Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier

It has been 2010 for three days now. I haven’t had to write the date on anything yet, but I wonder if I’ll forget and use 2009. It usually happens at least a few times. I know I’ve had to take a split second and think before typing the year on my laptop. It was much easier to tap the double zeroes in 2009, than to have to go searching for the 1, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

On New Year’s Eve, I posted one of the photos from the fireworks show up at UAF, and I wanted to share a few more. It was a cold night and my hands were numb in a very short time. Three batteries died on me (the cold) and I had to take off my outer glove to get into my pocket for a replacement, which was torture. I wear glove liners, but when it’s -25F, they don’t do anything but keep me from getting contact frostbite. I was so happy for my autostart (yay!) and a warm car to climb into. Sedona was happy for the warmth too, I’m sure.

PRESENTING GABRIEL SOLOMON

On the 28th I had a photo session for a family and their new baby boy. Gabriel was born in early December and is 4 weeks old in these photos. He is a precious little boy and was in good spirits during the shoot.

Jessica (mommy) is a dancer and I’ve always admired her talents in performing. I was thrilled when she asked me to capture some special moments with their new baby. I took many photos, but here are a sampling of my favorite:

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In 9 days I will be getting on a plane and on my way to Madison to see my kids! I am so excited! I wish Steve could go with me, but he has to work. I’m looking forward to spending some time with my boys and my favorite daughter in love, Becky. I just hope the weather is a little better when I’m there. Right now it’s really cold in the upper Midwest, and wind chills are in the negatives.  In fact, it looks like wind chills are going to be in the MINUS 20s there tonight. That’s as bad as Alaska! Thank goodness we don’t get wind here though. That’s what really makes it cold.

Steve and I finalized our plans for our trip to NC to visit Kayla and her family in late February, and we’re both looking forward to that trip too.  I sure hope the weather is a little warmer there. Right now, even the southeast is colder than usual.

Steve’s off for 7 days, which worked out really nice. He doesn’t go back to work until later this week. We don’t  have any formal plans, but maybe I can talk him into taking me for a drive up to Chena Hot Springs, or up the Elliott Hwy. We’ll see how the weather is. If it remains at -30F and -35F, I doubt we’ll go for a drive.  It’s just too cold to be out driving on less-traveled roads.

The races at Mushers Headquarters are scheduled to start next Sunday and run every week for the next month.  I hope to attend a few of them and get some photos of the dogs and mushers.  The Yukon Quest is coming up on February 6th, and it starts in Fairbanks this year again. That’s always a great community event to go out for, even if it is -50F.

Lots of stuff to look forward to in the upcoming weeks and months. Before we know it, spring will be upon us.

I love when the new year starts. I feel so rejuvenated!

May you all have wonderful adventures in 2010. I plan to.

Until next time…