Moose Loose Part 2

Just when we thought it was safe to go into the garden, the moose returned today. It spent quite a while in our back garden, nibbling shoots on the bushes and chewing the bark off the trees. Our camera person, Sylv, was clearly very brave in getting these pictures to our blog audience.

Alan

Sledding

Last Saturday, we went to Kincaid Park in Anchorage to join in a BP-arranged social event. We all met at the top of a snow/ice-covered hill for an afternoon's team racing down to the bottom.

Using cycle helmets and borrowed sledges we bravely launched down the hill in 1's, 2's and 4's. It was a bit bumpy as the soft snow has turned to ice in the recent thawing conditions and I was looking round for anyone who had a sledge with sprung suspension.

The final part of the descent was a hidden dip which you fly over in your sled and land with a bump, hopefully still the right way up. I think the proper Olympic term is a 'big air' and it was a surprise for all of us as you could not see it from the top of the hill.

Here is a wider shot from the top of the hill, with the Knik Arm in the background, joining the Turnagain Arm on the left. The guys in the armchair sled on the left of the shot were representing New Zealand, as you can see. They had a good idea to soften the ride on the hardened snow, but had a few stability problems!

Overall, a good time was had by all. Next week, it is downhill skiing at Girdwood. We are still wondering whether we are up to it, as staying upright takes on a whole new meaning when there is a slope involved. We really need to learn how to stop without:
a. Hitting anything.
b. Falling over.
These are skills that look easy when you watch the activities from Vancouver, but, let me tell you, they are not, and I have the bruises to prove it!

More next week.

Alan and Sylvia

Alaska Drivers Licenses!

When you come to Alaska, you have 90 days to get an Alaska Drivers License. After arriving in November, the end of the 90 day grace period loomed large on the calendar and we had to take winter driving lessons and pass the driving test. This consisted of a theory test in the local Dept of Motor Vehicles offices, sat at a computer, followed by a practical driving test on the snow-covered roads of Anchorage.

In order to put in the application, you need a US Social Security number, even though we have no intention of using US Social Security. Sylvia had to produce her marriage certificate in order to convince the official that she really was married, and this took a while to get it brought over from UK. We then had to go to DMV and produce our Visa documentation, passport, a utility bill as proof of address, Soc Sec card, proof of passing our theory and practical tests and pass an eye test.

Needless to say, after jumping through all these hoops, we celebrated when we eventually got our US Alaska Drivers Licenses.

In America, the freedom lobby has resisted the issue of identity cards for US residents, so the Drivers License and Social Security card both have a dual role, and you are no one in America until you have both.

Alan

Wolf Moon

29th January 2010, Alan and Sylvia's 33rd anniversary, was a 'wolf moon', the largest full moon of the year.

Somehow in Alaska the moon looks nearer and bigger than anywhere else. This picture is one of several that were featured in the local paper. Quite spectacular, I think.

Alan

New Skating Sensation - Orville and Bean

I bought some skates and tried out Westchester Lagoon, a man-made lake in the centre of Anchorage which they keep cleared for public skating. It was 25 years since my last time on the ice when we used to take Vicky and Heather to skating lessons at Southampton Ice Rink (now demolished).

After a couple of goes I am now getting the hang of it again. Stand aside Torville & Dean - my skating is a cross between Orville the Duck and Mr Bean.

My ambition is to post a video of me doing real skating, cornering and stopping without falling over. Could take a while.

Alan

Our new Accommodation

BP is having an economy drive and we have been asked to move to cheaper accommodation. We looked at a place today which will save the company some money. It is:

The Yurt
Eagle River Nature Center
Alaska

The place has a stove, two bunk beds, and a couple of chairs, so is very comfortable. It even has a guest suite with all the modern conveniences - well actually only one convenience and it isn't very modern. At least you don't have to venture outside if you need to go in the middle of the night.


Just kidding! This is actually a rentable overnight camping shelter in the Nature Reserve where hardy souls can stay overnight as part of their trekking expedition. The dunny is a bit basic, being a 10 inch hole in a board, set over a waste container on wheels. Now I know why they call them 'dumpsters'.

We went to this park with the Couples Ski Group, who go out regularly on a ski or hike and then finish up at someone's house for dinner. Today was Eagle River, with a Superbowl party to follow.

This is the hiking group about to move off, and here is the ski group.



The scenery was spectacular, as you can see from the next pic.
We walked for 2 hours and were exhausted at the end, although the dogs were only just warming up. We then went back for the big game.

The Superbowl is the final game between the American champions and the National Champions. These are the 2 leagues that play American football. The occasion is like our FA Cup Final day but even bigger. Everyone in the group was rooting for St Louis, who were the underdogs and whose stadium was used as a refuge for Hurricane Katrina victims only 3 years ago. They have rebuilt the team and the stadium and have done really well. We learnt a lot about the complexities of the game - many of the wives were experts and pundits, as well as the men.

Alan
7 Feb 2010

Ice Sculptures in Anchorage

In the Winter the town square is transformed with ice sculptures. These are made out of blocks of solid ice using a chainsaw. They will be with us until the end of March until the thaw starts.

Sylvia May Jan 27th