Quite Days...

Greetings Everyone!

We've been quiet for the past couple of days because we went into Anchorage to take care of business.  We left on Monday - President's Day and returned Thursday.  When we crossed the lake - we were followed shortly afterwards by our friends.

Our friend arriving at the lower landing. 
 He and his wife had come to check on their cabin, relax and visit.

His wife - arriving on her snow machine at the lower landing.

Driving back to Anchorage - I took a picture of the frozen spring water flowing from the hill side. 

Fishermen trying their luck in the Kenai River. 

Near Johnson Pass - the winds were blowing and lifting snow off the mountain peaks.

Hauling supplies back to our cabin on Thursday - the day was beautiful and sunny.
However, the winds were blowing about 10 -15 mph.
 Crossing the lake was fine - except for all the 'bald spots' of lake ice that were exposed due to the blowing winds. That night - Thursday- the temperatures warmed up to the high 30's with strong winds blowing in from the southeast - the winds and warm weather continued through Friday.  On Friday afternoon - four of our cabin friends crossed the lake and reported the lake had developed overflow and a lead had opened up along the ridge. 
Today, Ernie and our friend will check out the lead. Last night the temperatures went well below freezing and the weather is calling for snow with continued temperatures will be below freezing.

This weekend another couple will be arriving to stay at their cabin through break-up - this will be their first winter break-up as well.  We are looking forward to their arrival and company!

Take Care!!

Furry Friends...

Greetings Everyone!

The little moose showed up at our cabin - she looks healthy and bigger.   

The little moose is growing up!

One of our constant visitors at the cabin - the hares live around and about.

We've not seen any other animals - but we've heard the owls and beginning to see more smaller birds flying around.  

Take Care!

A New Ice Ridge ...

Greetings Everyone!


We have been enjoying our sunny days and getting out to explore.  More folks are coming out to check on their cabin's and see what we've been doing.  Two friends arrived late Friday on their snow machines, two others walked across from the lower landing on Saturday and another friend came across with his son and his son's friend.

On Friday - we went into Sterling to get our mail and do a dump run. While we were in Sterling - we learned there was an earthquake - but did not feel it because we were moving.  A friend contacted us to let us know that while he was out on the lake - visiting the ice fishermen at the lower end of the lake - they told him about the quake and that it had broken off a chunk of  lake ice near their fishing area -- falling into the river - it must have been rather  startling.

Later that afternoon - we returned to the lower landing - loaded up and took off across the lake.  We crossed the ice ridge that runs east to west from Frying Pan Island.  Then - about two hundred yards later - we came upon a second ice ridge running east to west half-way across the lake.  This ice ridge was much smaller - but we could see water had oozed up around the ice ridge and was freezing - we quickly crossed the ridge and continued on to the cabin.  Since the second ice ridge was not there when we first crossed - we speculate that the second smaller ice ridge was created as a result of the quake?

The snow machine trail across the ice.

The new smaller ice ridge - running east to west.

The new smaller ice ridge.

Saturday evening we were invited to a friends cabin for dinner - very yummy food, good conversation and much laughter. Our social life is definitely changing. Today - we will pump water - then, explore some more.  Take Care!

Fun, Ice and Work ...

Greetings Everyone!

Although our days have been cold (20*F during the day and minu 5 -10* F at night) - we have had absoutely beautiful sunshine and stunning sunsets. 

A dramatic sunset - facing southwest!

With the change in season - moving towards Spring - we've had more folks coming to the island to check on their cabin and see how we are doing.  On Friday evening - we gathered around our friends bonfire - sharing stories, hot toddies and pork 'n bean bread.

On Valentines Day - Mike (MacGyver) invited us to go with him to explore around, up and across the lake.  As we explored - we took measurments of the ice depth -- readings were 16 inches.

The lake had cracks at various spots - this one looks so perfect!

"Riding the Ridge" - following the ice ridge - going north to south on the east side of Caribou Island. 

I couldn't resist taking a picture of our shadow as we were exploring the lake.

Taking a break to marvel at the rock outcroppings along the lakes' shore.

On Tuesday - we went into Sterling to get our sled - a friend of ours had taken the sled into town to have a lumber rack and additional hitch welded onto the back - plus Ernie had the sled reinforced.  We then picked up our mail, some supplies -- plywood and tongue and groove pine paneling -- all loading VERY nicely onto the sled. The ride across the lake was smooth and quick.

We are doing well - and thank all of you who have come out to check on us. Take Care!!

A Surprise Day ...

Greetings Everyone!

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Our day was one for catching up on chores - pumping water, hauling wood etc. 

The temperature is now slowly dropping - which gives the lake a reason to begin 'talking' with all of its moaning, groaning, cracking and humph sounds. My Aunt told me that our lake sounds at the cabin are common to lake and pond sounds in the winter.  In fact - when she was a little girl - her elder brother (my Uncle Ned) - told her the sounds are made by a Dugong.  I'm sure he said that with tongue in cheek - because a Dugong really does exist - but prefers the warm waters off Australia.



Ernie sawing wood.
We are expecting a cold spell - so we are stocking up.
 Ttemperatures will be going down below zero -- minus 15* F.

Our friend - who some of us refer to as Mike MacGyver - came by for a quick visit. 
Pulling an empty 250 gallon propane tank behind his snow machine! What a surprise that was!
He purchased the tank and then totally refurbished it so that he can use it at his cabin.
He also brought us the Anchorage Daily Newspaper so that we could catch up on all the local news.

 Ernie watches as Mike MacGyver takes off with his propane tank.

All in all, we had an interesting day - Take Care!

Overflow ...

Greetings Everyone!

