BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 11:34 AM

Well, I am not scared of heights. I am, let's say, extremely fond of the ground... terra firma... the more firma, the less terra.

And, THEN who happened?

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 11:41 AM

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 11:44 AM

The previous message fell into a crevasse.

The worst drivers on these roads are the white-knuckled drivers of large RVs and motorhomes. They seem to think that because they can drive them from New York to LA on Interstates the roads in AK won't be a problem. Little do they know!

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 11:52 AM

Not a bad read!

The closest I've been to Alaska was watching Northern Exposure, and I seem to remember that most of the filming took place in Oregon.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 12:52 PM

Great photos, Ragdall. Precipitous country, huh. I've driven some like that in the Cascades in Oregon and in the Coast Range. Can you imagine what road builidng is like in such areas!

BTW, I don't think I've ever seen a better picture of wild geranium than the one you posted. Lovely.

Speaking of pictures of the wild and other places, a local boy in Juneau, Pat Costello, has a website that I frequently visit: www.juneauphotos.com. He posts a new picture every other day and by now has hundreds. Check it out.

Rap, I've wondering what happened to the 'lady known as Lou'? She was well known in this part of the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 01:01 PM

The drivers I don't like are the yahoos that drive at pavement speed with pavement tires on gravel roads. When they are oncoming, I like to swerve a few times before we meet... slows them up a bit. As for those that pass me at high speed, I like to wave when I drive by them while they are changing out the flat tire(s).

Minds me... I was fishing along the side of a road one time in Northern New Brunswick when a fellah went by in a sedan at about 100kph. Covered me in dust. I jumped in the old pickup and the dust just hung in the air. I had to wait for about twenty minutes before I could see enough to move safely. I even had to put the washer and wipers to work. Met up with the SOB about ten km up the road with the car jacked up, a rear wheel off, and the trunk open. Obviously, he had no good spare. He tried to wave me down. I waved back, doin' about 140.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 01:59 PM

I was a little chilly when I awoke, even though The Lady Known As Lou (hereafter TLKAL) was snuggled on one side and Marcia on the other. During the night the tent had blown away in the blizzard and the thermometer on the sled said that the temperature was hovering around -467 F. It was slower getting started than usual, but eventually the dogs were fed, the sleds loaded, and we were off.

Driving into the teeth of the blizzard, the temperature dropping all the while, we mushed on. Up hills and down, across mighty rivers, forging ever onward, our banner with the strange device unfurled, we dared the worst Nature could throw at us, our precious bottles of serum carefully tucked safely away.

What there was of the day was fading fast when ahead I glimpsed the faintest glimmer of light, just the faintest pinprick in the Stygian gloom and the white hell that surrounded us. As we pounded past a sign, I knew that we were saved, at least for this night. For that sign, that very welcome sign, read WELCOME! to SPENARD and as the handlers took charge of the dogs and TLKAL and I stumbled up the steps and through the welcoming door, I knew that at least for one more night the serum was safe.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 02:49 PM

And, .... you know.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 03:59 PM

Spenard, eh? I went through that area earlier this month and the driver pointed out the infamous place you link to... and his experiences. For shame, for shame- I imagine it's improved some from when you spent the night there?

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 04:13 PM

Makkovik, Labrador... airstrip construction. Pouring caribou and moose, so there was no surveying to do. I settled into a nice nap after lunch. Never heard the siren or "Fire in the hole!" The powderman was pissed when I ran out of the house trailer. Funny enough, they were blasting for sewer and the only thing damaged in the trailer, other than my snooze, was the toilet... cracked like an egg.

Not really much of a story, but, I can't get into chat. And, I am saving the really good stories for later.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 05:04 PM

If it's good enough for Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band,         Ben Sidran, The Riders In The Sky, Jay McShann, Memphis Slim, Dr. John, The Red Clay Ramblers, Mose Allison, Johnnie Johnson, Carey Bell, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, John Fahey, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Cash McCall, Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang, Rockin' Sidney, Maurice John Vaughn, Tinsley Ellis, Terrance Simien and The Mallet Playboys, Kotoja, Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band, Zeleke, The West African Highlife Band, Pat Paulsen, C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, A. C. Reed, Little Ed and The Blues Imperials, Tim Weisberg, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Kenny Neal, "Wild Child" Butler, Billy Peterson, Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater, Scott Cossu, The Amazing Pink Things, Uncle Vinty, Bob Brozman, Brownie McGee, and David Grisman it's most likely good enough for me.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 05:28 PM

Ya had me at Ida... then,...

