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I have been looking forward to seeing these photos for soooo long. Chuck emailed them to me last night. I taught him everything he knows. DON’T YOU DENY IT CHUCK!
(click the photos to make the them bigger)From Chuck:
The first two photos were taken in Canada. If memory serves right, I believe I was in British Columbia. The weather started getting bad in Edmonton, a town in west Alberta. But, it turned into something that caused great concern when I was driving over the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia. The first two photos were taken in areas where I felt most comfortable taking a picture. There were times when I would stay around 15mph or less.
The attached photo was taken in British Columbia, about 80 miles from Fort St. John. When I got to Fort Saint John the next day, I called you to say I made it as far as my nerves would allow. Take a close look at the ice that formed under the truck around the wheels.
A little store and gas station in BC Canada. Just about every gas station was full service with no extra charge.
I spent the night here after dropping off the U Haul. I believe that you read a book that talked about Toad River.
Still in Canada and behind the Toad River Lodge. This is a herd of Caribou walking through a mountain pass.
Buffalo in Canada. Notice how close to the road it is. These things will stand in the middle of the road and not really take much of a notion to move.
Canada: Mountain scenery.
I think this is the Yukon. The trip turned really nice when I reached the Yukon. The Alaska HWY flattened out a good bit and I didn’t encounter much snow. I mostly had clear, sunny skies throughout my trip through the Yukon. The animals in the middle of the road are Caribou.
These are some of what will be your Alaska mountains. These are the smaller mountains known as the Granite Range. This is a small piece of where you will be living. It gets better. The pictures that will follow don’t do it justice.
Home sweet home at the Bald Eagle Ranch in Alaska.
Granite Range
Spruce (white and black), aspen, and birch, are some of the most predominant trees where you live. The attached photo is spruce. It’s hard to really tell much difference between the black and white spruce.
The Alaska Range. This is the biggest Mountain Range where you live. Mount Hayes is the tallest within the Alaska Range.
Be sure to show Charley.
The Alaska Range. Tell Mrs. Estra that I was talking to her on the phone and telling her about this view. After I got off the phone with her I took this photo.
I told Charley that the trees looked like Christmas trees; you might want to see if she agrees. This is a spruce. Because it is so dang cold, the growing season is really short in Alaska. A Loblolly Pine this size in Alabama could be 15-30 years old. This Alaska tree is probably well over 100 years old.
Please understand that the photo does not do this justice. Also, stop and consider this is what you will see every day. This my dear wife, if your backyard. My ITAM responsibilities extend to the base of this mountain range.
Auguring through almost four feet of ice on Birch Lake.
First Ice Hole at Birch Lake
Rainbow Trout coming out of the ice hole.
I was really excited about all of my first Alaska fish, but catching this Salmon was something else.
Trout
This is my workplace.
Moose near a little pond where I work.
Taking a picture of myself like you do of yourself, a couple of weeks ago.
Thawing Lake with Donnelly Dome in Background. This is where I work. Donnelly Dome is a good place to pick blueberries.
Golden Eye ducks
Ducks over a frozen lake where I work.
The famous Alaska Pipeline
This is me sending photos to you. That is all for now. I’ll start taking more now that I have a way to send them to you. I love you very much and miss you greatly. I’m very excited about you getting here.
Ain't he sweet?
12 Comments
That's so sweet Hayley. I'm glad you're excited about coming to AK.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful time of year to be here, as the landscape changes every day. Soon, the wildflowers will grow along the roads. I can't wait!
I'm happy that your family will soon be together.
Susan
Thanks for posting the pictures! It's BEAUTIFUL! I know you can't wait to be together again...I've really enjoyed reading all of your posts & keeping up with things through this blog. Hope you keep it up once you get there!
ReplyDeleteLove this. Glad you made it in one piece Chuck. Craig said the animal in the tree is a porcupine.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan and Tina. I am so glad you are tuning in!
ReplyDeleteMom, we know about the porcupine now!! But this is the thing that looked 1/3 porcupine, 1/3 sloth, 1/3 beaver to him a while back. I think he is a bit monkey like myself. Me and Charley think it's too bad you can't hold one. Why do they have to be so cute AND ornery?
Hayley, this post is so sweet. Your husband sure does seem like a "manly man"! I'm sure he will be thrilled when you finally make it there even if your family will hate it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. He will LOVE your "manly man" comment and it's true, he is rather manly. HEY, click FOLLOW and comment more often. I want to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I know this did your heart LOTS of good to see his face and see what he's been up to and what's awaiting you. I know goodbyes are horribly difficult..but I am excited for you. What an adventure. And I think you three will become unimaginably close on this little adventure.. even closer than you already are. I know you are ready to be with him.. I hope that time comes quickly for you. :)
ReplyDeleteThese are great photos, Chuck! Beautiful scenery... Love the ice fishing part.. One of those pics on the snowy road you took is terrifying (the one with the cliff on the left side). I hate driving in that kind of icy mess. Glad you made it safely.
ReplyDeleteWas gonna ask you what that thing was in the tree, but I see the issue has already been addressed. For the record, it looks to me like large, angry/scared, soot covered koala bear hybrid of some kind soooooo.....
Yeah, Tiki it had been a while since I had seen his face. Photos help so much!
ReplyDeleteSister, I see that too! I wanna love on him.
I'm glad to see Chuck's face also. I miss him also. I am in pain right now thinking about the distance. Although I am in South Carolina I COULD come home on the weekend..... at least every few weeks anyway. Alaska may as well be Japan. Honestly I am trying very hard to get past this anger. It's not that I'm really "mad" at anyone. I remember when my grandmother died my mom went through an angry stage. I know noone has died but for some reason I am sitting here crying a bucketful thinking about it. This is way too much personal info for FB but maybe it's o'kay for me to vent just a little on this blog. I love you Chuck. I really do.
ReplyDeleteHe loves you too Mom. He likely just isn't tuning in.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH!! What an amazing experience. Just read my previous comment. Very dramatic. Amazing pictures and memories.
ReplyDelete