Been Awhile, Sorry...

Sorry to say we are remise in posting... It's been a busy time here in Alaska. I will say that we are having fun but it's been very busy. Pam is working on putting a large amount of pictures up on a site called "Flickr". When she has the site setup and the pictures added she will let everyone know. I got a new camera for my birthday and I'm having a great time taking pictures with it. I got a Nikon D80 since my old 35mm was a Nikon and I like their products. Besides, I only had to buy the body because I already had lenses that would work with it. At any rate both Pam and I have been taking lots of pictures and we want to share them with you so she is fixing the "Flickr" site for you to view them.
Time to talk about this winter... Pam and I have decided that we will be heading south for the winter. We may be coming back up here to work at the hotel again next summer, that is to be determined. The owners are discussing that possibility. However, we got to figuring it out and it would cost us just as much to stay here for the winter as it would to go south and come back up, since we would really like to be warmer than 25 to -40 this winter we have decided to go south. So, we will be leaving here around the 18th of Sept. and heading down. I have a Dr.'s appointment on the 15th of Oct. (that may change) and then we are free as a bird (at least so far) from that point on. We are considering working this winter if we are going to come back up here for the summer, if not returning to Alaska=no winter work. If we aren't going to return, and we would like to so that we can see even more, we will probably hang around the southwest for a few months and then start heading east. It's getting to be time for us to try the east coast for awhile.
At any rate, still lots of things to decide before definite plans are made. The only planning I'm doing right now is when I'm going Halibut/Lingcod fishing in August and which direction we will go when we leave here in Sept.. It's a matter of whether we go down to Anchorage and then head out of Alaska from there (different route to Tok is all) or whether we just go to Fairbanks and do the same route we did when we came to Alaska. Some of the decision will be determined by the weather. We are looking forward to seeing everyone and hope that we get to meet up with all our friends when we get back to the lower 48. I promise to keep you up to date as to what is going on as it happens or at least within a few days of it happening.

Animals and Sunsets

We've had all sorts of visitors (animal-wise) and enjoy seeing them all. Here are some of our animal friends.


Mamma Moose and calf Red Cap Finch at the bird feeder

Black Cap Finch above Red Squirrel Bird - at least he thinks he is....

Baby Snowshoe hare in one of the rooms Snowshoe Hares are all over the place!!


A mother moose and her twins came to visit one day and Rick grabbed the camera!

and last but not least, a GORGEOUS sunset (about 12:20 a.m.)

Behind the trailers Mount Healy in the sunset glow


firey ski, about 1 a.m.

Our Days at Denali Park Hotel

It's hard to believe that June is almost gone!!! We've been working hard, but playing at the same time. Here's some pictures of the crew that we work with relaxing and enjoying the season.

The pictures below are taken at a campfire with all of us, including the Golden Retriever - Chewy. Some of the girls had never been to a campfire and never had S'mores, so we all had alot of fun!!

By the way, these pictures were taken from 11:00 p.m. to about 1:00 a.m.

Rick chatting with friends in WA state. L to R - Rick, Lyazzat, Eva, Mariela, Mariya, Rob, Simona, Alina, Jo, Don, and of course, Chewy

Rick and Lyazzat- she's from Kasastan Lyazzat, Eva, Mariela, Mariya, Rob, and Simona

Alina, first time for S'mores! Eva, Mariya, and Rob

Simona, Alina, Jo and Don Lyazzat, Eva, Mariya, Rob, and Simona

This is a movie of some of our fun, enjoy!!!

Lyazzat and Alina are from Kasastan. Eva, Mariela, Mariya, and Simona are from Bulgaria, and Rob is from Colorado. Jo is from New Mexico, Don is from Florida, and then there is us....

Below, inside the office having a staff lunch of Salmon!! (these pictures are daytime, unlike the ones above that were nighttime.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE OLD FART!!!

Today is Rick's 60th birthday so sing him "Happy Birthday" loud enough for him to hear up here in the wilds of Alaska.

We took 4 days off from work and went to visit the Kenai peninsula below Anchorage.
We saw LOTS of gorgeous scenery!!!!


Views from our hotel in Homer



Homer Spit (Below)




Saw lots of COMBAT Fishing on the Russian and Kenai Rivers.... Combat fishing?? Wall to wall fisherpersons!

Saw some nice King Salmon caught!


The welcome bunny at the hotel and a Red Squirrel that doesn't think he's a bird.


Bird Sancutary near Anchorage with lots of nesting gulls and terns.

Bottom Right - Bald Eagle in Homer

This eagle (below) landed in a yard in Homer as we drove by. Then took off with a Halibut carcass the homeowner had put out for it.

More scenery from Homer and one of the trains that are full of tourist (this one was near Anchorage.)

More of the bird Sanctuary L - Artic Tern hovering R - Some type of loon

Seagulls that weren't afraid of anyone!!! Again at the bird sanctuary.

This robin was singing a great song at the hotel in Homer, and the eagle (r) flew by below the hotel as we were sitting outside.

View of the Homer Spit, it juts out 4 miles into the bay (L) Magpie (R)