Christmas 2009 and oddities

Merry Christmas!! To help pass my time on Christmas while Scott is at work, I thought it would be good for me to update my blog again. I'm really trying to be more consistent.

Well, last Sunday we finally got around to purchasing a Christmas tree. It's a very cute tree... Just took these pictures today, so there are no more presents under the tree. Speaking of presents, thank you to my family, and to Scott's family for so many nice, nice gifts. They were all very thoughtful, which made for a very nice Christmas morning. Thank you! :)











I'm missing being with my family during the holidays for the second straight year. Kind of a bummah. I'll be chatting with them in a little bit, to see how their day is going.

This is Scott's Christmas gift to me:




It is a map of the village of Whitman in 1903. When we were visiting Massachusetts in October, we went to Plymouth and were in an antique store looking at all of the wares. We came across all of these old, old maps of towns on the South Shore. Unfortunately, there was no Whitman. However, Scott (unbeknown to me) took the business card of the woman who sells the maps. So for my Christmas gift, Scott contacted the woman for a map of Whitman, who shipped it here and then Scott had it professionally framed. It is an AMAZING map - SO COOL!! Suzy's house is on the map, and the Schofield's house is on the map, and Spivak's, but not my parents...because their house wasn't built until 1912. The houses on the map are all labeled by their street number, and the lots of land are labeled the owner name of that time. It also has an index. It is such a fascinating map!! We are going to hang it tonight.

---

Here are a couple of pictures of our new home. We are still missing pieces of furniture, and our artwork isn't hanging yet, as a result.

---

And now back to our roadtrip. We took just a small number of pictures, having the video camera and all, but here are a couple that I just came across.

I believe those pictures were from our second full day of the trip(??). Somewhere in the northern part of Canada's Yukon Territory.

---

More videos: I'm behind on getting these up - it's pretty time consuming to get them uploaded. Nothing too special in this batch, but the last one is pretty interesting.

The Northern Lights. Not visible with this camera (I believe you must have a film camera in order to capture them), but you can hear Scott and I talking about them. This was shot around 4am-ish on the second full day of our trip.

---

A Yukon Territory morning, on our way to Whitehorse.



---

Elk, I believe, in the Yukon Territory



---

The scenery after leaving Whitehorse, YT.

(I shot a little bit of footage while we were in Whitehorse, but it appears that the files are corrupt and not viewable.)

---

The beautiful scenery on our way to Watson Lake.



---

The Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake

---

Scott heads North tomorrow to see his daughter. He is really excited to be with her again, and I'm very happy for him :) Not too much new here outside of our acclimation to the new environment. I'll write more about life in Seattle once I catch up with all of the videos from the roadtrip. Maybe by then I'll have something thoughtful to write down that will better reflect and fairly represent life here. My current stream of consciousness won't do, I don't think.

Hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas and soon to have a safe and happy New Year!!

It begins...

The beginnings of five long days...

We decided to drive to Seattle from Anchorage. We had a couple of garage/moving sales, Scott sold his truck, we packed up our things on a barge, prepared the Volvo for all "worst case scenarios" and off we went.

Louie was pretty darn well behaved. I was impressed! Although I think he was dissatisfied with me by the end...his home was the car for about a week because once we got to Seattle, we had to look for an apartment, and we weren't about to have Louie running around wreaking havoc at Scott's Dad's home, where we stayed upon first arrival.

---

2360.48 miles.

The Al-Can Highway.

Views, snow, darkness, a hellava lot of time together in a car.

We had a successful trip, with the biggest issues being the odometer/tripometer stopped working and the trunk froze shut one night (we were able to pry it open). Scott and I got along great, we had a lot of fun together! We are hoping to do the drive again some time - but in the summer, so we can enjoy the scenery a bit more.

---

We left Anchorage on the night of Friday, November 13th. We made it as far as Glenallen, where we stayed at a motel and then took off early the next morning with the hopes of making it as far as Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. We didn't quite make it that far so we stayed the night in Destruction Bay.

This group of videos are mostly from the first full day of driving. Peruse as you like. And let me preface this by saying that the audio is not spectacular -- over-modulated in fact. So please bear with on the consumer quality of these videos... These videos have no bearing whatsoever on our professional abilities.

---

The Hub of Alaska - our first stop of the first full day of driving.



