Well, it's 10:25 pm and I was sitting here watching the stars which I haven't seen in awhile because of weather. The sky is dark and the stars are bright and sparkly. I saw a satellite and a couple of planes traveling across the sky. The temperature is back down to where it should be, last night and tonight was +20 and the day temps are below +40.
Found the problem with my car, it needs the timing chain gasket set, I am having a new timing chain put in while I can and putting a new oil pan gasket on as well. The cost all together is $650. Better than buying another used car, I think it will give me a couple or more useful years.
I spent yesterday, packing food and supplies for the remote cabin, not sure when I can get out there, I got a report that the rivers have a lot of overflow and open water in some spots. Not good for hauling freight. My laptop went dark on me and turned out to be the battery, so, I ordered one. I couldn't use my new tablet for loading photos because, there is no USB cable, I ordered one today.
I have a big day tomorrow, I have to brush my stovepipe, split some wood, do a little early Spring cleaning. I'm starting to get low on firewood, so, I plan on cutting some downed trees I have rather than spend a couple hundred bucks. I don't need much to finish out the season.
I just looked up to the sky and there is a half moon. So peaceful, this is one of the main reasons I choose to live my life the way I do. To tell the truth, many times I feel like chucking as much technology as I can. It is really starting to annoy me, well, it has always annoyed me. I just have to figure a new way. I have been thinking of starting my dog team up again, rather than having to maintain the snow machines, the money I put into them for gas and maintenance , I can but them feed as well as catching fish to feed them.
Ok, I am ready to hit the sack and get my HANDSOME sleep, I really need it, 8-)
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Back from my trip (continued)
Ok, I get back on Tuesday, once I settled down and popped open a Corona, it occurred to me, I have no car and I need groceries. I then remembered, there is a bus service here so, I looked them up on the Internet and got their number. Called and they said they have a 16 passenger bus that goes to Wasilla and they will pick me up at my door and drop me off at my door. The fare is $15 round trip and $10 for Seniors. I said sign me up. They go to town Monday and Thursdays. Thursday, they picked me up and there were 9 people on the bus including me. It was nice, clean and comfortable. When we got to Wasilla, the driver pretty much said, he will drop people off anywhere and to call when finished. I got to go to 3 stores. We left my cabin about 11am and got back about 3:30pm. For $10, you can't beat the service. I've decided to use this service for shopping all the time. Saves on gas, wear and tear on my car and don't have to put up with traffic. Just sit back and relax.
Friday, I didn't do to much, saw my elderly neighbors were back from Idaho, jumped on my snowmachine and went down to visit them for awhile. They said they were going to town on Saturday and asked if I needed anything and I told them propane and they said they would take my small bottle and fill it. I gave them a card I got for Subway and told them to have lunch on me.
Saturday rained all day and was just miserable and melted most of the snow, making conditions for river travel bad and possibly dangerous, so, I won't be traveling to my remote cabin anytime soon. Today is Sunday, woke up to 42 degrees and rain, was sitting having coffee and all the snow on my roof slid off, scared the heck out of me, nearly dumping my coffee, lol. It's 2:53pm and I just finished packing boxes of food to haul to my cabin. I decided to do this blog and fired up my laptop and heard the sounds but, the screen is blank. Has to be the battery, I kept getting messages to replace it, but, I didn't listen. Anyway, I'm going to have lunch and watch a couple of movies. Take care, have a nice day.
Friday, I didn't do to much, saw my elderly neighbors were back from Idaho, jumped on my snowmachine and went down to visit them for awhile. They said they were going to town on Saturday and asked if I needed anything and I told them propane and they said they would take my small bottle and fill it. I gave them a card I got for Subway and told them to have lunch on me.
Saturday rained all day and was just miserable and melted most of the snow, making conditions for river travel bad and possibly dangerous, so, I won't be traveling to my remote cabin anytime soon. Today is Sunday, woke up to 42 degrees and rain, was sitting having coffee and all the snow on my roof slid off, scared the heck out of me, nearly dumping my coffee, lol. It's 2:53pm and I just finished packing boxes of food to haul to my cabin. I decided to do this blog and fired up my laptop and heard the sounds but, the screen is blank. Has to be the battery, I kept getting messages to replace it, but, I didn't listen. Anyway, I'm going to have lunch and watch a couple of movies. Take care, have a nice day.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Back from my trip
I took a trip a week ago this past Tuesday and it wasn't without incident. I left to go visit with my friend and his partner Nancy at the remote place on Alexander Creek. It is about a 2 hour trip by snowmachine. On my way to meet them I stopped at 3Bears, a store a long the way. When I stopped, there was oil leaking under my car. NOT GOOD, I needed to get to Point Mackenzie to meet them. I bought 5 qts. of oil and put some in the car and continued on my way. When I got there, Mike was filling 30 gal. drums of gas on his freight sled. Once that was done, got on the snowmachines and headed out.
