Before Seward's Day ....

Greetings Everyone!
The day before Seward's Day - we spent the day exploring the lake with friends.  The day was bright and sunny - with spring melting taking place. We zoomed around the lakes' perimeter - at times, cutting across the lake from shore to shore.

Ernie relaxing along side my snow machine.
 This adventure was exciting for me because we got our other snow machine up and running - and I was able to zoom around. My machine is a 1991, Arctic Cat "Jag" and its "just my size." 

Our adventures took us up to Doroshin Bay - where the US Forest Service maintains a cabin for public use. It did appear as though some folks had recently used the cabin because we saw fresh foot prints in the snow.

An interesting set of critter tracks - we noted them as we crossed the lake.

Looking down on our friends from Doroshin Cabin.

Zooming along the shoreline - we came upon an eagle nest --- way up in a tree.

Taking a scenic break (Mike McGyver is by his snow machine) - note the ice ridge in the background - there were a number of ice ridges out on the lake - some big and some small - some appearing to go from shore to shore - others going part way across.

Me posing along side one of the ice ridge, ice slabs.

Me - hamming it up in a small puddle - just off the shore near Driftwood Bay.

Bridgett and I playing at the puddle - about 5:30 pm!

Spring has definitely arrived - the weather continues to be sunny and warm - which means the snow and ice are melting.  Although day temperatures are climbing up into the low 40's - we are still experiencing below freezing temperatures at night -- but only into the high 20's.  All the signs pointing towards 'break-up' and summer approaching.

The sun is now setting about 8:30 pm - and we've lost track of time. Meaning - when we are playing or doing a project we don't realize its way past our dinner time - a common springtime occurrence in Alaska - which only get worse as our daylight continues to increase.  Its wonderful!!

Soon - we will not be crossing the lake or driving our snow machines - I suppose that will be our farewell to winter and formal wait for break-up.  Folks however, are still crossing the lake and everyone is taking  more frequent 'readings' of the lakes' ice thickness. Parts of the lake are now developing shallow puddles - melt off from the snow - which freezes at night - robbing the lake of any snow cover and making for one big ice rink. We've only seen one major overflow spot - in front of our neighbors' cabin that faces Swan Cove.

Take Care and enjoy your spring!

Seward's Day .. An Island Reenactment

Greetings Everyone!

As some of you know - today is Seward's Day and only celebrated in Alaska.  It commemorates when the US purchased Alaska from Russia.  US Secretary of State, William H. Seward spearheaded the initiative - also known as Seward's Folly.  Alaska was purchased in 1867 for $7.2 million dollars - about two cents per acre!

With all that said ---- we celebrated Seward's Day here at the island -- staring the following cast of characters:

Ernie -- Russian Minister to the United States, Eduard De Stoeckl

Mike -- US Secretary of State, William H. Seward

Gunther -- Representing the US Senate

Bridgett -- Representing the US pro-public opinion

Deb -- Camera, Props Director and Blogologist

  SEWARD'S DAY

 AN ISLAND REENACTMENT

HAPPY SEWARD'S DAY!!!

Just Good Times...

Greetings Everyone!

We've been having a wonderful time - a combination of spring weather and adventures.  It seems like we are busy catching up on chores and developing new projects - or completing projects.  We've had one good snowfall - but it only lasted a week.  Now we have a mixture of snow and rain - great for making a snowman. 

A few days ago when we were at the lower landing - we were greeted by an amusing sight -- four fishermen heading towards the lower Kenai to fish.



Bridgett showing me how to make Gluhwein - a hot winter drink common in Germany.



Ernie and Gunther enjoying a nice spring evening.



I was out skiing - near the northeast shore - looking up lake - and came upon two new 'ice humps' and an ice crack about 3 inches wide snaking across the lake.  I checked out the ice crack and water was just below the 'lip' of the crack.  I could see the thickness of the ice going way down below - rather intriguing.  The night before - when we were going out to sauna - we heard a loud boom - so I'm guessing this new formation was created then - since I'd not seen it before.



Ernie has been taking advantage of the ice and ease in transporting supplies across the lake.  With that said - he hauled lumber supplies across the lake to build me a greenhouse later this spring.  The greenhouse will be 10 x 12 - and I'm already growing seedlings.  In addition - Ernie also hauled metal roofing over to repair our roof that was damaged during this winter's windstorm.