---

The drive to Tok




---

Too soupy for scenery



---

Scott tells a short story about his experience near the Chistochina River



---

First wildlife encounter

---

The sun makes an appearance

---

Evidence of a forest fire - 70 miles to the Canadian border

---

"Sun Dogs"

---

"Sun Dogs" 2

---

Goodbye Alaska, crossing the Canadian border

---

Second wildlife encounter - first encounter in Canada

---

Scott calls his Mom from Destruction Bay, YT

---

Ted and Jason's Knob Creek puts us to bed in Destruction Bay, YT.






So ends our first full day on the road....

A New "Home"

It's been several weeks now since we've arrived at our new "home". Still adjusting on my part - believe I've had culture shock...and continue to have it.

The Emerald State is nice. That's about all I can say about it right now. I haven't experienced enough good things to go on a rave, and I'm not about to talk about how I don't like it, because we haven't been here long enough for me to give it a fair chance.

I'm going to post some videos of our road trip here. There's a lot of them and they are, in a way, meaningless. I've titled them so you can decide if they might be worth your time to watch.

I don't expect everyone to know about our move, so here is a little synopsis:
Scott got a job at KING-TV in Seattle, so we moved.

More to come later - mostly videos I think. I don't really feel like writing. It's probably going to take quite awhile for me to get them all up here, so as always, please be patient - heck it's only been three months since my last post...

So I've been lazy...

...and not posting "real" content.

I'll go through the usual excuses:

1. too busy
2. work keeps me preoccupied
3. Scott keeps me preoccupied
4. too busy

...one NEW excuse that I've been thinking about lately is that if I'm happy, I don't feel/have the need to write. Kinda like writing in a journal when you're stressed out or trying to work out feelings/thoughts.

I've been thinking about me not having the desire to write much when things are working out on my end here in Alaska.

Things now are going really well! I appreciate the state of Alaska incredibly, and that appreciation grows daily.

Why am I writing now?

Because I can't sleep. Not that it's that late, but I just got off work, don't have to wake up too early tomorrow, I'm by myself, and just feel like sharing my little thoughts with whomever may decide to sit down and read them.

I have a TON of pictures to post. Even dating back to when Marianne, Alyssa & Tim visited over the July 4th holiday. What an EXPERIENCE.

I learned a lot about myself and where I came from during their visit. Scott just recently mentioned to me how he hasn't heard me talk about home or being homesick since they left....ha!! It's true!! I don't know what it is, but it's true...

I think what I experienced was eye-opening in the fact that I feel much lighter about my life here. Things are....rosier?? I feel like life here suits me really well. I'm happier. Trying things I've never done before. Been going out on a limb with my thoughts and comforts. There are several examples I'll go into later on.

I think another little part of what I was going through while my family visited was that the people in Alaska, mostly, are very true. And people live here because they WANT to live here. It's such a unique place in America to be, that it's not for everyone. And those people leave. So what we're left with in Alaska is just a bunch of oddly distinct demographic of persons.

Pretty cool.

Having family around, and frankly, just someone from home here in my new element was pretty freakin' cool. Weird, like two worlds colliding, but very cool. It was SO nice to be able to share my excitement for this land with people that I truly love, and know me. I received a very nice email from Tim telling me about his joys of the trip. I still wish that there were more fisheries open for him to really experience Alaska fishing. We'll have to better coordinate their next visit during the running of the reds on the Russian.

All in all, I really appreciate their visit. It was awesome. And I think the pictures show that:



The trip started off with a drive down the Kenai, to Seward, home of the annual Mt. Marathon race. From there we tried our hand at fishing at a couple of local lakes (with minimal success - sorry Tim). My family went on a glacier cruise out of Whittier, via the Alaska Railroad. I know that was a highlight of their trip. And we also managed to fit in horseback riding, a trip to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, kayaking through Passage Canal, and a flight seeing tour of Anchorage's local favorite: the Chugach Mountains. We also found time to go shopping at the downtown shops and market.

---

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a local hike with an Alaska newbie. It was a nice hike, with nothing major of consequence.



---

This past weekend, Scott, Jilene and I went on a short backpacking trip out of the Eagle River Nature Center. It was Jilene's first overnight backpacking trip. Experiences like this are really good for her to be getting out in nature and to get some exercise.




That's about all I got right now. Pretty tired at the moment and need to head to bed.

Temperature update: 67 degrees with a moon in Whitman, 57 degrees and cloudy in Anchorage
Sunrise/set: 6:03a/7:27p in Whitman, 6:38a/9:24p in Anchorage

"Anchorage's Flower Picture"

Another natpack. This one is about a flower picture that is planted every year at the intersection of L St. and 15th. Once the flowers grow into the beds and fill it out, the picture is seen clear. It is almost always Alaska themed.

