Arctic Adventures

      After a few days of blizzardly weather Oren and I headed out to check our traps. We were planning on pulling our foothold sets because we didn't know for sure when the next time we would be able to check them. I had morning practice for basketball, so we headed out after school. We didn't get very far. At one point the trail crosses a narrow steep sided creek that can be difficult to cross when the snow piles up, but is usually a non event once the trail has been broken.     As we were going out today I was making the crossing with all the nonchalance that I could muster when I suddenly found myself sliding off the trail and heading for the willows. Still thinking I could regain a solid purchase and throttle up the steep bank I leaned hard to the side and applied throttle. My trail had other plans. As I attempted to regain the trail the hard pack deflected me back off and into the willows just as I was going up the bank. Not going to make it. Thinking...

We had to go to Anchorage for Anya's appointments.  I like to go on airplanes, but we had to stay home because it was too windy.  They don't fly when it's stormy.  We waited for about 60 hours.  It is fun to go to Anchorage.  I love swimming pools.  --Ryker  *Kayla's Note:  There is a pediatric rheumatologist that comes up to Anchorage from Seattle for three days every two months.  Anya was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis this fall and is supposed to see them every two months.  She had a follow-up appointment scheduled, as well as an eye exam with a Pediatric Ophthalmologist.  We planned to leave on Saturday to give us some extra time in the big city.  However, the storm blew in on Saturday, so we rescheduled for Sunday, but the flights canceled on Sunday too!  Finally on Monday when the storm was in full force, we had to cancel the whole trip, as we wouldn't be able to make it down before the doctor left for Sea...

We went to dumps to take trash and saw a fox!  Not just 1.  20!  I've never seen than many foxes together before.  Their glowing eyes were like stars in the dark.  I brought my .22 and shot three times but missed.  Dad used the spotlight to shine on the foxes so I could try to shoot them.  I'll have to try again another time.

We planned to get out for a quick fishing trip after school yesterday.  We haven't been out fishing in quite some time (way too long in Oren's mind!) and the looming storm gave us even more incentive to get out ASAP.  Between Brett getting home from school and needing to get back to school for basketball practice, we only had about an hour on the ice, but it was perfect.  The boys had a chance to pull up a few trout and we all had fun.      Our big helper using the tuuq to chop through an old hole in the ice.  Ryker scooping slush from the hole.  Oren scraping suvaks (salmon eggs) into the hole.  "I got one! I got one!"  "I want my purple fishing pole."   Sorry no purple ones, Princess, but you can use this! "Yes I finally got one.  I got it good too!" Guess what he made for lunch the next day?!    "Say cheese, Fishie."   He's definitely our goofy one! ...

Yesterday was quite warm, but windy.  We were talking about going out for a little hike, but were having some difficulty coming to a decision.  Do we try to go out when it's this windy?  What is the trail going to be like?  Will Anya get to cold?  Brett went out around the corner to check what the wind was like, and I just smiled to myself, for I knew what his decision would be.  He has a philosophy which is basically, "Just go. Get outside, no matter what. Then you'll really appreciate the nice times." Sure enough when he came in he said something like, "Well, it's windy and probably won't be super enjoyable, but we will be in the trees."  That decided it.  We grabbed our parkas and fur hats and took off.  We headed for Brett and Oren's little trapping trail. They've been using it for a while, so there's a good packed down base and we don't need snowshoes to hike it. The weather ended up being perfect.  The trees blocked the wind a...

Been practicing with the camera and editing software. After seeing Troy's pictures from when he was here I thought I should really make a concentrated effort to take some pictures. Even stayed up late to get some northern light pictures.

We go snowshoeing or hiking on Sundays.  These pictures were taken in December and January from Brett's trapping trail.  We drive a little ways on snow machines and then hike on his trail through the trees.  The light comes back so quickly through January, I just love it!  You really notice a difference from week to week. Anya loves to ride on the "no-go," but insists on goggles.  (I don't blame her! It's amazing how much warmer goggles make the drive seem.) Getting ready.   Patient kids.....but I can't pretend they are like that all the time ;).  It turns out two machines are pretty much a necessity, as we can't pack on one anymore!  Anya and Oren ride with Brett and Ryker rides with me.  I try to get Oren to go with me, but he likes riding with his dad.  He tried riding with me a few times, but got nervous when I got too far behind.  Ryker just yells, "Go faster, Mom! Yahoooooo!" Ryker has figured out ...

Has it really been two years since we have been on here?  I don't know how time goes by so quickly, but I'm going to try to be more intentional about documenting our life on here as a way of keeping record of this stage of our life.  Despite her expression in this picture, Elliandra loves to be outside.  We've had some trouble finding tricks to keeping her hands and feet warm, but I finally sewed up a pair of liners for her boots out of reindeer fur. They do the trick! She's much happier now ;)    Oren's our outdoorsman; he especially loves it out on the ice and trapping trail.  He constantly making and revising ideas and beliefs about what will work and what won't.  He's fortunate to have such a patient dad who gives him the space and time to come to his own conclusions! Ryker is a little more hesitant, but has great fun being out.  He loves to go if he will have a chance to shoot his gun and prefers if we go as "a who...