Juneau, AK,

Mendenhall Glacier 5, this morning

2012-01-28T14:40:00.002-09:00

I was the first person at Mendenhall Glacier this morning. We had perfect conditions: 25 degrees, no wind, 3 feet of snow total on the ice and about 3 inches of new snow - Beautiful Conditions. The picture of me was taken by #2 person to the Glacier. She wanted a picture of her by the Glacier and then insisted that I get one as well, which I did. Right past this picture is broken ice - lots of it. I skied on it because we had so much snow. At one point, one ski broke through the ice. My other ski was solid so I got out of there quick. I was looking at the area last week without the new snow and I could see water around ice chunks. The snow is a good insulator but it does not freeze water, so I was stretching my luck a bit on this one. Got some good pictures though. As I was leaving the glacier - the people started showing up and I was glad to leave.

Mendenhall Glacier 4, this morning

2012-01-28T14:01:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier 3, this morning

2012-01-28T13:56:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier 2, this morning

2012-01-28T13:51:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier this morning

2012-01-28T13:46:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier

2012-01-26T01:32:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier

2012-01-24T19:13:00.001-09:00

We got a foot and a half of snow and another foot is expected tonight. Winter is finally here. However, the temps are right around mid thirties for highs which could possibly turn to rain. I want the snow to stay.

GLOBAL WARMING at MENDENHALL GLACIER

2012-01-23T05:51:00.002-09:00

I see Global Warming at Mendenhall Glacier.
Three years ago, the big rock to the right was almost entirely covered with ice. TODAY, 3 years later, that massive rock is totally exposed for the first time in thousands of years. Predictions said that Mendenhall would retreat but everyone is WORRIED BECAUSE IT IS RETREATING FASTER THAN ANY PREDICTION.

It is now Jan 23, 2012 and I was just yesterday able to get out to the Glacier. I normally have been out to the Glacier in Nov and last year, December. The end of Jan visit to the Glacier was caused by rain and above freezing temperatures - IN ALASKA, IN WINTER. This is very weird folks and it is impacting our earth.

THE GLACIAL FACE HAS TOTALLY CHANGED. Three years ago, I could ski up to it and it was chunks of ice going up 100 feet. I could ski right into the glacier. We also had some amazing ice caves, THE HUGE ICE FACES ARE GONE, Now, we have much smaller ice faces and a lot more smaller crumbled pieces in front of the Glacial Face. They are still big but not like 3 years ago.

How does this impact our world? In Alaska, we are losing our PermaFrost because of warming temperatures. This causes a release of methane gas which destroys the atmosphere. The good news is that in 15 years, the methane turns to CO2, which is less harmful but still causes warming of the planet. The more methane and CO2 released into the atmosphere, the faster the warming and the quicker we have more unpredictable weather patterns and changing of our world because the environment has been changed dramatically.

I am concerned. If you are not, I feel sorry for you. Ignoring the CO2 and Methane mess we are in now will create a less decent atmosphere for my GrandChildren and their Children. IN SHORT, THIS GENERATION OF BILLIONAIRES WOULD RATHER MAKE MONEY INDESTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAN HELP SUSTAIN A WORLD WHICH WILL BE HEALTHY FOR MY GRANDKIDS and beyond. Yesterday, I had a relative, say it is Jesus Warming. I SAY WHAT BULLSHIT!!! So, we have a loving father who wants to make the CO2 rates go up at massive rates JUST SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GET HIGHER MILAGE CARS AND BILLIONAIRES NEED TO TAKE DOWN MOUNTAINS TO GET TO THE COAL, which poisons the water and then fouls our air - BULLSHIT!!! A billionaire is making money - GLOBAL WARMING IS TOTALLY MAN MADE and it is done for profit. The removing oil from sand is just as bad as coal and Fracking to get oil is ruining our drinking water.

I SEE A SHRINKING GLACIER! IT IS A MAN MADE DISASTER IN THE MAKING. 98 percent of Scientists agree. The 2 percent who disagree are generally funded by the Billionaires who want to keep up their, I WANT TO CONTINUE MAKING BILLIONS SO SHUT THE HELL UP ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING PR campaign which being effectively waged at FOX.

Just my two cents: Enjoy your day.

More Mendenhall

2012-01-22T20:53:00.002-09:00

More Mendenhall

2012-01-22T19:27:00.001-09:00

Jan 22, 2012 - I finally got out to Mendenhall Glacier

2012-01-22T19:20:00.001-09:00

Cold and clear in Juneau

2012-01-20T18:24:00.000-09:00

Sunny and Cold in Juneau - no new snow

2012-01-20T12:53:00.002-09:00

Today, we have blasting winds which are blowing 40 to 80 MPH. It was super windy all last night, I was continually awaken with stuff hitting the windows and just the blasting wind sound.

These pictures are of a week ago when we had 10 degree weather and super sun. I had lost my wallet so I had no money to goof off and had to stay home. I just hiked the trails by my house and it was great. It is mid-January and I was able to hike up all the trails. We should have lots of snow which prevents that.

BUILDING: Some pictures show a big building which I have not even seen before. I have gone by it very often but it has been covered with brush and trees when I normally go past it. Because it is Jan and there are no leaves, it stands out like a sore thumb now. I was totally suprised to see it just standing there and did a little exploring.