"Fire Mitigation"

Fire mitigation in Alaska helps in many ways. Forest fires consume millions of acres in Alaska every year. It is part of mother nature's regeneration. Unless the fires threaten structures or communities, they are allowed to burn. After a small midtown forest fire last year, it was decided to take care of some mitigation efforts in that area to make it easier for firefighters to contain.

"Seward Wind Energy"

Renewable energy sources are a big thing in Alaska, where the cost of energy is so high, and is compounded by long, harsh winters.

People are really trying to convert their current energy to renewable sources that cost less in the long run.

Channel 2 has run many stories about what people are experimenting and going with, and the challenges they are facing as they pioneer in new energy directions.

This is the story of a couple trying to link their new wind turbine to the energy grid, but are facing issues with the city of Seward allowing them to do so.

Reporter Lori Tipton and I visited the couple and the Seward City Manager to have a better understanding of the situation. This story aired in May of this year.

"The Whole Story is Dad"

This is a "natpack". A story that I produced by myself, without the aid of a reporter. In this style of story, the people who's story this is, tell their story. No reporter track necessary. These are my favorite types of stories, as they are the most natural.

This was a Valentine's Day story about a woman who hand-makes chocolate.

Congo Refugees

Leyla Santiago and I worked on a story that told of the strife of one Congo family's struggle to America. Their journey and the hardships of what the endured in their old life.

They are a wonderful family, with much promise for their future. They are very loving of each other and understand the importance of family.




---

In part 2, Shawn Wilson was the editor.

City-wide Cleanup

Every spring, Anchorage has a period of time where there is a city-wide cleanup. Volunteers pick up all the trash leftover and hidden from the long winter.

In this particular story, Meg Baldino is the reporter, Scott was the photojournalist, and I was the editor.

"Sailing Resurrection Bay"

Another "Assignment Alaska" story. This story with shot with Reporter Jill Burke, and aired in May 2009.

The World Beard and Moustache Championship

copyright KTUU-TV, 2009
Reporter: Jason Lamb

Assignment Alaska - Veterans Aviation Outreach

copyright KTUU-TV, 2009
Editor: Phil Walczak
Reporter: Lori Tipton

Assignment Alaska

Every Friday at the station we air a segment in the Newshour titled "Assignment Alaska". It is the opportunity for us at the station to get out into the community, digging for the stories that make Alaska so unique.

This video aired in March 2009, as part of the "sweeps" period - a time period to set advertising prices based upon viewer ratings.

The story is about the effects of the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake (measuring 9.2/Richter Magnitude Scale) on the port city of Seward in Southcentral Alaska.

It forever changed the landscape and souls of those who lived through it.

copyright KTUU-TV, 2009
Reporter: Jason Moore

"A Recreational Asset"

A little bit ago I mentioned that I wanted to get more of the stories I've worked on, up here. This story is one that I shot last summer. It details the community's enjoyment of a local trail.

"A Recreational Asset"

copyright KTUU-TV, 2008

"Alvira Downey of Kotzebue"

copyright KTUU-TV, 2008

Williwaw Lakes

A bunch of weeks ago (it's been awhile since I last post - sorry), Scott and I backpacked into the Chugach to the Williwaw Lakes region.

It was absolutely the best hike we've done this summer. Beautiful area of the Chugach, between the views from the Football Field, and the camping areas around the Williwaw Lakes...not to mention Mt. Williwaw itself.

The trail starts from the Glen Alps trailhead, then moves along Powerline Pass for just a little bit, then on up to Little O'Malley, a mile across the Football Field, then down a scree slope to the valley where the beginning of the Williwaw lakes lie.

Do enjoy these photos. I think the pictures of the rainbow that parked itself on our doorstep is the most impressive...

Johnson Pass

Scott and I traversed along a section of Johnson Pass two weekends ago. It was the best hike that we'd done yet! The views and array of scenery were spectacular; the trail was clear and groomed. We came across about a half dozen piles of bear scat, which unnerved me a bit. Especially when we saw the bear tracks...!!! We also came across some moose tracks. We never saw those animals in-person, although Scott was hoping to!! He was making me nervous, thinking he was giving us bad karma!!

Here are the photos from our trip:

The Girdwood Tram

Leyla's friend Patricia is visiting from Puerto Rico for a week. And ironically, from her trip to Alaska she moves to Springfield, MA for her residency.

At any rate, Leyla, Patricia, Joshua and I were able to hike out to the tram in Girdwood (about 45 minutes south of Anchorage).

