Fabulous Fall Furlough

The Hank Snow song, "I've been everywhere" constantly plays in my head when I talk to people about my adventures in and out of Alaska.  As a matter of fact, you may want to Hit Play now while I recount the tale of my last journey... it begins years ago...

I started my job teaching about mining (among other things) and I loved being able to tell people I had been lucky enough to tour every large scale mine and project in the state of Alaska.  Every now and then someone would ask me if I had been out to Kennecott Mine and I would hang my head in shame and whisper a sheepish No. For some reason, Kennecott had evaded me and my constant travels throughout Alaska.  The reason could have been one of many things:

-Length of time it takes to get out there (7 hours)?

-Who really needs to see a dilapidated mine?

-Who would I want to spend that much time in a car with?

-Would I camp?

-Where would I camp?

-etc.excuse.etc.excuse.etc

The trip would come up every year when my friend Greg and I would discuss our backpacking/camping trips and we would always get excited about the idea of going out there.  Then one day this summer, Greg calls to inform me his boss has property in McCarthy along with a converted bus that we can stay in.  The property also had a wood-fired hot tub, four wheelers, and acres of woods to explore.  It sounded like McCarthy/Kennecott just might happen... but it didn't.

FINALLY, the stars aligned and the trip was planned for mid-September.  Greg's friend Jeff was up from Denver and we were ready to make the trip. Unfortunately, I had just returned from another vacation and only had about 4 hours to plan, pack and cook food (unless I wanted to eat hotdogs the whole time).  We were heading out on Sunday and coming back late Tuesday and I was ecstatic to finally be making the journey.

Hours.. and hours.. and hours... later we arrived to see Gladys the Bus waiting for us.  A fire was made, beers were cracked, and our exploring began!

The next day we drove to the footbridge outside of town and made the mile-long walk into McCarthy.  We explored the quaint little town, bought our tickets for the shuttle up to the mine and waited while taking in the local scenery (sights and people).

Once we got to the mine we had lunch at the lodge and were amazed by the view of the glacial moraine.  It seems unimaginable that the valley could have been filled by a glacier just over 100 years ago. We walked along the abandoned buildings and hiked up and behind the mine for a better view.

The trip was absolutely amazing, the weather was perfect, the company entertaining. Nights were filled with sitting around the fire being astounded by the stars, and days were consumed by taking in the beautiful fall colors and blue skies.  Fall was the perfect time to go because of the colors, the lack of tourists and mosquitoes and the brisk chill in the air. Overall, a perfect trip.

To see more pictures click HERE and use the password: pictures1

Kennecott Facts:

-Named after Robert Kennicott, a naturalist who explored Alaska in the mid 1800's.  The name of the mine was misspelled on documents which is why you will see Kennecott and Kennicott throughout the town and mine.

-The mine was open from 1908-1938 with a two year closure.  During that time 4.6 million tons of ore was mined.

-The Copper River and Northwestern Railway (see pics) took the 1st load of ore from Kennecott to Cordova in 1911.

-The glacial moraine that runs in front of the mine comes from the Kennicott Glacier.

-You reach the mine by taking the Edgerton Highway to Chitina where you take the 60 mile long dirt McCarthy Rd to a footbridge. There, you must walk (or shuttle every hour) into McCarthy where you can reach the mine 5 miles away by foot or by the shuttle.

-Kennecott had five mines: Bonanza, Jumbo, Mother Lode, Erie and Glacier.

Back in the Saddle Again!

I love finding new blogs (especially if they are about quilting or food) and I came across a really cool blog with a really cool feature; Foodie Penpals!  You sign up, and every month you find out who you are sending to, and who is sending to you.  You send them something from your area, something homemade (if you so choose) and something that they will like (obviously).  

August was my first month as a Foodie Penpal and I sent some Alaskan stuff to Nebraska and received some rather odd vegan food from Massachusetts like seaweed snacks.. yuck..  but it was something new and kinda cool!

  Another point of the Foodie Penpals is to learn about other people's blogs so I thought I better keep up with mine now so that there is something up to date for people to read.  

Until next time, maybe you should sign up to be a Foodie Penpal!! 

Someone Finally Came to Visit!!

Ya know how you have those people that are constantly saying they are going to come visit but never do? Well my friend Stefanie finally did! 

Her and her hubby Thanh came up for a quick 3 day whirlwind tour of Alaska. 

