Yesterday's high gust was 86 mph.
Today's high gust was 74 mph.
And once again, the grill meandered across the deck and our windows sounded like they were going to pop out of the frames. Luckily we still have our screens - others aren't so lucky!
This is just like breakup. Our temps have been in the high 30's to low 40's and everything is muddy, sandy, grimy and just all around ugly. Our driveway and sidewalks didn't get warm enough to dry off and now are sheets of ice. Looks like we get to do this at least two times this year as Friday morning it is supposed to be 5 degrees. All we need is a good 2 feet of snow to straighten things out!
On a brighter note....
Fur Rondy Countdown - 30 days
Iditarod Countdown - 38 days
Let the dogs get ready to run!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Break up is here early???
What's going on? The snow is melting! Part of our deck is bare wood! Has breakup arrived?
Nah...it's a fluke setting us up for more snow. We are in a high wind warning (up to 85mph late this afternoon) and the front is moving in. I expect more snow later and with winds this high, I don't think we will walk today.
By the way, the wind has changed our lighted poodledeer back into a reindeer again.
The last two days have been very nice here at mid-hillside. Mid 20's with the occasional breakthrough of sun. I am sure the slopes up the hill from us are rather icy now.
Squirt received a bath, brush and comb yesterday. He is one fluffy dog right now. Soon he will require some trimming. I just hate to do that when it is below freezing out.
Speaking of Squirt, I don't think I mentioned that his favorite dog sitter of all time (right after Grandma) lives here in Alaska. She takes him everywhere with her. He goes on sleep overs at her house (where there is a kitty to play with), he goes to her parents where there is another Bichon and sometimes a grandchild to play with, he went grocery shopping with her one day and he ate the bread, etc. When we went Outside (translation - not in the state of Alaska) for Thanksgiving, MB stopped by to pick him up. When she came through the door he was so happy we couldn't get a word in for his barking. She asked him if he wanted to go for a ride and he ran out the door, down the steps, hopped into the truck and never looked back.
Since then I have wondered if my mother felt the same thing I did as I was leaving for college...out the door, down the steps, into the truck and didn't look back?? (OK - I at least waved...)
Nah...it's a fluke setting us up for more snow. We are in a high wind warning (up to 85mph late this afternoon) and the front is moving in. I expect more snow later and with winds this high, I don't think we will walk today.
By the way, the wind has changed our lighted poodledeer back into a reindeer again.
The last two days have been very nice here at mid-hillside. Mid 20's with the occasional breakthrough of sun. I am sure the slopes up the hill from us are rather icy now.
Squirt received a bath, brush and comb yesterday. He is one fluffy dog right now. Soon he will require some trimming. I just hate to do that when it is below freezing out.
Speaking of Squirt, I don't think I mentioned that his favorite dog sitter of all time (right after Grandma) lives here in Alaska. She takes him everywhere with her. He goes on sleep overs at her house (where there is a kitty to play with), he goes to her parents where there is another Bichon and sometimes a grandchild to play with, he went grocery shopping with her one day and he ate the bread, etc. When we went Outside (translation - not in the state of Alaska) for Thanksgiving, MB stopped by to pick him up. When she came through the door he was so happy we couldn't get a word in for his barking. She asked him if he wanted to go for a ride and he ran out the door, down the steps, hopped into the truck and never looked back.
Since then I have wondered if my mother felt the same thing I did as I was leaving for college...out the door, down the steps, into the truck and didn't look back?? (OK - I at least waved...)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Meandering Moose
(Fur Rondy Countdown - 36 days)
(Iditarod Countdown - 43 days)
Ya' gotta' love it!
Driving home tonight on one of the 4 lane "bypasses", there were a lot of cars slamming on breaks, slowing down, etc. on the two main lanes and the exit ramp. We couldn't see a wreck of any type but as we got closer, we realized what was going on.
