5.28.2009

Picnic on the Yukon

Jason LOVES chopping wood. Our family continues to live out God's blessings through our friends, the Kopps and their extended family. Jeni was here visiting from Koyuk as well, on her way to Wisconsin. Although the pictures don't capture the total essence of the evening, it at least gives an idea of what a good time we all had.
The gang getting ready to eat 'tube steak' aka hot dogs!
Jeni, Daniel and Kim having a light hearted moment.
The girls were cracking up the whole way home. Jason had an easy audience as he was doing all kinds of silly impressions and voices.

5.24.2009

SUMMER!

The '54's blackout lights, now theres something you don't see everyday!
Some of you are aware of the presence of the Air Force in Galena in the past. Well, as a result, old vehicles lay parked behind various nooks and crannies. This beauty was found tucked behind some willows. A 1954 'Deuce And a Half," which is appropriately named for its carrying capacity. Jason has plans for restoring it someday and the supportive side of his wife nods and thinks her husband should just concentrate on the broken down truck we currently have...does growing up in Michigan have anything to do with his love of old cars and trucks? I LOVE his creative mind and ability to see potential in something I would pass by and miss without blinking.
What in the world? Its looks as if Jason suffered abuse and is that a smirk as well? For the maintenance minded, his body was proped under our Bronco II for a mere 5 hours. In this time, he managed to remove the starter, skid plate, and the front part of the wheel axle. This may not seem like much until you realize that the bolts fused to the frame or whatever, allowing Jason to test his patience. He even managed to strip his gear wrench, a testament to his manlyhood! (hehe). Well, in the middle of that, blood began trickling down his nose and I didn't see him stop and as you can see, clean up that mess. So, with grease, blood and sweat beaming off his face, Jason was able to utilize mans other greatest gift to women, a hot shower and soap! (I'm not sure what THE greatest is????)
Although summer solstice has not officially come yet, teachers in bush Alaska know not to wait until such a date to start their anticipated summer. Many of you know that the Yukon flooding threatened many villages along its banks. Thankfully, Galena wasn't included in the disaster. A benefit, for the kids, was high lake water. Romay and Sarah explored our back yard in their inflatable canoe. Now, a little over a week later, the lake bed is under effect from the water cycle as it has pretty much evaporated. Summer is here!!

5.12.2009

The Wood Meiser

Another incredibly cool aspect of Galena is people's dependance on burning wood for heat. This is actually the middle school math/science teacher I work with. Our house we'd like to buy happens to be right next to his. They have a wonderful family and they share some of the same passions as our household: fellowship, milling wood, duck hunting, and just having a plain 'ol good time, to name a few. Don't you just love the aroma of freshly cut wood??
The house we'd like to buy might include two lots, this small log cabin is on the other lot. Oh the possibilities!!

5.11.2009

One Dream Down, Another Dream Up

Lets just say that the banks idea of building in the bush (hire a contractor, pay insurance, etc) and the extra time needed to push more paperwork extended into the deadline for building this summer. We really did push hard to see if it would be possible, but yet, when you are lining up the kit leaving the mill, to making barge lines and it all coordinating together, time ran out...so we had our pity party and realized God had different plans. We can't say how frustrated we often were, especially since we have worked with banks since last October. Its not that our credit was poor, or any kind of financial reasoning, other than, the word "Bush" made all the banks queasy. Well, pity parties don't last long around our household and so for a couple of weeks we have been looking at a place to buy. Of course, now that we have put building plans down, we are just excited to possibly be home owners soon. Six years of renting, I hate to consider the math from the sum of those years in rent. Alas, here are some photos. The owner will be in Galena this week, he was once a resident and moved on to Fairbanks. SO, we give you the latest dream of the Harris' household!




5.10.2009

Update in Pictures

The ice went out on thursday at 6:11 pm!
The mighty Yukon during breakup, quite a sight to see as huge blocks of ice are tossed to and fro.
Romay shoots a .20 shotgun, singleshot...one little sharpshooter!
Specklebelly goose caught with a .12 and 2 3/4 shells...the 3'' shells give me bruises...goose! nuck-oo
One fierce hunter, note the seriousness, even wearing a camo baseball cap.
Kemper provides company as Jason sets up his decoys.