Seattle and Juneau 1/2012

2012-01-16T16:41:00.000-09:00

LasVegas

2012-01-15T18:56:00.000-09:00

2012-01-15T18:33:00.002-09:00

2012-01-15T18:18:00.001-09:00

Las Vegas 12/11

2012-01-15T13:52:00.002-09:00

I spent about a week in Las Vegas and got to hang out with Ashley, Gar, Tricia and two Grandkids. It was fun. It was great seeing what the sun looked like and 60 degrees. Gar and Ash did the 850 foot jump from the Stratosphere down to the ground. They enjoyed it. Tricia, Ash and I ziplined down the mall in downtown Vegas. I have to say that the sun did not shine much in Juneau while I was gone. Folks tell me that they had 2 days with some sun but basically it was rain with thick clouds. My plane was beat up going in for a landing because of the rain and the wind. It was a nice get away but it sure went by quick. I also hiked at Red Rocks park just out of Vegas.

To My Family

2012-01-14T16:35:00.002-09:00

Hi to my Family,

I am back in Juneau, AK. I watched the rain pour down last week in the middle of January, This is Alaska. I came here for the snow of the winter - it is not here. I usually have been out to Mendenhall Glacier at least 4 or 5 times by skiing over frozen Mendenhall Lake. Mendenhall Lake is not frozen so I wait for winter to come. I just spoke to a gal in Utah who said they have had virtually no snow there yet either. I believe the crazy weather is caused by GLOBAL WARMING OR CLIMATE CHANGE. I feel I am watching the destruction of a Glacier as well as the permafrost in Alaska and I have had family members tell me that Climate Change is not real Then they said, pray. I went to church as a little guy and I got to watch the Indians fish in the Puyallup River.
I am still watching Salmon being pulled out of areas in Alaska and the fish are smaller. We need to make our waters and world a place where fish can continue to prosper for my Grandchildren and their Grandchildren to see them.

Here in Alaska, we have Bristol Bay. It is the most productive Salmon Fishing in the world. We also have a thing called Pebble Mine which they are trying to build - I oppose it. My brother and others of his ilk are all for projects like this as well as burning coal for generating energy. Again, I want an environment that will allow my children to live a reasonable life. The Pebble Mine would hire a lot of people and 'we need the jobs' mantra is strong. Let me explain a little about Pebble Mine. It would rip open a pristine area where salmon now spawn. There will be two 700 foot earthen dams built to take the toxic wastes of mining and hold them to keep them out of Bristol Bay. We have earthquakes in Alaska. If one or both of those dams burst - the salmon, animals and natives in and around Bristol Bay will be changed forever. I went to church with the Puyallup Indians and I lived in a Eskimo Village in Alaska. I can tell you that the people of the remote villages live and die according to the animals which they have caught and or hunted - for thousands of years. Salmon, moose, halibut, white fish, and caribou allow them to live during the winter when it is 30 below zero and there is no food to be hunted.

I love my family present and past. I feel a major obligation as a father and a grandfather to see that my children are decent people and making a good life for my Grandchildren. I have a lot less say on those who are nieces and nephews. I have relatives who watch FOX exclusively for News and I want no part of that or those who feel they are getting a true picture of the world with those idiots who lie and distort continually. My brother is mad at me because I disagree with his simple, "Glenn Beck said it so it is true" type of mentality. I will have no part of it. I read a lot, current and historical. I will listen to FOX but generally shake my head because they tell a distorted story about the world that I know and see. I feel sorry for those who use FOX as a major source of information.

MY SISTER JULIE'S PASSING: I did not attend her memorial. I am a teacher in Alaska. I chatted with Julie about this many times.
I happen to have students who have major behavioral issues. This year, I got 4 new students who had been thrown out of other schools. I was told Good Luck and we have faith in you for turning these kids around. Every day at school, is/was a potential day for those kids to be thrown out of my school. I have people around me who feel these kids cannot be changed. I also had to work with a lot of substitutes while we found the right people to hire. My job was and is hard, it could fall to pieces quickly and it did at times. I was the ring leader in piecing things back together again and getting that child back on track, even after a major incident. I COULD NOT TAKE TIME OFF OF MY PROGRAM FOR JULIE'S SERVICE. THE DAY BEFORE I WAS TO LEAVE, I had just hired a gal to deal with some super intense kids. Had I left, I would have left this great but inexperienced person in a situation with a student who will unravel multiple times in a day. Sadly, I am the go to person in a crisis for the children in my program. Knowing my students, knowing my sister and knowing my job would be made many times more difficult by leaving - I made the decision to stay and teach. I could have had 5 days of funeral leave and just had to pay a thousand dollars for air fare. I stayed in Juneau and I feel it was the right decision. I took a few extra days after the New Years. It worked out. Those who I had hired and trained, as well as a substitute that I trained, did well. it took the extra time of working together to get my program at a place where I could take a day off.

I apologize to those who were and are upset that I did not attend Julie's service. In hindsight. it is becoming more and more clear for the good of my students, that I made the right decision.

