Tag Archives: Random

Snowman Army

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There once were “these people,”
a posse of people
a mass of mischief
a heard of hoodlums
out to see if snowmen could rule the world. They were inspired by Calvin and Hobbs, please tell me you know who this amazing little boy and his crime fighting tiger are… or you can just stop reading right now. If not, redeem yourself and do some research HERE to expand your cranium… Anyway, these intelligent people built an army on a lazy street in a small, unsuspecting town. Built with care and much joy.

What would happen when the enemy came? Would they choose to wipe out an entire army? The builders laughed at their genius and applauded themselves for the craftsmanship.

Snowman Army

Misc 247

It didn’t take long before that enemy came in the form of an unholy Subaru with a sinner as a driver. A murderer. Earlier than the leaders had hoped, the army was forced to take a stand. The snow masters taunted the enemy with shouts as they saw a decision be made. Bank the car in snow or take out a few casualties.


Snowmen in dangerThey chose to sacrifice a few innocent snowmen for their safe trip to town. The snow still stuck to their tires.

Don’t worry, the army received a full military funeral, directed by the Mr. Sunshine.

Moose Transport

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Several weeks ago I walked into hangar Lake and Pen Air and jumped at the sight of a full size stuffed moose. Just hanging out. Hiding his head in the airplane engine covers. Like he was embarrassed. I missed seeing it be transported out on the Caravan. That alone would have been fantastic.

Well, I finally got the call that we needed to move the moose (I named him Phil) and his friend Leroy, the dall sheep, from the hangar down to the bay to be loaded on the barge. Its future home will be in a hunting lodge across the lake.

It was a classic bush Alaska air taxi moment and the highlight of my day.

There was no way I was going to be in charge of driving this precious cargo down to the bay.  Let me point out that Phil the moose was at least 7′ high at his shoulder. He could have “jumped” out at any moment, crushing us beneath him. So I did what any good air taxi employee would do. I took up the rear. With one guy up front and one on the side of the moose, my hands went through the back legs and up around the rump.  My cheek rested nicely on his right but cheek.  I secured myself for the drive and had to constrain myself from laughing at how strange this entourage must have looked.

When we got to the bay, there were several ladies from a near-by work project who came running to take pictures of us. Paparazzi! Phil looked good, he was just missing his antlers. They are waiting till h reaches his new home to be bolted on to his head. Poor guy.

They proceeded to take the mounts and load them on the barge.  Yet another surreal moment, realizing the journey all of this stuff has gone on to make it to a remote Alaskan hunting lodge on Lake Clark.

One of the many reasons I love my job at Lake and Pen Air.  Never a dull moment!

Fur Rody Fun

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The Iditarod.  A 1,000 mile race across Alaska’s unforgiving terrain gripped by winter’s clutches. Sixty-seven teams set out yesterday from Willow, Alaska to endure a challenge only an elite few will finish, each one dreaming of the warm steam bath at the end.  Wait, maybe that would just be me.  Do their snow pants and “foot condos” have central heating?  Do they have enough bacon treats for each pooch? There is a humanitarian award for the musher who treats their dogs the best.  I’d bring along my friend Alison, aka the dog whisperer, she’d ride shot-gun, take care of the dogs and make us lates along the way.

Our pups would definitely have hot pink rocket booties like these. I’m sure they’d have some additional sparkly flare, maybe a sequined butterfly shirt? I don’t know where I get these ideas… And soon this doggy bling would be all the fashion rage sweeping Seattle, where there are more dogs than children.

The teams as they were lined up waiting to go would be straining to run, throwing themselves into the harnesses, ready to RUN.  I was most surprised by the type of dogs.  It’s become an “Iditarod breed,” intermixed to pull out the best qualities to endure a 1,000 mile winter race.

Speaking of sequined butterfly tops… weird. I own three.  Not that I’m collecting, but if you find one, you’d better mail it! Anna Burrows – General Delivery, Port Alsworth, AK 99653.  Anyway, a group of hoodlums that I call my friends decided to talk me into RUNNING WITH THE REINDEER! They were like, “Hey Anna do you want… ”  YES, I’m in. What are we doing?

We get to DRESS UP? YES. YES. YES.

Any chance I get to dress up is a no brainer. AND run with reindeer. Check that off my bucket list… #5756, done!