Last week I decided to ski from the cabin out to the end of Frying Pan Island - the weather was beautiful. Plus - Ernie, Gunther and Mike McGyver had gone to the lower landing to help McGyver bring his lumber supply over.  As I was returning to Caribou - Ernie and Gunter stopped to chat and offer me a tow. 



So why not have some fun?  McGyver joined us and towed me - it was a hoot!

My tow ended and I skied back to our cabin. 
 Ernie heads off in another direction with McGyver's load.

Last week folks came to our cabin and we had an impromptu coffee clatch. 
Bridgett brought over fresh homemade cinnamon rolls - made in a big, round cast iron frying pan.
  So - the next day I returned her frying pan via a ski sled.

As I was skiing along with the cast iron frying pan - I came upon a small blue car driving towards the island heading to our friends' cabin site. 

A small population explosion - we had six visitors show up at our cabin. 
 Rather exciting to have so many visitors at once.

Gunther shows up driving a friends snow machine.



We've been enjoying the spring weather - with temperatures getting up into the low 40's during the day - Ernie has been going back and forth across the lake to haul heavy items before break-up gets underway. Since Gunther is going with Ernie - I've been staying at the cabin dealing with 'spring fever' feeling the urge to clean windows and tackle spring cleaning tasks.

Our friend - who is building his cabin - has been driving his truck across the lake.  The ice is being tested more frequently now - thickness is holding to 28 inches - but we don't expect that to last.  Across from our neighbor's cabin - the ice has overflow and everyone is staying away from that area.

Take Care - and thank you for checking on us!!

Social Days ...

Greetings Everyone!

With Spring entering our lives - not only are the days getting longer - but we've been out and about exploring and socializing.  All much fun and very enjoyable.

The eagles are showing up again. 
 We spotted one in the tall Cottonwood tree next to our cabin.

Ernie and Mike McGyver got our other snow machine up and running - finally. Ernie took it for a spin and enjoyed the 'lightness' in turning. Our other snow machine is a work horse and much heavier - good for pulling and carrying weight.

Between our taking time to explore around the island and lake - we cut-up 'dead falls' for firewood. I have the pleasure of hauling off cut-up logs and stacking them.

Because the lake has no to little snow - Ernie installed flexible scratchers onto our snow machine - they drag on the ice and snow - tossing snow onto the HiFaxes -- this helps in cooling the HiFaxes so they don't overheat. 
Before Ernie put the scratchers on - we carried a water bottle to squirt water onto the HiFaxes.

Mike McGyver's 'train' - note the 4-wheeler he's using.
A few days ago - two trucks crossed the lake and came to the island - not sure who the travelers were. Since then - two other visitors ventured across the lake on 4-wheelers

Ernie went exploring around the lake with Mike McGyver - this view is near the Skilak Glacier.



On their adventure - they came upon this frozen spring cascading onto the lake.



Our friends, Gunther & Bridgett host their first bonfire! 
They made a traditional German winter hot toddy - Gluehwine.
 We first tasted this hot toddy in Germany - its deliciously made with wine and spices. 
Latter that evening - there was an awesome display of Northern Lights. 

The following morning - Gunther, Bridgett and I walked across the lake
from Caribou Island to the lower landing. 
 Ernie met us at the lower landing with the snow machine and sled - then,
 we headed into Sterling for supplies. We all rode back to the island - Ernie and I on the snow machine and Gunther and Bridgett inside the bucket sled.

Along our walk across the lake - we came upon a section of the ice ridge close to Frying Pan Island. 

On Sunday - the four of us explore the shoreline across from Caribou Island.  On one of our stops - we noted the tracks of an animal - perhaps a Lynx?  Not sure - but the tracks were big.

Further along - we discovered a warm spring. It was rather amazing because it was not deep or frozen - yet flowing into the lake - which is frozen.  As we explored around the open spring we noticed numerous animal tracks (moose, hares, birds, coyotes and perhaps wolf and lynx) - obviously the spring serves as a winter waterhole for the wild creatures.
  We also saw American Dippers flying around the flowing warm springs - so they may be nesting at the site.

We stopped along the way and took a snack break - Gunther and Ernie enjoy a cup of coffee while discussing where the Anderson Ridge gravel bar maybe located.

As we continued our adventure - we located the Anderson Ridge gravel bar - AND it is big. It runs quite a ways from the shoreline out into the lake - with numerous large boulders scattered amongst smaller rocks. We were able to walk the gravel bar for a ways and marveled at its length.
  At high water - during the summer - the gravel bar is not visible.
 We also noted the gravel bar runs parrellel to the current ice ridge - the ice ridge that runs from the end of Frying Pan Island out across the lake - this ice ridge appears to be butting up against the Anderson Ridge gravel bar since parts of the current ice ridge are stacked against the Anderson Ridge.

