Day 308, 11/4/2011

This is Eileen.

Eileen works for an environmental firm called Shannon & Wilson. She is here this week from Seattle at the request of the Flint Hills Refinery in North Pole.

Yesterday I came home to find a note on my door explaining that my neighborhood was now part of a project to test well water that may have been affected by the operations at the refinery a few miles away. I was asked to call and make an appointment for one of their reps to come by to get a sample for testing, and that the results would be shared with us in a couple of weeks.

Eileen came by this afternoon, and after inspecting the water system, she had me bypass the filters and softener, and ran the water for about half an hour so that she could get water that was coming out at a steady temperature so she could be sure she was all the way down to the settled well.

She explained that they were only testing for sulfolane, a by-product of the refinery that had been detected in surrounding areas. If I understood correctly, the amount detected in our area was equivalent to a drop or two in an Olympic sized swimming pool, not enough to cause any sort of harm. But Flint Hills has made a deal with the State to test as far out as they need to go, and keep testing until even a drop is not detected anywhere.

Eileen went on to tell me that as part of the deal with the State, Flint Hills would be providing us drinking water “until further notice.” She gave me a website link to look up more information on the project. According to her, this could go on for months or even years, so I’m sure we’ll be scheduling more tests in the future.

Day 309, 11/5/2011

‘Tis the season of holiday bazaars! 

Today we attended one in the UAF Wood Center.

Day 310, 11/6/2011

Bruce Hayes carefully fits a grizzly bear for a rug in the taxidermy shop he has set up in his garage.

Photo by Matt Splechter

Day 311, 11/7/2011

The ice Santa cometh. 

A carver works on a Santa’s workshop display for the roundabout at the North Pole exit.

Day 312, 11/8/2011

Now that’s a Fairbanks-winter-worthy bike!

Day 313, 11/9/2011

Sundog, 1:35 PM.

Sundog, 3:45PM.

Day 314, 11/10/2011

Anti Pebble Mine sticker. 

Though the site of this mine would be outside of the Interior, there is a long running raging debate over whether or not a large mine should be allowed in southwest Alaska, and Interior residents have polarizing opinions. Proponents of the mine say, and rightly so, that it will be a huge boost to the economy and provide work for small villages that currently have few or no prospects. Opponents say, and rightly so, that it will irreparably damage premier salmon spawning grounds.

What do I say?

Well, I guess I will go on record with my own opinion. I understand the plight of folks living in remote villages in Alaska. Their way of life is disappearing, and harder and harder to hold on to. They need more opportunities for growth and stability. However in this case, I think the cost of forward progression may be too great.

Yes, it's rough living out there, but times have changed, like it or not. No matter how self sufficient a people you are, you can no longer get by without some modern basic necessities such as food staples and medical supplies and care. In almost all cases in Alaska, subsistence must be supplemented and these necessities are damned expensive when you live on the corner of Timbuktu and Nowhere. Having said that, you are accepting this as fact and as part of the price to pay for this lifestyle if you choose to stay and live there. So why would anyone choose to stay? Tradition? Heritage?

It is also a well known fact that Native Alaskans cherish the land as part of their heritage, and depend on salmon as a major source of food for themselves and their very important dogs. So isn't it counter productive to accept a mine that will no doubt further the economy of the area, but in time probably destroy the very reason cited for wanting to stay there? It just doesn't make sense in this case, in the proposed region.

So I guess you can count me in with those who are not convinced that the Pebble Mine is a good thing for southwest Alaska.

Day 315, 11/11/2011

Today is Veteran’s Day, a time set aside to honor all who have served our country in the military. Perhaps not as well represented as it should be here in the Interior (in much smaller towns in the Midwest there are flags lining the streets for miles) there are those here who are doing their part to remember the sacrifices that have been made.

