Weekend Adventures

This was on the way home from work this week, looking north over the Gastineau Channel

So today was the first day of what looks to be a four day weekend. Due to some time off coming up for a hunting trip, I am covering other managers while they get some time and just so happened to create this nice chunk of time. Which is good, cause Sarah and I really needed to get out in the woods and experience some "wild" time. As it works out, the weather was pretty good, high over cast skies with the occasional sprinkles, but all in all a good day, not so good for the photos though. This is a major bummer due to the stark contrast on the mountains with all the freshly fallen snow. I could barely see the difference between them and the clouds so I didn't even try with the camera. We decided that due to the late get up and go time, coffee and reading on the couch seemed better at that time, we wanted to stay low and keep it short. Sheep Creek it was! This for those that are not from around here is a quaint little valley that runs somewhat parallel to Silverbow basin and was also at one time a major gold mining area. Now it supports a local dog sled team in the summer and acts as a power corridor for the local service. Also the mouth of the creek has a hatchery, but the run is terminated at sea level. Its about 800 ft. up at first at a very steep pitch and then into the valley floor. The mountains and hanging glaciers in the back of the valley are just awesome and sprinkled throughout are ruins from the mining days. Found some old steam parts from the mining train and other various things, but never felt to pull out the camera. Then on the way back I found a side trail and landed in a private area, posted, oops! Anyways, there are some pieces of equipment around and looks like someone tried to mine but possibly a cave in stopped their progress, also there was an old house that I remembered from my younger days and so I got a shot of it too. Not too much else, after that headed out the road for a drive and just caught the tail end of a very pretty sunset.

This was apparently the superintendents house of the mining railroad

pretty handy looking contraption, wish I could use it to shovel the drive. ha ha

How would you like to commute to work in this thing? Into a hole in the ground?

View south from the trail, looking over the tip of Douglas Island

After the Storm

The weather broke today, oh what glorious sites too see!! The snow level has dropped yet again and is down to the tree line. Thunder Mountain has snow on its top peak and all the mountains around the glacier are capped in fresh white snow. Most of the sky was cloudy on the way home, but just as I headed towards the back of the valley the sun shone through onto Mt. Bullard and oh what a site it was. I had to immediately pull a tourist move, slam on the brakes and hit a side street to get a few shots. The glimpse only lasted a few seconds and this is the best shot I got. Then unfortunately it was home, change and off to school for me, more Shakespeare awaited my arrival!! Oh whoa is me, to have time to play in the trees and beget thy studies!! ha ha ha

This was another good shot for lighting, but the composition is not as good.

Fall in Alaska

Haven't had time to post lately, sorry. We actually have had some pretty great weather lately off and on and managed to get out and enjoy some of it. The rest of our time has been filled with work and school. Things are going pretty well up here, enjoying the beautiful place we live. Today the weather is pretty cool. We are enjoying a huge wind storm with some rain. 45 mile an hour winds in exposed locations, but strangely warm due to the fact its coming from the southeast.

Picture of fall colors that I enhanced slightly to look like a painting

We got out one evening and ran around Dredge lake area, near the glacier, and caught just the tail end of the sunset. The fall colors were out and the sky was clear that day. Unfortunately I was too lazy to carry a tripod and so most images were not worth posting, but I got a few and thought to share them. Those that know the area remember that this used to be overrun with ATVs and they really tore it up, but now it is protected and the area is beginning to heal. The loops of trails now are utilized by walkers, joggers, and mountain bikers and with no loud engines one can here the birds and such. This area is across the main road, Back Loop Hwy, from the neighborhood we live in, thus giving us two areas within walking distance to enjoy the outdoors, yay!!

Mt. Bullard in the reflection

               

reflections on Dredge Lake

Then unfortunately the weather went south on us. When next we could see these mountains they had a dusting of snow on them. First the towers at the back of the glacier and then Stroller white got dusted and then McGinnis got a dusting too. As of yesterday the snow level seems to be about 3000 ft. and dropping, fast.

