Pure Alaskan

For some reason, maybe it's because currently my job and world revolve around them, I don't think you can get much more Alaskan than Alaskan Huskies.

We got to puppy sit a bit last week, which was as enjoyable as I'd imagined...and probably the smelliest thing I've ever encountered.  Who knew such cute little bundles could also create the most rank little piles? :)

It was a good experience, since I was considering sneaking one into our back little room (Sammy had a ball with them, Harley growled every time they got too close) but the smelliness won me over to be content with our 2 grown up, house trained "pups".

 

These little guys actually made getting pictures rather difficult.  They never sat still unless they were being held or in their crate or box.

 

And, Husky or no, all puppies love shoe strings!

 

Sammy enjoyed playing with the little guys, though I think she was happy when they went to "work" up on the glacier, too.

Hard to believe in just a year those little guys will be the big, tough, real deal Huskies like these fellas.  I think if anyone needs a new weight loss plan, it should be to eat and run like mushing dogs.  They have a special high protein, low carb diet and there is no fat on these dogs!  Poor Harley and Sammy look a little out of place around them. :)  But then again, so do I next to most of the mushers we're working with!

With that thought, I'll finish this blog and my bowl of ice cream.  Another reason I like it here?  Alaskans eat more ice cream per capita then in any other place...is that true?  I don't know, but a musher told me that and it just gave me yet another reason to like Alaska. 

Poor Mans Cruise

We were chosen to ride the ferry up to Haines to pick up some of our dogs for the tours.  And by some I mean around 200.

The Marine Highway, referred to the locals as the poor mans cruise, was a nice afternoon trip up the inlet.  It's been rainy, chilly, and rather cloudy in Juneau the week or so.  
  

Not sure what glacier this is, but just caught it through the clouds.

For those in the lower 48, they have a Solarium on the top of the ferry that is open and has heaters that blow warm air out.  You can lounge in a lawn chair and watch the scenery off the back of the ferry - GREAT way to travel.  I managed to see two whales spout in just an hour - a first for me!

Once we got to Haines, we were greeted by some sea lions!

There were LOTS of birds around!  But, as usually, my bird photo's didn't turn out too hot.  

Haines is a pretty little spot that reminds me a little spots in Wyoming.  It was a nice break to run up and grab the dogs, though I have say sleeping on the ferry isn't too enjoyable.  Again, learning lots!  Next time we'll bring sleeping bags and camp out on on the solarium!

Rain and fog

So, for a lot of folks the title might make you think it's a bad thing...and I still have a long time yet to go, so I might get sick of it soon enough...but I am actually digging the weather around here.  It's a nice, cool temperature basically all the time.  The older I get, the more I realize I don't really like the heat.  I love long sleeved T's and warm sweaters, and it seems like this is basically the standard choice around here.  And if the sun pokes through, it does warm up nicely when you get a workin', which we've done a bit of this week!

Right now it's raining outside, falling peacefully.  It will most likely rain all night long.  This is awesome and somehow calming while I drink my tea and post some new photos.

We took the dogs out a few mornings ago, and realized that I've only been taking fair weather pictures, and I don't know why.  It is beautiful even when it's rainy and overcast, so I'm going to try and capture this other side of Juneau as well. These photo's are definitely not that side, but they're nice and foggy!  When the clouds roll in, you can smell the brine - a new experience for me.  I'm starting to think this coastal living is alright!

I have a lot of similar photo's, but I'm in love with these.  It was so calm and breathtaking when I took these, and they turned out perfect!

And my loving partner in crime, holding the puppies while I snap a few shots.   He got up extra early just to come with me - what a sweet fella I snagged!

Seeing it all the time never takes away just how amazing the Mendenhall is, and I can't stop myself from taking more pictures.

FINALLY caught some bird action, but I was a bit disappointed in how far away these look!  They were a perfect little couple, dozing and floating along in the early morning fog. Mallards, I believe, but I'll let the professionals correct me if I'm wrong.

