Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Way Things Work Out...For the Better
I decided to see if I could climb up the mountain to recover some of the goat hair that was falling off the goats I saw yesterday. See, my thinking was that when Peggie gets around to making a Skagway-for-the-summer quilt, she could incorporate things like goat hair. My impression was that the spot might be within climbing distance even for me. I wanted to go up in the evening after it had cooled off a bit. I knew that it might not be easy climbing so I wanted Peggie to come as my spotter and to get me rescued if necessary. I don't have crazy illusions about my youth and physical condition. She was not even close to being interested in my hare-brained idea. But Don was. So after his last tour got in, he called to see if it would be okay to bring his crazy-over-anything-about-animals crew. Sure. But even they wondered why I wanted goat hair. So we drive up there, get out of the truck, and I point to the spot where the goats were and we start to discuss whether it is possible to cross the gulch to climb the other side. In the time it took me to type that, the three young guys had already reached the bottom of the gulch. One of them seems to be part mountain goat himself. He could pick fairly easy climbing routes and go right up. The other two struggled more, but kept at it. Don and I had already decided that it was too much for us, so we offered guidance about direction and stayed at the truck. The one guy, Blair, made it up there in about ten or fifteen minutes. I could already tell it would have taken me an hour. The other two took longer, but once they were up there they got all excited. They found tracks in the moss. Then some hair stuck to a bush. Then a bedding spot in the shrubs, and lots of hair. They stuffed their pockets and went exploring the mountain side. Coming back down was the same. Blair just jumped from rock to rock and came down as if there was a trail. The other two got trapped in some trees, backtracked, slid on their rumps, and generally struggled. They all got back okay. And with two pockets full of hair and the downey undercoat that is more like wool. They gave this to me like it was mine, then asked if they could keep just a little to show when they take out a tour. I'm thinking, you just climbed all over the mountain to get this, and you're asking me if you can keep some? So I got the hair, and the idea of showing it to tourists, without even climbing over one rock. These guys had such a good time, they asked me if I had any other hare-brained schemes they could participate in. So if I come up with any, I will be sure to include them.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Alaska's little hot spot
At 89 degrees Skagway was Alaska's hot spot today. There are 61 active wildfires in Alaska right now. This is not normal, and the forecast is for more of the same all week. Judging by the hazy air, Yukon probably has fires, too. But at least fanning at the mosquitoes keeps us cool. I heard a little girl complaining to her mother about the heat "I thought we were going to Alaska. It's supposed to be cold."
Or maybe, that's what I said to Peggie.
We Arizonans are used to the asphalt melting. It is melting here, so they spread sand to soak up the seeping oil. This is on the highway out of town, not in the town itself.
Today on my tour we saw a brown (black) bear with really long hair. I am sure I haven't seen that one before, and he was in a place where I've seen a black one before. Then we saw some mountain goats all lying down on the Goat Mountain not too high up. Then on Sheep Mountain we saw a ram who, after awhile, struck a pose like he wanted the cover of Field and Stream. On the way back the mountain goats, four adults and two kids, were moving around. One of the kids seemed to be trying out his ability to move around on steep rocks. We heard him bleating and his mom came running. They are feeling the heat, too. Their hair is clumping off. It was neat to see all these animals so close. "Did you take a picture?" Karin asks. (hit myself in the forehead) "No. I forgot I had the camera."
At least the store had ice cream today, so after dinner we went bear hunting in Dyea, then came back for ice cream. No bears in Dyea.
The sun will be setting in another hour, so I am going to bed.
You will be reading this on 7-7 so Happy Birthday, Margie. I wish your age and our temperature were the same. No,No,No, I'm not wanting you to be older, I want us to be colder.
It is 10:15 and they are moving trains around and it reminded me of a piece of trivia for you all. The White Pass and Yukon Route company invented the container shipping system now used world wide. I had lunch with the grandson of the man who concocted the idea. He also designed the low-boy cars they carry them on.
Or maybe, that's what I said to Peggie.
We Arizonans are used to the asphalt melting. It is melting here, so they spread sand to soak up the seeping oil. This is on the highway out of town, not in the town itself.
