Welcome JT!

Well everyone, once again I am here writing after taking too long of a break. So, I figured I would share a few photos of why I keep taking these long breaks from the blog. JT finally joined us here yesterday early in the AM. He apparently did not like his afternoon scheduled arrival so, he took it upon himself to come a bit earlier in the day and got the doc out of bed.

JT and Jeni are doing great! Jeni is showing off her Walkerville toughness and walking laps around the maternity ward. JT is a typical newborn eats, sleeps, poops, and pees repeating these steps over and over throughout the day.

Hope you all enjoy!

Doc showing me off for the first time to mom. Hi mom!

8 lbs. 5 oz. 22 inches from head to toe.

Getting my foot prints for my birth certificate. Really dad, you could have at least put a diaper on me  !

Hanging with my daddy.

AHHHHH getting my first bath. 

Oh yeah, I could get used to this hair washing stuff.

Getting a little sleepy.

Well, I think I better start this blog off with an apology. I am sorry it has been so long since the last blog. The only excuse I have is after a very long and cold winter and a cold spring, the sun finally came out the past couple of weeks. With the sun finally out, I have not spent much time indoors at all. No TV,  no computer, no Ipad nothing except being outside enjoying all the outdoors has to offer here in Alaska.

Future Alaskan Fishing Guide

Look what I reeled in.

Letting her go after dad said no to the frying pan.

I am guiding for Rick McMahan at Denali Fly Fishing Guides http://www.denaliflyfishing.com and fishing is getting better by the day as the high water from the late spring is starting to slowly recede. If you are looking for a unique fly fishing experience and want to catch beautiful Arctic Grayling, this is the place to fish. Rick runs a great outfit and I have never met a better group of guides to work with and as a bonus, they all are great at finding grayling to catch.

Since it has been warm out, when I am not guiding, I am fishing with the best fishing partner in the world. I love getting out with Jaydyn and watching the excitement on her face when a grayling tugs on the other end of her fly line. She loves to unhook the fish for me and release them in the water. Often times they even get a big wet Jaydyn kiss before she lets them go in the creek.

Slippery little suckers!

I got it dad, I don't need help!

I told you I didn't need help dad.

Jeni is a trooper and feeling pregnant but, not much longer and JT will be here with us fishing for those grayling and taking lessons from his big sister on how to give them a kiss goodbye.

I will try and blog a bit more starting from this point forward I promise. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer wherever you are. Remember get outside and have some fun.

til next time,

Justin





 

Last weekend we brought Jaydyn to the Anchorage Zoo to reward her for brushing her teeth twice a day and sleeping in her own bed for a full month. Yahoo! I figured I better bring the camera to see what I could capture while we were there. I have to say that it is a fairly difficult place to capture good photos. Distracting elements are everywhere in a zoo. Between the cages and the unnatural habitat found in a zoo it was very difficult to capture anything I was happy with. Jaydyn was having fun though and that was what this trip was all about. The ice on the walking paths were fun for Jaydyn to slide on and a nightmare for Jeni to deal with while she is packing JT in her belly for a couple more months.

 I have to say even though the photography was difficult I was very impressed at how well the animals were taken care of and the facilities were in great shape. They have some very cool critters at the Anchorage Zoo, we saw Bengal Tigers, Snow Leopard, Grizzlies, Polar Bears, birds of prey, Otters, every type of fox in Alaska, Wolves, even a Camel.

Enjoy!

Young Musk Ox (Jaydyn was not impressed by the fuzzy cow)

Hamming it up for the camera!

Jaydyn and a Squirrel having a conversation.

Ducks are back, winter is not over but, the ducks are back. Did I mention winter is not over yet!

AHHHHHHH!

Star of the Zoo.

Chillin

All lovable until that bottle went empty, then he attacks the handlers leg, bites and claws  letting everyone know he wants more. I can see where this will be problematic as he becomes a bit larger, 2000 pounds larger!

Finally, the road into Denali National Park is opened up to Savage River! This means quick morning and afternoon road trips into the park before and after Jeni goes to work. Spring in Denali is really quite fascinating to witness. First off, bears.  You never know when you will see your first grizzly of the year and when you finally see the first one of the season, you can't help but get chills all over. Then there are the noisy and confident ptarmigan trying to find their mate; they carry on during the mornings and will wake you from a dead sleep. There are always porcupines waddling near the road and climbing trees, not having a care in the world. Coyotes, fox, and wolves are very active this time of year also. Last, but certainly not least, moose will be having their calves sometime in May and June. They are so ugly, they are cute.

The other night I drove up for my first trip into the park.  I had the music rocking in the truck with my camera in the passenger seat riding shot gun and needless to say I was excited to get out and shoot some photos. I really try to keep an opened mind of what I am going to shoot when I go out on these types of outings. It was fairly cold out at -16 F and the sun was shining bright. We all can see the light at the end of the tunnel for winter coming to an end and the long summer nights are just around the corner, hallelujah!