Leyla (and her boyfriend Zac) have different days off from Scott and I, unfortunately. So if there is ever an opportunity for any of us to hang out, we try our darndest to! Because Patricia is in town visiting Leyla, Leyla switched days off at work so that she could have a Saturday off.

We were supposed to go kayaking in Whittier, but the weather forecast was too grim. So instead, we all piled into "Jo", my Volvo, and headed out to Turnagain Arm.

The hike was relatively short and pretty easy. The terrain wasn't too steep, and the trail was very well established.

The tram itself was a lot of fun to work. It's constructed on a pulley system and transports individuals over Glacier Creek. The scenery was pretty stunning, although because there were a bunch of people on the trail, it was tough to justify planting ourselves over the middle of creek to take pictures. There was a line starting to build on either side to use the tram.

Just after the tram, we came upon Gorge Bridge. What fantastic scenery. We felt like we could've hung out there for hours, just relaxing and watching nature.

Pretty darn splendid.

Here's some photos:

don't even know what to write

Scott left tonight for Las Vegas for an NPPA conference.

It was a really tough goodbye.

Missing him so much.

Wow. Am I pathetic?

I pick him up on Sunday. Four days away.

Does that tell you something after 13 months?

Another trip!

This past weekend, Scott and I went camping with our friends Kendra and Goat. We camped at the Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site, and hiked around the nearby glacier for awhile.

The whole trip was just wonderful and hanging out with Kendra and Goat was a lot of fun!! They are a real hoot!

The hike around the glacier was amazing - I've never experienced something like that. We took a bunch of photos and took in the stunning scenery.

The drive to the campsite was two hours north of Anchorage, on a road I hadn't traveled more than 45 minutes on. So all the scenery along the way was new to me and quite possibly the most scenic I have seen in all of Alaska so far. It was literally stunning!

This slideshow starts out with a couple of pictures of the drive and then on to the glacier hike.



Temperature update: 56 degrees and mostly sunny in Anchorage; 63 degrees and mostly sunny in Whitman.
Sunrise/set update: 4:27a/11:33p in Anchorage; 5:08a/8:18p in Whitman.

a practice renewed

I've gotten out of the habit of putting some of the stories that I work on here on the blog. I have a ton to get up, so bear with me as I get them web-ready.

This story was about the murder statistics for 2008. I believe this aired New Year's Day, 2009. If not that day, then very soon after. Rebecca Palsha is the reporter.

copyright 2009, KTUU-TV

Byron Glacier hike

Today Scott, Jilene and I hiked to the Byron Glacier. Byron Glacier is about an hour away from Anchorage, to the south, just before Whittier. It was a very easy trail which followed Byron Creek.

We saw a bunch of moose poop along the way, and I noticed some animal tracks near the creek bed, but other than one bird, we didn't see any wildlife.

It got cooler as we approached the glacier, especially when the wind picked up. We couldn't get as close as I was hoping, as there is an avalanche snowfield there that cuts the way. You can proceed through the snowfield, but Byron Creek runs underneath it, and you need to be really careful where you step, as you don't want to end up in the creek.

According to my hiking book: "Byron Glacier, visible in the twisting canyon upstream, is a hanging glacier... Ahead , the creek pours out of a massive snowfield, a permanent feature built up of the hardened avalanche snow of many previous winters. If you want to wander out onto the snowfield, do so with cation, staying well clear of fissures and the ceiling of the stream-cut cavern; they're potentially very dangerous, as are occasional avalanches into the Byron valley as late as early June".

---

Next weekend's trip is an overnight trip to check out the Matanuska Glacier. From what I understand, we can actually hike on it!!

This is what happens in my spare time

Another tear is another memory wiped away.

I'm spending some time alone this weekend.

And I'm alone this Saturday evening enjoying a glass of wine, watching my little friend Louie walk about, and from time to time craving my attention.

I was watching a movie - "Mystic River". Before that it was "Mystery Science Theater 3000" that someone at work let me borrow.

I was better off watching MST3K - hilarious shit - totally my sense of humor.

Now I'm bummed from watching about a half of "Mystic River". It's a depressing movie to begin with, but add onto that that it's based in Massachusetts and I get all sentimental 'n shit.

So now I'm sad again.

Add the white wine into that earlier equation and of course I pull out my high school senior yearbook.

That was a mistake.

Now I'm even more bummed that I'm not back home.

I feel so conflicted. I LOVE living here in Alaska.

But shit, it's not home.

And the longer I live here, the more I like it. But there are still so many things about home that I crave.

