The Alaska Pipeline

The following morning, Tyler and I went to see the Alaska pipeline. The Alaska pipeline is 800 miles long and was built to move oil from the North Slope to Valdez, Alaska where the oil can be shipped out. In 1977 when the pipeline was built was the largest private construction project at that time, $8 billion. It took just over two years to complete the pipeline and the first oil ran through on June 20, 1977.

The silver line down the western side of our state is the pipeline. This was a neat way to show us exactly where the pipeline goes.

 The pipeline keeps going .. and going ...

 Tyler could reach.

 And then he helped me.

North Pole, Alaska

The purpose of driving through Denali National Park was to get to Fairbanks ... actually North Pole, Alaska about 10 miles north of Fairbanks. We went for a short weekend to experience super cold temperatures (-30*F), the North Pole and just another part of this great state.

Sitting in Santa's seat. Santa is on vacation until May.

Sitting in an ice sleigh.

Tyler with an icy Santa.

 

Riding a reindeer ... our bums were quite chilly.

Santa's house in the daylight.

I Forgot Something ..

The summit of Mount McKinley is only visible 25% of the time. We were extremely fortunate to have seen the top. When we traveled home on Monday (48 hours later), the top was completely covered with clouds, and who knows if we'll see it again while we're here.

Mount McKinley

We had the privilege to travel two weekends ago to Fairbanks, Alaska. The drive was quite long, but beautiful. We traveled on the Parks highway, an absolutely beautiful drive, which took us from Fort Richardson through Denali National Park to Fairbanks. The sky was unusually clear and the sun was just rising as we passed Mt. McKinley, aka Denali. We stopped several times to take pictures and just observe the shear beauty that exists in these giant mountains. Although the pictures do not do the mountain justice, here is a glimpse of the tallest mountain in North American ... Mt. McKinley.

I Was Tagged

Thanks to Kate who passed along this little Stylish Blogger Award!

Once hit with the award, you are supposed to share seven things about yourself (kind of like chain letters in middle school, but without the ominous threat that you will never find love ever if you don't pass it along). Here goes ....

1. I am married to my best friend, and we've had the most fun since his return from Peru.
2. My life dream is to be a wonderful wife and mommy.
3. I am a teacher by trade; although not full-time right now, I'm still at my old school very often.
4. I finished my Masters in Reading Education in December. (Woo Hoo!!)
5. Currently it is 17* outside and that feels remarkably warm. 
6. I have enjoyed our time in Alaska. It is a beautiful state, but it helps to know we won't be here forever.
7. I love the summer, and I hope that our next duty-station will provide a nice spring and summer!

I would like to "tag" my friends at these blogs:

• Dadkisses
• Life in Stepps!
• Traveling With Mercy

Have a great day!

Please Snow!

Our last snow was immediately following Tyler's return in December. It seems that Tyler is a bit of a winter curse because whenever he is home we get very little snow. We have had several days that have been in the upper 30s which led to lots of melting in the area. Melting during the day with freezing temperatures at night creates lots and lots of ice. Everything here is super slippery, and it is no fun!

One neat thing that happens during the winter is an intense fog rolls in that leaves behind the most wonderful looking frost. The frost is called horror hoar frost, and it makes everything look very winterized. I love, love the way the horror frost leaves everything looking as if it were just sprayed with white spray paint .. so magical.

That said, we would love some snow. The melting created a slushy, gray mess and the horror frost is now gone. Only snow will make our beautiful winter return. We have the cold .. now bring on the flakes!

Praying for Fort Leonard Wood

On the morning of New Year's Eve, Fort Leonard Wood was hit by a tornado. Many of you know that Fort Leonard Wood was our first military home and we will return there some day for more schooling for Tyler. We have one friend who moved back to FLW six weeks ago and actually moved into a house two doors down from our beloved first home. When we woke on December 31, we woke to the sad news that 75% of our old neighborhood was flattened. Fortunately no one was killed, but the neighborhood was evacuated for at least one night immediately following the storm. Clean-up efforts began the day of the storm, but it will be a long, hard effort by many, many people. We are praying for the families who lost their homes on that day, but also thanking God that no one was hurt. Below are a few pictures to show you the scene. Please pray for a quick recovery.

Our home; 32 Jadwin.

Pictures from 31 December 2010. The first is of houses directly across from our old house. Others are taken throughout our neighborhood.

 

Happy New Year!

Cheers, blogging friends! I hope that you enjoyed the 2010 Christmas season, and that you are gearing up for a wonderful 2011. Tyler and I are currently on leave for the next two weeks .. yippee!! We plan on enjoying our family, the winter and the beautiful state that we call home. Together, we pray that your new year is filled with love, laughter, peace and family togetherness. Happy New Year!