...when the volcano blows

Ash from Mt. Redoubt falling in our backyard.

Snow writing in ash: "Mt. Redoubt 3/28/09"

Footsteps in ash covered snow.

Ash collects in the crease of a tarp.

It finally happened! After several months of anticipation, ash from Mt. Redoubt has dusted Nikiski with a very light layer of the granular stuff. The ash came from an eruption that occurred about 3:30 PM today. Around 4:30 PM we were looking outside our living room window when we saw a dark cloud coming our direction. Not long after that I could hear the tinkling sound of small granular pieces of ash hitting the window. It didn't take long until everything had a light covering of Mt. Redoubt's finest contents. The entire landscape slowly took on a brown/grey hue. It was kind of neat. We immediately put Jimmy Buffet in the CD player and listened to the song called Volcano. Jimmy may not know where he's going when it happens, but I'm staying in my living room...when the volcano blows.

...just horsin' around

Horseback riding lessons began this afternoon. Arwin, the horse, got a good work out as the girls practiced mounting, dismounting, and an assortment of vault positions. They also watched a horse safety movie and discussed the rules of the arena. It was a great way to spend an afternoon...just horsin' around.

...when volcanoes erupt

A reporter for the KTUU Channel 2 News reports on the eruption of Mt. Redoubt during the evening news.

This is what reporters on the local news look like when they go outside to talk about the eruption of Mt. Redoubt and the subsequent ash fall. The winds took most of the ash north of us so we didn’t get to experience a day behind a mask. But, the report is the volcano may continue to erupt sporadically over the next three months. So, we could easily get our chance. Because that's what happens…when volcanoes erupt.

...shed hunting

Shed hunters ready for an afternoon in the boreal forest. Each hoping to get the $50 offered for finding a shed moose antler.

There have been other critters in the area. Hopefully they're still hibernating.

On the trail of shed moose antlers.

Moose were definitely in the area. This is what they do to trees when they are very hungry and want to reach the branches at the top. Most of the small trees in the area looked like this.

The youngest shed hunter in our family tromping through the snow.

In the spring, summer, and fall moose keep their antlers right on top of their heads. But, in the middle of winter they shed and abandon them wherever they fall. That creates a perfect opportunity for a family with two small children to get out in the woods and spend an afternoon looking for them. Of course, it did take some bribing. I offered $50 to the first person in the family who found a shed moose antler.

It was a fairly safe bet. Finding a shed antler is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. In fact, in the past 23 years I have found a grand total of: 1.

The bribe worked and soon we were on our way to some of the best moose habitat on the Kenai Peninsula. You'll understand if I don't divulge the exact location but I will tell it is covered with acres and acres of small birch trees and willows. We put on our snowshoes and shuffled down the trail. Moose sign was all around us. Depressions in the snow where they had bedded down, moose pellets, moose tracks, and the broken branches of small trees indicated the area was heavily populated with the huge brown critters.

We had a great time taking pictures, looking at a tuft of fur on a tree branch, talking, and walking through the snow. But, alas, no antlers were to be found. My $50 was safe. Just as I had expected. Hopefully the bribe will work the next time we decide to go...shed hunting.

...a beautiful smile

This picture was taken on Thursday morning.

This one was taken on Saturday afternoon.

Nineteen months ago we went to the orthodontist to get braces. On Thursday it was time for them to be removed. Here's the result...a beautiful smile!

...a day at Trail River

The campground sign.

Hiking the campground loop. The snow was as hard and smooth as cement. No snowshoes required!

Trail side treats...Girl Scout Cookies!

We met some cross country skiers. There were several dogs with them. They didn't get in the photo.

A musher readies his gear for the trail.

For several years we have heard about how well the snow is groomed at the Trail River Campground near Moose Pass during the winter. So, this morning when we woke up and saw that it was going to be another spectacular day we decided to hit the road and see it for ourselves. They weren't kidding. The entire width and length of the campground road is perfectly groomed for use by nordic skiers, mushers, snowshoers, hikers, and bicyclists. Yes, bicyclists-we saw the tracks. The trail was as hard as cement and made for easy hiking. We didn't even need our snowshoes. Along the way we chatted with some skiers and pet all their friendly dogs. Then we had a vigorous snack break at one of the picnic tables in the campground loops and returned to our car. On the way home we stopped for buffalo burgers at Sunrise Inn in Cooper Landing. The perfect end to...a day at Trail River.