There was Bullwinkle meandering smack dab in the middle of the exit ramp. He was looking from side to side, checkin' thing out, curious about all of the commotion going on. At least no one hit him or anyone else!
In other news, we applied for the Permanent Fund today! Since we have lived in state for one full calendar year and meet a host of other requirements, we can say we own a share of the natural resources (oil & gas) leaving the state. This means we get to share the benefits and should receive a check in October or so. That's when all of the fun sales start on cars, ATVs, and other big ticket items. Talk about an inflow of cash to the economy!
(Iditarod Countdown - 43 days)
Ya' gotta' love it!
Driving home tonight on one of the 4 lane "bypasses", there were a lot of cars slamming on breaks, slowing down, etc. on the two main lanes and the exit ramp. We couldn't see a wreck of any type but as we got closer, we realized what was going on.
There was Bullwinkle meandering smack dab in the middle of the exit ramp. He was looking from side to side, checkin' thing out, curious about all of the commotion going on. At least no one hit him or anyone else!
In other news, we applied for the Permanent Fund today! Since we have lived in state for one full calendar year and meet a host of other requirements, we can say we own a share of the natural resources (oil & gas) leaving the state. This means we get to share the benefits and should receive a check in October or so. That's when all of the fun sales start on cars, ATVs, and other big ticket items. Talk about an inflow of cash to the economy!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Our New Hood Ornament - Well - Almost
There we were, driving home from Girdwood after dark and what appears by the side of the road but a big Dall Sheep. He wasn't quite full curl - but he would have made an impressive wall mount for someone who doesn't hunt. (I wonder what the laws are along those lines...) It was too dangerous to stop for pictures because of the dark and curvy road...maybe next time.
OK - it's next time...Friday, on the way to a formal holiday party (the last one of the season) in Girdwood, we saw 6 moose (bulls, cows and calves) plus 4 mountain goats as close to the road as I have ever seen them. Of course we couldn't stop for pictures because we had to be somewhere. We will have to look on Saturday on the way home.
Typical to animals, Saturday when returning to Anchorage while we have the time and camera, able to stop whenever needed, we didn't see a single animal of interest. They obviously didn't get the memo to be out for photo ops during our drive home. We only saw ravens and I can watch them in my yard anytime.
Over the last few days it has been chilly here. We were down to -14 yesterday evening. Squirt's feet get really cold at these temps. We have had lots of good snow though - enough to turn our papa reindeer into a poodle...
OK - it's next time...Friday, on the way to a formal holiday party (the last one of the season) in Girdwood, we saw 6 moose (bulls, cows and calves) plus 4 mountain goats as close to the road as I have ever seen them. Of course we couldn't stop for pictures because we had to be somewhere. We will have to look on Saturday on the way home.
Typical to animals, Saturday when returning to Anchorage while we have the time and camera, able to stop whenever needed, we didn't see a single animal of interest. They obviously didn't get the memo to be out for photo ops during our drive home. We only saw ravens and I can watch them in my yard anytime.
Over the last few days it has been chilly here. We were down to -14 yesterday evening. Squirt's feet get really cold at these temps. We have had lots of good snow though - enough to turn our papa reindeer into a poodle...
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Summer Plans are Underway!
The snow is gently falling...
The snow thrower is broken...
The Squirt Track has been cleared of the new 8" of snow...(skiing will be FANTASTIC Saturday!)
Hard to believe but it is time to start making reservations for summer activities!
I am so excited about our summer plans this year! So far we have King Salmon fishing on the Deshka. (OK - the 44 lb halibut was fun. I'm looking for a 40lb salmon this time around!)
However, while I love to fish and big fish are lots of fun to catch, I think the best thing this summer will be the Katmai bear viewing trip in July. We will be heading to the airport, climbing into a seaplane and flying about 2-3 hours west - into the wilderness. The salmon should be running the bears feasting and us on foot right by them. Katmai is an amazing place - a once in a lifetime chance to be near brown bears who aren't in cages and somewhat people aware. The National Park Service works very hard at keeping people from carrying food in and hunting is not allowed. Plus the bears would much rather have salmon than humans.