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 09:03 PM

When the place ran out of Spam and beer, we mushed onward. TLKAL elected to stay, taking the part of a dancing gold pan in the Follies. The dogs were trim, fat and well-rested, and the miles dripped quickly behind as the tracks of our runners lengthened across the hard-frozen snow. From Spenard to Talkeetna, to Glenallen, to Tok, to Delta Junction, to McCarthy we mushed, my team indefatigible, straining in their harness to get the serum, the life-giving serum, to Nome before the diptheria outbreak became a world-wide pandemic.

My fingers and toes were frozen, black and gangerenous, but still I called "Mush!" to the team and still they pulled, their great hearts giving their all.

And then, when all seemed darkest, the team skidded to a halt before a monsterous brown bear and her cubs.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 09:21 PM

Hmmmmm? Were you required to hit four points on the compass?

As for Spenard, I know nossing.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 11:42 PM

From: GUEST, Ebbie
Date: 30 Jun 05 - 12:52 PM

Great photos, Ragdall. Precipitous country, huh. I've driven some like that in the Cascades in Oregon and in the Coast Range. Can you imagine what road builidng is like in such areas!

BTW, I don't think I've ever seen a better picture of wild geranium than the one you posted. Lovely.

Thank you, Ebbie.

I thought the flower was a violet? There were yellow ones, too.
Thank you for the link to juneauphotos.com. Pat's photos are fantastic!

Yes, I tried to imagine the difficulty of building roads in that terrain. Also thought about the people who travelled there before machinery was brought in to move mountains and fill valleys. How did they manage?

I've driven the Oregon coast, and in California, but unless memory fails, there were guard rails along there?   

In a previous life, I honeymooned on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The road from Port Alberni, 36 years ago, was narrower than those in Alaska. Two cars could not pass in most places. We camped for a week in spite of relentless pouring rain, knowing that if we left, we'd have to face that road again.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,gnu
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 04:35 AM

I know waht happened then... got to do with skid marks.

Can't wait to get back on Sunday and read more posts and see more pic's. I am off to the camp for the first time this year. After a few more cups of tea.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 09:01 AM

And tomorrow we're off to The Land of the Yankee Fork, driving the Custer road. We're staying in Challis, as there is no room at the inns in Stanley.


Compass, Ebbie? I navigate by the stars, using different ones each time so that the others don't feel slighted and give me a rotten horoscope for spite. And, of course, the dogs knew where to go. Why should I invest in a compass when Nature provides?

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Jul 05 - 11:58 AM

That's OK then. I always say: Trust your dogs.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 12:35 PM

Wild Geranium


Now, I'm not sure. In southeast Alaska there are a lot of what we call 'wild geraniums'. They come in different colors and shades. The bush stands approximately 14 inches high and the blossoms I have noticed all that have that faint stripiness in them. Very pretty.

Violets, on the other hand, should kind of hug the ground, shouldn't they? Which do yours do?

There are so many different species of the same flower that I get in way over my head.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 09:39 PM

We pulled into Eagle with just hours of daylight to spare. Exhausted, dirty, the sweat freezing to my hair, hands, beard and other hirsuite parts, I unhitched the dogs and fell against the door of the shoddy little cabin. I could feel the heat from the inside warming my frozen bones.

"Whose 'at?" barked a voice from inside. Then, before I could give the standard Bush response ("Naught but a sojourner seeking an ember of warmth and a piece of cold gristle for himself and his dogs") the barrel of a .45-70 was shoved through a peephole in the door and snugly against my breast.

"Ah axed, 'Whose 'at?'!" the voice repeated. "Ya got 'til ah counts ta one!"

"Naught but a sojourner, ya louse-covered Old Alaskan Fart!" I replied, and ducked beneath the barrel.

"Enter! Enter! And welcome!" the Old Alaskan Fart said. "Ah din't know that you was a neighbor er I'da shot ya as ya came down the trail. What's the news from Outside? Did we win that there war we was in?"

And in less time than it takes to tell the dogs were put up and fed and I was sitting by a Yukon stove, thawing my hands around a mug of hot whiskey (or whisky -- one or the other), and the precious, life-saving serum on the table.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 10:46 PM

Was the precious, life-saving serum the Four Roses brand?

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: LilyFestre
Date: 05 Jul 05 - 10:57 PM

My advebnture to Alaska was fairly safe. The most trouble I got in was when I went to a radio tower out in Eagle River and found myself in snow up to my chest. And then....oh yes....the infamous ice. My best friend and I had parked the car near a restaurant. It was lunchtime on a regular weekday. I got out of the passenger side and by the time he walked around the car, i was flat on my back laughing hysterically. I have no idea how it happened, I was just standing there and BOOM...the next thing I know I was eye to eye with his size 14 boots. Damn taco bell parking lot...LOLOLOLOLOL

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: dianavan
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 12:20 AM

Is it true that single men outnumber single women by 4:1?