This past week, I had a student who was calling me every name in the book, throwing things and trying to run around the school. I prevented it. Later that day, when we talked about why he was acting so crazy, he asked if I was going to be at my job next year I told him I was thinking of retiring. He begged me to stay. He has never been successful in a regular school and he has been successful at Gastineau. He said he needs my support next year. I told him I would stay next year just to get him out of my office. he was successful the rest of the day in a regular class setting. This third grade boy had never even been in a regular class until I forced him in one the week that Julie passed away.

This post is just me venting. I made a decision to teach in Alaska and I am. It takes me away from my family, especially my kids and grandkids and I miss them. I am not one who desires to argue for the sake of arguing. If you want to say something dumb like God wants the world to warm and we should DRILL, BABY DRILL. You can think that, we are all Americans. Your vote will probably cancel out mine when we vote. If you insist upon a 30 bullet clip for your gun - I think you are crazy and you can brag all you want, I will walk away and not return. My life is not like that. I have lived with people who had 4 guns at the door to hunt moose, caribou and bear to survive. They did not need 30 bullets to take down the animal.

Wishing all well.
Happy New Year, I have been kind of quiet since the New Year started.

Seattle, Dec2011, Totem Pole

2012-01-09T18:14:00.002-09:00

This is Seattle. I stopped there to and from Juneau. The totem pole is being made by natives in memory of a carver who got killed by police in Seattle last year. The carver lived in Seattle for years and was walking down the street with a stick. A policeman felt he was a danger to him and shot him. A settlement was reached and part of it was the Native Community could make a large totem pole in his memory. There are some Natives working on the totem pole much of the day.

Full Moon in Juneau

2011-12-10T19:50:00.003-09:00

We had a full moon last night and tonight. I was hoping to see the Aurora Borealis but we have clouds North which block the light show that other parts of Alaska are seeing.

Juneau on a sunny day, 2

2011-12-10T15:28:00.001-09:00

Snow is gone but we had some SUN!

2011-12-10T15:19:00.005-09:00

We have had constant rain and clouds for over a week. Often it was super rains. Most of the snow on the ground is gone. Today, we had clouds but we also had a bit of sun. I got out and took a few pictures of the sun before it got dark. Juneau is amazingly beautiful when the sun shines. Juneau also gets pretty dismal with heavy clouds and overcast day after day, so when the sun comes out, the beauty seems even more wonderful. Wish all well.

Juneau snow pictures

2011-11-27T11:59:00.000-09:00

Juneau in Snow

2011-11-27T11:48:00.002-09:00

There are signs all over downtown Juneau saying no parking Nov 28, tomorrow. They are bringing in front end loaders and picking up all of the snow berms and dumping the snow into Gastineau Channel. Sometimes they take it over to the Mendenhall Glacier bus parking lot and start a mountain of snow.

Snow - More Treadwell Mine

2011-11-26T12:36:00.000-09:00

Snow - Treadwell Mine

2011-11-26T12:17:00.001-09:00

Treadwell Mine in the snow

2011-11-26T11:38:00.002-09:00

I went cross country skiing just a bit ago and took these pictures. We had 6 inches of new snow. The last big icicle just dropped and scared the crap out of me. It nudged the window as it went just to say goodbye. The cross country skiing was excellent - I just went outside my door to ski. it is so great to be able to ski whenever. This is why I came to Alaska. I hope it stays this way all winter.

Last icicle pictures

2011-11-25T14:35:00.000-09:00

I have more pictures but have to say enough is enough

More icicle pictures - almost done

2011-11-25T14:29:00.001-09:00

An Alaska Story - Snow Pictures

2011-11-25T09:49:00.003-09:00

This is a true story: Fairbanks has been at 45 BELOW ZERO in recent weeks. There is a man who gold mines in the Fairbanks area - all year round. Last winter, people who know him talked the State Troopers to go find him when it was 50 Below. They found him both times and the miner told them to leave him alone and get the hell away from me. They did.

This year: The man was found close to death in an old shack. He had set off his beacon to get help.

The story: The miner had someone drop by his camp and robbed him of his survival gear and any gold he had. The man left him to die. The miner hiked with fall clothing in 30 to 45 DEGREE BELOW temperatures 15 miles to get to the cabin. Hypothermia had set in and the man could not get fire wood to warm up and set off his locator beacon. The Troopers went to the man and rescued him. The Troopers said he would have died during the night had they not gotten to him. He told the Troopers about the man who stole his winter gear and left him to die. He would not file a police report but said he knows who the man is.

I have this feeling that the fellow that stole his stuff would wish he were facing a judge and looking at 20 years in prison instead of dealing with the miner. True Story.

The pictures of buildings during skiing are of the Treadwell Mine buildings which were used at the turn of the century. It is now a park.

Snow pictures

2011-11-25T09:42:00.001-09:00

I went Cross Country skiing and here are some pictures. These were taken Thanksgiving Day.

Icicles - Day after Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T09:06:00.002-09:00

Two big icicles are now resting against the window. Will they take out the window when they fall? 9:00 AM It is snowing pretty good today again. If you want some exercise - come to Juneau and shovel snow.