You never know though...if the day trip goes really well, maybe next year we will go camping for a week with the bears!
The snow thrower is broken...
The Squirt Track has been cleared of the new 8" of snow...(skiing will be FANTASTIC Saturday!)
Hard to believe but it is time to start making reservations for summer activities!
I am so excited about our summer plans this year! So far we have King Salmon fishing on the Deshka. (OK - the 44 lb halibut was fun. I'm looking for a 40lb salmon this time around!)
However, while I love to fish and big fish are lots of fun to catch, I think the best thing this summer will be the Katmai bear viewing trip in July. We will be heading to the airport, climbing into a seaplane and flying about 2-3 hours west - into the wilderness. The salmon should be running the bears feasting and us on foot right by them. Katmai is an amazing place - a once in a lifetime chance to be near brown bears who aren't in cages and somewhat people aware. The National Park Service works very hard at keeping people from carrying food in and hunting is not allowed. Plus the bears would much rather have salmon than humans.
You never know though...if the day trip goes really well, maybe next year we will go camping for a week with the bears!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Chirstmas in Ice
In Fairbanks, they have a contest for ice sculptures at the North Pole park. Unfortunately, I just found this web site where you can actually see the sculptures.
http://www.icealaska.com/videocam/08Cam/np8/NP801.html
They even have a children's playground.
While the contest is over, hopefully they won't move the cameras or the sculptures until breakup...
PS - Believe it or not, I passed 150 posts the other day...Robert never thought I would make it. Thanks for reading!
:)
http://www.icealaska.com/videocam/08Cam/np8/NP801.html
They even have a children's playground.
While the contest is over, hopefully they won't move the cameras or the sculptures until breakup...
PS - Believe it or not, I passed 150 posts the other day...Robert never thought I would make it. Thanks for reading!
:)
Friday, January 04, 2008
For All Runners - Come Join the Reindeer!
Normally Fur Rondy has reindeer sled races. This year they are kicking it up a notch.
You guessed it!
For a small fee, you too can run with the reindeer - on foot - on slick streets.
http://www.adn.com/anchorage/story/253273.html
I LOVE living here and plan to be in the crowd taking pictures!
You guessed it!
For a small fee, you too can run with the reindeer - on foot - on slick streets.
http://www.adn.com/anchorage/story/253273.html
I LOVE living here and plan to be in the crowd taking pictures!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Riddle Me This...
During the cold, clear, quiet, Alaskan nights, what screeches like a jet airplane taking off right overhead waking everyone up and sending them running???
Why…
Smoke alarms, of course.
On Tuesday night, Jan 1, the night before I had to get up at 5am and go back to work for an ENTIRE day, our smoke alarms sounded at 12:30am. All of us (Robert’s son is with us this week) jumped up out of bed, ran around the house trying to see/smell if there was a fire, where it was, were we in danger, was it the carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, etc. We could not find anything wrong, (thank goodness), got the alarms reset (they did not trip again over the next 15 minutes) and the individual Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors had not alarmed. Everyone back to bed, except me who ended up wide awake and decided to look for the smoke alarm manuals in our house papers. Believe it or not, I found them except they only matched 2 of the 9 detectors installed. The downfall was I did not read them immediately. I finally got back to bed about an hour later.
But the evening’s entertainment wasn’t over yet!
At 3:30am, round two commenced. (Did I mention all of the alarms are interconnected so if one goes off every other one of them goes off and you can’t tell which one started it?) Once again, we found no problems and this time all 3 of us promptly sat down at our individual computers searching the Internet for possible causes. (After all, isn’t that what every 21st century family does in a crisis?). Back to bed around 4:15am. Needless to say, the 5am get up was tough - so tough, Squirt did not move a muscle, staying in bed until breakfast.
