Dog on coffee label

For those who asked---the one label I designed for Karen has one of her dogs in it. That dog would be Hector.

Karen's coffee

My friend and musher Karen Ramstead is looking for designs for a bag of coffee. Here are two of my ideas.

Some days are diamonds

Today was a diamond day. Sunny, no wind, temps around a zero. i took my three dog team on a run with my friend Andrea---who just happens to be my vet. She lives on the east side of the Parks Hwy. while I live on the west. I've been in a sled on her side, but never taken my team over there. So, I loaded up and drove the mile to her house. She hooked her four dog team up and we followed them down the trail. Wow---what a hoot. My dogs were jazzed to be chasing another team and they ran full bore for a few miles. We have only run about three and a half miles at a time until today, so after 4 miles or so, my girls were tired. But, they didn't complain and we got back to the house in fine shape. It didn't hurt that Denali was shining in the distance once we got down to the swamp. I guess we'll try this trail again sometime.

Andrea's team with Denali and Foraker in the background.  Just a lovely day to be outside.

Andrea and her team

Maggie, Rosie, me and Pearl taking a break on the swamp trail.

What I saw today

I usually carry a camera with me whenever I go somewhere. You never know when you'll see something that would be a nice photo. I even take my point and shoot when I run my dogs.

I took this shot (right)yesterday from the Imaging Center in Wasilla---ladies get those mammograms please!
The shot shows ice fog over the Knik River and the Hay Flats.

Today, on my way home from the vet, I saw these two Eagles in a tree right next to the Parks Hwy. in Houston. Pretty cool. I never fail to admire these birds.

And finally a shot of the Sleeping Lady taken from the Old Parks Hwy. I love the feathery cloud with fire at the end!

More snow

We got about 6 inches of snow last night. I spent a few hours today plowing the driveway and then snow blowing around the fence line. I have to do the fence or eventually the snow will get so tall the dogs can walk over the fence.  What never occurred to me when I moved here is that once it snows, it stays on the ground until April or May. It's not Maryland where it snows and the next day it melts. After the work, I took three of the dogs mushing. On the way back my neighbor was out running his dogs with his truck. Yep, he free runs them while he drives his truck behind. I'm not a fan of this, but they aren't my dogs. Anyway, they come around the corner and my team kicks it in overdrive. OH YES---little dogs that we can catch!!! I slam on the brakes and hold the team until the truck turns around and the little dogs follow back. When I let the team go, they book down the trail still thinking they can catch those little dogs. What a ride!!

After we got back and everyone was fed, I went out to put some bread and crackers out back for the ravens and magpies. I noticed one of my birdhouses on a dog box covered in snow. If you look at it quickly, it almost looks like a laughing cyclops.











 I also noticed some moose tracks while I was cleaning the driveway. Thought you might like to see one.

Sunny Winter Day

These are the days that make living in Alaska so special. The sun on the snow with an amazing blue sky and some clouds. Temperature 21 degrees F. Perfect!

Moose

One of the coolest things about living in Alaska is seeing moose. The worst thing is trying not to hit one if they decide to cross the road in front of your car. No doubt what will happen if you hit it. But, for the past few days the dogs have been barking at the fence. I assumed a moose was there, but couldn't see it. This morning, I took my flashlight to the back room window and there, not 10 feet away was a big old moose. I couldn't get a picture of it thru the window, but I'll show you one from last year. This one laid down in the back dog lot. I went through the gate, took a few shots with a long lens, and then asked the moose not to come into the fenced area. I have had problems with the dogs getting over the fence to visit with moose. Not a good idea. Well, that moose came back for several days to nap in the same spot and never came in the dog yard. Pretty cool.

Moose in the backyard.

Sky blue pink sunset

I love the color in the skies of Alaska. Tonight's sunset was mostly pink through the trees. What my friend Lynn says her grandfather called sky blue pink. Nice color!

A new mushing season

I've been asked by a few friends to write more about my life in Alaska. I am not a prolific writer, but I can give details of my life here and the fun I am having. I'll take you with me to sled dog races, enjoying visits from friends, mushers who stay before the Iditarod, working for Alaska State Parks, heading to fish camp in July and whatever else comes along. Alaska is an interesting place. I love the scenery and wildlife.
I've made dear friends. Alaska is not a perfect place, but life is still pretty sweet.