The people, as hardened and as guarded and as jerky as they can be; the neighborhoods (they don't have New England-type neighborhoods here - who'da guessed); friends of course; and family - as if I have to say that.

Not to mention my memories and the history.

The pace of life here I adore. The scenery. Being away from "reality"?

Things are so different here. Much so from the "Outside".

As I delve deeper into my yearbook, the memories flood.

Good and bad.

Classmates here; classmates gone.

Classmates I still consider friends; classmates I consider acquaintances.

---

That is what first prompted me to write.

From what I understand some people have been asking my Mother where I've been, why I haven't been writing.

Maybe this is why? Because if it's outta sight, outta mind.

I'm glad to be writing right now. Therapy?

I wish I was writing more. I haven't been devoting the time. The spare time I do have I've been reading - I have some great books to recommend if anyone is interested - working - working some more - and trying to keep things stable in my private life.

I've also been awaiting my sisters and brother-in-law's arrival. Just about five weeks away!! I cannot wait for them to come!!! To share with them my enthusiasm for this place and to have the benefits of their love, companionship and physical persons here at the same time?!?!?!!? Gosh!! I wish they were here for a month!! Never thought you'd believe that, huh Squirty?!?!

Tomorrow, Scott, Jilene and I hike to Byron Glacier. It should be a nice and easy one mile hike. It's supposed to rain all day tomorrow, so who knows how far we'll get. Hopefully an enjoyable day away from Anchorage, and from work.

With time like this alone it's nice to write my thoughts here. I hope it's not too much; but at the same time I hope it happens more often. It stinks because I feel like I have to be mildly conflicted in order to write, with time on my hands....lately I've been conflicted, but without the time.

I don't know what kind of future the blog will have. I hope many of you return for continuous posts, but I cannot guarantee that. I guess it depends on my mental state...or perhaps how I prioritze my time. If I have more alone time, in theory, I will have more blogging time.

---

Let's hope tomorrow's weather holds and there'll be some new pictures on here of a "new to you" Alaska.

a rarity

A rare sight to see in Anchorage:




---

These pictures were taken on my way to Scott's house one day. This reminded me of home and of the thunderstorms we get. Very rarely does it thunder or lighting here. I don't believe there was any of that during this particular weather system, but we did just have a thunderstorm roll through here last week.

---

Weather update: 74 degrees and fair in Whitman, 56 degrees and mostly cloudy in Midtown, Anchorage.

Sunrise/set update: 5:11a/8:12p in Whitman, 4:39a/11:17p in Anchorage

Thunderbird Falls

A nice little hike to Thunderbird Falls, and camping at the Eagle River Campground with Scott and Jilene.

Thunderbird Falls was an easy one mile hike, one way, to an overlook of the falls. We couldn't see as much of the falls as I thought we would, but it was really nice nonetheless. We took a bunch of pictures at the overlook, as well as down at the river where they emptied out (couldn't really see the falls much from there, though).

We took this hike as an opportunity to teach Jilene about Devil's Club. A prickly sonavagun that grows up to 6ft tall and is abundant across Southcentral Alaska. You'll see a picture of Scott pretending to hug the bush in the slideshow...

We're trying to get outdoors with Jilene as much as possible this summer so that we can show her the world out there. There is so much to see and experience!! We're looking forward to a hike to Byron Glacier here soon, too.

with a little explanation this time

The pictures from the albums of last post. This time in a slideshow format.

Gull Rock:

Scott and I went on our first backpacking trip of the season to Gull Rock (April 25-26). We set out from the trailhead in Hope, and hiked the 5.1 miles out to the windy peninsula.

Some of my notes of my trip are as follows: "LOTS of downed trees and LOTS of WIND at Gull Rock. Overcast and cloudy".

The hike itself was more arduous than we expected, as there were many downed trees across the trail, making it difficult to continue on. Because of the wind and the epidemic of the Spruce Bark Beetle, many of the trees are easy to come down. When we finally made it out to Gull Rock there was a constant wind. At least there were no mosquitoes!! We made camp, carefully selecting where to pitch, because of the wind and the trees. We were exhausted and a little fearful of bears, especially with this being the first hike of the season. Finally we were able to relax after some good food, and with a little help from our friend "Jim".

We went exploring on the peninsula after supper and took in what view we had. It was a bit cloudy, so there were "spectacular" views, but views along Turnagain Arm are pretty much beautiful every time.

Once done exploring, we turned in for the evening. I think the temperatures got down to the low 30's, but nothing intolerable. When we awoke the next morning we took our time with breakfast and then broke camp to begin the trek back. The going was much easier this time, most likely because we knew what to expect. It felt like it didn't take as long, either. We stopped for lunch at an overlook of Halfway Island. That was really nice. Scott is so good with preparing all of the food and taking care of much of that. I just take the pictures...