Round three: 6:00am – time to go to work!
Round four: 7:20am
Round five: 8:50am - after this event, the boys (including Squirt) left to go ATV’ing and I had the house camera up monitoring the situation for the day.
During lunch, I called fire consultants, contractors, an electrical engineer (my brother :) ), stores, etc. gaining information about
“Yes – all of them now.”
Since he miss most of a night's sleep also we compromised. Seven were completed that night and the 2 that need a 20ft ladder to change will wait until this weekend.
I didn’t even make to the newscast before falling asleep….
Why…
Smoke alarms, of course.
On Tuesday night, Jan 1, the night before I had to get up at 5am and go back to work for an ENTIRE day, our smoke alarms sounded at 12:30am. All of us (Robert’s son is with us this week) jumped up out of bed, ran around the house trying to see/smell if there was a fire, where it was, were we in danger, was it the carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, etc. We could not find anything wrong, (thank goodness), got the alarms reset (they did not trip again over the next 15 minutes) and the individual Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors had not alarmed. Everyone back to bed, except me who ended up wide awake and decided to look for the smoke alarm manuals in our house papers. Believe it or not, I found them except they only matched 2 of the 9 detectors installed. The downfall was I did not read them immediately. I finally got back to bed about an hour later.
But the evening’s entertainment wasn’t over yet!
At 3:30am, round two commenced. (Did I mention all of the alarms are interconnected so if one goes off every other one of them goes off and you can’t tell which one started it?) Once again, we found no problems and this time all 3 of us promptly sat down at our individual computers searching the Internet for possible causes. (After all, isn’t that what every 21st century family does in a crisis?). Back to bed around 4:15am. Needless to say, the 5am get up was tough - so tough, Squirt did not move a muscle, staying in bed until breakfast.
Round three: 6:00am – time to go to work!
Round four: 7:20am
Round five: 8:50am - after this event, the boys (including Squirt) left to go ATV’ing and I had the house camera up monitoring the situation for the day.
During lunch, I called fire consultants, contractors, an electrical engineer (my brother :) ), stores, etc. gaining information about
- what could be causing this? - one alarm going bad
- how can I test which of the 9 units is going bad? - no way to test except disconnecting each one at a time and waiting until it trips again
- where can I get replacements(?) - I did find one store with over 20 in stock
- how do I replace them? – various answers
Rounds 8-9 (or so – I lost count): periodically throughout the day with the granddaddy of them all starting at 3:00pm and did not stop. (Lucky Squirt was in the car for the day or he would be deaf.)
The boys picked me up on the way back through town and we went directly to the store buying 9 new detectors. Of course, when we got home, (I had visions of the neighbors calling the fire department busting down the doors to save the house. Too many movies!), the alarm was still sounding and the only way Robert could stop it was by pulling units off the ceiling and disconnecting the AC power (some people would have flipped the circuit off prior to power removal but Robert opted to bypass this due to the modular electric quick connector). This method of “testing” worked and we found detector #7 was the bad unit. With AC power removed, it continued to whine as long as the battery was in it.
Robert asked me if I still wanted to replace all of the units since we had figured out which one was bad. Hmmmm…let me think…after a long day at work on about 2 hours sleep, the decision wasn’t difficult and being the reasonable person I am I said,“Yes – all of them now.”
Since he miss most of a night's sleep also we compromised. Seven were completed that night and the 2 that need a 20ft ladder to change will wait until this weekend.
I didn’t even make to the newscast before falling asleep….
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2008!
If needed, may the aspirin work quickly and the coffee be strong!
We are off to the slopes and then home for any remaining football games.
I hope it will be a joyous and prosperous year for you!
If needed, may the aspirin work quickly and the coffee be strong!
We are off to the slopes and then home for any remaining football games.
I hope it will be a joyous and prosperous year for you!
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