Cannery Road

Whale Hatchery

Its not a whale hatchery. Its not a big shopping mall. Its the Valdez Marine Terminal across the snowy bay. Valdez has recorded more than 5 ft of snow since I got here. Whose counting inches?

Valdez Styling

Snow Dock

I forgot how much snow Valdez gets. March on!

Snow Signs Everywhere

More Pennies Today

It was snowing when I woke up and its still snowing. I'm using my swimming flipper to remove the snow off my car. Also swimming at the Valdez High School pool...for free! Gotta love Valdez.

Pennies from Heaven

Corner of Chitina and Kobuk

You can barely see the tip of Sugarloaf above the navy gray cloud blanket at this morning's low tide near 8am.

Spring Skiing Valdez

Gaining daylight over 5 minutes a day! March on sun! Next 2 months are my favorites in Valdez.

Frozen Falls

Snapped this pic of Bridal Veil Falls as I was driving through Keystone Canyon last Saturday. I got a job in Valdez cooking for the construction crew at Silver Bay Seafoods. They are out of Sitka with a cannery there and another in Craig. They bought the old Seahawk Seafood cannery here in Valdez and are fixing it up. I'm not kidding when I say its a old cannery. Hilary Clinton worked there when she was going to college. Back in the day when U.S. cannery workers were the most educated migrant workforce in the world.

Only 10 Inches

I wasn't in Valdez 3 days when the sky opened up and dropped a boat load of snow on good ol' Valdez town. It had been a while since I smelled a breath of fresh air. Smells like home.

Winter Olympics Hiatis

Enjoy the 2010 Winter Olympics!

See you in 2 weeks.

Orange Alert

Country Legends 100.9fm

Nice to have a local radio station clear channel free. Meaning locally owned and operated with real people, real time.

Streaking Moose

This was another close encounter with a moose I had this afternoon. I wish I could have captured a better picture. Everything happened within seconds and since I was cruising down Lucille Street, where the speed limit is 35, I was able to stop no problem. When I stopped, the moose stopped and looked right at me. I fumbled for my camera that is usually handy. Today it was tucked in my work bag. By the time I got it cocked and ready traffic was coming both ways and the moose streaked into the woods.

Hey Taxi!

The boss called this morning and asked me to start training today, he needs me to start driving earlier than next week. Rode around in the taxi all day learning the ropes. What a blast! Our cabs are not as cool as the one pictured. We drive mini-vans.

Hawaiian Scramble

For something different this morning I added pineapple to scrambled eggs, ham and cheese. Sliced smoked jalapenos added a good kick. It was surprisingly good. Try it some time.

I start my new exciting job next Monday. It will be long hours during the week with weekends off. The Fishtaxi will be driving cab in Palmer!

My blog ought to get better since I will be out and about the Mantanuska Valley with my camera. Meeting new people and seeing new places sounds fun to me.

Come along for the ride.

Sully's Sourdough Inn

Alaska "facts" placemat popular in old time Alaska restaurants like Sully's Sourdough Inn at Mile Post 51.5 on the George Parks Hwy. While you are sitting at the table waiting for your burger you can see how big "the Great Land" is. Six states within a state according to this map.

Burger and a brew is what I went for on a menu offering breakfast at any time. $6.95,, until I realized all the patrons were paying cash. I only had my debit card with me and 3 bucks when I asked the waitress if they took cards. She said no, but there is an ATM machine in the bar. Not wanting to do the dishes or "dine and dash" I used the machine. Cost me $3.50 to get a 20 dollar bill. Paid for my food and drink plus tip. Later I checked my bank account and First National Bank of Alaska added a $2.00 transmission fee to the ATM withdrawl. Now, if I'm doing the math right this burger stop cost me $14.95.

Not worth it if you don't carry cash.

Blue Sharks

Found this gummi candy while I was out job hunting today.

Sun Spots

Skating the Lake

Cold and clear Vitamin D days in the valley. Lots to do outside now that the days are getting longer. Took this picture at 4:20pm.

Mount Hunter

View of the Alaska Range from Mile 69 Parks Highway. Denali (the Great One) is the mountain in the distance on the left. Mount Hunter (Begguya, means Child of Denali) is on the right. Mount Hunter is 8 miles closer in this picture so it looks bigger than Denali. The mountain range is over a hundred miles away.

Land and Cabins

This place sits off the Parks Hwy near Pittman Road. Lots of cute cabins and decorative like this building.

Pulled in today to take a close-up. Dogs and a musher on top with the American flag, eagles and whales.

Driving on the Lake

Took a drive on Lake Lucille this afternoon. Beautiful day and its staying light now til 5pm!

Neighborhood Watch

My friend in Valdez took these pics of her eagle that hangs out by her house with my camera. Now she wants to get a digital camera, a laptop and start blogging!