So last Sunday the weather was pretty good and Sarah and I headed up to Herbert Glacier. Its a smooth easy trail that is frequented by runners, bikers, and hikers. They have really done a lot of work in the last few years to this trail. We got to the end of the trail and continued up the side of the river and got some great views of the glacier. For my folks these shots of the glacier will be surprising just how far Herbert has receded.

I call these Rose Fungus, some really look the part.

As we headed up the trail, the sun came out, this is steam rolling off the forest, kinda cool

First view of Herbert and the river delta at the terminal moraine

The glacier is split in half now by this small mountain and this shot is of the division.

This the right hand side, much smaller and less melt off, river coming from left side.

Coming around the corner to the left side, notice the dark line in the ice

Upon closer inspection, one can really see how a glacier moves rock. Amazing

Looking up to the slopes for goats, found some, but too far for photos

All in all a great hike for first of October, I also found some gold flake in the river sand. Sarah just laughs at me, but, "THERE IS GOLD IN THEM THERE HILLS", ha ha ha. Maybe try my hand at some panning sometime, would be cool! Well that is all for now, time to grab another cup of coffee and watch the trees sway in the wind. Take care everyone, ttyl.

Why I live here

The week is busy with school and work, but before class last night I rushed out and took some photos. It was another gorgeous day in Juneau Alaska! For any of you that wonder what the pull is for Sarah and I, well maybe this will help. Lol

Shot from side of road on way out to the glacier, just looked kinda cool

shot from my truck in the parking lot, didn't even have to get out. ha ha

The real reason for this post though is the panoramics that I shot. They give some really nice scope and view.

Shot across Auke Lake on the Campus of my school, UAS

standing on the private kayak dock at UAS, full 180* shot.

So anyways, running off to class to sit and gaze out the window on this view all night, well till it gets dark, which is earlier every day. Have a great one and hope you enjoyed the shots, more to come.....

Sunny September

Well, sorry, haven't had much to talk about and for a while the weather was horrible so no adventures. Spent most of a week after the wedding trying to fix the leaking fuel system on my truck. New tank, removed old parts that were shot and some new fuel lines and viola, I no longer loose a quarter of every gallon I buy on the ground!! This is a good thing, considering the price of fuel and if someone were to toss a smoke under my truck and start my puddle of fuel on fire, I would have been out an entire vehicle, probably get a ticket for improper disposal of a vehicle!!! ha ha ha!!!  Then with school starting and a new work schedule my days were full. On the other had we are heading into our second week of sun, in the middle of September! Yay! So this was the first two day weekend that Sarah and I have had off together since the whole employment thing and we took full advantage. Initially we were hoping to cross over to the back side of Shelter Island and stay at a cabin in Handtroller's Bay, but the marine forecast called for 7 foot seas and winds in the excess of 40 mph. Not something that sounded really fun in fully loaded kayaks. So instead we went out the road to Sunshine Cove and paddled out to the little island there, Horseshoe Island, and stayed the night. Two other local paddlers came out and also stayed with us, they were cool folks and we had an enjoyable evening chatting next to the fire. During the day Saturday we took the boats out and ran down to Benjamin Island and visited the humpbacks that live there. It was so amazing!! The seas were fairly rough and so pictures were hard to get, but the experience was amazing.

looking north to our island retreat from Bridget

We just maintained our position in the current and the whales cruised around us, we saw many tails and fin waving and at one point they were about 100 feet from us! So exhilarating when your in such a small boat at water level with creatures that large all around you. I swear they were checking us out and curious, because they kept circling us, at on point one turned, went under and I am sure from his direction that he was below us and looking up, even though we couldn't see him. About the time the wind really started to kick up and we thought to head back north to our island, the whales gave us one last tail show and headed back to their spot further south. We feel so grateful for having experienced this and their obvious interest in us. They are such beautiful creatures. On the way north we decided to take a side trip and headed further up the coast to Pt. Bridget and checked out the bay. The views were amazing! Mountains, glaciers, and whales, oh my! Then we caught the south going current and practiced some surfing and such. We got back south to our island in about 15 minutes, we were really moving! Then we ate, chatted and enjoyed a beautiful sunset over the Chilkat mountain range.