So, we joined 2,400 of Alaska’s (and beyond) finest citizens who also think that dressing up and running 3 blocks with reindeer is a fantastic idea.  A few of my friends decided to entice those hungry reindeer by dressing as hay bails. Brilliant, I know. That’s why they are my friends.

The little reindeer were so cute.  Small. Like pocket size! But those antlers are a bit awkward to stuff into my satchel… so I just decided not to bring one home this time. And I kind of felt bad that they were released among a dashing crowd of maniacs. I had contemplated grabbing the antlers and swinging onto their backs as they ran by, but I did touch one as it ran by!

The variety of fur fashions were alone worth the flight into Anchorage.  The people watching was almost as good as going to the DMV!  Many people sported full fur coats and the ever popular fox, wolf or lynx hat with head, feet and tail included.

Peanut Butter

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It’s no secret that Jon and I are lovers of this precious nectar of the gods. Glorious goodness. As small children, I remember having serious conversations with Jon about if peanut butter will be in heaven.  I was more worried that if the rapture happened, would I have time to quick run to the store and get some on my way up to heaven?

 It’s safe to say we both probably consume some every day.  No judging. I know you secretly consume Nutella, Cheetos or Red Vines with an equal vengeance.  We recently realized we consume one large container Adams Chunky Peanut Butter every month.  No exception that February is a ‘short’ month. The question remains… does peanut butter land on the “emergency expediting” list?

Iliamna Barge Excursion

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One cold rainy Sunday afternoon this fall, I got a call after church from Ryan asking if I wanted go on an adventure. There was a seat open in the Stinson to fly down and help move a hanger door onto the barge in Iliamna. A what? A hanger door…  At first I said no, knowing it would be a long cold afternoon, and I was quite enjoying my book in front of the wood stove.

But, I don’t often get the chance to tag along on crazy excursions like this, and transporting large items from Iliamna to Port Alsworth on the barge is a true bush Alaska experience.  I decided to pack some hand warmers and join them.

We flew 20 miles to the end of Lake Clark to Nondalton, the village closes to us.  We landed there, pulled out our gear, and got a boat ride down another small lake and into a river that leads to the barge landing close to Iliamna. And by barge landing… see the picture below.

We arrived to see the 60 foot steel framed door on top of the semi-truck and no crane operator in sight. No we couldn’t just get on our cell phone, or hop in the truck to find them… we were on Alaska time, so we had to wait for the operator to show…hoping he really did know we were coming “some time that afternoon.”  After about an hour, he arrived. I decided to stay clear and let the men work… I was merely there for sight seeing.

I found a good spot up on a hill and picked a few low bush cranberries while I watched the long process of securing the door frame to the crain and hoisting it up and around.  They had to set it down, readjust and swing it carefully around again to the barge.  It being so late in the fall, the water is low, adding another challenge of having the barge further out in the water.

It was quite impressive to see this massive structure swinging around on a crane in “the middle of nowhere.” Let’s just say, building the largest airplane hanger in Port Alsworth is not just an average or simple project.

Barging something to Port Alsworth is an 8 step process. Much like a facial.

1.  Purchase product and have it transported to Homer landing and load onto a barge

2. Barge traverses 100 miles from Homer to Wiliamsport landing

3. Remove product from barge and transport down a 6 mile road to Lake Iliamna

4. Transfer on another barge in Lake Iliamna transport to the town of Iliamna

5. Remove product from barge and transport down a 10 mile road to the Iliamna barge landing

6. Remove product from truck and place on Port Alsworth barge

7. Barge 30 miles up a river, to 6-Mile Lake to Lake Clark and home to Port Alsworth

8. Unload barge and transport your product to your home. Finally.

Rise and repeat.

Even though it was a long cold afternoon, I was a very unique experience.  It makes me appreciate all of the comforts we have in Port Alsworth, thanks to this barge.

On our way back, we buzzed low along the shores of Lake Clark skimming for brown bears. For as long as I’d lived in Lake Clark, I had yet to see a bear closer than a small dot from an airplane.  We came up on 3 or 4 big ones hanging on the shores, feeding on dead salmon. It was also beautiful to fly over the area and take in the beauty of the fall colors that only stay a few short weeks.

If you can’t make it fun… make it memorable!