We were able to take another trip to Denali National Park this year and had an enjoyable time as usual. The girls had fun hiking the entire Horseshoe Lake trail, which is a mile and a half to the lake and back. They had a lot of fun just walking and enjoying the birds and squirrels and snowshoe hare we saw along the way. Here are a few of the photos we captured.
One of the great things about our location seven miles north of Fairbanks is the opportunity we have to see moose in our yard. They are common all over town, but it seems we see them more here than anywhere else in our previous experience. A couple of days ago the girls and I were able to observe a young bull from our porch, just about 30 feet away.
It’s interesting that he walked by the car, which gives you a sense of his actual size. This male is young and small. Full grown, Alaskan bull moose are the largest in the world and can be as tall as seven feet at the shoulder.
We had another “only in Alaska” experience today we thought you might appreciate. This moose cow and calf show up at our house periodically, but this is the first time we have captured them on video.
Cold air has settled over the Fairbanks area in the past several days, sending temperatures near 50 below zero in outlying areas. Lows at our house only reached 35 below due to our elevation above average terrain. However, my drive to work is mostly down hill and the closer I get to town the colder it becomes. Journey with me into the ice fog on this morning’s commute.
I’m am planning to use a portion of this video on Inside Alaska, a site I maintain for work, which is why I mention it near the end. If you are interested in other things about our area, head over there and take a look.
Several weeks ago, before the snow piled up another seven or eight inches in Fairbanks, I decided to get some video of my walk to the mailbox. This mundane task is made special because of the location of our new house, which overlooks part of Fairbanks and has a view of the Alaska mountain range.
The main feature of the view that afternoon was the sunset behind the mountains. It seems every sunset from this vantage point is amazing! I wish the quality were better, or that you could come view this wonder of God’s creation yourself!
The news of John McCain’s vice presidential pick buzzed through the office this morning and brought all productivity to a halt. Conservative and liberal alike huddled in a single cubicle to watch the announcement live on CNN.com. Not a single word of criticism was uttered, as nearly every Alaskan has a unified love for our humble, no-nonsense, genuine-Alaskan Governor. Sarah Palin has a nearly 90% approval rating in this state for good reason. She has brought honesty and integrity to a state government notorious for corruption, forsaken many of the ritzy trappings of the governorship to set an example for fiscal restraint and taken on both Republicans and Democrats in Alaska politics only for their own benefit. Is she perfect? Absolutely not. She is a politician only Alaska could breed – the kind that hates politics and loves getting things done.
Palin is at home on commercial fishing boat, in a bush plane, on a moose hunt or in negotiation with the most powerful oil executives in the world. She displays the larger-than-life independence that has made Alaska great, and every one of us (Alaskans) understand it; no matter where we stand on the issues. Simply put, we are ecstatic not because we agree with every political decision she will ever make, but because we believe she will represent the best of Alaska on a world stage. This decision is great for Alaska, and we can’t wait for the wider public to get a glimpse of her values and lifestyle. Congratulations Governor Palin!
After a few stressful months at the office with little opportunity for time off, we decided to take a break last week and drive two and a half hours down the Parks Highway to Denali National Park and Preserve. Deborah and I have enjoyed several previous visits, but realized recently we hadn’t made the trip in nearly five years. The girls had a great time, and were especially interested in seeing “da wiver” (the river; see below). They had three opportunities on the way, as we crossed the Tanana and Nenana rivers and concluded our trip on the banks of the Savage River. They were very impressed with each sighting and kept asking for more.
Our Denali 2008 photos are now posted in the Gallery so you can take a look at some of the scenery we enjoyed. There are also a few pictures of Deborah, Hannah and Elisabeth taken along the way. Wind and rain kept Stephen mostly bundled in his stroller, but if you look closely you’ll likely see him (his blanket) in the background on one shot near the Savage River. Let us know what you think!
We have recently done some updating in our Family 2007 section, including a few pictures from the end of the year. An entirely new gallery has also been added, documenting some of our 2006 travel on deputation.
The above shot was taken in night mode on our terrific Sony camera. I had been stranded in Beaver, Alaska for a few days that December (2006), and was happy to see that Cessna in the foreground. The temperature was around 40 below zero.
Serving as Internet Coordinator at the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau over the past year has been fun, educational and rewarding. One of my favorite assignments has been the creation and ongoing development of a website called Inside Alaska. I began the initial work for a pre-launch last August, but have only recently completed all of the creative elements needed for an “official launch”. Reaction from staff, visitors and bureau members has be overwhelmingly positive. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Did we really need these kind of temperatures during one of the longest, busiest two week periods of the year? That’s what I was asking myself today as I walked from the office to the parking garage at 36 below. I make this two-block trek every morning and afternoon, usually enjoying these few moments to get focused on the day, or the drive home. Today it was just miserable.
Even the inside wasn’t safe from the cold. When I arrived home I found ice forming around the bottom of the door and windows. It will continue to build overnight, until a warming trend begins, and we see a balmy high of -5 by Friday. Welcome to winter in Fairbanks, Alaska! By the way, you’ll notice in the above graphic we are already six degrees colder than the predicted low. That happens almost every day in the winter; it’s like no place on earth.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. — Isaiah 53:5
Updates | Chris | 
May 30, 2009 7:00 am | 
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