I have also realized my lack of being able to catch birds might be slightly due to the fact that we have two dogs with us at all times.  Sammy is especially bad at "birding"...she would rather go meet them then snap photo's!

Spring is definitely on its way, and things are starting to bud out!

There were a completely different set and type of ducks in this pond...but Sammy combined with my slow reflexes only caught the ripples they left after they flew away.

Just another beautiful day in Alaska!  Since work is kicking off, probably won't be posting as often but I'll try and get something on here when I do have time.  It's too much fun not to share with everyone!

Just a note...

No new pictures to post, but thought I'd let you all know we're alive and well!  Doing set up currently and getting going on the new work schedule!  I think the hardest part is that we have an amazing woman named Martha cooking for us while we're doing the set-up...I can't stop eating.  Thought we'd loose weight when we got going, but now I'm not too sure!

Loving the new job so far, and loving this amazing place.  It is so cool to take a 15 minute walk with dogs at night, around 8, after dinner, etc. and have the sun still setting.  It's chilly out, so I still wear my jacket and beanie, but it's been clear and the scenery never gets old.  We're going to work hard and I know it's going to be tough, but as long as I can sneak in my 15 minutes every night I think I'll stay sane. :)

I promise to take pictures and get some more amazing facts on here, soon!  Spring is rolling in, and things are getting green, so I'm exciting to share some of the beauty!

Icebergs, puppies, and black bears...oh my!

Today we saw the first bear of the season...a little black bear!  Growing up in Wyoming, I never saw a bear out and about.  Luckily, this little fella was clearly 1) not very big to be that high up on the tree 2) a black bear, not a griz, and 3) obviously far away since he's the little black dot in the tree tops. :)

So, can you spot the bear?

 He's the little black dot in the middle of these photo's.

The Mendenhall has been calving off, and we were excited to see all sorts of new icebergs floating around the lake!

And, of course, the puppies were there to enjoy it all. We took a different hike on Saturday, and ended up turning around shortly down the trail due to Harley.  She froze mid-step and stared into the woods, quiet as could be.  Now, Harley NEVER does this - she always launches after anything she smells or sees, so this was odd.  We looked around, sniffed, but couldn't see anything so I took a few steps past her.  She didn't budge and just kept staring into the trees and then walking back toward the van.  We decided that was good enough hint for us, so we turned around and headed back to find a different walking spot.  Not sure what Harley smelled, but I am very glad to have our little puppies and their sniffers when we're off in the woods. 

Hiking

We ended up back at the falls this morning for another hike. Sammy realized she can jump in the lake, which meant she had boundless energy the whole walk. No pictures, but she's a different shade of white currently...kind of a gray after her romping this morning.

I was lucky enough to snag a quick picture of a rainbow!


Yesterday we hit a new trail on the other side of the lake and went into the wild woods of Alaska...and hiked it Colorado style (meaning it was a paved trail through the woods, though we didn't use our trekking poles).




These little yellow pods below open up to a plant that looks kind of like those things that grow next to ponds...cattails? I think they might be fireweed, but please leave me a note if you know what they are! :) They are growing everywhere right now, and are a very pretty shade of yellow while they're growing.


The pictures definitely don't do it justice for just how green the moss makes everything and how huge the trees are around here!

Getting Settled

Yesterday was another beautiful day in Juneau! I finally had some rain in the morning, but the skies were clear and blue by mid-day again.

I've realized I need to post the AIE website, which has far better pictures of the glacier and tours that we'll be helping with. We won't be up on the glacier since we're ground crew, but it's an awesome adventure. I highly encourage you all to come visit! :)

We drove Zane to the ferry early yesterday morning, then went to Heritage Coffee. I love their coffee's flavor, it's unique and full...not like a lot of small roasters that tend to end up in isolated places like this.

Took a few more walks yesterday, mostly around our housing unit. This is our "backyard" behind the highway right next to us. It's a wildlife refuse...and I've been keeping my eyes out for birds so I post them and ask Amie what they are! :)

We're going to get some more cleaning and organizing done today at the Temsco office (where our office is and where the helicopters take off), but I'm hoping to sneak in another few walks!