First Snow of the Year

Sorry I haven't written in so long. I've come to realize that I have been depressed since moving back to Montana. The place is beautiful - I really do like it here - but it isn't Alaska. I miss my friends and the small town I wanted to die in. With the realization of my depression I have started meditating daily and trying to surround myself with beauty and things I enjoy. I hadn't taken any pictures in a while, which is one of my greatest loves, so I forced myself to do it today.

Here are some pictures of the first snow of the season. My new dog Ellie, who is 9 months old, really enjoyed it.

Drake & Ducks at Woodland Park In Montana

Yesterday I took Drake to Woodland Park in Kalispell Montana. I used to take my other Lab Bubba there a lot when we used to live here. There are many species of waterfowl that live there and it is a beautiful park. Here is a picture of Drake wondering why I took him there and wouldn't let him go after any of the ducks!

Images from my new front porch in Montana

I love my new home in Montana. It is great to be back. I especially like taking weather pictures. Here are a few from my front porch.

Trip South on the Alaska Ferry

The trip south was really fun. The weather was glum the first half but turned quite nice after we arrived in Petersburg. We encountered 25 foot seas on the cross gulf portion from Yakutat to Juneau but luckily it was at night so it was a matter of loading up on dramaine and going to sleep. Here are a few pics of the trip.

We saw several groups of humpback whales but they were all too far away for decent shots. The orca were another story. We also saw several porpoise and tons of sea birds.

Montana Bound

Can you believe it - we are actually leaving Alaska! I never thought this would happen, but here we are packing up and heading south. I love Alaska and will miss it and all my life long friends, but it is time to go.

The only place I've ever wanted to live is Cooper Landing. Unfortunately, it is turning into a little Lake Tahoe and has become to expensive to remain. So, off we go, back to Montana. It really is beautiful there and is the next best place, so it will be fun. And the upside is that there are more roads. For as huge and remote as Alaska is it has become too congested since everyone travels the same roads and fishes the same places. Too many people and not enough infrastructure to support them. It will be nice to head off into the woods and not see another person!

We are leaving tomorrow - Wednesday, August 26th. It will be a 9 day trip traveling on the Alaska Ferry. I expect we will be in Montana on the 4th of September and then will have to make arrangements for our phone and internet connection. I should be back on line by the 2nd week of September and will have tons of photos from our trip.

Think good thoughts for us on our trip. Uneventful is a good word to use. I will be back in touch with you all soon!

Rhonda

Foggy Fishing on the Kenai River

I took this picture a few days ago. The temperature has begun to drop at night and makes for some beautiful foggy mornings on the water. Folks are still fishing for silver salmon, rainbow trout and dolly varden making for some great images.

More Alaska Photos

Here are some photos I took on my last trip to Anchorage. I think the one of Turnagain Arm turned out great. And I really like the fast motion blur of the one of my dog Drake chasing a stick!

Move day is just around the corner. Can you believe I will be leaving Alaska in two weeks? We are getting things finished up around the house and then off we go. I sure do hope the trip is relaxing and uneventful.

Back Surgery Weekend

Surgery was a success. I was able to walk out of the recovery area under my own power and have spend the last few days resting on the couch and sitting in the yard with my pup. After several days of rain we have had really nice weather the last few days and I was able to snap a couple of nice pics of the fireweed and other wild flowers as well as a decent shot of Cecil Mountain and fireweed. Hope you enjoy. I'll be spending the rest of the week packing light boxes that I can lift during my recovery and kicking back on the couch. Too bad that the silver salmon are in and I can't go fishing!!!!!!! All in good time I guess.

Feeding Time - Baby Tern, how cute!

I didn't realize it has been almost 10 days since my last post! Not much going on lately. I've been doing a lot of fishing but haven't really seen much wildlife. And the weather has been dark and rainy so even scenic shots are not very good these days.

I did get luck when I took my dog for a swim a couple of days ago. A pair of Terns had taken one of their babies out for lunch. They had it perched on an old piece of lumber that sticks out of the river and they went out to catch it some fish. One of the adults would chase off the seagulls and the other would catch fish and bring them back to feed the youngster. I love the burst mode on my camera - I can shoot 5 frames per second which helped me get these great pictures.

FYI - my back surgery will take place on Friday 7/31. I'll be out fishing until then and will write more a few days after surgery.

More Wild Flowers

It's the time of year for wildflowers so I went out yesterday to get a few more shots. Here we have Common Harebell, Fireweed and Yellow Paintbrush.

Well, it's decided - I will be having back surgery for my bulging disc. It's done on an outpatient basis so I will get to go home after I wake up. The procedure is done endoscopically so I should be feeling pretty good in a couple of weeks. The downside is that I won't be able to go back to work for a couple of months, but at least the pain will be gone and I will get to go back to work. Here is a picture I found online of the procedure. I will know the date of surgery next week.

Resting Up

I took this picture Friday night when there was still a lot of smoke from the fires.

It was a crazy weekend at the flea market! We sold most of our stuff and made a nice bit of coin, but people watching was the best part. It's funny to watch folks barter for stuff. They make such a horrible face when you give them a price and then you know an offer is coming your way. It's amusing to see someone try and convince you that they really really need something but can't afford your price or try to get you to believe you are crazy for asking an amount. What a hoot!

