Dogs at Play in Kincaid Flats

There is a great spot down at the end of the Coastal Trail near just down from the Kincaid Chalet in Kincaid Park.  From the Coastal Trail at the Chalet you head down the hill until you come to where the trail follows the contours of the bluff that runs along the ocean.  There is a beach several 100 yds away from the bluff.  And in between is what I call the Kincaid Flats.

When there has been a lot of rain the flats are definitely wetlands.  All sorts of waterfowl will congregate... depending on the time of the year.  It has been raining a lot.  In fact today was probably the nicest day we have had in a month.  I took my dog JD and friend dog Crystal out to burn off some energy.

After the two spent some time getting muddy I decided I better get them cleaned off before we headed back to the car.  That was when the madness began.  There were some Greater Yellowlegs (sandpipers) taking in the water in the flats and JD decided she was going to get one.  Of course she did not, but she tried... for 20 minutes strait.  JD chased the birds and Crystal chase JD.  It was quite a scene.

I don't think the birds were any worse for the experience.  They didn't seem to be nesting and JD never had a chance.

Puppy Pictures

Over the last two days I have gotten to meet the newest member of the weekend walking "Anchorage Airedale Pack".  Hardly an exclusive group, we walk the loop from the North Bivouac parking area to the gas line trail, to the tank trail, and back to the parking lot.  

Gypsy Lou is Mark's new puppy and she is fitting right in.  Below is a slide show from my latest "role of film".  It features photos of Gypsy, but include more with Jasper, JD, Maizy, Elsa, Crystal (the lab), Marty (a Yorkshire Terrier).  

My cat makes the slide show, but the bear print and the cow moose that Jasper agitated are a little more impressive.

Top 10 Favorite TV Programs

In no particular order of preference:

1. Sopranos
2. The Office (original BBC series)
3. 24
4. Dexter
5. Californication
6. Lost
7. Friends
8. Star Trek (see a later list which "brands" are preferred and which order)
9. The Closer
10. Law & Order (the original)

Top 10 Favorite Songs

In no particular order of preference

1. Just Like Heaven, The Cure
2. #41, Dave Matthews Band
3. Today, Smashing Pumpkins
4. Whichita Lineman, Glen Campbell
5. Clocks, Coldplay
6. Accidentally in Love, Counting Crows
7. Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel
8. Undone (The Sweater Song), Weezer
9. The Distance, Cake
10. Wonderwall, Oasis

Top 10 Favorite Bands/Musical Artists

In no particular order of preference

1. Maroon 5
2. Seal
3. Live
4. Smashing Pumpkins
5. Coldplay
6. Weezer
7. Sade
8. The Police
9. The Beatles (and subsequent solo and group endeavors)
10. Michael Jackson (including the Jackson 5)

20th Year High School Reunion Report

Having missed my 10th year reunion, I was not sure what to expect from the 20th. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I chose to wear a bit of a disguise. My sunglasses and huge afro wig fooled nobody. I was not 10 paces into the Refinery Lounge when 2 or 3 people called to me. Just a little freaky. I was told that my jaw line gave me away.

It was nice seeing some old friends and getting to touch base with people that I have not seen in a long time. There were, of course, some physical changes however, personalities tended toward the familiar. Having worked hard on a few personal issues since my divorce I found myself able to avoid some of the old relationship pitfalls that I used to fall into. Having said that, I am sure my old friends thought that I too, am very much the same person they new in high school and college.

I wonder when we pass the point of no return with our personalities.

I was very nervous going to this reunion... and now I wonder why.  Given that these people were my friends and cohorts in high school and college, why would they treat me any differently?  Of course they did not.  They joked with me, listened to me, and shared with me.  I actually felt safe.  Maybe I was nervous because in high school you are really never safe.  

When you get older friendship and friendliness are too valuable for hormones and petty teenage stuff.  When you are older everything that is unimportant simply peels away leaving just the fruit of friendship.  Pretty nice.

Reunion Weekend Coming

As a 1988 graduate of North Pole High School I have a class reunion, our 20th year, coming up this weekend. I am not sure how I feel about it, a little curiosity mixed with dread I suppose. I am not anything like I was at the age of 18. In fact, it just occurred to me that, we have lived more since our graduation than we had up to that point.

I am looking forward to seeing some folks a bit more I suppose. I still consider Richard Reimers to be one of my closest friends dispite the fact that I have not seen him in a few years. Jim Simmons, Dain Cunningham, Suzi Pearson, and Kathy Jenkins are all people that were good friends in HS and college. What will it be like this weekend?

I am going to wear my afro wig, sunglasses, and a trucker cap to see what sort of response I get. Either that, or to go incognito. I have not decided...

Taking a Look Back

I was just looking back through some of my photos from fall 2006. I can't wait to get out to windy corner (Turnagain Arm) this fall and get some shots of more sheep.

Eagle Eyes in Kincaid Park

Was walking the dog a week ago and spotted this eagle under the canopy at Kincaid Park in west Anchorage. I would have walked right by without noticing, but the smaller birds and squirrels were chattering and squawking out warnings to each other. I had just gotten my 50-500mm lens back from the repair. Good timing!