Today on my tour we saw a brown (black) bear with really long hair. I am sure I haven't seen that one before, and he was in a place where I've seen a black one before. Then we saw some mountain goats all lying down on the Goat Mountain not too high up. Then on Sheep Mountain we saw a ram who, after awhile, struck a pose like he wanted the cover of Field and Stream. On the way back the mountain goats, four adults and two kids, were moving around. One of the kids seemed to be trying out his ability to move around on steep rocks. We heard him bleating and his mom came running. They are feeling the heat, too. Their hair is clumping off. It was neat to see all these animals so close. "Did you take a picture?" Karin asks. (hit myself in the forehead) "No. I forgot I had the camera."
At least the store had ice cream today, so after dinner we went bear hunting in Dyea, then came back for ice cream. No bears in Dyea.
The sun will be setting in another hour, so I am going to bed.
You will be reading this on 7-7 so Happy Birthday, Margie. I wish your age and our temperature were the same. No,No,No, I'm not wanting you to be older, I want us to be colder.
It is 10:15 and they are moving trains around and it reminded me of a piece of trivia for you all. The White Pass and Yukon Route company invented the container shipping system now used world wide. I had lunch with the grandson of the man who concocted the idea. He also designed the low-boy cars they carry them on.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
You asked for it.
Okay, readers, we really enjoy your comments and respond when appropriate.
So, Greg. Some people with too much time on their hands and charitable hearts write numbers on the bottom of 1000 little ducks with a Sharpie. Then tickets are printed with corresponding numbers. You purchase a ticket, fill out your contact info and go on about your business. At the appointed time and place, which in this case was Pullen Creek at 5:00pm on the 4th, the 1000 duckies are dumped into the stream. They float to a catchment point far enough downstream so spectators can cheer them on. The first duck to reach the finish line wins a prize ($1000)and five more are randomly selected to win a smaller prize ($100). Afterwards, anyone could exchange their losing ticket for a losing duck to keep as a souvenir. If you won, you get to keep your winning duck. Most people did not take a duck, so they will be reused in following years. The event is sponsored and the ticket receipts are used for whatever outfit is the beneficiary. Here it was the Chamber of Commerce. They also sell Ducky Derby T-shirts, so I have one.
That was just one of the quirky activities during the day, in addition to some ordinary things like, arm wrestling, horseshoes, softball tournament, food booths, and a beer garden. The slow bike race was cool. The winner is the last one to cross an intersection without weaving, stopping, or putting a foot down. They started with kids. One youngster did not understand the concept. He crossed the intersection, then went the whole block full-out before anyone could tell him it was a sloooow race. There is nothing like a parade in a small town. The co-grand marshalls were the two still-locals who were born here in 1959. They rode in a nearly 100 year old Model T. There was a bagpipe band from Whitehorse, a troop of Mounties in the classic red coat uniform, several classic cars, hastily made floats, fire engine spraying water on spectators, 6 dachsunds pulling a sled, and clowns. And after marching the 8 blocks that comprise the "downtown," they circled the last block and came back again, so we got to see the whole thing twice! I bet Macy's and Pasadena don't do that!
Then today, as I was eating breakfast, I heard the now familiar boom of the bear-scaring gun, so I looked out the window...at the bear!! Right away two RR company trucks pulled up and the bear jumped the tracks and headed up the mountain. Then the bear went over the mountain, the bear went over the mountain....sorry, the tune just popped into my head. It's my mother's fault. Actually, several minutes later I could hear him not too far up the hill crashing his way through the trees. You can bet I kept my eyes and ears open when I went over by the tracks to get my bus.
Did we mention in an earlier blog that bears are coming into town a lot, and that "they" use some kind of BOOM, BLAM, BANG to scare them off? It can wake you right out of a sound sleep.
Remember we came here to get out of the heat? We are now in another multi-day heat wave. It is like warm days in February in Tucson, but that is heat here. And we didn't bring warm weather work clothes. We had to turn on the A/C again today. Buildings here don't even have A/C. The snow is once again on go-away-fast mode, so the rivers are up.
