Welcome Rain
It has been raining for two days. Nothing really heavy. Mostly sprinkles, with only a few heavier periods thrown into the mix. I love spring rain. I’ve missed the rain.
I’ve always been a fan of rain - as long as it doesn’t go on, and on, and on. If it lasts too long, the gray skies can get me a little down. But a couple of days here and there are fine with me. Especially in the spring. April showers and all…
It appears as if the birds love the rain too. My feeders have been very active lately. The redpolls, juncos, and chickadees have been eating their fill. A pair of downy woodpeckers come by several times a day. The squirrel has returned too. But the best bird sighting I’ve had over the last two days?
A robin!!!
More proof that spring has sprung!
I took my camera out in the yard yesterday and examined the birch saplings that have sprung up between the driveway and the wooded area. First I saw tiny little buds with just a hint of green poking out of the end. And then I reached a taller sapling that had big buds with a lot more green showing. It’s only a matter of time and the trees will be 
full of gorgeous green leaves, rustling in the breeze, providing shade, and blocking a dozen channels from reaching my TV satellite dish. *grin* (A small price to pay for the glory that is summer in Alaska.)
On Wednesday, before I met up with Deanna and Brian, I walked the foot/bike path behind the Carlson Center. It was such a pretty, sunny, day. There are clumps of willow bushes that grow on the banks of the river. I was delighted to see that the catkins have *exploded*, releasing their seed for a trip on the wind.
Here are a few more photos I’ve taken over the last couple of days:
Downy Woodpecker Pair - The redhead is the male:
Quite the acrobat, Mr Squirrel is:
I took this photo of the Riverboat S.S. Nenana in Pioneer Park:
This is the Tanana Valley RR Museum:
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Our summer trip to Cordova is now booked. A nice man at the Valdez Ferry Terminal informed me that we would be able to park our trailer in long-term parking while we’re in Cordova. Steve is now waiting for confirmation on our RV spot at Bayside for the two days we’ll be camping before we board the ferry.
I also booked our shuttle bus tour into Denali Park during that trip. We’re planning to take the bus to Eielson Visitor Center (mile 66). Steve wanted a late shuttle so that we could spend some time at the Denali Visitor Center, and perhaps take in the dogsled demonstration too. At the very least, we can sleep late.
It has been our experience that most wildlife sightings occur before the Eielson Visitor Center, although there are amazing vistas (and the possibility of seeing wildlife) deeper into the park. Going as far as Eielson is an 8-hour bus ride, which is adequate for our visit.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll win the road lottery for September. If so, we’ll drive all the way to Wonder Lake at that time. For those of you who are new to Alaska, you can find more information about the Denali Road Lottery here. It is an AMAZING experience to be able to drive your own vehicle into the park - stopping anytime you want, and taking as long as you want to drive the road. Well worth the fee to enter! Enter. If you win, you won’t be sorry!
Tomorrow May arrives in AK (still only 10pm here). I remember in December thinking that it would never get here. I am so ready for summer!
Until next time…
I Love the pictures of the S.S. Nenana and the Museum. Its nice to take a photo with no people around. When we visited there were people dotting my photograhs…lol it was June
I want to take pictures at night in the winter with snow undisturbed by foot prints when the christmas lights are lit and the streets are empty
That wiil be later…..now it is Spring!!
Love the squirrel!!
Liz
FL
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
May 1st, 2010 at 4:23 am
The only part of Pioneer Park that was crowded was the playground. The young moms and kids were out in record numbers. In fact, even the carousel was running! But on this side of the park it was empty, all except for a few workers who were pulling the fake wooden doors off the cabins and getting them opened up for the summer vendors.
I know what you mean about photographing a pristine expanse of snow. I love going to Pioneer Park (Gold Rush Town) just after a fresh snow, when the Christmas lights are lit. It’s like being back in time.
But yet - it is SPRING! I am always so happy when I can claim that I survived another winter.
Have a fabulous weekend, Liz!
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Liz McCollough — May 1, 2010 @ 3:24 am
I miss seeing spring come to life in Alaska. I miss going to greenhouses with you! Thankfully with technology now it doesn’t feel like I am that far away from you. Love ya!!!
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
May 1st, 2010 at 8:42 am
Miss you too, Abby! This time of the year is so exciting! The rain can stop now though. *grin* I’m missing sunshine now.
xoxoxoxox
[Reply]
Comment by Abby C. — May 1, 2010 @ 8:35 am
I always used to say that the trees will “bloom” by Mother’s Day and considered that the official beginning to my spring. Don’t know why - just know it worked for me. Love the robin!
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
May 3rd, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Hi Mary. I saw green up in the hills yesterday! It was such a pleasant surprise. It seemed a week or so later last year. I like the idea of Mothers Day being the beginning of spring.
It’s a joy to see robins in the yard. I’ve also got a few snowshoe hares visiting my yard. They’ve almost lost all their white.
I love this time of year!
Take care,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Mary — May 3, 2010 @ 11:53 am