Whenever Canadian women complain about a lack of available, single men they are told to go to Alaska.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 05:31 AM

I got an e-mail this evening from my friend Judith, who was born and raised in Alaska. She's in the Yukon Territory (in Canada) for three days and then she's going "back to America" (returning to Anchorage). Do all Alaskans talk that way? What do Canadians think about it?

Is Anchorage in America???
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 09:04 AM

Alaska is a prime example of what 'A Fistful of Dollars' can achieve...

Great Movie that!

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 09:06 AM

Great "move", too.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 09:08 AM

Ratio of men to women in Alaska -- the saying is, "The odds are good -- but the goods are odd."

If you can find it (it's out of print), read Mike Doogan's book "Fashion Means Your Fur Hat Is Dead."

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 01:42 PM

I think they say that in the urban areas, at least, the male-female ratio is about equal nowadays, although the median age is quite young- I think in the 20s.

I've heard a number of oldtimers, Joe, refer to 'down south' as "the States". Alaska has been a state since 1959 but old habits die hard.
As for Anchorage, I've heard a lot of people say that the best thing about Anchorage is that in 30 minutes you can be in Alaska.

I spent a couple of weeks up there (from Juneau)and enjoyed it a lot. There were some real surprises too. Our summer days in Juneau are long- the sun sets at 10:15 on the longest day) but in Anchorage the sun set at 11:35. In Talkeetna, just 3 hours farther north, it never got dark at all. At 2:00 when I went to bed, I could have read outdoors; at 4:00 when I next saw it, it was mid-day bright.

The masses of mosquitoes were also unexpected. People say we have mosquitoes in Juneau- not according to this criterion. Everywhere we went it varied only in numbers. They were everywhere.

Anchorage is not a huge city (aoubt 240,000) but it seems to suffer from lack of city planning. I was there a couple of times before (but only on the job and we didn't sight see then) and there still doesn't seem to be a real 'downtown'. There are definite districts and regions, and they are tied together by the highways but to me their main reason for being was what you find on the highways outside of town.

I love Juneau, its people, its music, its art and artists, its vitality and creativeness, its diversity and tolerance for differences, its very talent for bringing talented people together, but I can see why people from 'up north' could feel trapped here. Our land mass is limited- we're a linear town of about 45 miles with nowhere wider than 3 miles - while up north there is elbow room and far horizons.

It is gorgeous. The Old Seward highway, considered one of the most dangerous roads in Alaska, takes you through vistas of mountains crowding you on your left, ocean and tidelands on your right and blue, tumbled into undulating jagged shapes and forms, snowcapped mountains ahead. There is good reason for being super alert. It's a good road but the posted speed limit is 65 mpg and people tend to be looking at the scenery and not other traffic, and many of the vehicles heading back toward Anchorage are being driven by sleep-deprived fishermen from a long weekend.

Thirty miles from Anchorage the first 'major' town is Girdwood, home of Alyeska ski resort beyond and above it. There is a large hotel at Alyeska and a tram that whisks you to the top of the mountain from where the views are breathtaking. It must be something to see in wintertime too.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 01:46 PM

Don't forget Kotzabue. Or Eek. Or Chicken.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 03:05 PM

The thing that really bugged me about Anchorage were the lights. I worked there in December, 1994, so there should have been a lot of darkness. Trouble is, the town is full of those glaring yellow streetlights, and if the citizens of Anchorage were afraid of it getting dark at night. The lights aren't so bad in the summertime, but the lights on the winter snow makes a horrible glare, like a prison at night.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 03:13 PM

"Don't forget Kotzabue. Or Eek. Or Chicken." Rap

Haven't got there yet, Rapaire. Takes some serious planning and flying. All in good time. One of these years I definitely want to visit Nome - and Kotzebue while I'm that close.

I have a distant dentist cousin who served with the Public Health Service. His first assignment was Kotzebue. I asked him on the phone, How did you like it? Was it like Alaska?

He said, It was my first trip. I was afraid that all Alaska was like Kotzebue.

Joe, those lights are meant to combat fogs, I believe. I haven't been to Fairbanks yet but given their notorious 'ice fogs', I wouldn't wonder if they too have the yellow, halogen lights.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 05:51 PM

There are strange and wonderful events in Alaska. This is one of my favorites.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Amos
Date: 06 Jul 05 - 06:46 PM

If yer going that way, do it while there's still ice. The northern icecaps are in hot retreat and due to vanish by 2030 or so...


A

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 06:43 AM

From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 12:35 PM
Now, I'm not sure. In southeast Alaska there are a lot of what we call 'wild geraniums'. They come in different colors and shades. The bush stands approximately 14 inches high and the blossoms I have noticed all that have that faint stripiness in them. Very pretty.

