photos) but let's just say I was wishing I had my water wings when one got a little too close.

This spring I was lucky enough to be one of the instructors for the Prince William Sound Health Fair. The rest of the instructors (based throughout the Sound) traveled aboard a ship to all the communities in the Sound. Births aboard the ship were limited so I ended up flying to each stop, by the end everyone felt like a family. The kids and communities love it. It was a lot of fun! Due to the fact that the Whittier tunnel was closed due to a massive rock slide my only route in was by train. So literally, I ended up taking planes, trains, and automobiles to complete the circuit. This made me giggle.

Taay's Christmas Trip To Wisconsin With Mark 2008

2009-01-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

Washington DC Trip Highlights

2008-10-17T18:10:00.000-07:00

Chenga Bay, Beautiful Monthly Commute To Work

2008-10-08T18:02:00.000-07:00

Playing Wheel Chair Basketball With Greg and Other Challenge Friends

2008-09-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

I met up with Greg and Don at the Bear's Tooth (hip Anchorage eatery) to toast Tom, tell some great stories, and talk about Greg (and Don's) exciting future with the US Paralympic Team program. They are both on their way! Afterward they invited me to come play wheel chair basketball with them. The fact that I didn't have my own wheel chair didn't seem to be an issue, they had extras at the game. What was great about this experience is that some of the kids that I taught to ski last year where out on the court and ended up teaching me how to play. We all had a great time and pay backs were the highlight for everyone 'smile". Something about me laughing at them when they crashed on the slopes...I would never do that.."smile"

Alaska Fall, Kenai, Seward, Girdwood. In Between Dreams.

2008-09-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

Tom Plane Crash Investigation Report (almost exactly a year later)

2008-09-21T23:33:00.000-07:00

For all of those who know what a tough year it's been for me losing my best friend Tom in plane crash last September, the investigation report was just announced... seems like it was just yesterday. Friends of Tom are planning a memorial fly fishing/camping trip to be held this weekend on the Kenai. Sure do love this guy and miss him with all my heart!

Failed wing may have caused fatal plane crash

Last year investigators recovered the wreckage and moved it to Wasilla. (KTUU-TV)

Also on KTUU.COM
Katmai floatplane crash leaves 4 dead

by Leyla Santiago
Friday, Sept. 19, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- More information came out in a report Friday regarding the probable cause of a fatal plane crash near King Salmon last year.

The National Transportation Safety Board says a failed wing may have caused the accident that killed four people.

Last year investigators recovered the wreckage and moved it to Wasilla.

Tests done by a lab discovered a fracture where the left wing connected to the body of the airplane.

The NTSB says the cracks were caused by corrosion and fatigue and believe that's why the pilot lost control.

"Typically if a wing fails, you'll find that that wing or whatever part comes off the airplane in the wreckage path, a couple 100 feet to 500 feet behind the wreckage," NTSB investigator Clint Johnson said. "In this case, all of the parts of wreckage made it to the accident sight."

The plane was flying fishing clients to the Royal Wolf Lodge.

The crash killed Bruce Stephens of Wasilla, Sean Brophy and Greg Brophy of Canada, and Tom Beatty of Homer.

As a result of the investigation, the NTSB issued a special airworthiness information bulletin reminding pilots to conduct regular inspections and maintenance.

Khloe is born!!

2008-09-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

Taay's Summer Michigan To Alaska Road Trip Part II

2008-09-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Taay Taay's Michigan To Alaska Road Trip (more picts to come).

2008-09-07T23:11:00.000-07:00

Mark and Taay Taay's Spring Island Hunting Trip 08

2008-08-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-16T01:03:00.001-07:00

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

2008-08-16T00:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-16T00:41:00.000-07:00

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.

Teacher Inservice Adventure--Scott Glacier

2008-08-16T00:26:00.000-07:00

Ice Climbing, guide service lowers you down into a 150 foot deep Mulan and you can ice climb out. Kid on the rope was 12 years old.

Scott Glacier Mulan, a giant hole in the ice created by water.

"Bear'y Bear Scat "smile"

Teacher Inservice Adventure-Town Of Kennicott

2008-08-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

Downtown Kennicott

Chugach Girls taking a drive through history.

Bunk House, lower class.

School

Store

Kennicott Hotel was once a bunk house for the lower class.

Hotel view

Hotel lawn

Hotel deck

Enjoying hotel lawn and view after a long day in the mines "smile"

First Building

Teaching Friends

Wagon

Bunk House

Bunk House with river

Bunk House

Start of our tour

First Building in Kennicott

Kennicott Hospital