We have little to no snow - and the weather has been beautiful!  Sunny and warm during the day - temps get up to 28* F and down to -4*F at night.  We did have a couple of nights where we could see the Northern Lights - some displays were yellow/white and/or green/yellow - weaving and undulating across the night sky amongst the stars. 

As some know - Ernie loves working on projects - so with that in mind - he is preparing to build me a small greenhouse so that I can grow some vegetables.  I started seedlings indoors - some are already up  waiting for transplanting into larger containers and others are poking their little green heads through the bedding soil.

We are doing well and enjoying our early spring days -- take care!

Interesting Days ...

Greetings Everyone!

Our past few days have been interesting.  We invited our friends G & B to go with us into Sterling to get mail and supplies - however, they don't have a snow machine.  So we loaded them into our snow machine sled and took off across the lake. 

Off to the lower landing with G & B in the sled.

Returning to the cabin with supplies.

While Ernie & G loaded up supplies - I challenged myself by walking from the lower landing back towards our cabin.  I made it mid-way when Ernie caught up with me by snow machine - and I rode the rest of the way home.  Walking was slow because there is little snow - if any - on the ice.  I was wearing cleats - but it was very slow going.  I did enjoy myself though and avoided looking down in some places because it felt strange looking down into the clear frozen lake. As I walked along - I noticed numerous cracks that spread out like spider webs - with some cracks opened - but frozen.  There were also numerous bumps and frozen ripples of overflow. 

The following day - our friend K came across the lake with building supplies.  We could see him coming from a distance and noticed that he kept stopping every now and again - and it appeared his snow machine was over heating.  So we went out to see if we could be of assistance.  When we got to K - we discovered that he was towing supplies AND a huge kettle of burning wood! 
 What a hoot!! 

K with his kettle.

Looking into the kettle - K said that when he left the lower landing the kettle
 was full of burning wood.

Off K goes with his burning kettle of wood!

Ernie and G using the auger to open up a water hole for G & B.

Finally getting water! G's water hole is deep and the ice is a good 30 inches thick!

It's amazing how thick the ice is.

We did see the little moose the other day.  She came to our cabin to eat but did not stay long. We have also noticed the hares coats (rabbits) are beginning to turn brown! I wonder if we will have an early spring - or because we have little snow and they need to blend in? 

All's well - take care!

Friends Arrive ...

Greetings Everyone!

Ernie and I are now joined by another couple - they have their own cabin and we will experience break-up together.  Our friends B and G came all the way from Germany.  We are very excited to have their company and look forward to sharing this adventure.

B and G arrived Friday with luggage and supplies!  It was an exciting day and our other friends - R, J, & N were here to greet B and G - as well as to help with transportation logistics.

My fashion statement for the big day.

Ernie leads the way across the ice to pick-up our friends at the lower landing.
Ernie is followed by our friend, R.  R brought G across the lake.

Our third friend - N follows on his snow machine - pulling a sled
 to help haul our friends supplies to their cabin.

Our friend B arrives at Caribou - it was her first snow machine ride across the lake.
She is greeting by myself and friend, J. 
While J and I waited for B and G to arrive - we kept the stove fire stoked at B and G's cabin.

Ernie arrives with the sled loaded with G & B's supplies. 
Our friend N is helping G to begin unloading items to haul up to G & B's cabin.
 The trip across the lake was clear, cold and windy.  After G & B were somewhat settled - all of us - R,J,N,G,B,E and I met at R's cabin to officially welcome G & B back to the island.
On Sunday - Ernie and G drilled a water hole in front of G & B's cabin.

On Tuesday - Ernie and G prepare to take a load of trash across the lake to the lower landing.

While the guys were off to the lower landing - B and I walked across the lake to Round Island.

A bubble captured within the ice.

A beautiful day - view from Round Island looking towards Caribou.

Our days are getting longer with the sun shinning.  A feel of spring is in the air - and I'm getting excited to start a garden.  Since we have a very sunny southern exposure - I've begun to start basil, cilantro, ruby red lettuce and spinach indoors. Although spinach likes cool temperatures - it is sensitive to Alaska's long days - so it is known to 'bolt' - so I'm hoping for an early crop before the days become longer - we'll see.

Take Care!