We've enjoyed daytime warm temperatures - but have lost some snow due to melting. The snow on the lake turned into overflow - but is thick below.  Lucky for us the temperatures went below freezing at night.

With the recent warm temperatures - the lake has a sheen of overflow.

Our beach has gone from snow covered to visible rocks.

Taking a snow machine ride as sun set approaches from the southwest.

A sunset display facing southwest.



A wow - almost looks like a Van Gogh sunset!

With the weekend approaching - we are expecting other visitors to the island.  Some will come to check on their cabins and enjoy the winter, some want to come and try out their new snow machines for a couple of days - others will come to spend a few weeks to catch up on projects, haul materials and visit.  We are expecting two other cabin owners to come out to the island to stay and experience 'break-up' - so we definately have some changes on the horizion.

Take Care and have fun!



From Sun to Storm ...

Greetings Everyone!

We've had some interesting fluctuations in weather these past two days - from wonderful winter wonderland conditions to melting snow and high winds.  With such a beautiful day on Monday - I took a mini-ski trip from our cabin to the mainland across from our cabin. 

Ready for my ski adventure on Monday.
The day was absolutely beautiful with a temperature of 25 * F.

Skiing to the mainland across from our cabin. 
During my crossing - I saw a number of paw prints.
From the spread of each set of paw prints - it appeared as though the critters were trotting. 

The view from the mainland - back towards our cabin. It took me about 15 minutes to cross.

A big change in weather! 
 On Tuesday we woke up to howling winds and blowing snow. Our friend who is building his cabin came by to borrow a ladder - and he's heading back to his cabin site with the ladder.
 Later - the snow turned to rain and the temperature rose to 35* F
where it remained throughout the night.

As the snow began to melt - I made a snowman - which turned out to be somewhat of a challenge as the winds were blowing quite hard - clocking in with gusts up to 50 mph.

Sounds and sights of the wind.

We have some questions from blog readers - so I will answer them:

1.  How long does it take you to cross the lake from your cabin by snow machine?
Response: It takes us approximately 15 minutes pulling the sled - and it seems much faster than by boat. I also like being able to carry more weight and supplies.

2.  Do you ever get tired of the winds? It seems you get a lot of winds out there.
Response:  The winds don't bother us - we stay put if the winds are blowing strong.  We use the wind to generate electricity - so the winds serve a purpose.  And yes, we do get a lot of winds throughout the year - its due to our geographical location between mountains and related weather patterns.

3.  Have you seen the little moose lately?
Response;  No we've not seen the little moose - only some tracks a few days ago.  Perhaps she is growing up and knows to stay away from humans.

4.  You mentioned that you have a water hole where you get water, is the water safe to drink?
Response:  The water that comes into the lake is glacier feed however - we filter all of our drinking water.


Thank you everyone for checking - in!

Longer Days ...

Greetings Everyone!

With the days getting longer - and the beautiful weather - we've had visitors. The sun rises around 9:00 am and sets at approximately 5:30 pm - but with a gain of five minutes of daylight each day - we will soon be bathed in longer hours of sunshine - it definitely feels different - like spring is in the air.

Friday our friend showed up on his new snow machine. 
We've not seen him since November - so his arrival was exciting.

Later on Friday - some other friends showed up.
I took this photo Saturday - about noon - at the Lower Landing - they had just crossed the lake in front of us. There was an early morning fog - very thick - so everyone seemed to be coming and going at the same time.  Just before we left the island - and we were still close to the shore - we came upon our other friend - the one who is building a cabin.  He was hauling supplies to his building site with the help of his friends.

On Saturday - we headed into Sterling for our mail, fresh veggies and to get Ernie's chainsaw. 
 Oh - and to purchase a tub of ice cream! Our sled - which is now repaired - holds supplies as we prepare to return to the cabin.

Zooming across the lake - returning to the cabin. 
 Both of us wear a helmet with a face shield - in fact - most folks we've seen snow machining do as well.

Coming up to the ice ridge on the lake - just before reaching Frying Pan Island.

On Sunday we cut up old logs and wood from an old wood pile we've had for years. 
 The old wood pile has supplied us with all of our wood this winter.

An amazing view from our cabin - just before sunset.

Today - we are going on a cross country ski trip to the mainland across from our cabin.  We've seen a number of paw prints in the snow - possibly coyote - so we will explore a bit. 

Take Care!

Taking It Easy ...

Greetings Everyone!

We've been having some strange weather for the past week - first high winds, then snow, snow mixed with rain, rain and now snow again. The temperatures have also been reflective of the conditions - ranging from the mid 20's to mid 30's.  All of which have effected the lake - overflow under the snow. 

We had tried to cross country ski around the island - but the snow is too wet and just sticks. However, the snow is good for making a snowman and having a snowball fight.  Plus the waterhole we drilled the other day has not frozen over - so that is a pleasant surprise.

Early morning sunrise at approximately 9:00 am - our days are now getting longer!

                      Ernie getting ready to attach the snow machine sled to the new snow machine hitch.

                       I don't know if I had mentioned it - but I broke the hitch off. Long story - but I was playing around with the snow machine while the trailer was hitched - and decided since I had never backed up the snow machine - I should give it a try. Well - I backed up way to fast and jack-knifed - snapping off the hitch.  Ernie got the hitch repaired - quickly - because we need the snow machine sled to haul supplies.  A real daaaa factor on my part.

Taking a moment -- as we were out testing the new hitch.
 A snowstorm had just passed - so we went out to play.

We have not seen the little moose for a number of weeks - but we came across her fresh tracks yesterday.  She seems to stay on the other side of the island eating shrubs and whatnot.

We are planning to take another trip across the lake soon - this time with the trailer -- hopefully, we'll have some good days and nights of freezing temperatures -- and decent weather. 

Take care!