Beard Contest

Several of my co-workers and myself decided to participate in the Movember ??? thing where you don't shave for the month of November.  The idea is to bring awareness to mens health and looking at your prostate . . . I guess?  Ok, so the message was lost on the group, and we really just wanted a beard contest.  There were 5 of us total participating in the contest.  We started November 1st at the ATCEM environmental conference and we ended last Friday with the "Best Beard" portion of the contest (Gary won), and today we concluded the contest with the "Best Design".  Verdict is still out on who won (will find out tomorrow), but here is the picture I sent out to the rest of the floor to rate our beards.  People in the photo are; Gary, Stephen, Intern III (David) & myself.  Enjoy.

Christmas Pictures

Our friend Matt from Crockett Photography agreed to meet us down in Girdwood for some family photos.  We have been friends with Matt for years- good friend and great photographer.  He makes our family look magazine worthy!!  Here are a few of the shots from Sunday.  These were posted on Facebook too, but they are just too nice not to post again.  Still not sure which one we will use for the final Christmas card!

Went in for ONE thing!!

Had to get one thing at Lowes with the family before heading down to the cabin for the weekend.  We ended up finding that one thing . . . and a fire pit and another Christmas tree.  Dang Black Friday Specials!!  We were not even sure we would get everything in the car!!  Luckily my Pier One car loading skills from High School were still freshish.  We got everything in and the doors shut.  Not the most comfortable 30 minute ride to the cabin, but it worked:)

All Hallows Eve

Fun time on Halloween this year.  We went down to Girdwood straight after work.  There was an accident on the road due to snow, so we took it slow.  The Alyeska Hotel had an event for kids from 5:00 - 8:30.  The festivities included a scavenger hunt for the kids, candy stations, a conference room full of jumpy castles and a costume contest.  The kids were both dressed up in their costumes, Sam was an astronaut and Zach went dressed in his liederhosen.

 It was a great time.  The kids had a ball.  There was plenty of candy to go around and the "scavenger hunt" was fun as it led us all around the hotel.  Sammy won 1st prize for the costume contest.  He wowed the judges with his lighted astronaut backpack.  Very fun indeed!

We left around 8:30 and headed back to the cabin.  We got the kids fed and ready for bed and then Renee and I snuck out for a couple of hours for a concert at the day lodge.

We must be getting old, because we got there really early and were one of the first people there.  It was nice though, because Renee and I had a chance sir just catch up and talk for a while before the band started.

We had a great time people watching.  There were some really creative costumes.  The Yeti costume was particularly fun.  The gal that wore it had made it from scratch.  The jelly fish were very fun as well.  Renee and I make a very cute Pirate couple.  Once the band started, an all female Led Zepplin tribute band called Lez Zepplin, it was almost too loud to talk, so we headed home.

It is nice only being a  block and a half from the action.  We got home and all was well and the kids fast asleep.  it was a fun evening and a nice departure from our busy schedule.  Glad we could sneak off for a couple of hours.  Already looking forward to next year.

Pumpkin Carving Time

Just a few pics of carving pumpkins.  The kids had a great time.  They designed the faces themselves.  Pretty creative.

Making progress

More work accomplished this weekend at the cabin.  It is getting late, so I am not going to write much and just going to post the pictures.  They pretty much speak for themselves.  Got a lot accomplished.  Thanks to Gary for his continued hard work.  

Posted this picture on Facebook.  Renee and her "new" kitchen.  She has been a good sport throughout this process.  We are moving right along though.  Should be close to getting it complete by Thanksgiving!!

Alaska kids - don't realize it's cold out yet!!

Pretty trees.  Winter is here!!

Self leveling compound for the floor.  The two holes (leaky) are right were the island for the old kitchen used to be.

Gary working on the upper cabinets.

The small wall upper cabinet (it lights up) and wine rack.

Kids keeping occupied with their electronics while we are working.

Water closet almost complete.  New vanity mirror and art work hung this weekend.

Wiring on little wall is starting to take shape.

Early morning coffee with ear protection (Gary is sawing something)!

Kitchen is inching along.  It looks totally different than the previous set-up, and this one looks like a million bucks!!

