Beautiful Skies
Steve is on his seven days off rotation, which we both love. The first couple of days are always lazy for him/us as he recuperates from working, but tomorrow we’re planning to take a scenic drive down the Richardson Hwy to Black Rapids. I hope the weather is as nice tomorrow as it’s been the last couple of days.
Yesterday, we had the most gorgeous sunrise colors. When the sun rose above the horizon, it painted the clouds a deep pink and purplish color. The sky was a deep turquoise, which added to the beauty of the morning sky. These sunrise colors only lasted about 15 minutes before the entire sky brightened up, but I couldn’t resist stepping out on the back deck with my camera and capturing what I could.
In this photo, you can see the birds in the tops of the birch trees, waiting for me to go back in the house so they can raid the feeders.
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FULL WOLF MOON
Did you see the beautiful full moon last night? I hope you had clear skies in your area. What a beautiful moon it was - so bright as it lit up the landscape.
Last night’s full moon is called the “Wolf Moon” - a moniker dating back to Native American culture and the notion that hungry wolves howled at the full moon on cold winter nights. Each month brings another full moon name.
From the page linked above:
Jan. 30, 1:18 a.m. EST – Full Wolf Moon. Amid the zero cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. It was also known as the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule. In some tribes this was the Full Snow Moon; most applied that name to the next moon. The Moon will also arrive at perigee (it’s closest point to Earth on its non-circular orbit) less than three hours later, at 4:04 a.m. EST at a distance of 221,577 mi. (356,593 km.) from Earth. So this is the biggest full moon of 2010. Very high ocean tides can be expected during the next two or three days, thanks to the coincidence of perigee with full moon.
A few weeks ago, I came upon an old 2x teleconverter from my film camera days. I was surprised to see that it fit my camera and lenses, and so I thought I’d give it a try for photographing not only the moon, but Mars too (which appears as a red star in the sky, just left of the moon).
It’s not the best quality glass, but it did the job well at getting me closer to the moon (and Mars). I think I might invest in a better made teleconverter, rather than a much pricier longer zoom lens. What I wish I had was a telescope with a camera mount so that I could get really close!
While Mars is visible to the naked eye (barely), it doesn’t look much better through a zoom lens. All I was able to capture was the red glow of the planet, but how exciting!
You can see how bright the moonlight was, by how lit up our front yard is. Also, you might be able to see the moon ring (over the roof of our house) that encircled the moon on and off throughout the evening,
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KODIAK ALASKA
Steve and I have been discussing summer plans, and we’re quite excited about the possibility of going to Kodiak this summer. We’ve never been to Kodiak, so it will be new territory for us. At first we thought we’d take the camper with us (via ferry), but the price is way too high, and the ferry can not handle a combined length of 51′ of vehicle. There is a way (called ’shuffling’) where the truck and camper are loaded, and unloaded, separately - but it’s really so much work and costs extra.
The other options would be to go by ferry and take our truck; staying in a hotel or B&B while there, or fly and secure lodging and a rental vehicle. There’s a Coast Guard Station there, which provides the possibility of base lodging, but we haven’t done any research into that yet.
For those who are unfamiliar with where Kodiak is located, I downloaded this map of AK from Google Earth to show you:
Because Steve will probably take some vacation time to stretch his usual week off to two full weeks, we’d most likely tow the camper to Homer and leave it there for several days while we travel to Kodiak. The ferry ride takes about 9.5 hours each way.
Kodiak Island, the jewel of Alaska-is an emerald isle off the southwestern coast of Alaska’s mainland. Founded in 1792, Kodiak is Alaska’s oldest and most historic, European community. The influences of 8,000 year-old Koniag and Aleut Native cultures, early Russian explorers, fur traders and the thriving commercial fishing industry are woven throughout Kodiak’s character.
Kodiak is a modern city with a rich history. It sits in the middle of the world’s most productive fishing grounds, making it Alaska’s largest fishing port. Kodiak is a service base for fishing vessels in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea.
Nature’s handiwork created a place of spectacular scenic beauty and a wilderness ideally suited for land, sea and marine life. Two-thirds of the island consists of the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Close to 3,000 giant Kodiak brown bears make their home here, along with deer, fox, goat, sea lions, whales, salmon, crab and halibut. Sea otters and river otters grace the waterways with their playful antics. Eagles, puffins, cormorants, gulls and ducks are but a few of the feathered inhabitants of Kodiak.
