Updating the Pipeline!

These photos are from March 15 until the 21st. It is a progression of the work being done--it isn't finished yet! Some of the photos may look similar, they are of the same AREAS but show different stages. 

They were working in the snow, while it was snowing, and now while we have a thaw! 

(Yard selfie of Kris in snow!)

 I got to walk down and watch some of the workers move the pipes from where they were stacked to where they would sit til they are stuck together before being dropped underground. I'm curious to see what they'll do to cross the road--

 This is looking down the road-right when you turn onto the Pipeline off of Lamplight.

 Thankfully, they left a stand of trees at the end of mom's drive. They took out so many, I was glad to see those remained.

 Looking down to mom's 'drive' from Claire Road. You really can't see where mum's is, but it is way down there on the left side.

 I found this cool stump and added bits to the second one so  you could see the cougar I found!

 I sat on one of the metal pipes. They are very cold and not very big around. It was really quite frigid out, too. Wind chill I think dropped it to about 18 degrees. Probably colder in the shade!

 This is right across the drive from Traxinger's Road as you drive down the Pipeline. These parts are somehow stuck together and on wood structures. The pipes are about chest high on me.It was actually pretty warm up there!!

I'll try to post more as it happen. It is fun to watch the development of this new gas line!

Sunshine and Snow!

Monday I found a lovely long letter in the mailbox from Carrie B!!! I waited to read it until I found the perfect place. A lovely wintery beach! I did stay in the car because it was breezy and chill. It was a splendid read and spanned several months! (thank you so much!) 

The tide was high (EAR WORM! lol) and full of ice chunks. There was a ship in, but I didn't get photos of her. I was at the Tesoro beach. Salmatof. 

 There was a trail of footprints to the edge of what appears to be the beach. I didn't go out that far, I was wearing the wrong boots. BUT, as I followed the tracks, I found rocks!

 I also fell into the rocks. It appears they had snow under them. I had thought the pit was for a fire, but it was just a hole on the beach. Crazy, but lovely to find rocks again.

 I dabbled around for quite a while and took home about 5. Wonderful things, rocks!

 A mom and her son were going to walk on the beach, but got to the edge and and stopped. When questioned, she said the water was at the bottom and there was no beach left! So, they didn't stay long.

 A man brought THREE tiny little itty dogs to the beach. Not sure what he was doing, but his dogs were scampering up and down. I kept looking for eagles, I didn't see any! The dogs were probably lucky.

 I drove to the Island Lake side of the Pipeline road. There is a lot of work being done and I wondered how far along it was on the other side. They have sections out, and a lot of trees are cut down. I guess working in snow is much easier than mud and weeds and mosquitoes!

 If I had something other than mom's rig, I'd have tried to take this road!

I went back to the beach to see more of the sunset. It was truly a lovely afternoon by the water. 

Then, Tuesday morning dawned with SNOW! I think we got more than an inch. By late afternoon, it had warmed up and was even prettier than it was on Monday. The snow was ready to be played in. So, I parked my Diet Pepsi and went to make a snowperson. 

 Other than her metal pipe nose, she's all organic! Her hair is bits of branches blown from the trees, her eye brows are a type of lichen on the trees, her arms are mossy limbs, her eyes are made of broken off stubs fallen from the evergreen near the shop, and her mouth is a flower mum tossed out ages ago. She's retaining ice water and I hope she lasts awhile!

 We posed together a couple of times. I've not named her yet, I am sure I'll think of something!

Those who Respond

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I had some stellar snow photos to share and never managed to get around to it. Snow is my absolute favorite thing. Ok, one of my favorite things. Like Maria, I have many!!!! Wind is not something I appreciate and the two combined make for dubious weather conditions.. As we were headed home today after one of mum's appointments, I slipped on the lethal corner as you approach Nikiski 1. It was practically text book. 

 I landed in the brand new feathery snow perfectly. If it was being judged, I might have gotten a rather good score! A 16 year old witness reported to his mom, 'Impressive! It was like she landed on a pillow.' The mom gave me a number for a tow truck and continued to text me off and on to make sure we were ok. (turns out she knows mom.)

 It doesn't look like it is too far off the road, but it was down in the ditch. We were not easy to see. The station was returning from a fire, the mom reported the accident, we were warm and safe. Mum sat reading til the tow truck driver arrived. I had to keep popping in and out of the car to tell people we were ok.

 This incredibly helpful man from Jenwar Towing took care of the hardest part. The soft snow cushioned everything and packed the engine full--not a thing was broken. I'm a bit annoyed by these photos, it wasn't that dark!!! Just blowy and snowy. And cold.

 When the tow truck arrived, personnel from the fire department arrived. They dug mom out and took her to the station to get warm. She got to visit with Terry, who works in the department and knows mum really well. (Janet corrected me on this, I should have asked more information before posting my interpretation. Insert sad face! LOL)

 Jennifer-she helped monitor traffic after getting mum out of the car.

 Freezing cold selfie of the daughter at the scene of the crime. I really wished I had worn long sleeves, I was very cold under that handy polar fleece. BRRRRRR. My boots are still soaked through and squished when I walked!!!!!

  It took quite a while to get it out of where it was tucked in, but by 445, we were free! I was able to drive it home and it seems to be ok. Full of snow, but working well. Friday mum has another appointment, if the wonderful woman from Katmai can get down from Anchorage! I'll take the car to Steve's, if it needs to be seen.

 We got to the house and the snow had filled the drive, mum's car made under belly prints as I drove!!!

 Much later, John, from next door came to plow. This photo is his son from the previous snow. I don't have one from tonight. I did notice, the drive is not quite as wide anymore!!! I only hope the new snow and wind doesn't fill it up again. I wish I could do something to thank this absolutely truly amazing family for all they do.

Help is found in many places. I'm so thankful to find them under every snowflake and bough. They are gifts. Some are trained, all are generous and willing to go the extra mile just because. 

Sunshine, Shadows, and Snow!!

Two days worth of photos. Snow, sunshine, moving snow, feeding birds, and snow. The second fall was on JaLeen's birthday! Lucky girl. 🎂

Birthday Snow!! 

 moving snow from septic pipes, just in case!!!

 Sunset on JaLeen's Birthday- Even the sky celebrated!!

Winter is truly one of the most gorgeous seasons. Sky fire and ice and crystals fracturing into rainbows across a white background. Black trees writing calligraphy on snow and sky wearing delicate filigrees of lace on their branches.