Day #1-- Drove to Seward and visited Exit Glacier, went to Miller's Landing, had a nice dinner and hit the bars (we couldn't drink too much because we were fishing early in the a.m)

Day #2: 10 Hour Halbut Fishing Charter.  We took a two hour boat ride out near Montague Island and dropped our bait.  After what seemed like eternity, and no bites, we decided to move to a new location. This, I admit to say, was after I puked overboard-- yep, classy.

We all caught our limit (Stefanie had the biggest catch of the day) and had a great time!

Deckhand Big Paul and I with my "smaller" halibut.

Our fishing Crew and our Fish.  (the two girls on the right were WASTED most of the trip)

Steffy and our pompous Captain Jeff.. and her halibut.

We were entertained by two dall porpoises that were playing next to the boat.

All in all it was a great time. I enjoyed having Stefanie and Thanh here and hope they come back next year for Part Two of my Alaska Tour! :)

Arkansas; Part deux.

I'm home from my second trip to Arkansas to see Margaret and her family.  Last time I went in May and it was beautiful and this time in April it was equally as beautiful.  All the trees were budding and flowers were blooming and better than anything-- there was no snow!!


This trip was filled with kids, babies, cooking, relaxing, reading, and three other noteworthy things (not that kids and babies aren't..):
1) Cheese Making
2) The Spa
3) The Horse Races


Cheese Making: The last time I was in Arkansas (two years ago), Margaret had bought a book and the supplies to make cheese. We never found the time to do it so we made time this go-around.  We made Mozzarella Cheese and it was delicious!! It was easier than I thought and although someone gave up at the end (uh hem.. not me).. we still came out with a great end product.

The Spa: Margaret and her family live about 45 minutes away from Hot Springs, Arkansas. This is a historic area of Arkansas with hot spring bath houses.  I decided to treat my friend to a trip to the spa (and after a week with three little ones, I can now imagine how much she needed it!)... Neither one of us had ever been to a spa or had a massage. As someone who doesn't particularly care to be touched by people I don't know- I wasn't sure if I'd like it... 
So, we get to the spa, get in our robes, get in our room and by this point, have not stopped giggling the entire time.  Then the massage started and I was whisked away to a land of ooh's and ahh's..  We had a massage, foot rub and facial and they were all amazing.

 Horse Races: As Marge and I were driving through town we noticed lots of people heading one way.. I asked Marge where they were going and she said very non chalantly, "Probably the horse track"..  I knew immediately I had to join those people!  I had never been to a horse race, never had any desire to go to a horse race, but the mere thought of not going was out of the question.  So, after the spa- to the track we went!!  It truly is amazing the number of people that go, bet, sit all day (inside and out), and watch horses race for about 2 minutes at a time..  I loved it.  I bet on two races and won on two-- total earnings for the day: $15!  Had I not just been rubbed down with oil at the spa, Marge may have had to endure a longer stay at the racetrack..  For the record: Horses are beautiful animals and jockeys are funny little men.. tiny, tiny, men.. (I think seeing them was the best part!)

(my winning tickets)

Overall my trip to Arkansas was great! I loved getting to know Margaret's kiddos and having fun with them.. Marge and I are friends that never should have been-- We worked together at Big Brothers Big Sisters and she didn't like me! :)  Now, she is more like a sister to me than a friend and I am very grateful to have her in my life.

♥ ♥ Geoffrey, Opal, Margaret and Penny Sue ♥ ♥



Making myself a Parliament..

of Owls that is!  (a parliament is a grouping of owls)  :)

I saw these adorable pillows on a sewing blog and just knew I had to make one.. and one turned into two which turned into.. well, you get the point!

This first little owl was my test pillow.  I didn't purchase the pattern so I was winging it (no pun intended) with sizes and shapes and such.. I could NOT get the feet to work so I ended up using those cheap stretchy winter gloves you get for a buck.. They were easy to use but turned out looking a little funky... 

Owl #2 was much more successful.

They Never Get Old

This will be my 5th year back in Alaska and no matter how many times I see them,

moose are still exciting to see. 

This little one was in my front yard when I came home from work one day.  She made her way around my house munching on trees.  She was totally content with me sticking my head out the door 10 feet away from her to snap some pictures.  Zoe was in the window hissing at her when she came right up to the window fogging it up with her breath. 

I love Alaska.

It's plain and simple really.  I live in the most beautiful state.

I looked out my window at work the other morning and this was the sunrise (granted it was about 10:30 am or so) but it was still beautiful!

Let's just hope this summer is as beautiful!