---

Bird Creek:

Scott, Jilene and I went overnight to Bird Creek. Bird is along Turnagain Arm. It has nice campsites, not too crowded. We had some fish for supper and eggs for breakfast.

We tried to explain to Jilene how to take care of one's self when nature calls....wow... Then we also taught her how to blow snot rockets...cuz how many times when you're in the outdoors do you have to blow your nose, but there's no tissue?? Happens to me all the time...

All in all it was a fun experience. Jilene got to ride her bike some along a trail. We'll get her off those training wheels soon enough.






---

Flattop:

My first hike up this trail. Flattop is the most climbed mountain in the state of Alaska...and it should not have taken me over a year to do it. But I suppose that's just a part of my goal this summer: to get outdoors as much as possible and to do as much hiking/backpacking/camping as possible. I'm sure I'll do Flattop again this summer, too. I went up there with my friends Zac and Joshua. I hadn't hiked with either of them before, but I would certainly do it again! They both really relish the outdoors and are a lot of fun to hang out with.

Zac was like a bullet up the mountain, while Joshua and I took our time. For me, being out of shape, I was going to be the slowest one up there. But for Joshua, who has done a TON of hiking in his day, was taking it slow to take in the scenery.

When we made it to the top, we all just hung out for about an hour and a half or so, just laying around, taking in the scenery. Finally we decided to walk around, explore a little bit and then head down the mountain. We took a different route on the way down, which was a good way to take in another view of the Chugach. On the way up our view was of Turnagain Arm and of Anchorage.

All in all, it was a really lovely hike and one that I look forward to again in the future.

in the meantime

I haven't devoted ANY time at all to my blog, other than in thought.

With that being said, things here are well. I've got LOTS to write about, but no time as of late in which to do so.

Because I am reminded more frequently than I would have thought a little more than a year ago, to write more on here, I have some pictures to tide some readers over until I prescribe more of my time to actually write.

I have lots planned for the summer (yes, summer has finally arrived here in Anchorage), and most of my posts will be pictures of the trips and hikes I'll be exploring.

For the time being:

Pictures from a trip to Gull Rock that Scott and I hiked in late April:

Gull Rock 04/25-26/09

Pictures from my first hike up Flattop with friends Zac and Joshua:

Flattop May 2009

And a my first ever trip to Seattle. Scott and I went to visit his family there in early April.

Trip to Seattle with Scott

Eventually I'll get around to describing these adventures in some detail. But until then, I hope you all enjoy. There will be plenty more to come.

Oh, and to answer Aunt Susan's question, yes, I have been out of town a fair bit lately, mostly for work.

Hope everything is well with you all.

Temperature update: Anchorage, 45 degrees and mostly cloudy. Whitman, 55 degrees with dense fog.
Sunrise/set update: Anchorage, 5:10a/10:42p. Whitman, 5:22a/7:59p.

I leave soon

Today is March 8th, 2009.

I leave on the 10th for a work trip of a lifetime.

The Iditarod Trail.

After MUCH preparation, purchasing of goods, food, winter gear, I'm just about ready to go.

I'm nervous. I feel like I just want to get going instead of prolonging the inevitable.

I know that I'm going. I know that I'll be prepared at that time.

What I don't know are the conditions.

I know how to shoot.

I have learned how to best prepare for the Last Frontier. I am aware that your survival is alone up to you.

With all of this in mind, I am ready to leave. And also am anxious.

It is discomfort.

The best way for me to get over this is to experience this. Overcome the discomfort, have it become a part of my lifestyle; another experience.

A major experience here in Alaska - the Iditarod Trail.

Here are a couple of pictures of what I have to pack. Certainly not limited to what is necessary to survive. There are things here that are not pictured which will be a part of my repertoire.

Scott's things packed up. Everything that he needs packed into one duffel bag and one backpack.

And to my apartment,the expenses incurred on my behalf due to this work trip: approximately $700.00+. Between the hand warmers, protein-laced nutrients, polypropalene underlayers, headlamps, bungee cords, etc, heading out to cover the Last Great Race is no easy task.

Also among the missing: my camera gear. That is the bulk of what is not pictured.

I'm thinking I'll have the opportunity to take maybe five showers in a twelve day (ish) period. That is a max.