The trip was pretty rough because of the lack of snow. There was pretty much no snow on the rivers we were traveling on which made it very bumpy, We were running behind and couldn't stop to tack photos. Decided to get some on the way back. Unfortunately, that didn't happen either. When I returned the following Tuesday, there was lots of overflow and slush on the rivers from the warm weather and rain.
Anyway, when we got to their place, we were pretty tired from the long rough ride. We cracked open a few beers and Nancy started dinner. I took them a bottle of Crown Royal with Maple flavor, they did enjoy that. They had some hunters staying at their guest cabin who were leaving the following day. We pretty much just hung out talking about all the people we knew and other Alaska stuff. We went to bed pretty early. They have a cat that took a liking to me and decided to share my bed, lol.
Wednesday was pretty much a non thing day, it was raining. Mike went out to pump the gas into his big tank. He runs a freight business and sells gas out there to other cabin owners. After that, we hung out shooting the bull some more. We went to bed early for, me and Mike were leaving early Thursday morning for the 40 mile trip North to my cabin.
Got up early Thursday, had breakfast and got the machines ready, it started snowing lightly. Mike decided to take a back trail going to my cabin. That back trail was really rough. It was pretty narrow and windy like a snake. I veered off the trail just slightly and ended up sideways, Mike was in front and didn't see me and kept going. I was in about 3feet of snow. He finally noticed I wasn't behind him and came back and helped me get it back up on the trail. I was really glad to get off that trail.
We finally hit open ground and it was snowing much harder, the snow was coming straight at us stinging our eyes. I didn't have goggles with me and it was very hard seeing to stay on the hard packed trail. We finally made it to Alexander Lake to catch the Tripod Trail to my cabin. My cabin is about 6 miles from there. Ok, once again, it was snowing even harder by then. We kept going and I figured we got about 3-4 miles from my cabin but, we couldn't continue, we couldn't see 5 feet in front of us. We sat there about 40 min. and it wasn't letting up, so, we turned around and headed back.
I convinced Mike to go back another route which was easier and faster. We went over to the Yentna river to the Susitna River and then to a trail called Cut Tree which took us over to Alexander Creek. What a trip, we were really wore out and we were so glad to get back to his place. We pretty much just hung out again. We went to bed around midnight and as soon as I layer down, the cat decided to join me again.
The next morning, Mike and Nancy left to go visit Mikes's mom for her Birthday. I had the place to myself, Friday, Saturday and most the day Sunday. They got back nightfall. While there myself, I met an 82 year old woman who lives up the creek and flies her own plane. She flies a Cessna 180. Then a few others stopped by looking for Mike and Nancy.
We left Tuesday morning to come back to where my car was. It was a really nice day, a beautiful Sunrise. The rivers were getting more overflow on them, it was a little scary. When we got back, Mike got right to work loading drums on a trailer as well as snowmachines and freight sleds on the trailer as well. He had a job to deliver 1000 gals. of gas up North to Alpine Lodge on the Denali Highway. During the Winter, the lodge is accessible by snowmachine only. Anyway, I couldn't find my ignition key, I called a friend to give me a ride back to the town cabin to get a spare. While on his way, I found my key but, get a hold of him. I put 5 qts. of oil in my car and left. Driving back, me and my friend noticed each other and stopped.
After we talked, I continued on, I stopped to gas and then headed to the cabin, I got within 12 miles and added 2 more qts. I think my car is toast. I dropped it off at my friends who is a mechanic and see what is going on. I tired of typing, it's 11:50pm Saturday night and it's been raining all day. I'm tired and going to bed. I will continue the story tomorrow. Good night
The trip was pretty rough because of the lack of snow. There was pretty much no snow on the rivers we were traveling on which made it very bumpy, We were running behind and couldn't stop to tack photos. Decided to get some on the way back. Unfortunately, that didn't happen either. When I returned the following Tuesday, there was lots of overflow and slush on the rivers from the warm weather and rain.
Anyway, when we got to their place, we were pretty tired from the long rough ride. We cracked open a few beers and Nancy started dinner. I took them a bottle of Crown Royal with Maple flavor, they did enjoy that. They had some hunters staying at their guest cabin who were leaving the following day. We pretty much just hung out talking about all the people we knew and other Alaska stuff. We went to bed pretty early. They have a cat that took a liking to me and decided to share my bed, lol.
Wednesday was pretty much a non thing day, it was raining. Mike went out to pump the gas into his big tank. He runs a freight business and sells gas out there to other cabin owners. After that, we hung out shooting the bull some more. We went to bed early for, me and Mike were leaving early Thursday morning for the 40 mile trip North to my cabin.
Got up early Thursday, had breakfast and got the machines ready, it started snowing lightly. Mike decided to take a back trail going to my cabin. That back trail was really rough. It was pretty narrow and windy like a snake. I veered off the trail just slightly and ended up sideways, Mike was in front and didn't see me and kept going. I was in about 3feet of snow. He finally noticed I wasn't behind him and came back and helped me get it back up on the trail. I was really glad to get off that trail.