Peggie had the day off and she actually got her sewing machine out, so she needed the A/C. She is the loser in the 'who-has-the-best-sewing-room' competition. Janie has the toy hauler part of her trailer, Karin has the slide out living room, Peggie has an 18"x24" computer table shoved up against the sofa.
That brings us up to date. Somebody has a birthday soon....I'm sure it will come to me.
So, Greg. Some people with too much time on their hands and charitable hearts write numbers on the bottom of 1000 little ducks with a Sharpie. Then tickets are printed with corresponding numbers. You purchase a ticket, fill out your contact info and go on about your business. At the appointed time and place, which in this case was Pullen Creek at 5:00pm on the 4th, the 1000 duckies are dumped into the stream. They float to a catchment point far enough downstream so spectators can cheer them on. The first duck to reach the finish line wins a prize ($1000)and five more are randomly selected to win a smaller prize ($100). Afterwards, anyone could exchange their losing ticket for a losing duck to keep as a souvenir. If you won, you get to keep your winning duck. Most people did not take a duck, so they will be reused in following years. The event is sponsored and the ticket receipts are used for whatever outfit is the beneficiary. Here it was the Chamber of Commerce. They also sell Ducky Derby T-shirts, so I have one.
That was just one of the quirky activities during the day, in addition to some ordinary things like, arm wrestling, horseshoes, softball tournament, food booths, and a beer garden. The slow bike race was cool. The winner is the last one to cross an intersection without weaving, stopping, or putting a foot down. They started with kids. One youngster did not understand the concept. He crossed the intersection, then went the whole block full-out before anyone could tell him it was a sloooow race. There is nothing like a parade in a small town. The co-grand marshalls were the two still-locals who were born here in 1959. They rode in a nearly 100 year old Model T. There was a bagpipe band from Whitehorse, a troop of Mounties in the classic red coat uniform, several classic cars, hastily made floats, fire engine spraying water on spectators, 6 dachsunds pulling a sled, and clowns. And after marching the 8 blocks that comprise the "downtown," they circled the last block and came back again, so we got to see the whole thing twice! I bet Macy's and Pasadena don't do that!
Then today, as I was eating breakfast, I heard the now familiar boom of the bear-scaring gun, so I looked out the window...at the bear!! Right away two RR company trucks pulled up and the bear jumped the tracks and headed up the mountain. Then the bear went over the mountain, the bear went over the mountain....sorry, the tune just popped into my head. It's my mother's fault. Actually, several minutes later I could hear him not too far up the hill crashing his way through the trees. You can bet I kept my eyes and ears open when I went over by the tracks to get my bus.
Did we mention in an earlier blog that bears are coming into town a lot, and that "they" use some kind of BOOM, BLAM, BANG to scare them off? It can wake you right out of a sound sleep.
Remember we came here to get out of the heat? We are now in another multi-day heat wave. It is like warm days in February in Tucson, but that is heat here. And we didn't bring warm weather work clothes. We had to turn on the A/C again today. Buildings here don't even have A/C. The snow is once again on go-away-fast mode, so the rivers are up.
Peggie had the day off and she actually got her sewing machine out, so she needed the A/C. She is the loser in the 'who-has-the-best-sewing-room' competition. Janie has the toy hauler part of her trailer, Karin has the slide out living room, Peggie has an 18"x24" computer table shoved up against the sofa.
That brings us up to date. Somebody has a birthday soon....I'm sure it will come to me.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Ducky Derby
Our ducks raced their little hearts out but didn't win the $1000 or $100 for us. Oh well, we think they're great anyway!
The Parade!
We walked into town for the 4th of July parade today. I'll post just a few pictures of the happenings. Nap time and then we'll head back out for more activities.
Celebrating Alaska's birthday...
Celebrating Alaska's birthday...
A few of our friends from the north...they stayed afterwards and played some great music...
A classical car club from Fairbanks and Anchorage came with some great cars. This was a fun license plate...
Not everyone in Alaska is a Sarah Palin fan...
We watched the flag-raising ceremony at the post office. Although Alaska became a state officially in January of 1959, the 49 star flag could not be flown until July 4, 1959. It didn't get much wear and tear before we had a 50 star flag. The Skagway museum allowed the original Skagway flag to be flown today.
Not everyone in Alaska is a Sarah Palin fan...