Trying to post a video here from our kayak trip, let me know if it works!!  Sorry if it is sideways, now I know which way to hold the phone. lol. This is shot in the bay, just south of Pt. Bridget

Sunday morning we woke to strong winds, 6-7 foot seas with white caps. So glad we didn't have to cross back from Shelter through that. We know we could have, but none the less, it would have beat us up quite a bit. While sitting and watching the weather and the sunrise we saw a large humpback out in Lynn Canal. It was performing full breaches. Completely leaving the water, we could clearly see fins and large splashes. What a way to start the day! Later we packed up and crossed back to the mainland and went home. Time to wash the boats, sit down and have some food and maybe take a nap. Till next time. Live life to its fullest!

Juneau Wedding

Well we finally did it, after 14 years of romance we got hitched. Sept 1, 2010 at 6:00 PM. I approached Ken Alper and his wife Jill Ramiel about possibly doing a wedding on the roof and to have Ken officiate the ceremony. We have known them for about 12 years and they were very excited to help us out. I got the paperwork in order for Ken to be ordained by the state for one day and then tried to figure out when it was going to happen. With the tourist season still is full swing, our schedules are a bit rough right now and time seemed to slip away with no opportunity in sight. So Ken and I talked, I told him when and then he took over. We had planned to just 'Get er dun' and sign some papers, but Ken was to have none of that. He really made it something special. He got flowers for Sarah and a boutinear for me. Also he called in some old friends, Stephanie and Scott, she was a chef at the Silverbow back when I worked there and her husband Scott worked with us over at the Prospector before that. Scott plays the bagpipes and so downtown was filled with the sounds of our wedding.

Jill and Ken's son was there also taking photos along with Rick, the original baker that showed them the ropes and help set them up. He offered to run my camera and get some shots, which is what you see, thanks Rick. Ken said a very nice intro, explaining the connections with us and them and the bakery and importance of marriage. Then Sarah and I exchanged vows that we had written to each other and rings (still the same ones we always had, new ones in near future).

For our witnesses two of our friends came to the rescue. For Sarah, her dearest friend Verity and for me, our good friend Brad, who just happened to be in town and always up for a reason to celebrate. ha ha ha. 

I bought Sarah tiara just for the occasion, isn't she so cute!! The weather started off not so bad but by the end we were all drenched.

Then after we both said our vows, exchanged rings and enjoyed the invigorating effects of the deteriorating weather, Ken announced us man and wife and said I could kiss the bride.

                            The greatest hug and kiss of my life, feels so good to know that she is my wife now.


Then with another burst of bagpipes we all quickly headed inside to open champagne and take a few celebratory shots of Jameson! Ken then had some Italian food delivered and we sat around and chatted and enjoyed the evening.

Thank you too all who helped make this happen and sorry it took so long and happened so far away from our family and friends. We wish you could have all been there, but we did always want to be married in Alaska.

Whale Watching

This is my favorite shot of the day, a whale's tail waterfall

Today is Sarah's Birthday and for her special day she wanted to go on a boat and do some whale watching. She researched the local options and chose a local company with a few small boats, 6 pack size. Sarah also invited along two of her friends so we had 2/3 of the boat and then two other tourists. The folks that own the company, and our captain for the day, live on the back side of Shelter Island. Its about a half hour ride to Auke Bay he says. Our captain's name was Jay Beedle, and he and a buddy of his started the company about 25 years ago, I believe. The call it Harvin Marv's, nick names from high school. He is a professional photographer and also the foremost expert on our local humpback whale pod. He has named and identified most in the area and works one on one with NOAA, also he writes articles for the local paper. Really cool guy, super nice and intelligent. Anyways, it was a nice day weather wise and the seas were moderately calm and the whale watching was spectacular. There were groups of 5-7 at a time, all blowing and fluking. We also saw some fin waving and nose bobbing after filling their mouths with krill and small herring. All around wonderful day! I took about 400 shots and of that 300 were ok. Of those only a few where really spectacular and one in particular is my favorite. Also some of my tail shots showed us that there were some new whales in the area that were not named or known of yet. I believe two of them. Would love to be able to name them after Sarah and I, ha ha ha. Anyhoo, it was about a 3 hour trip, not to expensive and a really nice boat. So onto the pics.

