Icewind's Ramblings

Winter is almost here even though we have had an “Indian Summer” lately, not the same as other places where they get to 70 degrees . . . ours in Alaska is more like 50’s which is not bad at all.  Hunting season is quickly coming to an end for most game and people have filled their freezers with moose, bear, caribou, and other game.  Fishing has for the most part also finished so my gear is stowed away now until next summer or the occasional ice fishing trip.  Fly rods neatly placed in their holders . . . creels and waders hung for the winter. I went on two hunts this year and my moose hunt left much to be desired.  There was all of the preparation . . . going out for the hunt . . . the tracking which is my favorite part of the hunt . . . only to find no legal moose lurching about anywhere.  I came back somewhat dejected not to kill food for my family.  It’s a man thing I guess, wanting to provide.  It dates back centuries and is a way of life in...

I had a conversation today with someone which triggered a memory from my youth and a longing for a much simpler time.  It’s funny how a simple word may bring something back to you like water flowing over the falls drenching you with what you need most at the time.  Maybe I had gotten monotonous in my life, work a pain lately, and remodeling at home brings with it tiredness beyond that which is comfortable.  We need these reminders every once in a while to ground us and bring things back in perspective.  I was reminded of this and looked on the internet hoping to find it so I could share with everyone.  I hope you enjoy this blast from the past and a reminder of our times and circumstance.   Red Skelton said this and oddly in its simplicity was to foreshadow sadly what was to come. On January 14, 1969, Red Skelton touched the hearts of millions of Americans with his "Pledge of Allegiance" , in which he explained the meaning of each and every word. Red ...

Alaskan Seasons roll on by Fall by John Denver (from Season Suite on the Rocky Mountain High Album) Reflections on the water like shadows in my mind Speak to me of passing days and nights and passing time The falling leaves are whispering winter's on it's way I close my eyes remembering the warmth of yesterday It seems a shame to see September swallowed by the wind And more than that it's oh so sad to see the summer end And though the changing colors are a lovely thing to see If it were mine to make the change I think I'd let it be But I don't remember hearing . . . anybody asking me Here are a couple more pictures as the fall season comes to an end and winter’s grip has not quite taken hold.  This week the weather has been slightly above average with temperatures in the 50’s, some fog, and hopefully sunshine later this week if the fog burns off.  More photos from ADN and me. Photo by Tom Miller In this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 photo, boaters a...

It has been one of those weeks at work so when I saw this story it triggered a funny memory from a vacation I went on last year to Mexico .  Now this is not a funny story so please do not take me as inconsiderate or mean when I look at this story from a slightly distorted viewpoint.  Feel free to comment and tell me that I am slightly demented to comment so vicariously on such a tragedy but I sometimes look at things from a weird perspective. While we were on vacation Scott and I played golf on a Jack Nicklaus designed course at the Moon Palace Resort and Spa in Cancun Mexico .  It was an early morning tee time as we were the first on the course that day.  The weather was going to be hot so we wanted to get out early and off the course by lunchtime.  The first rays of light were rising over the Caribbean Sea amongst the clouds to the east as we hit our ball off the first tee.  The grass was still slightly wet from the sprinklers that were sprayi...