New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve Fireworks exhibition was another great one. Temperatures in the upper 20's made watching them outside enjoyable for all.

It Begins


Red Rose


A Shot in the Dark


The Grand Finale


View of Lake Clark Bible Church from Hardenburg Bay

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses

I would venture to guess that if you were asked to name 10 activities you have done at 20 below zero Fahrenheit, horseback riding probably wouldn't be on the list. This often overlooked sub-zero activity is actually quite enjoyable if you wear the proper attire. After our Christmas dinner at my older brother's house near Fox, Alaska, we ventured out into the dark (around 4:oo pm in Fairbanks) and all got to enjoy feeding and riding the horses until we could no longer feel our toes and fingers. Afterward we enjoyed warming up beside the fireplace and snacking on Christmas goodies, including cotton candy.

Bran and my older brother


Me


Sissy ready for her turn


There's a new sheriff in town


My youngest going for a ride

Back Back Train

During the Christmas Holidays, our family spent a couple of days with family in Fairbanks, Alaska. Along the side of the road was an unusual piece of machinery, a LeTourneau "Tundra Train" or VC-22 Snow-Freighter. One of only a few overland trains produced, this strange train was built to haul equipment and machinery offering support for DEW line logistics operations in the arctic regions of Alaska.
In typical LeTourneau fashion, each of its wheels (including the trailers) was powered by its own electric motor. The electric motors received their power from a large diesel powered generator. With it's six cars, it could haul 150 tons, cross rivers up to 4 feet (1.2 m) deep, cut through snow drifts and operate at temperatures as low as -68 degrees F.

"Tundra Train"


Notice the "LET" logo


Sunset over the Train at around 1:00 PM


Some archive films of the unit in action
Part I


Part II

Merry Christmas

Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Dark Side of the Moon

Here are a few pictures of the Lunar Eclipse from the night of Dec 20 as seen from our back deck here in Alaska.










Blood Moon