Mount Augustine Volcano Erupts.

This morning we woke up to news that our Quiet Giant resting in the entrance to Cook Inlet had awoken and spewed ash to 30,000 feet. As it's still dark here in Alaska, a visual confirmation is still not possible of the extent of and ash headed up the inlet towards our location. Homer, Port Graham, English Bay, and Seldovia are just a few miles away and will be reporting back to the Alaska Volcano Observatory as daybreak awakes here in the Last Frontier. You can view the Volcano Webcam for up to the minute images of the volcano activities.

February 01 2006
The rumbling giant just refuses to quiet down. Went to Homer yesterday to photograph the eagles on the Homer Spit. The air in the area had a sulfur odor from Augustine that was somewhat unpleasant. The odor wasn't bothering the eagles as they lined the outer beaches on the Homer Spit. There was some ash in the air but nothing that would bother you much.
I hope everyone is ready for the Superbowl Sunday. Should be a very good game from two excellent football teams.
To both the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers, congratulations on achieving the grand daddy of sporting events. We here in the Frozen Frigid North wish you all a safe and memorable game. We are very proud of how everyone has risen to a level of excellence both on and off the field. As a father, I am proud to have my two boys look up to such an outstanding group of men. Thanks for setting this fine example of leadership for the youth following in your footsteps.
Now if Super Sunday would just hurry up and get here!

Memorial Day 2005

We headed off to Hidden Lake for some relaxing boat camping with the new puppy. Leaving Kenai the weather wasn't looking favorable but upon reaching Sterling Alaska it had cleared up and the rain had stopped. We arrived at the boat launch at around 9 AM and were under way by 10. Hidden Lake is a federal campground and there was no launch fee nor parking fee. This was a real nice surprise as most all State of Alaska Campgrounds have raised there fees over the winter.

The lake was calm on the lower leg and only a mild northerly chop was present past the first island. We decided to play around for awhile as we tested out the new boat and broke in the new engine. After three hours of idling and light cruising at 2000 rpm we tested the boat for planing times, cruise speeds and full throttle operation.

Getting on step was a breeze but cruise speeds noted the need for 4500 - 4800 RPM to lift the stern. We had been somewhat skeptical about a 90 HP engine on a boat this size and this confirmed our apprehensions when we purchased the boat. With full fuel, 4 people in the boat and gear, there was just to much weight for the small Honda four stroke to push.

We took it easy on the motor and spent most of the time exploring the scenery along the beaches and on the islands. At one such stop along the southern shoreline, I nosed the boat to shore, jumped out and tied of the bow to a stump. There were some twigs on a branch that overhung the bow so I broke them off to allow my wife and kids to get out without scraping their heads. As I broke off thew first branch there was a heavy thud of crushing deadfall directly behind me. I looked at my wife and asked, Did you hear that? The look on here face alone confirmed that she had indeed and I requested rather sternly that she lower and start the engine as I untied the boat and shoved off. Deb backed us away and turned the boat to motored out from shore. Needless to say we went looking for a more open area to get out and stretch our legs.

Hidden Lake is located off Skilak Lake Road on the Kenai Peninsula. This large clear lake is one of the most beautiful on the Kenai and well worth checking into. If camping with a family, don't pass this one by.

Who is Behind the Campgrounds Alaska Website?

Two years ago, our family started the campgrounds alaska website to play with a fun and restfull website dealing with our family passion. For years we had been traveling up and down the Alcan from Alaska to Vancouver B.C. and into Washington State. My children have grown up traveling these remote reaches of the west and with this new website, we were able to begin to share some of the experiences with others planning to experience this wild and scenic world that lye’s just to the north.

There was that time on the Glacier Highway as we were returning from Hyder Alaska. We had stopped for a tailgate picnic along a beautiful blue glacier that flows down to the edge of the road. Both boys were off with their sleds, in July, to play in the snow pack that filled the void between the glacier and the pull off that we parked at along side the road. I had dropped the tailgate of the pickup and my wife and I were preparing to put some gourmet Alaska Highway poorboy sandwiches together, I notice a slight movement in the brush about 15 feet behind my wife’s back. Now that brush was real thick and visibility into the thick of it was obscured by the leaves and tangled branches within, but that movement was definitely there and something was telling me to be cautious and vigilant at that very moment. Letting my eye adjust to the surroundings, I peered into that thicket for a moment but there was not any more movement to be seen. Then suddenly, as if from out of nowhere, there was the face of a young brown bear looking back at me with all the same curiosity of those eyes focusing upon him. Well my heart sped up into overdrive as the thought of the mother being near and my wife with her back to this young brut but where were the boys? I whispered quietly to Debbie that this was not a good time for making a sandwich and told here to slowly get into the truck. Carefully I turned my head to see Craig approaching in his normal happy go lucky way and paying absolutely know mind to me as I tried to get his attention. Finally he looked at me and understood my concern as he could see the fright in my face. Craig looked back at where Michael was playing and then made his way to the door on the second vehicle. As hard as I tried, Michael was just not going to look over our way as he was busy throwing rocks into the snow bank and having a great ole time.

I backed away looking that bear square in the eyes and made it to a mound where Michael could see me. Motioning for him to come to me, he started ahead at a trot oblivious to any signs of danger. Now this had me worried as quick sudden moves were not what we needed at this moment. Craig got Michael into the car and then as I made my way to them, the bear disappeared as if a ghost. I did not see it move but just noticed its lack of being there.

We got into the vehicles and pulled out onto the highway. Drove a mile or so and stopped again this time a little more alert to the fact that this is a wild country and the need to be cautious was now foremost in our minds.

We saw many more bears during that trip. Along the Cassiar highway in Northern British Columbia there are many black bears to be seen and around the Kluane Lake area in the Yukon is another place that bears both black and brown seem to be quite happy.

This was only one story from one trip. It is one that I will always remember as the lesson that a Dad must learn about the love for his family.