We now have a modern microwave!!!  Went in easier than I thought.  Unfortunately it can only direct vent back into the room.  Ideally I wanted to use the duck work that the previous direct vent stove utilized.  We had two studs in the wrong place where the vent needed to go, so . . . no venting outside.  Made the microwave install easy though.  

Partial eclipse of the Sun!

Not sure what the deal was with the eclipse.  I always think of "Little Shop of Horrors" when there is an eclipse.  Someone mentioned it at work and we all went outside to look at it.  It was a partial eclipse and we could see it great, as the day was crystal clear.  Someone had brought some eclipse viewing glasses from the museum.  Tried to take a picture of it with the phone, it turned out ok.  You get the idea anyway.

Good night Camper

Time to put the camper to bed for the winter.  We had the camper parked in the driveway all summer, but fall has now rolled around, and our homeowners association states that "summer recreational equipment can be out in the driveway from May 15 until September 15 with a one month grace period as people manage their off site parking situations.  This year was kind of a cluster trying to get it squared away.  I had the camper in the driveway past September 15th, giving me around a month to figure out where we were to store the camper.  Last year we stored the camper out at the Fairgrounds in Palmer.  They keep the rigs in their huge covered barns and are reasonably priced.  The barns are used for exhibits for the livestock, vegetables, flowers, farm equipment and other vendors during the Alaska State Fair in late August.  The rest of the year they remain idle.  Storing recreational equipment in them in the off season is a great use of resources.  The best part is the stuff is covered.  No worrying about snow, blowing snow, ice, sleet, wind, trees, or other assorted winter weather related worries.

So . . .  we again had the camper planned for the fairgrounds.  Then . . . we bought the place in Girdwood.  The cabin, condo, ski chalet . . . we still haven't decided just what we are calling it yet, has some property and we thought that we might be able to store the camper there . . . for "free".  I had talked to the guy that owns the B side of our condo early on, and gave him the rundown of where I thought I could put it.  He wasn't real excited, but was willing to pass judgement when we pulled it down.  Well, we (I) pulled the camper down and parked it (roughly) in place.  We had it there maybe three nights and I got a complaint from the neighbor.  I also got warnings from the other neighbors about how much snow that part of Girdwood gets (don't think they wanted it there either).  To be honest, I wasn't able to push the camper back as far as I initially thought I could.  The grass was too mushy and I didn't want to tear up the lawn with the car.  Also, the camper cover was on back order, so when the new tenant pulled up to tour the place, there was our camper smack in the middle of the lawn . . . with no cover.  A few days later I had some friends try and help me position the camper back further and turn it 45 deg to try to camouflage it, but again, the ground was too mushy and we couldn't push it back where it needed to go.  The camper has to go, it is not welcome here and will probably be crushed by the weight of all of the snow.  No worries, plan "B" time.  I pulled the camper out of the yard in Gridwood, and back to the house in Anchorage.

So I mentioned to a co-worker my dilemma (first world problems) with the camper.  She let me know  that she had a spot fenced in on the side of her house that was earmarked for a pop-up that she and her husband had never bought.  The spot was empty and she wouldn't mind if I parked the r-Pod there for the winter.  Perfect!  Free parking and someone to shovel off the roof!!  So I pulled the camper over to her house a few nights later.  It had already snowed in our neighborhood (8", see previous post) and Renee and I were getting nasty letters from the homeowners association, reminding us that the time had come (and gone) for us to put our summer toys away!!  So I was very glad that the camper was finally finding a place to go for the winter.  I again, hitched up the camper and dragged it down the hill.  I drove across town and pulled into Rebecca's neighborhood.  I rolled up on her house and before I even stopped the car, I knew this wasn't going to work.  The spot she had on the side of her house was too small!!  I could see it from the road.  The gate was far too narrow for the camper to slide into.  I rang her bell, and we measured the gate just to be sure.  Yep, 6 inches too short.  Dang, now what.  I called Renee and we decided just to pull the camper over to Halliburton to decide how we wanted to proceed.  At this point I was ready to give it away!  I didn't want to pull it back to the house and I was worried about more snow in the near future.  All the plans had fallen apart.