Happy Thanksgiving - More icicles

2011-11-24T10:28:00.002-09:00

It looks like more snow is coming. At first it looked like rain but now snow. We have a big cloud. This might be a snowy Thanksgiving. These picts are at 10:36 and the icicles are moving closer to my window but they have not fallen. They are dripping quite a bit.

Icicles - Thanksgiving Morning 2012

2011-11-24T08:30:00.001-09:00

Juneau has had over 2 feet of snow in less than 48 hours. With the snow melt because it has been about 33 degrees, we get melting and icicles. Mine look like they are about to fall so I shot a few pictures before they end up on the ground. I have done lots of shoveling and have a lot more to do today. Last night we had over a foot of snow. We were told to expect 3 or 4 inches.
it looks like Christmas here. I go over to a teacher and his wife's parents house for Thanksgiving this afternoon. I was there last year and the food is amazing. I feel pretty lucky. Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving.

Cross country skiing in Juneau

2011-11-21T00:59:00.000-09:00

6 inches of snow in Juneau, AK

2011-11-14T05:05:00.002-09:00

We got lots of snow last night. 6 inches of snow. It looks wonderful. These are pictures from up at Eaglecrest
ski area which I took yesterday. Today, I will take pictures of Douglas and Juneau.

more snow

2011-11-14T04:56:00.002-09:00

This past weekend, it rained like crazy in Juneau but it was snow at the ski resort which is 15 minutes away. I snow shoed and tried out my new skis a bit. Last night, we had snow in Juneau - 6 inches of snow. It is quite beautiful outside. Today is my birthday and as of today, I can get Social Security just for the asking.

First Snow - Life is getting back to 'normal'

2011-11-06T10:46:00.001-09:00

We got our first snow Friday - 6 inches, it is raining today, Sunday. My job is weird as usual. I got my big paperwork in. I will finish the lesser, but important stuff this week. Then I get a call telling me to be a meeting about a new student who will start after Thanksgiving Vacation. it is a tough case. I got my program rolling along OK and now I have a new major issues kid coming - life is interesting. So much for taking a few extra days during Thanksgiving.

A week after Julie's Memorial.

2011-10-22T08:43:00.002-08:00

A week ago today was my sister, Julie's memorial service. I am in Alaska and could not get away while the service was in Alaska.

I was drained all week. I made it through, but man was I tired. I had friends who wanted to go hang out Friday but I was just too tired. I am so very lazy, I can't believe it.

I have two more weeks of tons of work to do and if things settle down, I will be able to take a day off - I hope. I do feel it would be helpful to take a few days to grieve.

I am tired this AM but it sure is nice to be able to lay here and watch the mountain and the rain coming down. I have to get to school and do a lot of work this weekend though. I probably won't get a hike in today.

Two more weeks of pushing through should bet me caught up and kids settled down. (I do have one child where that may not be the case though. One case looks like a long term kid, 2 to 3 years to get reasonable behavior. My old kids, kids I have had 2 or 3 years are doing well which is so very helpful. That allows me more time on my new group and two of them are time consuming.

Then I get called over to another school to help out and anyway, I am stretched. Time is sure flying by though. Two more very tough weeks and then it should slow down a bit - I hope.

Post Memorial Drain

2011-10-17T17:56:00.004-08:00

My sister's memorial was Saturday and I am in Alaska working. I hiked and was ready to move on. But then I woke up this morning and it felt like someone had beaten me up over the weekend. I just had a kind of a drained feeling. I made it through the day but was basically on auto pilot. I am now thinking, the emotions of my sisters death and aftermath got to me worse than I thought it would. I have so many people saying, sorry, etc, so it is not just a matter of moving on either.

It would be great if I could take some time off to deal with the grief which I think is nagging at me. Unfortunately, I cannot get away from work for at least two or three weeks, if I am lucky enough to grab a few days then.

The weather is not helping either. We have clouds down to the ground and rain, lots of rain. The rain is getting kind of old.

The snow level is dropping, I can see the level drop on the mountains outside my window. I am looking forward to snow. I am hoping we can get a lot of it.

I just need to get this super busy week done ASAP! Monday is done!

Fall Photos from Juneau, AK

2011-10-16T14:50:00.001-08:00

I took these last weekend while hiking. It is definitely fall.

Rest Well, Julie McLaughlin, my sister, I Miss You!!

2011-10-15T15:57:00.004-08:00

I HATE CANCER!!!! Rest Well, Julie McLaughlin, my sister, I Miss You!!!

That is the message I wrote in the snow on Mt Roberts in Juneau, AK today when her memorial was taking place in Puyallup, WA!

I was unable to attend the memorial service so I had to figure out a plan B. I spend my morning thinking of a perfect place to spend her memorial and I saw new snow. So, I was going to hike to snow at the top of Mt Roberts, There is a cross called Father Brown's cross. I made it to the cross and was able to spend some time in remembrance of my sister and those whom she loved so very much. I wrote my message and said goodbye.

It is funny how sadness and grief works. I would be walking and suddenly a memory or thought would pop into my head which would take me back to Julie and Bill's life and there would be tears. I was glad that it was raining. Many times, I had to wipe my eyes. The thought also came to me that if she was mad at me for not attending the memorial, I might get hit with lightning or eaten by a bear - neither happened, so I will take that to mean that she understands.