We watched the flag-raising ceremony at the post office. Although Alaska became a state officially in January of 1959, the 49 star flag could not be flown until July 4, 1959. It didn't get much wear and tear before we had a 50 star flag. The Skagway museum allowed the original Skagway flag to be flown today.
It's the 4th of July!
Happy Birthday, United States!
We had our fireworks on July 3rd because the company that does the fireworks has to be in Haines tonight to set off theirs.
We didn't really mind. It was a fun way to start the festivities in Skagway. Look, it even got kind of dark. We all really enjoyed the fireworks. The show lasted about 20-25 minutes and came from two areas. The ferry blew it's horn very loudly to lots of applause and then there was a small finale of fireworks from the barge. Then another few loud bellows from the ferry and we came home.
Here are a few celebrants awaiting the fireworks. They look rather tame, don't you think?
We had our fireworks on July 3rd because the company that does the fireworks has to be in Haines tonight to set off theirs.
We didn't really mind. It was a fun way to start the festivities in Skagway. Look, it even got kind of dark. We all really enjoyed the fireworks. The show lasted about 20-25 minutes and came from two areas. The ferry blew it's horn very loudly to lots of applause and then there was a small finale of fireworks from the barge. Then another few loud bellows from the ferry and we came home.
Here are a few celebrants awaiting the fireworks. They look rather tame, don't you think?This morning we have the parade, the firefighters barbeque, the Ducky Derby (we're entering--more later) and FRIED PICKLES! I don't know about that one.
FYI: IT WAS ABOUT 11:00 P.M. WHEN I TOOK THIS PICTURE OF THE CELEBRANTS.
FYI: IT WAS ABOUT 11:00 P.M. WHEN I TOOK THIS PICTURE OF THE CELEBRANTS.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Grizzly details.
In the previous entry in which DON GOT HIMSELF STUCK IN THE MUD AND I HAD TO GET HIM OUT the bear was a grizzly. I apologize for the ommission of detail. I have taught many fifth graders that description helps your reader to see, hear, taste, smell, feel what you are telling. But in my defense, the main idea was that DON GOT HIMSELF STUCK IN THE MUD AND I HAD TO GET HIM OUT. Also, this is a blog and I can relax some of the conventions of formal writing.
The normal everyday (almost) bears are still interesting. Today we saw Cindy alone on the side of the road. I could tell it was Cindy because it was in the right neighborhood and only Mabel would let a cub alone like that. Yesterday as I topped a small rise I thought for a flash that a horse was in the road. It was a bear the color that so many horses have,(sorrel?) but not that big. He was the biggest normal everyday bear I have seen.
Also, yesterday, I made a second run just to the summit (where the Welcome to Alaska sign is). Some inconsiderate bear left a large pile of scat in the downhill lane. He was inconsiderate because he did it sometime between my trip up and my trip down. And I didn't see him. Somewhere, someone who saw him is authoritatively telling everyone that bears do NOT scat in the woods afterall. What a great story. But what is next? Is the Pope really Catholic?
Happy Birthday, Dick. You and Margie and I have those meaningless birthdays this year. But Happy Birthday, anyway. I didn't have any cake today, but I was thinking about you when I had some ice cream.
The normal everyday (almost) bears are still interesting. Today we saw Cindy alone on the side of the road. I could tell it was Cindy because it was in the right neighborhood and only Mabel would let a cub alone like that. Yesterday as I topped a small rise I thought for a flash that a horse was in the road. It was a bear the color that so many horses have,(sorrel?) but not that big. He was the biggest normal everyday bear I have seen.
Also, yesterday, I made a second run just to the summit (where the Welcome to Alaska sign is). Some inconsiderate bear left a large pile of scat in the downhill lane. He was inconsiderate because he did it sometime between my trip up and my trip down. And I didn't see him. Somewhere, someone who saw him is authoritatively telling everyone that bears do NOT scat in the woods afterall. What a great story. But what is next? Is the Pope really Catholic?
Happy Birthday, Dick. You and Margie and I have those meaningless birthdays this year. But Happy Birthday, anyway. I didn't have any cake today, but I was thinking about you when I had some ice cream.
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