Blessed with a temperate marine climate, Kodiak Island offers year round visitors year-round events and activities such as hiking and boating, fishing and hunting, scuba diving, flying, beach combing, bird watching, sightseeing and photography.
It all sounds so exciting, especially the bear viewing opportunities. We might even book a bear trip while we’re there!
We haven’t made any reservations yet, and everything is still in the planning stages, but we both hope that this can come to be. We’ve always wanted to visit Kodiak.
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VISITING KAYLA AND FAMILY
Our trip to NC to visit with Kayla and family is soon approaching. All of our reservations have been made, so it’s just a matter of waiting until it’s time to go. I do hope the weather is nice while we’re there. Robby and Kayla just moved into a new home on a bigger farm, and we’re quite happy for them. We’re looking forward to seeing their new home, as well as meeting Kayla’s husband and family, and also seeing Colt again. And of course I’m excited about seeing Kayla’s pregnant “Buddha belly”. Maybe she’ll let me take some photos of her pretty belly *hint hint, Kayla*!
We have on overnight layover in Seattle, and made reservations at a hotel near the airport, since we’ll be getting into SEATAC late in the evening. The next morning we plan to take the Link Light Rail system downtown for some sight-seeing. We will have until late afternoon to check out some of the attractions before having to start back to the airport for our flight home to Fairbanks. I’d like to see Pike Place Market and do the Seattle Underground Tour at the very least, but the full list of interesting things to see and do while in Seattle would take much more than one long afternoon! Guess that means, we’d need to go back. *grin*
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YUKON QUEST
The Yukon Quest is on the 6th and it starts right here in Fairbanks. Steve is working that day, but you can bet I’ll be downtown for the start! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen dogs run, and I’m excited about photographing the festivities.
Until next time…
Susan Let me be the first of many people that will
send in a comment on this Journal All I can say is
what a breath taking photos that you took this time
So very beautiful Susan Also about the Moon We had so much rain the past couple days We didn’t get to see any moon It was so beautiful according to your pictures that you took of it This is why we love seeing your photos and reading your Journal
I know that you are really happy to have Steve home
for that time
Please take care Our Love To You Both John and Shirley
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Thank you John and Shirley. We had such beautiful skies… perfect for moon viewing. And it wasn’t very cold either, so I was able to stand out there without freezing.
Sorry you had rain and weren’t able to see it. It was a lovely sight indeed.
Steve and I both love when he’s off for a week. We’re looking forward to taking a scenic drive tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll get some pretty photos.
Take care!
Susan
xoxoxox
[Reply]
Comment by John and Shirley Strauser — January 30, 2010 @ 6:33 pm
Wow Susan, your photo of the moon is awesome!! We had snow storms here, so we were not able to see the full moon. Thanks for photographing it and sharing it with us!! Keep the pics coming, we always enjoy them!
Owen
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Thanks, Owen. We had a great view of the moon last night. Nice clear skies with only enough clouds and mist to make it even more beautiful.
I’m happy you are enjoying my blog.
Take care,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Owen Miller — January 30, 2010 @ 7:22 pm
Susan, If I send you a note about Kodiak, can you keep it off the website? Just some thoughts about our bear watching experience in Kodiak. Thanks.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Hi Rita,
By all means. Email it to susan@susanstevenson.com
Look forward to hearing from you.
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Rita — January 30, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
Susan,
I’ve been reading your blog for some time now (maybe a year?!) and figured it was time to finally post a comment. I love all of the pictures! Your work is amazing. Alaska is such a beautiful place.
Originally, I found your blog and started reading just because I was interested in hearing about daily life of people living in AK. I’ve always been interested in the state so what better way to get a feel for it than by reading a few blogs!
My husband is in the Air Force and we just recently found out that his job is changing and we need to figure out where we want to go in August of next year and Alaska is at the top of our list! I haven’t quite persuaded him to agree to Fairbanks, but he likes the Anchorage area! Here’s hoping we get orders to at least one of them!!
Thanks so much for sharing Alaska with the rest of us. It’s been very interesting to see all of the pictures of the changes in seasons and just daily life in general!!