I want to say to Bill, Shannon and Scott that I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I could have attended but I would have come back to a big mess. This was simply not the time for me to leave my students.

It is a rainy day today so not many people on the trails. I ran into two people near the top - that was all. I was so pleased to have the mountains to myself - mostly.

Thank You to Brianna and Ashley, my daughters for going to Julie's Memorial - it means a lot to me. Thank You to my niece Kim for reading something which I had written during the ceremony. I was quite surprised to find out that it was read during the service.

Love to all! I intentionally stayed away from people today, so I could quietly spend time in quiet thought for my sister and those with whom she loved.

People don't cry for the departed, they cry for themselves and the changes they must face. For me, it is kind of scary to see Julie die before 65, Marvin die before 65 and my father also died before 65. Being almost 62 - I guess I should consider what I would like to do the next 5 years.

No pictures were taken today. I was up in the clouds. It was either rain or snow and I did not even take a camera.

Goodbye Julie!!! You lived a wonderful life!!! You left a legacy for others to follow. You and mom showed others how to live but you also showed us how to die. Nobody is going to get off this earth alive afterall.

I love you, Sis. Thank You for spending your childhood helping to raise me..

Your snotty nosed little brother who loved to stomp right through the middle of the mud puddles when you were in charge of me. Giving me the exlax chocolate bar was not funny though - to me anyway. I can still hear you and Gene yelling at me to get out of the bathroom. I tied it up for a long time.

Love,

Rich

More pictures - last weekend we had sun

2011-10-09T18:19:00.003-08:00

I have not seen any bears in 3 weeks. The salmon are not running. I have seen more eagles. I saw 3 yesterday while hiking around the Glacier, which pleases me. There are still hundreds of Arctic Terns around but not the Thousands which we had a couple of weeks ago. The Terns are no longer spending much time at Mendenhall Glacier. They seem to stay in Gastineau Channel at night and fly out when it gets light.

You will notice the sun in these pictures. There are actually mountain goats in some of the pictures but they are so very small that you cannot see them. I saw the little white dots moving on the brown rocks, There were about 3 - 5 of them. I actually climbed to the elevation they were located but they on the mountain on the other side of the valley.

More photos

2011-10-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

More Pictures that should have been up last week,

2011-10-08T15:09:00.002-08:00

Pictures for Julie and Aunt Ada

2011-10-08T15:00:00.002-08:00

I only saw Julie once a year, maybe twice at times, but she would check out my blog. I have not been blogging much recently because of the rain and not wanting to get my camera wet. I am on camera 3 or 4 in 3 years so I am trying not to ruin another one. Now I wish I had put up pictures last weekend of my hikes so Julie would have seen them when she was alive. I will put them up now, better late than never I guess. We are getting more snow on the mountains so I am watching and waiting for snow to come so I can use the new skis.

Goodbye, Julie - I miss you!

2011-10-08T10:26:00.002-08:00

My sister Julie passed away this past week. She died in her sleep.

I have never had an easy time with death and dying. The first death was Kelly, a niece who died at 2. I remember praying when she was in the hospital that God would take me instead. I was about 8 or 9. I had a brother in law die when I was at the house and I felt bad because he left a daughter with no father. I had two daughters at the time and felt terrible because I would not want my children to grow up without a father. The hardest death for me was my father. He was an alcholic and a bad gambler. I appreciate that he told me at a young age to go to college and be a lawyer. I never felt like I really had a father and spent my life trying to be the father I never had. It was hard going to his funeral.

The best funeral and separation from this world was my mother, June (Brisco) Miller. I was fortunate enough to see her monthly the year she passed. It was sad but so very rewarding to see her at the end. The stories and memories will always be treasured during those times. The night of mom's passing will always be a pleasant memory. Many people surrounding her quietly and respectfully telling stories and shedding tears and watching her take her last breath. When she took that last breath, we had lightning and thunder which lit the room and the loud boom. It was so very fitting. Every person in that room had experienced the joy of knowing her.

Today, a person from that room is gone. Julie, my sister, has moved on. I sure hope she gets to see mom and so many others who made us the people we are today. Julie lived a great life and will be missed. It will be a big adjustment for Bill, her loving husband. They were a great combination as a couple and made a wonderful family.

Love you Julie, miss you! Don't let mom keep you up all night talking - she can when she gets on a roll. I am going for a hike in you and Aunt Ada's honor. Love You, Sis.

West Glacier Trail

2011-09-12T18:02:00.002-08:00

We finally got some sun over the weekend and I hiked up the West Glacier Trail. It took me to a rudge above mendenhall Glacier. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY!!! We have not had sun for two weeks. Such a nice day.

Tracy Arm Glacier

2011-08-21T07:47:00.002-08:00

Information about Tracy Arm: It was named after a Civil War Hero. The front face is 100 feet high. The back is 200 feet high. The glacier goes all the way to the bottom. There is 400 to 700 feet of ice under the water. The total glacier height is up to 900 feet. The Glacier goes into Canada which is 7 miles away. The Glacier is 6 tenths of a mile width. There was lots of calving the day we saw it. When the ice hits the water, it makes a super loud noise. A large chunk also throws up a large wave which rocked our boat. The boat held about 30 people The blue color is super intense. Glaciel ice has a very unique color. The green water as we traveled to the glacier was great to see. We saw many waterfalls going to Tracy Arm.