Violets, on the other hand, should kind of hug the ground, shouldn't they? Which do yours do?

Ebbie, Sorry it's taken me so long to reply. I've had trouble accessing this site.

I photographed wild geraniums in Yellowstone Nat. Park, many years ago. These are quite different. I think that this view may show the plants more clearly. The are very close to the ground. The flower stems are 3 to 6 inches high. The plants have roundish waxy looking leaves.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST,ragdall
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 07:10 AM

What do Canadians think about it?
Is Anchorage in America???

Yes. Anchorage in the US of A. (Even though it's a long drive to get there from the Lower forty-eight through that blank space on a USA map.)

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 09:06 AM

Canada is not a blank space! Canada is a vibrant, wonderful country full of beavers, snow, mosquitoes, walleye, and it's run by Sgt. Preston and his dog, Yukon King. There are many great cities in Canada, cities like Haines Junction, Hinton, and Cambridge Bay, places where literally dozens of Canadians live and work. Canada has produced great statesmen like MacKenzie King, great actors like William Shatner. Canada a blank space? -- I think not!

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 12:05 PM

Does Bill have a dog? LH?

MacKenzie King??? Statesman??? Nutbar. He talked to his dog. Oh, I know, everyone talks to their dog. But, this one talked back... about federal policy.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 12:50 PM

Good link to Talkeetna, Rap. Talkeetna was my favorite town in my recent trip to the vicinity. Stained wood siding, rather than paint, on the houses so they kind of glow, wide streets, interesting Roadhouse, lots of trees, 3 hours from Denali National Park, 3 hours from Anchorage, 24-hour daylight, not as many mosquitoes as I ran into in other places, three rivers...

Incidentally, the Fairview Inn mentioned in the link is not open at this point. Something to do with a lawsuit, I was told.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 12:50 PM

There are strange things done,
In the midnight sun,
By the men who moil for gold.........

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 01:02 PM

Which reminds me of the serum I was taking to Nome! I had almost forgotten about, drowsing before the fire in the shoddy soddy in Eagle, but I jumped to my feet and out the door in a trice. Then I came back in, got dressed, put on my mukluks, overshoes, pants, parka, burka, gloves, mittens, shirt, tie, suspenders, braces, belt, truss, hat, earmuffs, and the serum and was out the door shouting, "Away! Mush, you wimpies! Mush, I say! Git the lead out er yer catfood!"

And away we flew over the snow, over the hummocks and tussocks, through the tiaga, over the hills, like cosairs we flew, with a sledfull of serum and St. Nichol...well, we were on our way again with the Serum For Nome.

Through the outskirts of Bethel, through the suburbs of Dead Horse we mushed, the freezing rain lashing against the dogs and turning the front of my body into a sheet of ice. Through Homer, through Ketchikan, over the bridge in Unalaska, stopping only for strudel und specksuppe in Dutch Harbor, and we pulled into Dillingham just as the sun was setting.

Nome was in the distance, and the suffering of the Nomish...Nomers...Nomites...people who lived their was soon to be relieved.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 01:20 PM

Rapaire, please consult your map. I am getting seriously concerned about your precious cargo. It is date specific, you know.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 01:30 PM

Oh, no! I just glimpsed your map. Prudhoe Bay is almost in sight.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 03:11 PM

Valdez was going to be the next stop, but we skipped it for St. Paul.

The island, not the other one.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 04:08 PM

I am full of admiration. For the first time I really understand what heroic feet it was.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 05:34 PM

Canada a blank space? -- I think not!

Rapaire, Have you looked at a map of the USA? Not only is Canada not there, often Alaska is tilted to fit across parts of BC and Alberta.

I've been to Hinton. Very nice place. Very nice person.
... erm.. I meant "people".

@¿@
rags

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 05:47 PM

Got to be nice people in Hinton, otherwise there would be no Peace there.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 05:50 PM

Canada is full of nice people, all six of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: robomatic
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 09:10 PM

just returned to anchortown meself. Been months! Sleep pattern shattered by all the lightness around. Geese on the lake. The neighbor keeps throwing fireworks in the back yard to warn them off his back lawn...
Construction everywhere. Half hotels goin' up next to each other.

Espresso joints even more populated than I recall, and it's all pretty tasty.

Ebbie if you need a place indoors lemme know. Place is a pit but I've vacuumed most of the vole droppings out of the foyer.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Jul 05 - 10:30 PM

Thanks, robo. Incidentally, where have you been? Outside Alaska or just out of Anchorage? If you ever come to Juneau, PLEASE pm me. I'm not hard to find.

Subject: RE: BS: Waaaaay UP! To Alaska....
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 08 Jul 05 - 03:50 AM

Morning Terry.