Chemistry

was always one of my favorite subjects which may explain why I used the title "kinetic energy" twice in the short life of this blog. But I really think that the energy given off by the people here in Alaska contributed to my choice of titles.  It is almost as if there is a direct correlation between the amount of sunlight and activity.  So many conversations I have overheard have centered on activity.  It is almost like the sunlight acts on the population the same way that heat acts on molecules - makes them move faster and faster.  And now that the weather is getting colder, and darker, the activity is slowing down.

Last weekend, we drove up towards Hatchers Pass. The same place I went to when Mom and Sue and the rest of the family were here.  Surprisingly, the road to the gold mine was all ready closed for the season.  Think about that.  It is the middle of September and roads are being closed.  The seasonal road was still open, and will be until the rest of the month.  We didn't take it.  I'm not sure where it goes - not that that matters.  Actually, I find it more inviting because I don't know where it goes.  But I think we will save it for nicer weather. Maybe come back with the jeep and if we're lucky we can put the top down and enjoy the drive through the mountain pass....  But the closed road didn't stop us from enjoying a beautiful fall day.  And I do mean fall.  The calendar may indicate that the first day of fall is tomorrow, but my reality is that fall is all ready here.  And about half-way over.

Just as a reminder - this is the same stream less than a month ago

This is the abandoned gold mine we walked around a few weeks ago

Riley running down the mountain

I know this mountain stream was cold.  Riley promptly laid down in it.

Jake and I with Rosey and Riley

You can just make out a glacier in the break between the clouds

So this beautiful fall day was on Sunday and by Tuesday we were waking up to more termination dust

The mountaintop peaking over town on my drive into work

A little more snow yesterday.  Someone told me that once the snow gets to the front mountain peaks, it is only about 2 weeks until the snow hits the ground in town

The temperatures have been ranging in the 40's and 50's.  Yesterday it got up to about 54 and sunny.  But I don't think it made a difference to the snow.

But I don't want to think about the snow quite yet.  I still have summer memories to enjoy....

The man in the black suit is Garrison Keillor at the Alaska State Fair

The fairgrounds are watched over by snow peaked mountains and glaciers

Sand Lake - just as summer is turning in fall.  In early August.

Ok - this was actually last weekend, not this past summer.  Steve and I went to the NAACP annual meeting and listened to Judge Hatcher.  I don't know why Steve always looks like he is taking a mug shot.

back to the Alaska State Fair

The most scenic parking lot I have ever seen.

Yo Yo - my new bff

Mr. Keillor - the man with a face for radio

 As I think about chemistry, I think about some of the changes that are taking place within our own family.  We have a traditional nuclear family with our children circling around us like wild little electrons.  They are charged and when they meet another electron, they might pop off and create another compound. Some compounds are stable, and they have their own little electrons circling around their nucleus. Some aren't stable and they break apart, and the electrons go looking for another compound to join.  Maybe they go back to their original state.  Where ever they go, they are looking for stability.  And maybe a little love.

I think we have made the decision to actually make this a permanent move.  I guess that sounds a little funny since Steve has been here for almost 2 years and I am coming to the close of my first year.  Although that sounds like a simple decision, we have a whole life in WI that we need to close out and consolidate.  And a couple of loose electrons that need to find their way back to the original nuclear compound so they can have some stability again.  

Until next time!

Kinetic energy,

 for those of you who don't recall high school chemistry, is the energy an object possesses due to its motion..  I would like to propose that in Alaska there is a different type of energy. I think of it as Frenetic energy.  Frenetic, obviously, means a flurry of activity, but here, it is channeled into something more organized and palpable. There is so much activity everywhere you look.  Hikers, bikers, climbers, tourists, children playing, skateboarders, horseback riding, fishing, more fishing, dipnetting (a type of fishing), motorcycles (including vespas!), boaters, shrimpers (isn't that a type of fishing?).... the list could go on.  The energy of the people here could collectively be characterized as kinetic - the people are in motion creating a thrum that can be felt throughout the entire state. It must be the kinetic energy that fuels the frenetic energy.

Last month, my family was here to visit.  It was a glorious time and it gave us all the opportunity to do a little exploring in my new home state.

The first thing we had to do was just celebrate being together.  And what better way to do that then with a pair of moose antlers?



Our chief Moosekateer



Lifting a little Alaskan local brew

Although there were moose antlers for everyone, not everyone would wear them.  Party Poopers! 

Our first few outings had some nice weather - it was good to get out and walk around:

Walking in downtown Anchorage.  Sky with Nana and Uncle Jake

There used to be a restaurant in this unique little building, and I think another one may be opening back up here.  There are also a couple people fishing for salmon in the river.  The water was clear enough that we could see the salmon swimming up to the fisherman.

Outside of the Ulu factory

You have to hold hands to be safe

We were actually just entering the forest and were on the wrong side of the sign

As we drove to Beluga Point I told everyone not to walk out on to the sand at low tide.  People have been known to get trapped in the sand and die when the tide came back in

After I told everyone not to go out on the sand, Tara and Sky fell in

We had to opportunity to go to the Conservation Center.  I had, after all, promised Sky a moose and this time of year they aren't munching on the twigs in my front yard.

Not a moose

Yes!  a moose!

Not a moose, but a roving reindeer

Twin baby moose

We went to world renowned Alyeska resort and did a little hiking down Winner Trail

At Alyeska

A beautiful trail, but not a great place for a stroller.  Everything is so green and lush

Riley and Dad

Alyeska



Winner Trail in Alyeska



 

Unfortunately, on the days we had boat trips the weather was wet and rainy.  Much as it had been for the previous three weeks.

Joe and the glacier

Sue with the glacier.

Our boy from Hawaii froze the entire time he was here



Ahoy Cap't Skylar!



Did I mention it was wet and rainy?  And cold.  Very cold.  The trip out to Portage Glacier wasn't to bad, but we also had a trip out of Whittier.  Unfortunately, it was a very cold and wet day with very limited visibility.  However, the company was excellent and the food was delicious (all you can eat salmon and prime rib, anyone?).  What more could you ask for on vacation?

We also did a trip up to the old mine at Hatcher's Pass.  Joe walked around a little bit and went back to the car to stay warm.  It seems living in Hawaii for the past year has really thinned out his blood.

Some of my other favorite parts of the visit were:

Grandpa and Sky exchange hats in Talkeetna



Some little one had a hard time sleeping, so she slept with Nana and Grandpa

Talkeetna

Family rocks!

It was a crazy busy 10 days - and it was wonderful.  Family visiting was the perfect excuse for me to go and explore places I had not yet been to.  My only complaint would be the fact that we were so frequently on the go that I don't feel we ever had the chance to actually sit and visit.  I suppose that is the perfect excuse to have to plan yet another visit.

Our days continue to shorten and the days are shortening.  We actually have sunset at around 9:30 and it is still dark when I get up around 6 AM.  If you think about it, there is only about 3 months left to the shortest day of the year, and then the process will reverse itself to the incredibly long days creating yet another season of frenetic energy.  I'm looking forward to being here to see the whole process play out again.

Here is a shot of downtown Anchorage I took from Earthquake park right before everyone came to visit.  Until next time!