Tracy Arm Glacier

2011-08-20T09:59:00.000-08:00

Tracy Arm coming up

2011-08-20T05:52:00.002-08:00

The day before we went it rained cats and dogs and the people on the Tracy Arm cruise got soaked. We had clouds and more clouds but very little rain. It turned out to be a good day because there was no rain.

On the way to Tracy Arm Glacier

2011-08-20T05:46:00.001-08:00

Pictures along the way. It rained like crazy last night - all night. It is still raining this morning.

Tracy Arm Glacier

2011-08-19T20:48:00.001-08:00

Pictures taken on the way to Tracy Arm Glacier. It was a 40+ mile trip by boat to the Glacier. It did not rain either.

Waterfalls 1 - In Alaska, by boat

2011-08-17T21:09:00.003-08:00

I saw many, many, many waterfalls today. Here are the first set of waterfalls. I saw them from a boat in Alaska out of Juneau.
Also saw lots of seals, 4 whales, ice bergs and a huge Glacier. More posts coming

Bears at Mendenhall Glacier

2011-08-15T12:54:00.003-08:00

Everyday that I have gone looking for bears, I have seen some. One little guy likes the tree and climbs it and rests after eating salmon. There are literally hundreds of dead salmon all over the stream. Bears take a bite or two and then leave the fish laying around. It smells like dead fish - big time. I am on an elevated platform when taking pictures so it is quite safe. I was within feet of one of these bears and idid not even see him. A fellow told me to stop and look by the water. When the bear moved, I was able to see him. They fit into the environment very well. It is raining a lot in Juneau today.

More Northern Nevada

2011-08-14T19:14:00.002-08:00

Here are more Northern Nevada pictures. I showed everyone an old cabin that I knew about. It is on private land I was told.
I man lived in the cabin until about 15 years ago. It is way off the beaten path. A lot of Forest Rangers know the area but no body knew about the old cabin, except me. I knew about it because I had some archeologists show it to me when I was in charge of the Ranger Station 2 years ago. I wanted to put another support on the porch but ran out of time. There is a major pack rat nest in the cabin. They had running water in the cabin.

Northern Nevada - vacation is over

2011-08-14T11:42:00.002-08:00

This post is dedicated to a person I love dearly, MY SISTER JULIE! She is a great lady who got some bad medical news. Keep fighting Sis. Rich

I am back in Juneau and I am putting up pictures from this summer. Once I got back to Juneau, summer vacation is officially over. I am however kind of like a tourist in Alaska, so even though I have to work, I check things out. I saw two yearling bears this AM. I will have pictures up later about that.

The pictures here are from the Pole Creek area in Nevada. Have a good day! Last year at this time, I was camping for housing and waiting for school to start. Being in my apartment is sure easier than camping - it is raining a bit today.

Cows on the road

2011-07-20T11:22:00.002-08:00

Here is when we got caught up in a cattle drive of 1100 cows. 6 cowboys and dogs were making the cows walk 10 miles up the road to a new pasture. We happened to run into them in the narrowest part of the road. We had to back up the truck until we could get off the road so the cows could pass. A cowboy came over, got a drink of water and told us they were running 100 head. It took about an hour of just sitting and watching. It was quite entertaining actually.

Cutting Firewood in Northern Nevada

2011-07-14T20:29:00.002-08:00

We got about 8 or 9 cord all together. It was beautiful up at 8000 feet where we were cutting.

Nevada

2011-07-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

I had gone past this lake for the first time. It is pretty barren.

Nevada

2011-07-14T07:21:00.002-08:00

I am in Nevada. Getting here, I ran into two deer. You can see the result on my truck. The bumper has kind of a Charlie Brown look now. It was the middle of the night when I hit the deer. The front end of the truck used to be in great shape, not any more.

The other two pictures are of Pole Creek. We went up to Pole to put up a fence in a Wilderness Area but also to get fire wood.
There had been a fire at Pole Creek about 4 years ago and there are lots of dead trees which make good fire wood. The weather was super sunny and 80 degrees, which is hot for 8000 feet elevation.

Chopper Ride

2011-05-26T03:06:00.000-08:00

HAPPY RAPTURE DAY!

2011-05-21T09:29:00.002-08:00

If you can read this - YOU ARE A SINNER!! Today is supposed to be the day of the Rapture.

I am wondering if Sarah Palin is going to be gone today? She is the queen of the Rapture Crowd afterall.

Here is a Comment from Republican Jesus!

http://addictinginfo.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/dumpster-dive1.png

Lift off from Herbert Glacier in the Helicopter

2011-05-15T10:13:00.003-08:00

5/14/11: This is when the helicopter takes off from Herbert Glacier.

There is a mountain goat on a rock resting. It is just a white dot.

Helicopter starting up on Herbert Glacier

2011-05-14T15:35:00.002-08:00

We had been walking around Herbert Glacier and here the pilot is starting up the chopper so we can leave.

