Cabin Living

As most of you know, Becky and I bought a nice little cabin on 2.5 acres in Fairbanks, Alaska last April. We've been through the seasons in it now and are getting it nicely broken in to our liking. Summer was great with gardening, removing brush for a future chicken coop, watching the birds and basking in the 11:30 pm sunsets. Winter is setting in now with about 6 inches of snow on the ground. The temperatures are in the 20 F range and the days are getting shorter. It feels good to be getting back into the winter months with lots of skiing and playing in the snow ahead.

Riga

Introducing Riga! This little girl has energy and loves to use it. Out of all the photos taken of her there is not a single one where she has all four feet on the ground. Running is her main occupation. Sometimes it's to chase a squirrel, other times she is just chasing her nose. Her zodiac sign is Aries. Her favorite season is winter, she likes long strolls in the woods, licking people, laying in mud puddles, scratches behind her ears and cuddling in laps. If you manage to get a photo of her outdoors with all four feet on the ground simultaneously please email it to me.

The Axe Goddess

Never a dull moment around these neck of the woods. Last weekend Becky entered a few of the categories at the Farthest North Forest Sports competition hosted by UAF's Natural Resource Management Department. A few years back she awed the crowd by taking first place in the axe throw with three consecutive bulls eyes. She held her own this year as well but was not able to hold on to the victor's cup this go around. For those of you that had money placed on her this year, don't worry, she is already back to her training regiment sharpening the axe and throwing... focus and throw... sharpen and throw.

Kasugi Ridge

With the summer slipping away from us Becky and I teamed up with our neighbors Eamon and Anja for a weekend backpack trip in the Alaska Range along Kusugi Ridge a few weeks back. It was raining when we started the hike giving the impression it might not let up, but since we drove five hours to the trail head and were really itching for a stretch of the legs we put on the packs, unleashed the dogs (four of the rascally little guys) and headed up the trail. What a spectacular trail. With Autumn in full swing the trees were a nice palate of colors and by the time we reached tree line the blueberries were in full abundance. For all you lower 48ers, not all the berry bushes around here are big which just means you have to get a little closer to the ground for a good harvest like Becky is doing in the photo. Notice her bounty in her left hand. As we got closer to the ridge line the clouds started breaking up and by the evening we had grand views of the valley below, even a little glimpse of Denali off in the distance at times.