We finally hit open ground and it was snowing much harder, the snow was coming straight at us stinging our eyes. I didn't have goggles with me and it was very hard seeing to stay on the hard packed trail. We finally made it to Alexander Lake to catch the Tripod Trail to my cabin. My cabin is about 6 miles from there. Ok, once again, it was snowing even harder by then. We kept going and I figured we got about 3-4 miles from my cabin but, we couldn't continue, we couldn't see 5 feet in front of us. We sat there about 40 min. and it wasn't letting up, so, we turned around and headed back.
I convinced Mike to go back another route which was easier and faster. We went over to the Yentna river to the Susitna River and then to a trail called Cut Tree which took us over to Alexander Creek. What a trip, we were really wore out and we were so glad to get back to his place. We pretty much just hung out again. We went to bed around midnight and as soon as I layer down, the cat decided to join me again.
The next morning, Mike and Nancy left to go visit Mikes's mom for her Birthday. I had the place to myself, Friday, Saturday and most the day Sunday. They got back nightfall. While there myself, I met an 82 year old woman who lives up the creek and flies her own plane. She flies a Cessna 180. Then a few others stopped by looking for Mike and Nancy.
We left Tuesday morning to come back to where my car was. It was a really nice day, a beautiful Sunrise. The rivers were getting more overflow on them, it was a little scary. When we got back, Mike got right to work loading drums on a trailer as well as snowmachines and freight sleds on the trailer as well. He had a job to deliver 1000 gals. of gas up North to Alpine Lodge on the Denali Highway. During the Winter, the lodge is accessible by snowmachine only. Anyway, I couldn't find my ignition key, I called a friend to give me a ride back to the town cabin to get a spare. While on his way, I found my key but, get a hold of him. I put 5 qts. of oil in my car and left. Driving back, me and my friend noticed each other and stopped.
After we talked, I continued on, I stopped to gas and then headed to the cabin, I got within 12 miles and added 2 more qts. I think my car is toast. I dropped it off at my friends who is a mechanic and see what is going on. I tired of typing, it's 11:50pm Saturday night and it's been raining all day. I'm tired and going to bed. I will continue the story tomorrow. Good night
Sunday, February 1, 2015
I have answered your call, here I am
Hi everyone, I've been informed it is time for another post. I know I have been very tardy, lol, in doing so but, I have just been lazy and pretty much staying warm. It has been pretty cold here every day. It's been anywhere from 0 to -30 and pretty much all I have been doing is splitting wood every day, eating and watching movies.
We did get dumped on with snow and I went out to shovel, after 5 shovelfuls, I called a neighbor and he came down to plow me out for $20, well spent money.
The green tub is my bathtub 8-}
Got a picture of it snowing
I took this picture of a jet over my cabin, thought it was pretty kool.
Here is a recent photo of Denali, looking over Kashwitna Lake. That's an Ice fishing tent on the lake.
This mornings breakfast, yep, powdered eggs
Last nights dinner, Moose steak, baked potato and sautéed mushrooms and onions in a Teriyaki sauce.
Here are a few meals I have had, Moose meat, rice, vegetables and mushrooms in soy sauce.
Pork steak, baked potato and mushrooms sautéed in worcestshire sauce
This is the Moon coming up
Took this neat picture of the moon last night
The days have been beautiful here, sunny, clear and cooold.
Yep, the greenhouse is still standing
I bought some candle lanterns for the front door and some plumbers candles that last for hours. I light them for 2-3 hrs. Surprising enough, they put out a lot of light.
It feels very soothing with the oil lamps inside and the lanterns outside.
Other than this, not much else going on. I will try not to put so much distance between my posts. I appreciate the concern you have shown. Take care
We did get dumped on with snow and I went out to shovel, after 5 shovelfuls, I called a neighbor and he came down to plow me out for $20, well spent money.
The green tub is my bathtub 8-}
Got a picture of it snowing
I took this picture of a jet over my cabin, thought it was pretty kool.
Here is a recent photo of Denali, looking over Kashwitna Lake. That's an Ice fishing tent on the lake.
This mornings breakfast, yep, powdered eggs
Last nights dinner, Moose steak, baked potato and sautéed mushrooms and onions in a Teriyaki sauce.
Here are a few meals I have had, Moose meat, rice, vegetables and mushrooms in soy sauce.
Pork steak, baked potato and mushrooms sautéed in worcestshire sauce
This is the Moon coming up
Took this neat picture of the moon last night
The days have been beautiful here, sunny, clear and cooold.
Yep, the greenhouse is still standing
I bought some candle lanterns for the front door and some plumbers candles that last for hours. I light them for 2-3 hrs. Surprising enough, they put out a lot of light.
It feels very soothing with the oil lamps inside and the lanterns outside.
Other than this, not much else going on. I will try not to put so much distance between my posts. I appreciate the concern you have shown. Take care
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