Herbert Glacier - The pictures from the chopper ride

2011-05-14T14:52:00.002-08:00

I had a Helicopter ride this morning. We went to Herbert Glacier. I got a ticket for 50.00 and the money was donated to a Cancer Program. I happened to see a gal I worked wih before and she told me about the cheap tickets. I was able to get the last ticket available. The chappers are just starting with tourism and we only had 2 ships in today so they had extra seats which they sell at the discounted price. We are supposed to get back to 4 and 5 ships a day and the Choppers are sold out when all the ships arrive.

We took off from the airport, went by Mendenhall Glacier and went along the Glacier. It is live 12 miles long. It can be as deep as 4000 feet in some places and 200 hundred feet in other places. I saw ice falls, the combining of two glaciers into one glacier. That is where the rocks are lined up in a row. We still have quite a bit of this years snow so it is white up on top. That will change as the weather heats up.

We landed on Herbert Glacier and he shut down the chopper and we got to walk around for 15 minutes and take pictures. I had a fellow from South Dakota and two people from Australia on the chopper as passengers with me. This is the pilots first year of piloting in Juneau. He has been flying from Las Vegas and has 8 years of experience.

I got about 200 pictures and/or short videos. I cannot see them as I put them up so I have no clue what is going onto the blog until I post it.

It was quite good, but honestly, cross country skiing into the Glacier is better. It was excellent to get a the view from above of the places I have hiked or cross country skied.

Animals: I saw a couple of mountain goats sunning themselves on big rocks close to Herbert. There were also about 8 eagles flying around us in the helicopter. The trip from Juneau to Herbert Glacier was so much shorter than driving the 25 miles to the Herbert Glacier trailhead.

Flying to Herbert Glacier

2011-05-14T12:24:00.002-08:00

We are flying to Herbert Glacier in a Helicopter. I was in a Chopper with a couple from Australia, a fellow from South Dakota and a pilot from Arizona. This is flying to the Glacier. Sure took a lot less time to fly there than cross country skiing in.

Pictures of the chopper ride.

2011-05-14T12:12:00.001-08:00

In a Chopper heading to Herbert Glacier, AK

The first Cruise Ship of 2011

2011-05-13T11:54:00.002-08:00

this is a Disney Ship and it is big. It was the first ship into port for the 2011 school year. It had 2200 people on it. Juneau went from a sleepy town to a tourist haven. What is funny is as soon as people get back onto the ship the tourist shops close up and Juneau is a sleepy town again. We have been getting two and three tourist ships every day since the first ship. Yesterday, it rained and we had NO ships - lucky tourists. We are back to a sunny day and we have at least two ships in town today.

Remembering Christmas Vacation

2011-05-08T15:35:00.001-08:00

Three pictures from Christmas Vacation 2010. There was low clouds and rain in Las Vegas. The Strip had a lane covered with rain water. I will be leaving Alaska in less than a month.

Mendenhall Glacier last weekend

2011-05-07T16:33:00.002-08:00

This is Mendenhall Glacier last weekend. It still has ice on most of it but it is getting thinner. We have a sunny day in Juneau and it is 50 degrees - pretty wonderful day!

Mt. Roberts Hike

2011-04-30T09:44:00.001-08:00

An old mine 1/2 mile from my apartment

2011-04-27T17:29:00.001-08:00

This was once one of the most prductive mines in the world at the turn of the century. It is the Treadwell Mine in Douglas, Alaska. Now it is a park.

Mendenhall Lake last weekend

2011-04-21T15:40:00.001-08:00

Global Warming is real!

2011-04-18T07:16:00.004-08:00

http://www.350.org/en/about/blogs/bill-mckibbens-speech-power-shift-2011

Global warming is real folks!!!! I see it in Alaska. We had unbelievable rains until January of 2011. Coal is a big factor as is oil and shale oil is extremely bad for our environment.

The ice cap was the thinnest it has ever been, we have had hurricanes, tornados, flooding, topping of mountains, FRACKING and the GULF OIL SPILL which was man caused and is ruining our environment.

The future: We can expect more crazy weather events because of climate change. We can expect more drought, more crazy storms, more oil spills (GOD DID NOT CAUSE THE OIL SPILL IN THE GULF - true fact, but many people are sick and fish are dying because of that spill.)

Why are gas costs so high? Because of speculation and greed. Paper pushers on wall street have run the cost up on the futures markets. Futures were pushed to extremes during the GW Bush years.

Goodbye Hoonah

2011-04-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

Hoonah, AK

2011-04-13T19:35:00.001-08:00

This is the old Hoonah packing fish packing house. It has been converted over to retail shops now and a museum.

Hoonah and Mt Roberts carved tree

2011-04-12T18:37:00.002-08:00

The small totem poles are at Hoonah, AK. It is he Island where I was asked to consider applying for a teaching job. The carved tree is on a trail by the tram in Juneau, near down town. The picture of water and land is a Hoonah shot. I saw a Silver Back brown bear about an hour before taking this picture.