On the university campus, the UAF Student Vet Center is participating in a National Roll Call event and will be reading the names of the over 6,000 service members who have died in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans Day is to honor all who have served. The fallen and still living, active duty, retired or not, all branches of service. They don't get paid as much as the politicians do, and their sacrifices are much greater and therefore more significant. Thank you all for your service, it is meaningful to every American whether they know it or want to admit it or not.

Day 316, 11/12/2011

Today was the baby shower for Kayla and baby Rosemary. 

A good time was had by all, and she will be a well dressed infant!

Day 317, 11/13/2011

Sledders head over to the hill for an afternoon of fun.

The structure there next to the hill is an ice climbing wall.

Day 318, 11/14/2011

A hillock of snow is pushed aside in the post office parking lot after plows scrape up the recent snowfall around town.

Day 319, 11/15/2011

It’s getting colder out, so now starts the incessant idling of cars in parking lots. This is considered a necessary evil by some, and it does affect the air quality as the cold air traps pollutants.

Day 320, 11/16/2011

The sun sets at 3:30 through the dense layer of ice fog that has enveloped us this week.

Day 321, 11/17/2011

This little symbol is to tell you that your tire pressure is insufficient.

The pressure in my tires is actually correct, however the tires are FROZEN with a flat spot on the bottom because it’s been 30 to 50 below for a few days now.

Once I’ve driven a few miles and the car warms up --- nope, the light still stays on. This weather does some freaky things to anything mechanical.

Day 322, 11/18/2011

Mt.  McKinley peeks over the Chena hills as the sun rises just after 9:30 AM. 

Ice fog and exhaust coming from buildings in the valley are visible as we weather this record breaking extended cold snap.

Another gorgeous sunset around 3:35 PM.

Day 323, 11/19/2011

Frost builds up on the corners of the windows as the extremely cold air tries to blast in from outside and meets the warm air in the house.

Still well below -30 today. 

Day 324, 11/20/2011

Our new water cooler, courtesy of Flint Hills.

Day 325, 11/21/2011

There was nothing happy about my little car when I got in it to leave work today.

Day 326, 11/22/2011

A fata morgana mirage occurrence from this afternoon.

Homemade french dips for dinner!

Day 327, 11/23/2011

It may be time for Thanksgiving, but our natural décor bespeaks more of Christmas.

Day 328, 11/24/2011

The Thanksgiving meal.

A spread worthy of a hungry medieval mob.

Day 329, 11/25/2011

I think this sums up how we all feel this evening after our tryptophan comas and black Friday marathons.

Photo by Kayla Kappel

Day 330, 11/26/2011

Just when it looked like we were about to get a reprieve from the deep freeze, it's back down to 25 below today.

The great thing about it is that it doesn't keep the locals from getting out there and enjoying the winter, anyway.

Day 331, 11/27/2011

Just another pretty winter scene.

Day 332, 11/28/2011

Looking for a unique and abstract way to photograph your Christmas tree? Grab a camera with a zoom lens, set the shutter speed low, and zoom in or out while you open the shutter.

Here’s our tall tree…

Our red tree…

And our silver tree.

Day 333, 11/29/2011

We’re back to zero, and it does feel nice.

Photo by Kayla Kappel

Day 334, 11/30/2011

It’s 10AM and we wait for the sun to rise. 

The days will continue to get shorter over the next month until the winter solstice on December 21^st, at which time we’ll be down to just over three and a half hours of daylight.

Side Trip, Palmer AK...


I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer today.

It's quite an operation, with a small staff that monitors a very large chunk of the world's coastline.

This is Dave, one of the scientists that monitors the daily earthquakes (they'd had 12 so far today) and tsunami conditions. 

I noticed (as directed) this sign as he was giving his presentation.

The 12 scientists on staff here take turns working 8 hour shifts, but can be called back in with the flip of a switch in an "all hands required" emergency.

These are the bat phones. Dave told us who's on the other end of the line but I forget.

An immensely important facility providing a life saving service. I appreciate the time they took to show us around.

Day 335, 12/1/2011

A perfect snowflake on my windshield.