Janet's view from Alaska

This is me.....not in Alaska!

2010-02-19T20:38:00.002-09:00

But hey, we sure have enough snow here in Missouri to think we might be in Alaska! The really great news is that we have more snow on the way possibly some time this weekend.

Mother's Day Surprise

2009-05-12T21:01:00.001-08:00

The bears are returning. We had two visitors for Mother's Day.

Mount Redoubt speaks again!

2009-04-06T15:12:00.003-08:00

Since January 2009 Mount Redoubt has been making threats of erupting. Then it finally blew on March 22 it finally let go! We have been under the threat of many more eruption since. It remained quiet for several days, so much so, that they lowered the alert level from red to orange and then yellow. Well, at 6:00 am April April 4, Redoubt put on another show. We missed the early morning lightening display but did stop by later that afternoon for a view of the ash and steam that was being sent 15,000 feet in the air. Since all this began weeks ago, our weather has been pretty overcast. I was happy to get a brief opportunity to get a picture or two!

Here kitty kitty!

2009-04-06T15:07:00.004-08:00

We had a surprise visitor in the yard. A lynx came snooping around probably hunting for a rabbit which is their favorite meal. Last spring we had a bumper crop of bunnies so now we have lynx roaming the neighborhood!

Mount Redoubt from better times

2009-03-25T20:24:00.002-08:00

I am sure by now everyone has heard about Mount Redoubt. This picture of Mount Redoubt was from 2007. It was taken in Kenai and is approximately 50 miles away.

After months of activity and threats of blowing, Mount Redoubt finally made good on it's promise. Saturday we were having tremors about on per minute and at 10:38 pm Saturday night it erupted and sent ash 60,000 feet into the air.

We have been lucky here. No damage and none of the ash so far has blown our way.

There were two smaller blasts early this morning but as of now, Redoubt has quieted down and it has been down graded from a warning to a watch and from code red to code orange. They say it may be the calm before another round of more large eruptions.

The sky has remained overcast and we have not been able to see Redoubt to know what if any damage is visible. Even though we have over 12 hours of daylight now, the forecast is calling for clouds snow showers and rain. I don't think we will see Mount Redoubt any time soon!

Spring?

2009-03-25T20:13:00.004-08:00

Today was so windy that I thought at some point the trees would blow over...like that hasn't happened before! Only every time the winds get up to 90 mph! The winds finally stopped this afternoon and it was really not too bad out. I didn't pay much attention but about 6:30 pm it started to snow and it went crazy! It is now nearly 2 hours later and it hasn't stopped yet. It is so pretty out now with all the trees white with snow. Not exactly what you think of in spring maybe but I love it!

The Kenai Mountains

2007-11-03T19:37:00.001-08:00

Our View of the Kenai Mountains

The last flower of summer

2007-10-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Best viewed reflected

Flowers of summer are now merely a reflection in our memory.

Our first snow

2007-10-12T14:11:00.001-08:00

This morning I awoke to our first snowfall. It was beautiful. I love when it is snowing in the early morning. It is so quiet. The only sounds this morning were the bald eagles along the river and the sea gulls fussing their response to the eagles.

Moose hunting time!

2007-10-02T15:38:00.000-08:00

As I type this my husband is gearing up for his second moose hunt near Delta Junction. His first try for a bull only was unsuccessful. Hopefully, he will have more luck on this trip with a cow permit. I would prefer to "shoot" the moose with my camera but I respect his need to hunt.

We had a great weekend

2007-09-18T10:52:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful time this weekend. We were invited to help surprise a good friend for her 80th birthday. She and her daughters live in Anchorage and her daughters planned it all. The party was perfect! She was so surprised. She laughed and cried. We all went to Girdwood by limo and ate at the Seven Glacier Restaurant. The food was good and the view from the top of Alyeska was amazing. We were treated to an incredible Alaskan sunset.

Moose twins

2007-09-06T18:28:00.000-08:00

This spring we were lucky to have twins born in our back yard!

Where have all the moose gone?

2007-09-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

I guess it is that time of year. The moose are all in hiding. Probably because the cows are beginning to herd up for the bulls. Mostly because it is moose hunting season right now. Speaking of that, my husband it current doing just that, moose hunting. I haven't heard as yet, but I know he is hoping to bag a record bull. If not, he will have a second chance next month to hunt again as he is one of the lucky hunters to be drawn for a cow permit.

Where we live the bear have been very active which could be another really good reason there are no moose. The bears are browsing now for all they can eat to fulfill their calories needed to prepare for the long winter's sleep.

Fall colors

2007-09-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

- Robert Frost, October

2007-08-30T10:45:00.000-08:00

Summer has gone more quickly than we would have liked. With all the company in and out we hardly have time to notice the days go by! Now we are watching the days get shorter and the winds have a fall feel to them. We are noticing the leaves beginning to turn yellow and fall from some of the trees. The tundra is just starting to show the reddish brown colors of fall. We love the autumn weather. It does remind us that winter is all too close. We are certainly enjoying any lingering summer weather before the snow begins to fly!