We went to Soldotna yesterday and did laundry today. However most of the day has been reserved for laziness, which comes way too easily :) Heading to Anchorage tomorrow to meet with my neurosurgeon and run a bunch of errands. It should be an exhausting day!

Flea Market

I've been spending the weekend selling stuff at the flea market next to Wildman's so I haven't gotten out to take any pictures. We are thinning out our stuff before the move and I have been selling prints and photo pendants. It's been fun and we have met a lot of interesting people. If you happen to be passing through Cooper Landing tomorrow (Sunday 7/12), stop on by & say hi.

Wild Fires Everywhere

There are about 70+ wild fires in the state right now with two near my home. Here are a couple of pictures showing how the smoke is affecting my community of Cooper Landing. Normally the mountains here are seen very clearly, but as you can see in the first image, the haze is obscuring them.

Hot & Sunny Sunday!

What a great 4th of July weekend. It was hot and sunny so we went to the East Fork of the Moose River and went for a dip. I played in the water with my dog and took pics of water lillies. It's great to live in a free country!!! What a way to celebrate that freedom!

July 4th

Happy 4th of July everyone! The sun is up too long in Alaska this time of year for fireworks, so we celebrate with them at New Years. Enjoy a couple of pictures to help get you in the spirit!

Flowers Galore

I haven't done any fishing lately but have gotten some nice pics of flowers. Here are a few - enjoy!
Be sure to check out my website http://alaskadigipic.synthasite.com for more.

I Love The Russian River

Today was one of those perfect days on the Russian River. The sockeye finally started their run up the clear cold water and sight fishing was a pleasure. I arrived at about 5:30am and there was still mist rising from the water.

I had my limit of fish in less than an hour and spent the next two helping a tourist from Florida learn how to spot the fish. And I took a bunch of great photos. Tomorrow morning I will make another journey down there and then rest for the weekend while all the crazy folks from Anchorage and the valley invade my peaceful stream and turn it chaotic.

Insane Combat Fishing

As an Alaskan living in Cooper Landing I am near one of the greatest salmon fisheries in the state. I love fishing in the clear water of the Russian River and sight fishing for the explosive red (sockeye) salmon. This year, due to low water in the Russian and massive crowds in the sanctuary area, the reds aren't pushing up the Russian. This is the first time in my life that I have walked that stream this time of year and seen no fish. In order to catch any I actually had to fish in the combat zone.

It was a mad house. The fish were thick - you could see their dark backs through the turquoise water, and easily hook up in just a few flips. But the people, my oh my the people. So many that if you do hook up with a fish it is almost a guarantee that you will tangle several lines in the process of bringing it in. Catching red salmon is a thrill for me but I sure do hope those fish push through into the Russian River soon. I really dread having to enter the combat zone again!

Soldotna Friday

Went to Soldotna yesterday to see my chiropractor and saw a big moose swimming across the Kenai near the powerline. By the time I stopped & grabbed by camera he was already across but I did get one decent shot of him in the trees.

Boring trip to town except that I spaced out my visit with my friend. Being home from work for so long has messed with my mind. They days just roll together and are so boring. I forgot we were meeting until I got home, unloaded my groceries and saw the antique cake carrier that I was going to give her. IDIOT! (Leanne, I can hear your voice when I type that word - LOL)

Stopped & got more pain meds & tranqs for the doggie. He just gets way too excited and wants to play at his normal hard pace. I have to keep him midly sedated so he doens't hurt himself until he is fully healed from his surgery. Poor puppy - he just wants to play!

Rainy Thursday

Rain, we need it. It's nice - the dog and I went to the river and played around in the rain.

Learned some twitter strategies today. Hoping to expand my social and business networks.

Had a lumbar puncture the other day. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I still hurt.

Time for dinner - hope you are all doing well!

Love you-
Rhonda

Sunday Fun

Today I made a soldered photo pendant that actually worked. I printed the images on canvas coated inkjet paper and it wasn't damaged by the heat - yippee! I need to pratice my soldering and maybe get a wider copper tape, but all in all I am pretty happy.

The stress of packing and moving got to me and I have a terrible headache. I had to lie down with a heating pad for a while and took a nap, but still have the darned thing! It must be time for a glass of wine. Yea, that's it. That will help my headache, and if it doesn't I won't care after a couple of glasses. Untill next time, cheers.

The move is ON!

I am working on soldering images between two layer of glass. I need different photo paper though, because the heat is damaging the glossy finish. Luckily there are ton's of crafters willing to share their experience and skill.

Drake is doing well after his shoulder surgery. He doesn't care for the therapy, but at least he lets me do it a couple of times a day. Poor baby - he just wants to PLAY!

Packed more boxes today. And now I know the move is real, I just paid for our Alaska Ferry tickets. We leave on August 26th, Montana bound. At least I am secure knowing I will still be able to keep my job on the slope no matter where I live.

I know I will miss Alaska terribly, but I do like Montana. And it will be nice to be able to drive different roads and go to other states without having to fly out. I am so familiar with the same two highways in Alaska - I know every pothole and frost heave personally!