Happy Birthday, Dianna!!

This past weekend my friend Jeremy hosted a birthday party for his wife Dianna who has been out of town training with the Army in Fort Bliss, Texas. Needless to say, it was 'Bliss'tering hot in Texas, so she was glad to be back in Alaska, although it hasn't exactly been cool here. No matter because everyone had a great time celebrating Dianna's Birthday at a mid-summer cook-out.


And of course, no party would be complete without a tickle monster named Elyse!


Thanks again, Jeremy and Dianna.

Midnight Sun Run

One of the most popular ways in town to celebrate the Summer Solstice is to attend the Midnight Sun Run. This is a 10K race that weaves through the western side of Fairbanks. Some racers wear costumes, and some spectators bring all of their living room furniture out into thier yards to be comfortable while they watch the race go by their houses. Pretty much anything goes.


The lazy group (aka support crew) consisting of Duff, Tim, Mette, and myself rode bikes along the race route, while Carrie and Max competed in the race by running.


Carrie and Max both finished in under an hour. So fast that the three of us on bikes had a hard time keeping up!

Happy Solstice!!!

Well, we will only have less sunlight per day from now until late December. That's right, the Summer Solstice is past, but not without a celebration of its importance here in Alaska.

Solstice began for me by attending the Solstice Festival in Downtown Fairbanks. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, but I will do my best to document it through the art of word. Let me try to sum it up here...shirtless men, tattoos, pregnant women, long lines, not-as-many-tourists-as-years-past, good music, good food, and TONS of strollers, which all-in-all, makes for some fun and great people watching.

Upon arrival at the festival, I met my friend Carrie, and together we checked the schedule of events. We had about 30 minutes before we had to meet Duff, so we decided to listen to 'Northern River', a bluegrass band. We made our way to where they were supposed to be performing but instead found on stage several women in black tank tops and camouflage pants prowling about as if they were in the final act of 'Little Miss Sunshine.' Not exactly the performance we were expecting, so instead we decided to browse the food and vendor stands while we waited for Duff.

It was a good night strolling around town, and don't worry...we did get to see 'Northern River' in the end.

June 22, 2007, 1:15 AM

Moose

Any self-respecting blogger in Alaska has to include a token moose picture, and I felt that I was inadequate in my last entry. After all, the only thing you can see is its backside. Somehow I always have a hard time getting my camera out fast enough to a get any pictures that are more than back ends. However, I had to return to Nanwalek for some field work again (Yes, you read that right, AGAIN!), and I ran into this little guy while walking to the Homer airport.

The Upper Chena

On Saturday I went on a canoe trip with some friends on the Upper Chena River which is east of Fairbanks. We started out on a sunny day with 80 degree temperatures, but somehow, during the course of the day, it started to rain.


Steve told us that the trip was only going to take four hours, but it ended up being more like six and half. Good thing I had good canoe partners. I shared a canoe with Carrie and her mother who was visiting from Colorado.



Of course, no canoe trip is complete without a moose sighting.

Midnight Sun

Yes, it is light all night now. This picture was taken at midnight in Fairbanks.