Life on Marz

Barely could get this short video of the Glenn Highway on Friday Jan 8th uploaded due to internet problems and high winds.

Clean Freaks

The FishTaxi seems to run better when all clean with a fresh coat of wax.

Heading down the highway to Kenny Lake (Kenny Lake.com) for a Women's Winter Retreat in Gerteeville in the morning.

Will post updates from there.

Christmas Cactus

Bloomed in Big Lake, Alaska on January 4th, 2010. Better late than never!

Sporting My New Hat Soon

My sister finished the hat she made me. I can't wait to wear it to the Fur Rondy!

Next Winter's Hat

Snow Boat

The days are getting longer and its almost time to put a boat in the water!

Its All Over Now

GOOD BYE 2009!

Somewhere New

FishTaxi with a full tank of gas.

Happy Ho Ho

From the FishTaxi in Big Lake, Alaska.

Fun Jobs in Alaska

Handler for Iditarod Kennel -

Handler needed starting immediately through April. Feed, clean up after dogs, and do menial physical labor for no pay. Long hours. Work is primarily outside and very physical. Need to provide own outdoor clothing. Please, no wimps. This is (more than) full time, physical, outdoor work. Must be honest, hard working, have common sense, and work well with little supervision. Still sound like fun? It is, I swear! We provide; Private room and board in a beautiful house in a stunning location Opportunity to learn about dog care and training Opportunity to be involved with Iditarod Lots of time with wonderful dogs Pretty cool people to hang out with Oppportunity to learn to mush MUST BE CURRENTLY IN ALASKA - If you are not here and ready to get started, it's too late to move. Also need current drivers license.
Location: Talkeetna


wanted trapping partner -

trapping partner wanted.have trapps and snares..........leave phone # to reply..........subject == wanted trappin part
Location: houston
Compensation: will be fair


Handler needed for Anchorage musher -

Selling X-mas trees -


I'm glad to be working. I drive a lot and am looking forward to more daylight minutes. Almost hit a moose tonight in Houston. I slowed down because I was making a right and there he was darting across the dark highway. I saw a dead moose on Big Lake Rd last night on my way home. With all the deep snow the moose are on the plowed by-ways. Drivers should slow down even though the speed limit is 55 mph posted. That means in good conditions. Not dark and icy roads. Also, while I'm on the subject. Its rude to shine your brights on on-coming traffic on a two-lane highway. It blinds the driver coming in your direction. Those new metal halides and fog lights are cool, but please learn how to use them on a busy highway. I'm sure there is an off switch or some way you know they are on. Thank-you.

Snow Poppies

Gotta miss Valdez

Full story at Valdez shrugs as snowfall tops 6 feet

Alaska, Jackass Style

Mile 69 Fish Bus (Burger)

Next time you are heading down the George Parks Highway stop at Mile 69 Willow, Alaska. The speed limit slows down to 45 mph anyway.

Check out Debbie's expanded Burger Bus serving Bad Ass Coffee and an array of delicacies.

While you are there snap a picture of the Northern Lights. They are ON all the time!

I did!

Another Look

Noni, named after noni juice. My roomies boxer dog. Smarter than she looks.

Better Than Ice Cream

Well, I could be exaggerating.

The new Tropical Fusion Jello with Mandarin oranges with whipped cream topped high hits the sweet spot. You still make Jello the same with 2 cups hot water to dissolve and 2 cups of cold water and refrigerate. Simple and good!

Happy Landings

Kiss the ground you walk on.

Bird's Eye View

Photos by John Thun

Pronounced John Thun, like thunder, took these photos from his cousin's super cub. They flew around Hatcher Pass and the Matanuska Valley during these beautiful VFR flying conditions in Alaska right now. All the photos he took were great and I asked him to send me these two, with permission, to post on my blog. In the second photo there are people on the runway where the plane needed to land. The pilot buzzed them a couple times then proceeded to make a smooth landing.

Sunset Won Over

Thank-you readers for bearing with me so far this winter. Looking forward to Winter Solstice when the daylight starts getting longer. This was the sunset today. The bottom picture was taken (before the top picture) around 3:30 pm ADST looking towards Anchorage from the parking lot of Lowes. The top picture was taken at 4:20pm from the Mat-Su Lodge parking lot overlooking Wasilla Lake. Kept pulling over and taking pictures. The sunset was strikingly beautiful and kept changing every minute. I'm learning my way around The MatSu Valley. Google maps is my friend. Thinking about becoming a real estate agent.

New Captain Cook Book

Cook Inlet makes a good cook book.

Page One

Recipes

Index

Sushi
Soup
Casseroles
Smoked
Canned


Forward

Eat Alaska salmon.