What Next?

Now we have to beware of avalanches- 

Two moose were in the median on my way to school today--just a nibblin' on the trees, paying attention to no one--just hangin' out!!

The volcano is still eruptin'...you should see the weather forecast here (kind of like blizzard forecast, but for volcano ash) they have colors for the wind speed , trajectories, amount of ash that may or may not fall in any given 500 mile radius.  And another color system for the warnings--of course we are at RED--LOL!

Go to ADN.com--Anchorage Daily News--What a hoot!

Good thing I have a roll of duct tape in my classroom!

Spring In Alaska?

Seriously...volcanoes, snow storms, moose sightings, people climbing trees to get away from bears, bonfires--who has time for spring?  

These are just a few of the topics in our news here in Anchorage--LOL!  

Yes, the volcano continues to erupt--the ash has been going northeast, so it is missing Anchorage--darn, no "Volcano Day" off!!!  We are all still hopeful though!

On Saturday night Anchorage got 6 inches of heavy wet snow--Alaskans say this is the type of snow that melts the other snow--REALLY--I guess you have to reach where ever you can!  I was in the Valley (that's what Wasilla and area is called) so I didn't have to experience the snowfall.  Yesterday it was almost 40 degrees so it's melting!!  Speaking of Wasilla, I still haven't spied Sarah...I think she has been in Juneau actually working?!?  She's falling out of favor with Alaskans--they all figure she just has her own agenda--duh--a little slow here--you betcha!

 Moose are everywhere--I was driving in the middle of town--one just crossed the 4 lane highway--he wasn't even near the moose crossing sign--I yelled at him, much like Art would, and told him to cross at the sign!!  There was also one just hanging in the yard last week--Mary's dog went wild.  No one here ever tires of seeing moose--it's good luck!

The big news story last weekend was the man who was hiking and had to climb a tree to get away from the bear--you see he was lucky for two reasons--I'm told bears are slow this time of year (still sleepy) and he was able to yell at some people walking their dog near by--the dog scared the bear away.  Now I know why everyone here has multiple dogs--no, not just a couple--multiple!

Saturday, I went to a Spring Equinox Beach Party.  Let me describe my outfit--down coat, snow pants, mittens, boots, long underwear, heavy socks, hand and feet warmers...you get the picture.  I ask, does that sound like spring attire?  Well, it was a blast and I forgot my camera--sorry.  About 50 people showed up--we cooked-out hot dogs and huddled around the bonfire.  It was held at Kincaid Park--the walk to the "beach" was beautiful.  The park is located on the west side of town, across from Fire Island.  It was a clear day and had tremendous  views of Denali and Redoubt (volcano)--although it had not erupted yet.

I played Bunco with a bunch of school folk--the host makes dinner--Yum!  A free meal and dice--I'm living large here in AK!

By the way--I brought out my "Spring- Winter" jacket--maybe I can retire the "Down-Winter" jacket for the season--HA!

Happy Spring!

I didn't Iditarod!

Due to many unforeseen circumstances (see previous post about the lock out) I missed the Official Iditarod start (Sunday) in Willow--bummer! But I did attend a dinner at the De'nina Center--that's the big conference center in Anchorage--for the Mushers to draw their starting place/post for the race. It was very cool--the Mushers went up on stage and drew a number out of some famous Musher's mukluk for his/her starting place. It was very festive and fun--I think you have to be kind of important or spend money with Wells Fargo Bank to get invited. Since I don't qualify for either of those, I think it could be 'who you know' thing too!

I did (sort of) make it down to the Saturday ceremonial start in Anchorage--well I saw the end of it and all of the Fur Rondy activities. I even tried a reindeer sausage hot dog that was sold on the street--yum! Poor Donner or Blitzen! There was a carnival--rides and all--outside, (yes, I took pictures!) and also, a snow sculpture contest, a fur auction, sled dog rides and many assorted street vendors selling things from food to Native crafts.

It's Anchorage's equalivent of the Cherry Festival--

More AK Quirks-

• Ice cream stores everywhere--from Cold Stones to Dairy Queens to mom and pop shops, you can get ice cream everywhere and at anytime. What-is it not cold enough already? Or does eating ice cream make you feel warmer???
• You don't have to prove you have car insurance to get your drivers license, but you do have to take a test. They like tests in AK--you have to take a test or fill something out to do just about anything in this state. To graduate, all seniors must take an exit exam, ironically, AK has a high drop out rate!
• On the car insurance topic, you have to carry extra coverage so you are covered in case the person who hits you isn't...follow that? Me either!
• People give driving directions according to the mile markers on the highway. They'll say "oh, we live at mile marker 25", well that's nice, but if snow is covering the marker or your clueless as to where that is you are so SOL. But never fear, because you can buy a book that tells you everything about each mile marker--restaurants, gas stations, etc. The book is called Milepost, of course--I kept seeing this book everywhere and keep thinking what the hell is that--a religious book????? Well no, I was much confused with the Guidepost--isn't that the Jehovah's Witness book? You can buy it at Costco. By the way, that leads me to my next quirk...
• Costco! The place to shop--I haven't been yet--but everyone else in the state has! When asking "where's the best place to...", the answer is always Costco. Even if it's just a family of 1--people stock up here like there will be no tomorrow!

Spring Break...

...what was I thinking? I should have gone somewhere warm--although beautiful, sunny and about 35 degrees, I could still use some good ole Fla sunshine!
I'm house sitting at the border of the Chugach State Park, with a full view of the Chugach Mountains. It sure is spectacular, and it sure is still winter! Spring Break-HA--that's an oxymoron!

I haven't done a whole lot being out here in BFE--The puppy gets up reeeeeal early--5:30 or so--UGH! I did manage to walk and snowshoe a bit...the dogs demand it--lol!

Oh, and speaking of walking , the first morning here I managed to lock myself out again--duh--I must be a slow learner--lol! I can't rehash the 3 hour ordeal--way too embarrassing! Let's just say this time I was dressed--and credit cards rule!

I hope to post some pictures of the area...

George W. would be Proud!

Exciting news--I am now officially certified (and most-likely certifiable) to teach in the State of Alaska--I'm also deemed Highly Qualified by the Anchorage School District to teach Language Arts and History 6-12!!!!  I received my Alaska Teaching Certificate on Thursday in the mail--I may have to stay awhile now!!

It snowed about a foot on Saturday--nice white fluffy stuff!  The ground is so cold the snow just turns to ice--making for very slippery roads.  Sunday, I had to drive to Eagle River--that's where I'm house and dog sitting over break for my assistant principal.  It's about a 50 minute (only 35 miles) drive from Anchorage and I did it all by myself!!  Really, I don't venture very far if I have to drive, it scares the %$#(* out of me! Anyway, they have two Chesapeakes--Lager-about 8yrs and Bitsy--8 months--ought to be fun!  I can already tell that I will never come into town!!  A bit of Alaska gossip--I think they might attend the same church as Sarah--this might be my in for a picture!!!

Write and fill me in on the latest!  Miss you all!