So, the next day Renee checked on the storage situation for the camper storage lot next to Halliburton.  We had actually kept a few things there over the years.  Still reasonably priced, but not covered.  The only consolation was that it was in Anchorage and not far to pull.  The place however was full.  They were going to call back once they had double checked the yard, but it did not look good.  Renee called me to relay the news, and I was starting to run out of ideas.  Then . . . it hit me.  What if I went back to the beginning??  I decided to see if the Fairgrounds might still have room.  We canceled our reservation over a month ago, and I had no idea if we had even missed the load in date.  But, at this point what did I have to loose.  So I called, and I got a very friendly voice on the other end of the phone.  She informed me that the Fairgrounds still had my deposit from last year (glad I didn't pursue them sending it back!!) and that they had room and . . . the last day for load in was Friday!!  Wow!! what luck!!!  I was super stoked and called Renee right away.  It was funny how things came full circle.  Doesn't matter how we got there, it just matters that we ended in a good way, and I have a good story.

Well, that is pretty much where the story ends.  I pulled the camper out on that Wednesday and had no issues with the drive or the load in.  It was a beautiful sunny day and I new that the camper was in good hands.  I'll remember this story next year when that time rolls around again to put the camper away.  I'll start at the beginning and stay there.  I won't have as interesting of a story for the blog next year, but that will be fine with me.

Let it Snow

Well winter arrived with a "BANG"!!  Renee and I noticed it had started to snow last night right before bed.  This morning we were awaken to a winter wonderland.  Everything was white and pristine.  What a difference a few hours makes.  I got a late start because before we could head to work, I had to snow blow the driveway.

I was worried about the drive in, not having driven on snow in six months, and the other yahoos who have maybe never driven on snow.  No worries though, everything went smoothly on the drive in and I didn't see any ditch divers.  

The hillside got the most amount of snow, around 8-10 inches.  The snow accumulation tapered off the closer you got to downtown.  It snowed until around noon, and then the sun came out and the temps crept to above freezing.  Drive home was wet, but uneventful.

Kids were excited about the snow.  The playground I imagine was pristine and white at the start of school.  By the time I saw it it was pretty wrecked.  Big brown bits of snowmen littered the yard and kids running around throwing what looked like mud balls, but were probably snowballs caked in the under layer of the playground.  

At home the kids enjoyed the untouched snow in the yard for about an hour.  The snow was perfect for packing, so snowmen were on order for building.  

Sammy is getting the hang of building snowmen . . . but he has a little ways to go.  Anyway, I am glad that they are enjoying the beginning of winter.  We have a long way to go and we need to make the most of the white stuff!!  Let it SNOW!!!

Starting to take shape

It has been a long battle and I am only now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I haven't been writing much because I am spending most nights in Girdwood and we have yet to hook up the internet.  Here is a quick before and . . . well not quite after (that will come later).  Just a sneak peak into what I have been doing at the cabin in Girdwood.

I've taken out the before picture.  It actually looks better than the after (for now).  Still a lot of work to be done.  Cabinets need to be hung, lighting run, floors put in, heat added to floors, paint, re-assemble the ski bench . . . the list goes on.  Getting there though, still trying to get it presentable by Thanksgiving . . . we'll see?!?

Mellow Yellow

Dang . . . the leaves right now are simply beautiful!  Alaska doesn't get the reds, oranges and rust colors like the forests of the lower 48.  We have mainly spruce and birch trees up here.  The birch are the only trees that turn, but the result is a "sea of yellow" when driving around town and down to Girdwood.  The evening sun seems to produce the best light too.  It is a real treat to drive down after work.

