Weekend Update...An Alaska State of Mind.

Thought I'd open this post with a photo I named "BEAR METAL".

He stands sentinel out in front of the Harley shop. You will be seeing him periodically as sort of a "bench mark" to show the changing weather conditions.

A side note regarding this post. I had this entry almost complete and ready to post when last night the host site saw fit to "upgrade" the program. Unfortunately, one minute I'm proofreading and the next I'm staring at a blank screen wondering what the hell just happened! This is an attempt to re-construct the original post. So bear with me.

Work week number two would hold more of the same. Cleaning, organizing and preparing for the rapidly approaching riding season. Temperatures remain in the single digits as the days begin, approaching high twenties to low thirties in the afternoons. Myself and Jason, the office guy, holding down the fort while Phil, Brenden and Jim spend the week up north.

Cleaned up the oil barrels. One holds fresh oil, the other used oil for recycling. It seems the used receptacle overflowed sometime last season and nobody bothered to clean up the mess! What a chore! Moved them closer to the door setting them on a swell pallet I found behind Walmart. Thanks Walmart!

Next came the parts washer. I considered the oil drums a dirty job but resurrecting the horribly neglected washer was beyond the pale! Probably one of the grossest tasks I've ever tackled. Filled with five gallons of some sort of smelly, filthy brown liquid with two inches of sludge covering the bottom. It was barely usable. 

After taking way too much time cleaning, disassembling/reassembling the pump, a new sludge pad and a can of red paint the unit was like new! Check it out. 

I'll add the ten gallons of fresh solvent later. 

So it is Tuesday the twentieth at 11:47 pm. I'm shutting down the computer and getting ready to hit the cot for the night. Suddenly the floor feels like it moves four to six inches! A feeling not unlike being on an elevator that comes to a stop then drops a bit. 

My initial response, having recently heard of many roofs collapsing from snow loads, was to look up at the ceiling and the bowing between the massive girders. You cannot see the bowing very well but you can see the girders. Ruling out a cave-in I deduce we've had an earth tremor. So, with the adrenalin pulsing through my veins causing my heart to beat rapidly, I pace around wondering if this is the beginning of the "BIG ONE". This is the result of the last major quake from 1964. 

The "crack" meanders the entire length of the building. It's not the only one. Just the main vein. I estimate the elevation difference from the northwest corner to the southeast corner to be at least twelve inches! Upon relating the experience to my co-workers I was scoffed at and told to "get used to it". Turns out it was a 3.5 on the scale and was centered nearby.

I don't believe I've delved into this subject yet. The Anchorage drivers are very aggressive! Granted, I have not been piloting a four wheeled vehicle much as of late and may be slightly tentative. Nevertheless you have to be ready for anything. Especially with the current road conditions.

Time seemingly goes fast up here. Already my eleventh day in Alaska and it's Thursday. In the attempt to hold on to one habit I walked over to Gwennie's for a cold one. Shanahan's it isn't but the Alaska Black IPA tastes mighty good after a hard days work! Had a damn tasty patty melt too.

The forecasters are calling for a warming trend and maybe snow in the next few days. They desperately want to break the all-time record  in Anchorage. We'll see.

On another subject. The only signs of Moose I've yet to see are these. 

Then my friend Keith sends me this text photo taken by a guy he knows who lives in Anchorage.  My chance will come. Just a matter of time and being at the right place at the right time. This is in downtown Anchorage!

Next thing I know...It's the weekend! Awoke Saturday to twenty three degrees and sunshine! making the most of my little "kitchenette" it's bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast. 

Caught up on some of my favorite television shows on the net whilst enjoying my first Alaskan latte from the Black Bear Coffee stand across the street. Cute little native college girl served up a fine cuppa with an even finer smile!

Then it was off to find Coles Laundromat. After two weeks it was time to freshen up the wardrobe. Passed the time making phone calls, doing the crossword puzzle from a left behind newspaper and taking notice of the coming and goings of the busy coin-op wash house. The owner is a friendly Asian fellow who works as an airplane technician during the week.

Cruised back to the shop for a late lunch some meditation and more WWF on the computer.
Have to admit of feeling a wee bit homesick for the first time today. A photo of my grandnephew Marquise, the young son of my sisters oldest, posted by his Mom initiated the stirrings. I realized how much he, along with all the other youngins in the family, will change/develop in my absence. I'm grateful for all the technology that keeps us virtually connected !

What a beautiful Sunday morning! Help, I'm a rock....

Following a nice warm shower and a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios I grabbed the video and still cameras, jumped into Old Blue and ventured out into the world! West towards the Cook Inlet was the direction chosen for my first exploration of the area. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

That's Anchorage across the Cooks Inlet.

A closer look.

Anchorage airport with the Chugach Mountain range in the distance.

A snow fence?

On the way back into town a stop at  REI was in order where I picked up an awesome deal (50% off plus another 20% off) on a lighter pair of North Face boots via one of their seasonal sales. They had to order them in and I'll post a pic when they arrive for all you gear-freaks out there.

Then I treated myself to lunch at a well recommended brew pub. The Bear Tooth Grill was a scant block away so I left Old Blue in the REI lot and trudged on over. The place lived up to the hype! A very good pulled pork sandwich was washed down with their own ESB. The service was exemplary. The atmosphere refined but relaxed. Adjoining the grill is their theater showing relatively recent movie releases while the patrons enjoy a meal and libations. I will return.

Well that about sums it up. Phil and company got back that evening and were plum tuckered out from their snow machine outing. Two weeks have transpired. So far, so good!

Thanks to all who are following these ramblings. In particular to those who leave comments. Keep 'em comin'.  

Peace out. 

chief