I know, I know I haven't kept this up todate but, I thought I would add a note today.  I checked the weather in Anchorage for today, Dec. 29.  It said there is a high of -5 and a low of -9! However, we are in South Carolina!  We arrived on the 24th and have been enjoying the warmth ever since.  Our sweet neighbors reported they "mowed" our driveway for us.  Dale, Baby and I have 3 more days with the gang before returning to the frozen northwest.  

Speaking of the frozen northwest.... The other day there was a fire in a home in North Pole, Alaska.  The owner was trapped in the home.  He went out onto a second story balcony where a helicopter picked him up.  The man was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was treated for....FROSTBITE.  Totally true, totally Alaska!

Snow, Snow and more snow.  I just hope it keeps up, (for the visitors coming in Nov. ).  All those beautiful fall leaves...completely gone.  Nothing stops here becaues of the snow but this past week the roads have been awful!  There are wrecks everywhere.  So many still do not have their snow tires on.  Thankfully last Sat Dale got went to the tire store at 8 am.  They had told him when he called they were only taking 10 more people, he was #10!  We left the vehical all day but the result is great.  Ah, 'studdly' snow tires there is nothing like them!

Speaking of 'studdly' I am going to post a picture of Dale taken on our last trip to the Kenai last Fri.  It was snowing like crazy here and clear down there.  Guess I will post one of my 31" steelhead also.  I was proud of that catch....it wasn't easy!

Playing Hook-ie

Playing Hook-ie

Sunday we played 'hook-ie'.  We got up early and drove two hours to Bing's Landing on the Kenai river.  When we left Anchorage there were hanging black clouds and we wondered what the kind of day we would have.  As we made our way south, to the landing, the weather began to clear.  Just as the sun came up a fat black bear with two fat cubs crossed the road in front of us.  When we arrived at Bing's, we met our favorite young fishing guide, Jake.  

There is nothing like fishing to clear your mind and remind you that the simple times in life are the dearest.  Although it was cold all day, the sun came out and catching huge rainbows takes the edge off the cold.  We caught big fish all day long!  We left the river tired, cold and very satisfied.  We had a huge surpise when we came home.  Everything on the hillside was draped in snow!  I am posting some pics so you can see the fish, the leaves, and the snow.   

Early Morning Visitor.

Only in Alaska........ Dale took our 5 pd yorkie, Baby, out to potty this morning.  Baby let the world know she is not as small as we all think.  This became apparent when she took off after a huge MOOSE.  The moose was between our house and the neighbors munching on some plants.  Dale rounded the corner chasing Baby, who was chasing the moose.  His yell made Baby stop running but she continued to bark (everyone who knows Baby, knows she rarely barks).  The moose went into a weedy area and stopped.  He looked back as if to say, "what am I running from?".  Dale grabbed Baby and quickly retreated to the front door, giving Baby a lecture the whole way.  Baby seemed to ignore his warning barked some more and then ate a huge breakfast.  Dale needed NO coffee this morning!