Lori
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
January 31st, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Hi Lori, and thanks for commenting! I’m happy that you’ve been enjoying my blog. How exciting for you to have the possibility to spend a few years in AK! It is a place unlike any other, and whether you land in Anchorage or Fairbanks - as long as you view it as a great adventure, and take advantage of all the wonderful things there are to see and do here - you’re going to make the most wonderful memories.
No matter where you end up, be sure that you get out on the open road and explore. The views will humble you, the wildlife will thrill you, and the people will welcome you.
Many people come here with the military and don’t take the time to hit the road and see where it leads them. If you do that, you will leave here with many fabulous memories (and photos), and I’m sure that a piece of Alaska will always remain in your heart. Who knows? You may end up like so many of us and decide that AK is where you need to be even after your days in the military are over.
If you have any questions about life in Fairbanks, please don’t hesitate to email me privately (or ask here). If you think Anchorage is going to be a better fit, check out the Yahoo Group: Alaska Living at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alaska-Living/ The membership there is from all over the state and they’re a friendly bunch who can answer any questions you may have. I joined in 2002, a year before we moved up here, and the members were a huge help!
Warm regards,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Lori — January 31, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
Kodiak Island is truly spectacular! Kodiak town is cool - King crab fishing capital of the world and home to the largest coast guard base in the US. Lots of historical sites and museums to check out.
If you can, try to get over to the western, more remote side of the island. If you are interested in staying in a luxurious wilderness / fishing lodge, I would highly recommend Kodiak Legends Lodge (www.kodiaklegendslodge.com) in Larsen Bay.
The lodge has its own float plane and offers fly out bear treks - you can sit there for hours in awe and watch these amazing creatures interact and catch salmon. The lodge also offer fly fishing and saltwater fishing as well as various eco adventure activities, like hiking to waterfalls and kayaking. It is truly five star - hot tub, gourmet cuisine and several private suites.
There are several daily flights between Kodiak and Larsen Bay on Island Air http://www.kodiakislandair.com/)
Enjoy the Emerald Isle!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Thanks for that link. We’re still doing our research on Kodiak, and not quite sure what we’ll have time to do, but thank you for your input. It sounds like a great place to visit! We’re looking forward to it.
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Trent — January 31, 2010 @ 9:54 pm
I love the pictures! The colors there are so amazing. Well We moved friday. And I have just about got everything unpacked. I really over did it this weekend. I’m pooped! LOL. But we really don’t know what to think about all the space. I think Robby said the house was 2400 sq. ft.???? We like it. It don’t feel like home yet, but I’m sure it will with time.
We can’t wait to see you guys either. Robby is really excited to meet dad. And Looney and My mom are looking foward to meeting you! They love your work!
Well 24 days until I get to see your wonderful faces again. You have no idea now excited I am. It’s been exactly 1 yr since I’ve see ya’ll. I would take that over 21 years in a heart beat.
I would be delighted for you to take some pictures of my big belly. I hope you can photo shop out my strech marks from when I was pregnant with Colt. I hate them things, but it comes with it. LOL. Well I think this comment is long enough. I love ya! X0X0
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Hi Kayla!
Congrats on your new home! We can’t wait to see it - and of course to see YOU and Colt! And we can’t wait to meet the rest of the family too. Looking forward to it!
I definitely plan to take photos of your beautiful pregnant belly. I hope the weather is nice, because I’d love to get photos of you outdoors. I’m excited to think of the possibilities. And of course some photos of your family too. As for the stretch marks… they are a sign of motherhood, but Photoshop is very forgiving, if that’s what you prefer. *grin*
Love you!
Susan (and Steve)
[Reply]
Comment by Kayla Melton — February 1, 2010 @ 4:05 am
Thank you again for a beautiful post! We just found out a family member will be stationed at a military base in AK but I’m not sure which one. He is very very thrilled to be assigned to your beautiful state!
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
February 2nd, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Hi Susan! How exciting for your family member! No matter what base they will be stationed at, have them check out the Alaska Living Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alaska-Living/) for quite a bit of information about relocating to AK. I’ve been a member since 2002 and they were such a lifesaver in advising me on what I needed to prepare for a move to the arctic.
If they are coming to Fort Wainwright (Army) or Eielson AFB (Air Force), by all means have them email me directly and I’ll gladly answer any questions they have about living in the interior.
Take care,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Another Susan — February 1, 2010 @ 10:11 pm