Mendenhall Lake still has ice

2011-04-10T18:58:00.002-08:00

Mendenhall Lake still has ice on it. The ice is riding because the streams into Mendenhall Lake are running fast. That raised the water level which lifts the ice up. It would be crazy to walk out there now. It is still white all the way to the Glacier to see it.
The ponds on streams by the boardwalk are starting to thaw out. The beavers have some work getting their dams back into shape. It was snowing/raining mix most of the day today. As I was leaving the Glacier viewing area, a lady who had not been their for a couple of years saw the glacier and was upset at the melting and changes that have taken place. I felt that same emotion last fall when I saw it. Climate Change is real and it is not a good thing for Alaska, which is going to impact the whole world.

Mendenhall Glacier - No more walking out to it

2011-04-09T18:39:00.002-08:00

Last weekend I went to the Glacier to check it out. No one was on the ice and I did not attempt it. It would have been my last opportunity to get out to the glacier. My going out to the glacier itself over frozen ice pack is done. We have two weeks of weather over freezing. A couple of days, there was ice on the windows and ice on mud puddles. The next time I get out to the glacier itself, it will be in a kayak.
February and March I had good access to the glacier.

Mountains down the road

2011-04-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

Mountains seen going down the road.

2011-04-02T17:17:00.001-08:00

Big ice cubes

2011-04-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

3/27/11 - Mendenhall Glacier

2011-03-27T17:09:00.002-08:00

I probably made my last hike out on the ice at Mendenhall Glacier for this winter. It was 45 degrees and straight sun. The ice is rising because the streams are running pretty good now because of the melting. The increased water causes the ice to rise and the cracks in the ice are noticable. I made it very far in and even saw a huge rock, VW size, break out of the ice and crash down a the big glacier. It was noisy and threw up a lot of ice. I was pretty far away. I was one of only two people who made it in all the way. Most people went into the ice bergs and went back. One boot fell through the ice into about 9 inches of water. The boots are 14 inch tall boots so no problem. Funny thing is, It was in an area where I thought I was safe. I had been in some places where I thought I was pushing it but no problem there. I was able to climb up a couple of ice bergs too. They are generally straight ice and super slick. Now, with warm weather, the ice bergs have a bit of grip to the surface so I could climb up and felt pretty safe.
Winter is basically over - my trips to Mendenhall Glacier over ice may well be over for this winter.

Mendenhall Glacier

2011-03-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Eaglecrest Ski Area 3/11

2011-03-18T15:11:00.000-08:00

2011-03-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

Herbert Glacier - The final pictures from this trip

2011-03-15T14:44:00.001-08:00

It really was a nice day and a nice trip. My toes got beat up pretty good. I had to go through some drifts that were 5 feet deep and I fell on the ice about 5 times.

Going in to Herbert Glacier

2011-03-09T18:19:00.001-09:00

This shows the trail going into Herman Glacier. There was a lot of pine needles and little branches along the trail because of all the winds we have had the previous week and a half. Great trip.

More Herman Glacier - going in to it

2011-03-08T14:40:00.003-09:00

Here are a few pictures of going into Herbert Glacier. There was a lot of litter (tree litter) from the winds.

There is supposed to be a video here but the video did not come up. Same with the last post too. Oh Well!

Herbert Glacier, AK Video 1 (3/11)

2011-03-07T15:30:00.004-09:00

This video was taken 3/5/11. I had to cross country ski 6 miles to get to the glacier. I then cross countried around the flats so I could get to where this picture was taken. I am not sure that the video made it onto the blog - so if there is no video, some technical glitch is taking place.

I was standing on ice which had been exposed to sun. That caused a black ice type condition. I fell 3 times on the ice - not fun.
It was about 20 degrees with a very slight wind. Walking out, I walked into a few 3, 4, and 5 feet snow drifts which were a pain to get out of. I have had kind of a soft 3 weeks because of blasting winds or rain, so I was testing myself to see what kind of condition I am in. I actually did better than I had anticipated. I am ready to do another trip after my aches leave me. We had a super sunny and 25 degree weekend which is perfect weather for Juneau. I like it

This glacier is also a place for wolves. I did not hear any but other have told me, if you want to hear wolves - go to Herbert Glacier.

Herbert Glacier - A tribute to my Uncle Herb.

2011-03-05T17:35:00.004-09:00

This is Herbert Glacier. I commemorate this picture to Herbert Meador, my departed Uncle. He was a great man who lived a life of caring for his family and helped with my family too. He was the most gentle and loving man I ever knew. He was unlike my dad in so many ways (that is good actually.)
I crossed country skied about 14 to 15 miles to get this picture, and a few more. I got tired and fell about 7 times. 3 times I was on black ice type conditions - super slick.

It was Uncle Herb's birthday last week but we had 60 MPH winds so I could not get into the glacier. I barely got out of the house except for going to school to teach.

I will have more pictures up next week to show the trip into and out of Herbert Glacier.

Mendenhall Glacier

2011-02-28T14:06:00.000-09:00

2/20/11 Mendenhall Glacier

2011-02-25T11:00:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier - This past Sunday

2011-02-24T15:51:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier - This past Sunday

2011-02-24T15:48:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier - This past Sunday

2011-02-24T15:44:00.000-09:00

Mendenhall Glacier this past Sunday

2011-02-24T15:41:00.000-09:00

Where I live

2011-02-21T08:47:00.001-09:00

Ashley, Here is what the place looked like yesterday. We got another 6 inches of snow after this too.