Lately I noticed something different about the road south to Gird.  Driving the Seward Highway in the summer months is an exercise in frustration.  We are typically running late, pulling a boat, trying to drown out the two loud kids in the back with the radio, and rushing to get the Whittier tunnel.  We can usually make it to the tunnel entrance in 45 minutes . . . as long as we don't get behind a rubber necky tourist!!  The are tourists EVERYWHERE starting in mid-May and lasting until . . . well, now!!!  They drive slow (at least 15 UNDER the speed limit), if they do speed up it is only when you are trying to pass!!  You can sometimes get around them, but are sadly rewarded with another "flock" of slow moving vehicles not too much further down the road.  We go through this "dance" all summer long.  Speed up . . . slow down . . . pass a rental camper . . . dodge past a rental stopped in the road gawking at the belugas.   You catch yourself dreaming of the day when you can drive all the way to Gird or Whittier with no vehicle in front . . . only the open road.  Well . . . it happened.  The tourists went home (I guess they don't have the stomach for the cooler weather), and the road opened up.  No one in front . . . no cars in back.  Glorious day!!!!  I'm free!!!!!! . . . but wait, what is that on the other side . . . TROOPERS!!  There is one . . . then a few cars later . . . another.  I don't know what it is but as soon as the tourists leave, the State Troopers flock to the road.  These guys are serious about catching speeders too (no I didn't get stopped).  There were at least four coming the opposite way on the drive down last night and the next morning there was a speed trap(sneaky, sneaky)!!  These guys spoil all the fun.  So, in addition to having no cars in front and having to set the pace for oneself, one has to make sure that the vehicle is making forward motion to ones destination in an orderly fashion and well within the bounds of allowable velocity!  This is actually harder (and less enjoyable) than I initially thought.  Alaskan's don't have the opportunity to drive much on an open road, I am out of practice!!!  I had to set the cruise control on the car to make sure I wasn't going faster than should be going.  Before I set the cruise I would look down to see the speedometer on 80, other times it was under 50.  The vehicle itself is partially to blame.  The Touareg likes to go fast, is quiet, and lulls you into pushing harder on the accelerator.  The truck on the other hand is loud, likes to go slow and is easier to regulate the speed.  I typically take the Touareg so I need to get used to driving like a normal person again, or just use the cruise control.  At least for the three weeks until the snow flies . . . then it is a new game all together!!

Helping Hand

I have been heading down to Girdwood every evening this week to work on the Condo remodel.  It's like I live a duel life; Garbage Guru by day . . . Home Improvement Specialist by night!  My friend and co-worker Gary has been a HUGE help with projects at the condo.  I would seriously be freaking out right now if it weren't for his help.  We are making progress . . . but, every night we seem to create more work than we finish.  Gary is a trooper and knows his stuff.  He may be a bit more intimate with our toilets than I would like him to be . . . that sounds odd, but we will leave it at that.  The place is going to be perfect when it is finished.  A little sweat equity will make the place look like a million bucks!!

Shake, rattle and roll!!!

6.2 earthquake in Anchorage today and it was a doozie!!  I was at work talking with a co-worker when it hit.  It sure got our attention.  There was an initial shock followed by at least a 10 second tremor . . . then the real shock hit.  It kind of moved the building around.  You could see the buildings swaying back and forth outside.  Some of the people moved to the doorways and others bolted outside.  Our group just kind of stood there and watched.  I didn't THINK it would be too serious, so I wanted to take it all in.  It was the best quake I had ever felt.  The building even sustained some cosmetic damage.  Pretty cool!!

It wasn't quite this bad (not in the slightest), but the quake was a good wakeup.  Never know what is around the next corner.  Big one could be on its way!!  *Lets hope not:)

Dang it!!!!!!!

Super bummed this evening.  Painting the kids room and had to move the bunk bed to access the wall.  As I tried to maneuver around the bed, I moved some stuff around on the bed and heard a clunk!!  I looked around to see what had fallen and was disappointed to see that I had dropped the kids Dino head.  Dang, I was really sad:(  It is always something!!!  Sometimes one has disappointments in life.  I know that this is just a "first world problem", but is still sucks!!

It's that time of year again!!

Time to put the boat away again.  Summer seemed to go by WAY too fast!!! At least it was a beautiful day out, and I was able to back the boat in before it got too dark.  Mom and Zach were big helps in getting it backed into the garage.  Everything actually worked like it should and there were no hick-ups.

Renee's Birthday . . . 29 and holding!!

My Sweetie on her Birthday . . . a few years ago.  Happy Birthday Renee and heres to 41 . . . er . . . 29 more happy years!!