Bear With Me

Haven't posted any bear pics in awhile so here are a few. The incident of bear human encounters seems higher this summer than last. Lots of hollering about the need for the "gov't" to do something. Here's one vote for them doing nothing to the animals. Its mostly a people problem.

Summertime sum sum summertime

Company is gone and with him the good weather. It rained last night and the forecast calls for a weeks worth of rainy, overcast, cold weather. Lester finally returned after spending the last two days "outside." Must of been some kind of cat protest against the Russian sleeping in his bedroom. Anyway, when he heads inside and does a mini hibernation, you kind of expect crappy weather. The Texas contingent would do well to bring some nice weather with them when they visit later this month. Have some wood ready to split so if the rain stops that will be the day's project. Still pretty sore from Tuesday's hike. The only bad thing about hiking up a steep trail for 41/2 miles and 5200 feet is the trip down. Still fighting a head cold which would probably go away if I quit sleeping outside.

Well then...

Sergei and I had a great visit. After getting him cleaned up and fed Tuesday night, we dayhiked Pioneer Ridge yesterday. Weather was clear and warm as we started up the 4.5 mile climb to the ridge. In about 4 hours we reached the top, having climbed a distance of 5200 feet. A quick lunch was enjoyed as the wind picked up and the temperatures shot downward. Going down was lots quicker, but the knees felt the strain. Champ did his usual extra mileage and slept like a baby last night. Had lots of clouds as we got above treeline but still had a few glimpses of the Knik Glacier. Too bad I forgot the camera.

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING

Well, actually its just one of them. And to be honest, Sergei has been here long enough that he's part American. That would be the part that likes pancakes. Anyway he's here in between hikes in the Wrangells while uber guide Carl trolls for more clients in Anchorage. Carl is a great guide, seems to always know the easiest way through the willow or alder, and trains his bears to be polite to a fault. I highly recommend him.

Hopefully the weather will allow us a decent day hike, in between resupplying Sergei and washing clothes etc... He's not much for TV but I'm thinking maybe we could rent Red Dawn, or the Rocky episode where he kicks Drago's butt.

POWERLINE PASS BACKPACK

Spent the weekend hiking and camping in Chugach State Park. Friday afternoon, Champ and I hiked Flattop Mountain with a couple of 7 yr olds, their moms and their dogs. Alaska 7 yr olds "boing" alot and stay on trail just slightly more than the dogs. They are crackerjack rock scramblers for sure.





Friday evening we met up with another group for a weekend trip to Green Lake and Powerline Pass. Weather was dry but windy, gusting 20 -30 mph pretty much all weekend. We camped in a beautiful setting just below the pass at Green Lake. Saturday we attempted Avalanche Peak but the wind and the clouds turned us around short of our goal. No worries. Its all good, as they say.



The Moose above actually blocked the trail on our return Sunday morning. His breakfast was more important than our getting home. The middle picture shows the pass. The final pic is Champ taking a midday snooze and making sure none of the other dogs get at his doggie treats.

Thanks Sheila!

QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!

If you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting?

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway.

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?

If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?

Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?


"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;they just make the best of everything that comes along their way.. "

Who'll Stop the Rain

I'd vote for him as would lots of Alaskans. Friday's good weather was just enough to let us know what we've been missing the past many days. Saturday the rain returned with gusto. It rained all day and most of the evening. My evening dog walk required wearing my Seattle Somrero Rain Hat. Champ was not fazed by the weather but Bear acted like he wished it would stop. Bear is the neighbors dog, a big Alaskan Husky about 11 years old. He goes with us most days but is happy to walk at my side, marking his territory about every ten feet. Champ has the energy of the young and ranges ahead, hurrying back to check on us when called. Good for him as this makes our mile walk a three mile race. He sleeps better this way.

Managed to cut split and stack about 1/3 cord Friday. Forecast is for some more decent weather Monday and Tuesday so maybe I'll make some more headway. With summer being so cold, no telling what fall and winter will bring.

Today is kind of iffy looking. Not raining now but not real sunny either. Neighbors brought the geese back from wherever they wintered last night. The old matriarch still doesn't like me. I've given up trying to befriend her. In fact, last night I beat her to the punch by hissing at her!