Day 123, 5/3/2011

Eager anglers line the sides of Badger Slough to fish for grayling. 

Spring couldn’t come soon enough for these folks. You’d never know it was snowing like a blizzard this morning, but it was. Of course I can’t prove it, because I took several pictures of the snowstorm before I realized there was no memory card in my camera. 

Day 124, 5/4/2011

The roads will be full of these very soon.

Day 125, 5/5/2011

A pair of bald eagles soar above our house searching for a thermal air pocket to help them climb. 

They were soon joined by two more.

Day 126, 5/6/2011

An Alaska State Trooper checks for the required credentials.

Day 127, 5/7/2011

The first backyard fire of the year.

Day 128, 5/8/2011

The Pike’s Landing brunch crowd on Mother’s Day.

A crowded line forms as patrons check in and wait to be seated, and the hostess pontificates the next lucky party.

Pike’s has been a Fairbanks favorite for many years, having been built in 1959, the same year Alaska became a state. In the summer, people arrive in cars or in boats, and in the winter, they arrive by cars or by snowmachine via the Chena River.

Day 129, 5/9/2011

Hooray! 

The first greenup in the yard is a perennial delphinium coming back to life!

Day 130, 5/10/2011

The Trail’s End Lounge at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Chena Hot Springs is a great weekend destination for Interior locals. About 60 miles from Fairbanks, the resort offers much more than the springs themselves, which are alone worth the beautiful drive through moose country.

One of the year round attractions that draws visitors from around the world is the Aurora Ice Museum. 

Here you see the bartender pouring an Appletini in a glass made of ice on a bar made of ice in front of a visitor sitting on a stool made of ice.

Day 131, 5/11/2011

The buds are emerging…

Day 132, 5/12/2011

A fine day to drive to Denali National Park, about 120 miles south of Fairbanks.

Here you can see Mount McKinley, the tallest peak in North America.

Day 133, 5/13/2011

Tonight we are celebrating our daughter’s impending graduation from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Go Nanooks!

Day 134, 5/14/2011

A springtime four-wheeler ride near Murphy Dome.

Day 135, 5/15/2011

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates turn their tassels and rejoice as congratulatory balloons are released above them.

Day 136, 5/16/2011

It has been said that there are but two seasons in Interior Alaska. Winter and road construction.

Day 137, 5/17/2011

A ladybug inspects a freshly opened birch leaf at 9:00 PM.

We are now up to 19 hours of daylight and must cover the windows at night to maintain our circadian rhythms.

I just noticed today that the last traces of snow are finally gone completely from the yard, and all that was deposited here over the winter is now revealed.

Day 138, 5/18/2011

Inadvertently lured to what will likely be its demise, the “state bird” of Alaska parks atop the Mosquito Magnet in our backyard.

Alaska’s mosquito populace is notorious, and though they are out in force already, I vowed I would never complain about the ones close to home again after I spent over a week near the North Slope in a tent. I never had a meal or a drink that wasn’t seasoned with the little vexations, and was greeted by hordes of them every time I went outside.

I know the local birds love and depend on them, but I sure wish they ate more!

Click here to watch a 30 second video showing what we call breakup, the transition from winter to spring in my neighborhood.

Day 139, 5/19/2011

In the truly inspired words of Alice Cooper... 

school’s out for the summer.

Day 140, 5/20/2011

Here we go, the first wildfire of the season. 

It was just outside of Fairbanks near the Moose Mountain ski area, and luckily the wind was blowing the smoke away from town. It was a very windy day and the blaze grew to over 700 acres, which is relatively small by Alaskan standards.

Day 141, 5/21/2011

Most areas have dried up since all the snow melted, but my favorite running trail remains obdurately swamped. 

Bummer. 

Day 142, 5/22/2011

Happy day... the Delta Junction Buffalo Center Drive In is open for the season!

Day 143, 5/23/2011

Another first of the season, the faintest of rainbows appeared on my drive in to work this morning.

Day 144, 5/24/2011

I brake for ravens.

Unfortunately, someone wasn’t able to brake for this guy, but it’s making a nice supper for the raven, who is by definition ravenous.

He’s (or she’s, the nomenclature is difficult to discern for the untrained eye) strutting back and forth across the road as if to shoo passersby away from the carcass.

Day 145, 5/25/2011

It’s 81 degrees. In May. In Fairbanks.

A bit too balmy for me.

Day 146, 5/26/2011

Ok maybe 81 degrees wasn’t so bad.

A land of extremes like no other.

Day 147, 5/27/2011

Arrived in Delta Junction for the first camping trip of the season this afternoon. Darkness came in the middle of the night, but not before this auspicious moment.

Day 148, 5/28/2011

Young Wade McGann gets his first fly tying lesson.

Not necessarily a rite of passage, but I’m willing to bet that very few kids his age can do that. 

Day 149, 5/29/2011

Fire scorched trees near Delta Junction, Alaska.

Donnelly Dome rests next to the Alaska Pipeline. 

Day 150, 5/30/3011

Our wall of pride.

Clockwise from top left: Matt’s father Jack Splechter-US Army, Matt Splechter-US Army, our son in law Kelly Kappel-US Navy, our son Josh Splechter-US Air Force.

Thank you to every man and woman who has sacrificed a part of their freedom so that all Americans can enjoy theirs, and so that their soldiers will stay safe, and their buddies to the left and the right. Thank you to all those who have found themselves in bad situations that they didn't ask to be in or want to be in, but tried to do the most good they could while they were there. You deserve much more than one day a year.

Day 151, 5/31/2011

Well, I guess it’s time to drag out the lawnmower and blow the cobwebs out of it.

Day 152, 6/1/2011

First day of June and the yard gets its first haircut of the year.

Day 153, 6/2/2011

Dinner tonight was fish cakes made with leftover lake trout from last weekend's camping trip, a savory delight!

Here they are as they formerly were...