Until next time, take the time to play outdoors,
Justin

Nation Peak

They are just as happy as I am that winter is drawing to a conclusion.

Wolf (Canis lupus)

Denali National Park 

Spring?????

Well, it is winter up here in Cantwell once again! The wind is blowing, snow is falling, and drifts are getting bigger by the minute. I am not going to complain about it since I chose to live in Alaska and I love most every minute of it. The only minutes I don't enjoy are those that happen when sweat is running down my forehead from shoveling the deck. The deck may be one of my biggest green horn, cheechako, or tenderfoot moves here in Alaska. When I built the deck this last summer I wanted it to be plenty big, so that there would be plenty of room for barbecuing and hanging out on with friends and family. However, in hind site and since hind site is always 20/20 I should have made it much smaller. This would have cut down on the amount shoveling and sweat this winter considerably. Oh well, I suppose it makes for a good workout. I am sure this will not be the last cheechako move I make in this state.

With the snow starting to really pile up around the valley we are starting to see a few more critters close to the valley floors and near the house. The Caribou keep visiting every few days in the yard since the wind tends to keep some of the snow clear in the yard. The moose are really starting to congregate on the Jack River not far from the house. I did see a big, mature, bald eagle near the school the other day which is a sign that spring is near.

Caribou in the neighbors yard

 Locals are starting to return to their seasonal jobs in the park and residents that leave for the winter are starting to return around town. It is great to see those that left and hear their stories from time outside Alaska this winter.

I have been pretty busy these past two weeks. Jeni and I decided to install a new floor in our kitchen, along with replacing doors to the bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. As with all projects like this we ended up putting a new floor in the upstairs bathroom, moving a few cabinets, and moved part of the counter tops in the kitchen also. It turned out really nice, which is good since my knees and back may never be the same again. Now that the project is wrapped up for the most part, I plan on trying to focus a bit more on my photography and writing. I am thankful for all of you that read the blog because it keeps me honest to myself.

Here are a few pictures that I managed to capture these past two weeks while I was working on the house.

Northern Lights, I was messing around with this photo in Light Room and liked this rendition. It is amazing what the digital world allows us to do.

Northern Lights and the moon

Until next time,

Justin

Friends and Family!

Frozen Fish!

As I drove home from a fun filled weekend in Fairbanks with friends and family I started pondering how blessed I am to have friends and family that are spread all over this great nation of ours and how lucky we all are to be alive this day and age. I know things are not perfect right now with our government and our economy but, they never are. However, on any given minute, hour, or day I can pick up a phone, turn on a computer, drive the truck, or even hop on a plane and talk to or see those that bring happiness and joy to my life. It really is a wonderful time to be around even though I take it all for granted very often.

This weekend was a great example of what I am talking about. It all started last Wednesday when Jeni picked up the computer and saw that the Nanooks (University of Alaska Fairbanks) were going to be playing hockey against Michigan State in a best of three series to keep their perspective seasons alive. Well, we missed this matchup earlier in the season and we really wanted to go watch Grampa Mason's Alma Mater play are favorite hockey team the Nanooks. So, Friday afternoon we hopped in the truck and headed North. We emailed Steve and Bacon in Michigan to let them know we were headed to the matchup. Bacon told me to be sure and introduce myself and Jaydyn to the equipment manager of Michigan State. So, after the second game we did and Jaydyn got a sweet Michigan State puck. How cool is that to be in Alaska, have friends in Michigan, and be able to meet one of their friends here in Alaska! Jaydyn loves collecting hockey pucks from all the matches we go to, so this was pretty special for her. Thanks Ron!

We stayed with our wonderful friends in Fairbanks, Carla and Sue, who were wonderful hosts and great companions for the weekend. Jaydyn was very excited that Carla went to to the World Ice Carving Championship competition with us. This competition is really amazing to witness, it is a winter wonderland that is created by some of the most talented carvers in the world! Great fun for the kids and adults alike with all of the interactive carvings that are presented. I think that Carla's heart has recovered by now after riding the sled down the ice slide with Jaydyn!

While we were doing all this in the far North we were able to talk to family in Montana and get updates on wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, weather, teenage love, and a myriad of other things going on in the lower 48. It is amazing to me how we can all stay connected and informed about those that we care most about. We even got word that a good friend that we have not seen in years just made it to Alaska by hopping in his vehicle and driving from Montana. Can't wait to get together with Warren and catch up. 

Now, I know we all don't talk everyday, every month, or even every year but, I want you all to know that when I see your names on email lists, Facebook lists, phone lists or whatever else jogs my memory I am thinking about you and your families. I hope that this finds all of you in good health and good spirits having fun with all of your friends and family that you can connect with.

Justin

Yep, nightmares are made of this!

Banana putting the moves on a Carrot!

Fun!!!!!!!!!

Hellllllllllooooo!

Concentration!!!

Big smile for being so scared!

 

Nook!

Not completely true, but close enough! More like 44 years ago.