Tuesday, May 16th - Alaska Railroad Open House, Happy Mothers Day, Woodchuck Encounters, and GREEN-UP!

On Saturday, I got up early and drove around Fort Wainwright with Rachael and Susan browsing people's offerings at the post-wide yard sale. I only parted with $11, but picked up a few bargains. One man's junk is another man's treasure!

After walking what seemed like miles, Rachael and I went off to the Alaska Railroad Open House. This is a yearly tradition, and is the railroad's way of ushering in summer. There were free train rides (short trips - maybe a mile or two), popcorn and soda, and lots of fun things for the kids to pick up (hats, balloons, buttons, etc.). We went last year too, and thought it would be a nice way to pass a few hours.

The train station is brand new and we were looking forward to seeing the inside. It's a beautiful building, with a room set aside for the Tanana Valley Model Railroad Club to set up several HO gauge train sets with dioramas. The Fort Wainwright Dixieland Band performed some lively music, and we were able to tour a few of the cars. I took a couple of photos and took creative liberty with them - using a selective coloring technique to add interest.

PASSENGER CAR

DINING CAR

My favorite part of the day was taking the short ride on the train. The ride in itself was slow moving and didn't go by any spectacular scenery, but you wouldn't have known that by watching some of the children on board. For some, it was their first time, and you could see such a light in their eyes as the train pulled away from the station. The little boy at right sat in front of me with his father. He had a million questions when we first pulled away, but soon became quiet. I noticed his reflection in the window glass as he pressed his nose there and watched the world slowly go by. I just had to capture the moment with my camera. I wish I would have gotten the boy (and his father's) name. I think his dad might enjoy a copy of this photo.

Rachael and I had a very late breakfast at The Cookie Jar, and even though it was definitely the lunch hour, we opted for some eggs and home fries instead. It really hit the spot. I really enjoy The Cookie Jar for breakfast served all day.

On Mothers Day, I started my day off in a down mood. My mom is still fighting hard against her colon cancer, and with that comes some bad days. Mothers Day wasn't a good day for her. While I enjoyed talking to her, I was sad that she was feeling so poorly. A little while later, my mood improved when I found a Mothers Day wish from my sons and my beautiful daughter-in-law, Becky. The photo at left is the greeting they sent me. The one at right is the first photo they took. I think I like that first photo better. It shows the great sense of humor my kids have. Definitely a trait I was raised with, and with which I obviously raised my sons. Laughter is the best medicine.

On Monday, I went for a little drive around Fairbanks. My initial destination was Birch Hill Cemetery - a place I often go for some peaceful solitude. When I came upon a freshly dug grave in the baby section, I became a little weepy and had to leave. There were backhoes up on the hill, turning over the ground in preparation for burial of those who passed away over the winter. Here in Alaska, very few people are put into the ground during the winter months. The ground is too frozen. Instead, the bodies are put into storage and buried in the spring. In some cases, the family will have another memorial service in the spring. I imagine that reliving the death of a loved one a few months after is difficult. With the work that was going on, I felt like I was intruding and left. I'll go back again in a few weeks when this sad task is over.

On my way home, I caught some movement to my left on a grassy hill. A blur of brown fur was rolling and running and jumping and just having the time of its life. That ball of fur turned out to be TWO balls of fur. And they were having a grand time playing. Or at least I thought they were playing. The two balls of fur turned out to be woodchucks, and it's mating season, so perhaps their cavorting was for a different reason? *grin*

I parked the truck and put my smaller zoom lens on my camera and made my way towards them. They froze, but didn't run. I approached very slowly so as not to frighten them. They were as still as statues until I got to within about 20 feet. Then one let out a high pitched whistle and they disappeared from sight. That's when I noticed the hole.

I kept my camera trained on the hole, hoping my patience would pay off. It sure did, when I saw a face pop up to check out the surroundings. I decided to go back to the truck for my long lens, hoping that my retreat would entice the woodchucks to come out of their den. I slowly retraced my steps back to the mound of grassy dirt, keeping my eye trained on the hole.

Just then, the woodchuck popped his head out of the ground even more. I was glad I had my long lens on. As you can see, I even stopped the motion of a pesky fly. Amazingly, he let me get even closer - until I was standing no more than 15 feet from him. I took several more photos of his head sticking out of the hole. I talked to him too (I'm a real Dr. Doolittle - or at least I pretend to be), and surprisingly, he came totally out of the hole! I'm sure it's because he wanted me to get his best side. He's got some awesome teeth too, doesn't he? It was definitely an unexpected encounter - and those are the best kind!

Green-up has finally arrived. It was a slow process; much slower than previous years. I painstakingly waited each day for the buds to grow bigger and finally burst. What normally takes only a few days, dragged on for more than a week. It was very frustrating for all of us. Over the course of the last week, I took photos to document the changes.

The weather here has been absolutely marvelous! We've had sunny days and warm temperatures. It's been in the high 60s for the past few days - gorgeous! But, alas --- with the warmth and sun comes the mosquitoes. They're voracious and, despite a light spray of DEET, my arms and face are sporting some nice welts. I guess it's time to take a bath in the stuff. If not, I'll be looking like a pre-pubescent teenager in the acne stage. I hate that I itch so badly. And when I itch, I scratch. Not a good thing. But I will not complain! It is spring! Winter is finally over. Thank goodness!

Tomorrow, Rachael and I are making our last trip into Denali while we're still able to drive our vehicle to mile 29.5. Saturday, the tour buses will start running. A friend of mine in Anchorage was fortunate to capture a photograph of a mama moose with twin newborns - right in the woods behind her house! I really hope we see babies. That's what the goal is. Either bear cubs or moose calves - I'm not particular.