Sunday, June 7, 2009

Elliot Highway...

I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.
~Henry David Thoreau~



If you know our family personally then you know how busy our days can get. Whether is is work, running kids around or just living life. But in the midst of all that we always find time to decompress. We have this habit that when life starts becoming a bit hectic we "disappear" into nature. Even if it is a simple trip to the lake or pond or river to fish or to find a great hiking trail or to just drive. In most states to drive is to be out in the highway in another realm of stress but here in Alaska even if you take the highway everyone needs to get from one city to another most of the time you will find yourself on an empty road.

Yesterday was one of those days....the clouds seemed to threaten rain but the sun kept on peeking from the clouds. We went ahead and decided to hit Steese Highway and fork off into Elliot Highway after Fox. We drove about 36 miles out of town up to Wickersham Dome. We hiked Wickersham Dome last year but yesterday we were only prepared to dive out and take in the scenic views.


On the way we passed a sign for Olnes Pond. Supposedly it is stocked with fish. We did not have our poles-wow that was surprising but we wanted to check it out since we have never been there before.

It looked like a really nice and quiet place. There was tent camping and actual campers around the pond enjoying the their weekend. It always amazes me how the kids can swim in such cold water mostly on an overcast day. This pond is on our list now to come back to and spend a day at.





There are roads used only by Aleyeska Pipeline workers to check the pipeline at certain points. We saw this blocked off bridge by the pond.



A nature trail nearby




We then passed Chatanika River and realized the dirt road we would take to get to the banks were washed out. I really did not want to take our Yukon down that. So we drove on.

It turned out to be a beautiful day. The sun coming through the clouds made for a partly cloudy day but it wasn't chilly or hot. Just perfect.

Scenic view on Elliot Highway

Watching clouds roll by
on a sunny day
Who needs church?
Nature is divine.
~Carrie Latet~





Washington Creek



Dirt Road...most park their vehicles and 4-wheel through trails in the woods.




Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning. ~Lydia M. Child~


Labrador Tea


Narcissus-flowered Anemone






Dwarf Dogwood






Looking towards Wickersham Dome




Beautiful Landscape






Small reflection ponds off the highway.






Heading back home.



There is no feeling like being able to get lost in the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. No matter how hectic and busy the days may get....never forget to take time to enjoy the "Real" reason for life itself. Enjoy your weekend.

May has come and gone...



May was very busy for me. It started with an out of town trip for my boys sports and ended with award ceremonies, birthdays, anniversaries, track season ending and a football camp. Time flies and it always scares me how fast my boys are growing. My youngest graduated 8th grade and will be attending Lathrop HS along with his brother who will be a sophomore this year. Both of them attended a mini camp for the up coming football season and will be spending most of their summer at the conditioning session for the team while we are around town.

We have also been adjusting to the "daylight" all day. Although after a dark winter I totally welcome the sun but realize how short my sleep cycle has become. With all the sunlight and great weather we have had lately it is also easy to neglect things like updating your blog because you would rather be outside or at a river or lake fishing or hiking in the woods than inside. Who wants to be inside when it is gorgeous out? Although at the beginning it came with the price of allergies attacks, now the whole family is a bit better.

May also came with allergies because of how fast we had "green up" here in the interior. Despite how I love to see everything bloom the pollen always attacks my whole family. But seeing leaves and green grass growing is something we look forward to mostly after a dark and cold winter.






The culprit of our allergies.




I was tickled to finally see some wildflowers blooming. This is a Spring Crocus.










Bo and I also celebrated 16 years of marriage in May. It is neat to know Fairbanks is where we got married and here we are back to enjoy Alaska one more time before we head off to another Post.

Celebrating 16 years together.


I thought with May being over and June starting I would have a little bit of a break but I was wrong. Hence why I haven't been on here or at my beading table. First off I also have my domestic duties and also my house to take care of. Once the weather allowed for it to be warm enough for flowers I jumped at the opportunity of getting some to plant in my yard and in pots. We do not own our home so I cannot put perennials down(although I did buy Poppies), but that doesn't stop me from seeing beautiful flowers in pots around my deck and porch.

Poppies..





Daisies


Superbells Cherry Blossoms


Mimulus




Besides the flowers in pots my tree in the front is blooming. This tree was planted by the landscapers of that helped develop my neighborhood so I am not sure what kind of tree it is, I will have to research that. But I love the blooms.









My love of nature doesn't stop at just planting flowers. My family loves to take drives out into nature to hike or even just to fish. Alaska is one of those places where it is easy to find solitude not too many miles out of town. When things get hectic we crave just being in the middle of nowhere. This summer we plan on hitting some places on our to do list before leaving Alaska. Valdez and Homer and just driving certain highways and exploring are a few things. So I hope you don't mind me sharing those with you all.

Well despite such a picture heavy entry you know I cannot end this without some jewelry pictures right?
Here is a set I sent off to a friend of mine who loves copper and silver. I had tidbits of metal left from my metalsmithing class and started experimenting with it before buying more supplies. She fell in love with the earrings and pendant.





Besides the metal she also bought a pendant Bo had made that looked very organic.
Here is the pendant and earring set.

I hope she enjoys wearing her sets.

Then right after that we were commissioned to make a set for a friend's daughter that loves blue and black and silver. This was sent for her birthday. It included a bracelet, a pair of earrings and a heart pendant. I threw in the cell phone charm along with it.








Well, it is late. We drove out to Elliot Hwy today as far as Wickersham Dome. Despite the threatening clouds we did not have a drop of rain fall on us. I can't wait to download those pictures to share. I hope you are all enjoying your start of the summer and for those local adjusting to the midnight sun. Have a great night.