Alaskan Biker Chics Ride Snowmachines

It felt like we were biker chics headed out for a nice Sunday Morning ride. But it's Easter, Winter and Alaska so we were actually getting on our snowmachines to ride off into the Alaskan wilderness, from her driveway. It was a gorgeous ride that reminded me alot of Colorado where I learned to ride snowmachines. Just two girls on their hogs in the woods. We followed a well worn trail, almost a wilderness highway, that winds up hills, through the forest, over frozen lakes and swamps then up a big hill to an open space and full circle view. It was overcast so Denali and the mountain range were not visible but all of the "close" mountains were. We stopped for a snack and photos at "the boulder" before heading even further up the hill then down into a ravine (that by next week may not even have snow in it) and back out to the view point. At our furthest point up this mountain we were only a little over 10 miles from my friends house, that's trail miles of course, as the crow flies we were probably alot closer. (So don't worry Mom, yes it's the Alaskan wilderness but in this day and age of cell phones we had plenty of rescuers just a few miles away! :0) We may make Easter a last chance yearly ride tradition just for the girls! Because it was obvious winter is coming to an end this was my last winter adventure for the year. There is already no snow on our road and I have also had to retire my dog sled for the season. On to the craziness of summer, stay tuned for updates on that...

New Batiks

Here are a couple new Soywax Batiks I have made. They will be in the upcoming Group Fiber Arts Show at our Sheldon Community Arts Hangar here in downtown Talkeetna, the reception is 4-7 pm on the second Saturday in May and will be up until early June. They are also using one or both of these photos on the flyer advertising the show. This summer at my store I will be participating in the "Second Saturday Art Walk" each month. Several galleries, gift shops and cafes feature an artist and put out some refreshments so people can walk around town and stop at them all. Should be a good way to get the word out about my shop and put out some extra art too, I have quite a bit right now. We are keeping busy, I'm making stock for the summer and getting ready to start spiffing up my space downtown. Hoping for a busy summer, we have a great spot. I will add photos of it in May when I open for Mother's Day.

Happy Spring to All & Love from Alaska!

My Little Skier

Jaxon really likes Jr. Nordic Ski Club. He's one of the youngest kids doing it but gets better each week. The ski season is quickly coming to an end with all the warm weather we have had here. They are also doing skiing in PE this month so he's skiing a couple times a week or more. I may need to get a pair of skis and learn with him next year. There are a ton of great trails to use around here. HAPPY SPRING TO ALL!

Our Alyeska Trip

We went to The Alyeska Resort for a night this month. Just a quick ski trip to Girdwood, a X-mas gift for Andy. We even ran into some fellow Talkeetnans so Andy didn't have to ski alone. They have a Saltwater Pool and a hot tub, that's where the boys an I were while he was on the mountain. I got the family package so the room came with a movie, pizza and breakfast the next morning. It was nice to get out of town even if for only one night. Even though the boys played in the pool for quite awhile that evening they still wanted to play in the room's bathtub too. The next morning it was nasty out; rain, wind and hail. Not real pretty for Alaska in February.

Winter Photos

The boys playing on "my" snowmachine in the driveway.

Denali and Hunter (the smaller one) on a crisp winter day.

The view from "Rubberneck Point", not sure if that name is offical or just the local slang for it...

Jax is on his way up the hill to the trail for his first day of Jr. Nordic Ski Club with Denali and the mountains behind him. Nice Alaska afternoon.

Hope your feeling better Grammy, get well, we love you!

Troublemaker is my middle name...

I love this shirt and it suits him well... "TROUBLEMAKER IS MY MIDDLE NAME" Can you tell he is 2 now? He sure is acting like it these days. I brightened up my sign the other day and Hawken was admiring it just before he turned and gave me this scowl with a smile. Quite a cute little scowl if I do say so myself...

Many degrees below zero...

Yes it's a little chilly at 8:30 on a February morning here in Alaska but sometimes a mom has to seize the opportunity and this was mine. I had just dropped Jaxon off at school because once a week or so the extra 30-45 minutes of sleep we can get by not making the bus is more valuable to me, this was one of those mornings. I was already in downtown Talkeetna and it was amazingly light out already, or working on it we are gaining 6 minutes a day now, so I headed down to the river trail. My car was telling me it was a toasty -8 degrees below zero out, that was in the parking lot the trail at the river was a little colder still. The view looked like a painting on the horizon as it often does here. To my left was the half moon still bright in the dimly lit sky and straight across the mighty frozen Susitna & Chulitna Rivers was the alpenglow lighting the mountain range that includes Denali, Hunter and Foraker. Quite a sight, you almost forget your cheeks and toes are numb while your staring at it. Then the creaks and thunderous sounds from the river ice startle and intrigue you at the same time. The chunks of ice break off the shelf splashing into the water. These are the sounds of break up, but it's February and this isn't normal to hear now. It must be due to the warm winter we have had, warm in relation to Alaska that is. Summer last year was also quite warm, and I wouldn't mind another one like it. Even though the view is breathtaking it's not a long walk because it's cold out. I didn't have my camera or I would happily share with you what I was lucky enough to see that morning, and alot of other days too. We are blessed everyday to live where we do. On my way home the car thermometer got up to 3 above in one spot but then it plummeted to -12 and then -15 below out at my house only 5 miles from the river walk, weird. Warm thoughts from cold temps. Love from Alaska to all of you!