We made it through another weekend - O'Malley Waterfall

O'Malley is still in!

So, it wasn't quite that bad, as bad as my title to this post makes it sound....and we even started out with fun sun glasses, new skies and huge smiles!! And at no point in time did I not feel safe....but I have to say, it was pretty nice when my feet touched the ground!

This is the classic look Sherrie gives when she is completely....annoyed? pissed off? or what the hell was that? And what the hell was that...sluff or avalanches....I'm not sure....the weather just got worse as we went up and we bailed as quickly as we could.....

Nonetheless, it was a great day out...and I still love the long days....We didn't ski O'Malley peak as we wanted to do....exhausted by the end, but back in town before the sun went down......

A day inside the Arctic Circle - Fort Yukon

One of the coolest things about this project is I have been given the opportunity to travel all over the state of Alaska...each area having its own special quality...each area so different from one another....each area possessing its own beauty.

Leaving on a jet plane bright and early.....but what a great site to wake up to!

Fort Yukon is located on the north bank of the Yukon River at its junction with the Porcupine River, about 145 air miles northeast of Fairbanks, about a 45 minute plane ride. There was still snow on the ground and the locals said it had just started to melt the day before. We spent some time in the AC, toured the town by foot, and then by truck with one of the locals!

I would probably have to give up ice cream if I lived here - Yikes!

And just like that its rock climbing season, and the volcano continues to explode!

I don't know where else you can go rock climbing with an exploding volcano as part of the view!

The Last of Hunter Creek....And Sketchy Ice Bridges

I think knowing that I'm most likely going to be missing the ice season next year makes me fired up to try and climb as much as I can....So even with warmer temps I was still pretty fired up to go and check things out......As winter doesn't last forever....

Sherrie and I headed out to Hunter Creek wondering if the river was still in....and it was! We even made it past the Y! Sherrie led a pitch and I led a pitch
temps were warm and the ice was snicy, but fun.....!

On the way out I made the mistake of mentioning that I had never fallen into the river before.....take a look at this hole! Sherrie and I both went down so fast we don't even remember what happened....!

Yes, its coming to an end, but a good season it has been!

Huslia and the Search for Little Green Men...

Another work trip out to the village of Huslia....

Huslia is about an 1 1/2 flight north-west of Fairbanks....

The usual crew - Claudette, Anna, and me.

Two and a half days, three focus groups, and a whole lot of fun!

Selina, a Huslia local, openly welcomed us into her home....
cranberry pancakes, taught us to play pan, introduced us to tons of folks....
Thanks Selina for making our trip so enjoyable!

Suresh, Future Extreme Sledder

Year Three of the Yule Log

Year three of the Yule Log,,,,

And really that is all that needs to be said....

Thank you all for making my life so special.....

The Wise Old Owl - Chalkboard Art # 3

I've always been fascinated by owls....They seem to have some sort of magic, spirit, calmness about them....For centuries they have symbolized wisdom and have the ability to see things that are hidden.....A quality of darkness, freedom and swiftness.....Perhaps to some representing secrets or an omen....not quite sure words really capture the feeling....This guy, I know, still needs a little work...but I'm also feeling its time to move on....I got jellyfish on my mind!