Alaska Photos 8 - Misc

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE...
I saw this photo collage in the Safeway in Soldotna. Seems they had a super cold day one winter which brought some unwanted customers seeking shelter from the cold.

When you think about it, I'm sure just by walking up they opened the automatic doors. It's a wonder they didn't just walk right in.

COLOSSAL FLOWERS
With so much daylight, plants tend to grow pretty darn big in Alaska. Note the moose and caribou antlers.

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
in Ninilchik, about 50 miles from our property. Very historic.


Behind the church is the water of the Cook Inlet. Across the water about 50 miles is Mt. Iliamna and Mt. Redoubht. Both are 10,000 foot volcanoes of which you can see all 10,000 feet because you're at sea level. They are beautiful snow covered mountains. This is Iliamna.

For some reason I totally love this photo. It's so simple with so little in it.

I asked the meaning of the special cross, which was everywhere. To the standard cross, they have added a bar above the crossbeam, signifying the placard placed above Jesus' head stating that He is the King of the Jews. The bar across the bottom represents the foot rest believed to have been what His feet were nailed to. It also represents the two thieves crucified on either side of Jesus. The side tilted downward represents the thief who continued to mock Him to the very end of his life. The side tilted upward represents the thief who came to saving faith and who later that day met Jesus in heaven.

COOL WATERS

I love this photo, too. I love the sparkling water, the pink Fireweed, and the sunspot reflection.

I stopped to take the photo for another reason though. I took it because it's.....

Dave's Creek. My brother's name.

Alaska Photos 5

IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS

The Sled Dog Behind the Mask

I LOVE this dog's face! I commented to the owner's wife about what a beautiful and striking dog this is, and that he looked like he should have some thespian-type name. She said she had wanted to name him Phantom, after Phantom of the Opera, but his name became Othelo. I like it.

This is what a summer time sled dog ride looks like.
And this is what a "dog truck" looks like.

FLY BOB
In my posts from Alaska I mentioned Fly Bob, so named because he is a fly tier and there was a need to distinguish him from another Bob. Here he is with the pride of his collection. And a fancy fly, too. I mean beer.

Some others
And with the whole winter's worth of flies....some 4000. Three winters ago he tied 8000.

Fly Bob told us a great story. He said last fall he had been out fishing on the river and was walking back to his truck with his catch. An SUV was pulling out of the parking lot and a little girl was frantically waving at him trying to get his attention. She rolled her window down and hollered with all her might, "HI, SANTA!" Bob said it was the cutest thing he'd ever seen.


EAGLES
I love taking photos of the eagles on the beach. They are beautiful It's amazing to be in their presence.

Bald Eagle or Headless Eagle?

Ah, there's his head...just barely .

Flaps up. Landing gear down. Love it!

This is just to give you an idea of how many were hanging around. Lots of the birds in this photo are seagulls but there are plenty of eagles, too.

VOLCANO
We watched the steam plume rising from Mt. Redoubt all the while we were on the beach with the eagles. This was shot at about 11pm. It was actually much lighter out than this. The camera tends to dramatize sunsets, but hey, I'm not complaining.