These two lazed around for a bit and then dived.

Down it goes!

The one on the right is a new whale

These two stuck together and fluked repeatedly

This is my best shot of a whale nose bobbing

This one rolled over his side, not a breach but he did flip water at the end

Beautiful shape to their tails!

The birthday girl having the time of her life!

Beautiful shot, great for identification

Cancelled Day of Work and the Gods give Us Sun!!!

I was scheduled to work a catering event last night, but it was canceled so I got a surprise day off from work and the sun came out!! Our dear friend Jon was in town for some business meetings and stayed with us. We had a good time, but my schedule didn't look to good for his super short stay. Then I get the night off, so while he was at is meetings in the morning I did a tune up on the old truck, new plugs wires cap rotor and oil (which was badly needed), and then when he was done it was time for a drive. The work on the truck paid off, it is running so well now!! knock on wood. So we decided to head out the road and enjoy some of the sun. It wasn't super warm and partly cloudy but that just makes things look even cooler. We went out to Sunshine cove and sat on the beach, drank a beer or two, talked about fishing, and made plans for a guys trip this season for deer. All around great way to spend the day, that was not expected to be much but work. Here is a pic of the views, pretty nice!!

Baby Naming

To my mother, no..there is no baby in our future. ha ha ha. My employers recently had twin girls and today was the baby naming ceremony. This, as was explained to me, is the female version of a brisk. Basically a reason for the Jewish community to come together and celebrate the births and introduce the newborns to the congregation, and to eat much good food. It was a very nice ceremony, spoken in both Hebrew and English, and the little ones even behaved themselves throughout. Which as we were discussing with Jill, it is a rare moment when they both are happy and quiet. They are both so very cute. There names are Tillie and Adina, named after grandparents on both sides and or their Hebrew name. I didn't think to take my camera, duh, so there are no pics to post other than this one which is right after their birth, stolen from Jill's Facebook, sorry Jill.

Jill and Ken also have an older son Solomon. So with the three kids their house is a busy one. We wish them all the best and congrats on the newborns. Now it is off to work for the night.

Beautiful Sunny Day!!

Ok, almost caught up. The other day was absolutely gorgeous here. Around eighty degrees and sunny, had to work unfortunately, but before going in I went downtown and took some pictures. The first here is a full 360 degree panoramic of downtown Juneau from the small float dock near the Hangar at the Warf. If you look closely you will notice a young couple dancing on the dock under the bow of a cruise ship. They were doing the tango!!

One of the many float planes that do tours on the glacier, getting ready for take off. The mountain in the back ground is Mt. Jumbo on Douglas Island. We are hoping for a good day and time off to do that summit this summer. If the weather is good the photos should be awesome!

This is the Merchants Warf that houses many small tourist shops and The Hangar Rest., the most beers on tap in Juneau, over 100!! The mountain behind is Mt. Juneau and really is as vertical as it looks. It was such a gorgeous day! The large white building is SeaAlaska, a native corporation.

One of the older cruise ships from water level. The building to the left is our parking garage, I believe it is about 6 stories tall. These ships are massive and literally dwarf downtown. They carry more passengers and crew on one boat than all the residents of the immediate downtown area and sometimes we can have up to six in at a time. It gets really crazy downtown on those days!!

In contrast, this small wooden craft powered by a wood burning steam engine, is very small and cute. It takes a limited number of passengers for a trip down the channel and gives info on the sites and history of the area. It really is a very cool boat.
Well that is about it for today. More to come if the weather returns!! Take care.