I'm packing three pairs of underwear, two sportsbras (polypro), a pair each of thin, mid and heavy weight long johns, among other few things. Not much, but ya know what? This reminds me of playing in my backyard with Suzy, rummaging through the "vast" land and beyond the fenced-in area of my cardboard box. The field and farm behind our house - turned housing development...are you surprised?

I remember playing with Suzy, proud of the holes I received in my grey sweatpants as we hopped fences and picked off ticks from our clothing and bods. Slightly reminiscent, yet beautiful all the same.

I'm looking forward to this new adventure, and the new parallels that I may be lucky enough to draw from.

Just another trail on the Last Frontier.



Louie has yet to know what really beholds him of my adventure. Poor guy. I can't wait to spend some good quality time with him again. That's what this next day is about: me spending time preparing for the trip and hanging out with my little buddy.

With my move to Alaska, I don't know what I would have done without him.

---

Temperature update: 22 degrees in Anchorage; 40 degrees in Whitman.
Sunset/sunrise update: 8:34a/7:48p in Anchorage. 6:43a/7:04p in Whitman *(a/o 03-09-09).

Scott is Home

My world is right again.

:)

The winners are in...

Congratulations to the new Best of Photojournalism winners!!

Although KTUU did NOT win this year's Station of the Year, we did come in runner-up.

Congrats to KCCI in Des Moines...our small market rival of recent years. We came out on top last year, but couldn't keep it going strong enough to win a crown this year.

Congratulations also to Darren Durlach!! I'm hearing wonderful things about your tape - I saw "Reflections on America" and was certainly impressed - what effort!! I'm sure Zac and Leyla are VERY proud!!

Congratulations again everyone!

---

Click here to read judges comments...

Click here to view the winners...

---

Scott is in Tampa with several other achieved professionals in the industry for the judging of NPPA and Poynter's "Best of Photojournalism" contest. I sure can't wait for his return!! It's been a long week, for both of us...

February 22nd

The sun is beginning to show its face again.

The sunset from Beluga Point, along Turnagain Arm

I hear that during the month of February we gain up to a half an hour of sunlight a week.

The path of the star is much how I remember it a year ago today. At about the middle of its cycle during its journey to the ends of the earth.

It is a year today that I have been a resident of Alaska. I feel strange knowing that I've been here for a full year.

For most of my time here I've considered myself "new"; in many respects. How long should I consider this? I still think that I am new to news, but perhaps not to Alaska. I find myself being more educated about the politics and whom to speak with for which story at work. It's nice. I feel like I am able to do my job better, which of course makes me happy.

In my original thoughts upon choosing Alaska and KTUU as a place to move my life, I wanted to be here for two years, gain experience work-wise, enjoy the state and move on. However given the year that I have had here, I believe I will be here longer than just the two years. Even as I type that statement I think about how much I miss the people from my life in New England. I really miss my family, Suzy, Paul, Mike, Tim...

Knowing that Alyssa & Tim, and Marianne are coming to visit in July is comforting, as is planning my trip home in the fall. With those thoughts I am able to focus on several goals that I have for myself during this next year.

Before I look at my current/future goals I want to revisit a goal that I made for myself when I first moved here. That goal was to have a story on the station's "Station of the Year" tape. This is for the Best of Photojournalism contest through the NPPA and Poynter. I am glad to say that footage that I shot made it into two stories that are on that tape. That makes me feel like I am growing as a photographer and that I am able to help contribute to the success of our staff. We should know next Friday how we did in that contest...

Leyla and I working on a story out at the Russian River, on the Kenai Peninsula

Covering then-Senator Ted Stevens through the night of the primary in Alaska. Several weeks later I would find myself alongside Jill Burke covering his federal corruption trial. *ADN photo

Lori Tipton pretending for the camera that she is holding me and my camera in her hand. Picture taken while we were on Gravina Island, getting footage of the infamous "Road to Nowhere", affecting Ketchikan.

My goal for the next year here is to continue to grow as a photojournalist. To become far better, to contribute to the team effort on more levels, to take more chances and to be a better storyteller.

To give the people's stories justice.

To be fair.

To gain more experience and to learn from those experiences.

That has, by far, been my biggest frustration with my work: my lack of experience.

I am one of the least experienced news photographers on staff and it bothers me to no end. I wish that I could be as good a photographer as Zac, or as Eric, or as Shawn, or as Scott. I know that I need to give myself time, but that is just so hard for me to take. I know that I am a better photographer than what I have been producing, but don't know what it is that is different about me.