...Grandma's Alaska visit

Playing Scrabble

A celebratory dinner.

Saturday morning guitar music.

Solitaire...for two.

Getting exercise, sans snowshoes.

Grandma's trip to Alaska was filled with activities including cooking, reading, visiting friends, snowshoeing, Scrabble, card games, celebratory dinners, listening to music, piano playing, helping with school work, and tread milling. She likes to keep busy and it's a good thing because her granddaughters have plenty for her to do! She's on her way back to California for now, but we know she'll be back very soon for another one of...Grandma's Alaska visits.

...Grandma's Snowshoe Posse

Grandma's Snowshoe Posse.
'Shoeing across the lake.

Grandma's mukluks and snowshoes.

A ski plane landing on the lake.

A snowmachiner crosses the ice.

Grandma's visit is just about over so we decided to take one last snowshoe trip on the lake this afternoon. We enjoyed beautiful weather and got to see things as they happened on the ice. A ski plane landed nearby and some snowmachiners raced across the surface of the lake. The girls also did some sledding down a hill on the island. It was great fun and even though we will miss her when she leaves for California later this evening we all had a great time being a part of...Grandma's Snowshoe Posse.

...'shoeing a pipeline corridor

Gearing up.

'Shoeing the pipeline corridor.

A sign along the way.

Sharing the trail with snowmachiners.

A ski plane flew overhead.

Miles and miles of pipeline corridors criss-cross the Kenai Peninsula. They are enticing thoroughfares for snowshoers, cross-country skiers, mushers, and snowmachiners. Shared by all they often provide access to areas that would otherwise be extremely difficult to reach. This afternoon we took a short snowshoe trip on one in Captain Cook State Park. It was a good two hour hike and we reached a beautiful spot where we could look across Cook Inlet and see the mountains on the other side. Along the way we saw the tracks of moose, snowshoe hare, and a coyote. We were also passed by some friendly snowmachiners and a ski plane tipped its wings at us as it flew overhead. All-in-all not a bad way to spend an afternoon in March...'shoeing a pipeline corridor.

...Iditarod 2009

Last night we were on our way the the Iditarod. Cameras in tow ready to photograph the Ceremonial Start of the Last Great Race. The Alaskan equivalent of the Superbowl.

Everything was swell until we got to Sterling. It was there, as the evening air cooled, the roads turned to glare ice following an afternoon of melting in the sun. We immediately slowed to 30 miles per hour and proceeded along the Sterling highway for another 10 miles. Every time I tried to accelerate the back end of the truck would lose traction and swing sideways for a brief instant. Just as we were about to enter the mountains we pulled off the road into a parking area along with a number of other vehicles. As people got out of their cars everyone was asking the same question: "Are you going to continue?" One driver had come from Anchorage and said the glare ice conditions extended for another 50-60 miles. He also mentioned that a semi had gone off the road just a few miles ahead. We turned around and came home. My Iditarod photo expedition was over. Bummer.

So, I took photos of the mushers and sled dogs on our television this morning. Not quite the same as being there (well, not even close) but I did get some pics. In reality, I guess you could say they are photos of video...thanks to KTUU Channel 2.

At any rate we are glad it has started, the greatest sled dog race on earth...Iditarod 2009.

...snowshoeing with Grandma

The girls on their snowshoes.

Taking a break.

Grandma steppin' out on her snowshoes

Crossing a windswept lake.

Snowshoe dust.

Grandma is visiting and we thought it would be fun to take a little snowshoe this afternoon. Conditions were nearly perfect with sunny skies and warm temps. It was a bit windy but nothing too horrendous. We left our house and crossed the lake before cruising through the woods and across a frozen swamp. Then we walked along the edge of a road for about a half mile back to our house where hot chocolate was waiting. It was good exercise and we all had fun...snowshoeing with Grandma.

...the Girl Scout Cookies are here

We had some excitement at our house yesterday morning. We were able to pick up all the cookies we ordered. Yes, the Girl Scout cookies. We all have our favorites (I like Do-si-dos) and we delved right in as soon as we got home. Of course, we've eaten them at every opportunity since then as well. For dessert, snack, and the "oh, I need a pick me up." We're very happy indeed that...the Girl Scout Cookies are here.