My dirty mug after shooting a "Day Trippin'" story about ATV tours. Reporter was Angela Blanchard and shot near the Eklutna River between Anchorage and the Valley. *photo by Angela Blanchard

Trying to keep my eyes open while en route in a helicopter over Denali National Park to shoot video of an area where two hikers had been missing for several days. The hikers were found in good condition, albeit hungry, after approximately five days missing in the wilderness.

That's my goal: to learn what I am doing differently that is not giving me the results that I yearn. To be a far better photographer than I am at this moment.

The airplane I just departed from on a trip to Cordova, to cover the reaction of residents there in response to the Supreme Court decision regarding the Exxon-Valdez oil spill lawsuit.

Shooting footage of the infamous "Road to Nowhere" on Gravina Island, near Ketchikan *photo by Lori Tipton

Gathering some footage of Juneau homes. *photo by Lori Tipton

Self-portrait with Mendenhaal Glacier in the background, in Juneau.

Rebecca Palsha and I on a fishing boat charter covering a story about a fishing tournament for veterans. Both of us became extremely sea-sick. Not one of my finer moments.

Covering the All-Alaska Sweepstakes sleddog race out of Nome. *photo by John Carpenter

A few of the turbines at the Kotzebue wind farm.

---

As for my personal life, I have not made many friends. Not many at all. I really enjoy hanging out with Lori & Bob, Zac & Leyla, Jason, Ted, Jim and a few others from work. But outside of that group, I don't really have friends. I've met several great people from the softball teams I was a player on. I'm looking forward to getting together with those teams again this summer - if they want/need me.

Maybe I'll get the "friendship balls" to become more social. That's part of my problem. I haven't wanted to put myself out there. It's like it's too much work. I already have friends from back home that I know and trust and have a history with. The people here I'm starting from scratch with. Not that there aren't good people here, but the effort on my part just is not there.

But then I can contradict myself and say, 'well, if I plan to be here for several-plus years, then I had better put myself out there and begin long-term friendships with people'. Ah, carolyn... The mental positions you put yourself in...

Thanksgiving at Lori & Bob's. Picture of Lori, myself and Leyla. *picture by Zac Gooch (?)

Bob & Mark's Anniversary party at Blues Central. Pictured are (L to R): Ted, Jason, Lori, Bob, myself, Scott, Leyla and Zac. *picture taken by ?

During the night of Bob & Mark's Anniversary party at Blues Central. Leyla, Lori and myself. *picture by ?

So I should probably make that another goal of mine for this next year of mine in Alaska: to be more social.

---

Continuing along with my personal life, my boyfriend is a topic that I have purposefully neglected to talk about much on my blog. Given the circumstances we desire to be private much of the time. With that in consideration:

Scott is the most amazing person that I have ever known personally. And our relationship is certainly the healthiest and happiest that I have ever been in. We have so much fun together, whether it be just hanging out at his condo relaxing over a beer, or falling asleep to a movie at my apartment, or sharing mini-vacations away from Anchorage creating life-long memories together in little, cozy cabins in the middle of the wilderness. We have so much in common and can practically finish each others sentences. We are in pretty constant and fluent communications with each other, so there is no game-playing. We share our thoughts and feelings, and are the better for it.

Scott and I during our brief paddle boat trip during our stay near Seward.

A nice overlook along the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Seward.

He helps to make me a better person. He tolerates me and my moods, and when I get riled up...he actually enjoys it when I am riled up. I think that's because he sees that I am passionate about certain things in life. Scott is a very passionate person as well, and that is one of the most redeeming qualities about him that I love.

It's an ironic story how things worked out that we ended up dating. And one that I'll wait for a future post to describe.

Scott and I visiting Exit Glacier
---

The two of us in Seward
---

Susitna River Lodge, Talkeetna
---

Artic Valley, Anchorage

---

Louie is still faring well. He has become more complacent and mellow since our arrival. Definitely not as rambunctious as he was in the bungalow. I kinda miss that actually. That was part of his personality, and I suppose with age that is beginning to fade...not that he's that old, because he's not. But I'm sure a lot of it is because he doesn't have a lot of stimulation around him here. He used to have Molly and Zoe to pounce around with, but nothing of the sort here.

Louie just recently had a visit to the veterinarian. He is fit and healthy. I must be doing something right!!

Louie

---

As a mini-celebration for myself for my one-year anniversary I took a walk on the coastal trail and drove out along Turnagain Arm to Beluga Point to watch the sunset.

Alaska truly is magnificent.






Temperature update: 11 degrees in Anchorage; 31 degrees in Whitman
Sunrise/set update: 8:17a/6:10p in Anchorage; 6:28a/5:27p in Whitman