Solstice

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

We had a solstice party at the Aura Soma conference center in Lava. The best part was that we didn't have to leave that night and drive home, but could wait till the next day.

Who knew that 2 feet of snow would drop that night.

It was gorgeous outside.

Teton Dam, December 2008

DSC07452
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

In 1976 the Teton Dam broke open and flooded the Snake River Plain. I remember dad trenching around the houses on the ten acres with a backhoe. I remember planting trees in the morning. I remember listening to the news on the radio as the water headed south. I remember the news programs of sandbags being filled and placed on the Snake River in Idaho Falls (near where we lived). I remember dad talking about how they decided not to allow the diversion of water into the small canals but to keep it in the main river. This meant our house wasn't flooded.

I had been to the site before, but this time I went with Evelee. We went looking for interesting rocks. The Teton river is fed by Bitch Creek. This runs through a mountain range that has a layer of nephrite jade. The hope is always to find a chunk or pebble of the gorgeous dark green jade. I was not so lucky this time. It was cold and windy and beautiful.

The start to the day began with being pulled over by the cops in Rexburg for speeding. Evelee forgot to change her cruise control. The nice young man took pity on us and let us go with a warning. After all we do not look like we're up to trouble. - bummer that.

The end of the day was a fabulous dinner at Jakers restaurant in Idaho Falls.

I so love being outside.

Thanksgiving in Sacramento

DSC07443
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Shanna moved to Texas in August to work for her grandfather. She started out as part of the grounds crew but ended up as an interior house painter.

The weather was good and we were missing Shanna so we loaded up the car and headed for Ellisa's house. Wells NV makes a good place for an overnight stop.

On the way down we stopped at Winnemucca for the best Mexican food. Melinda and I found this restaurant a couple of years ago.

Ellisa decided not to do a traditional Thanksgiving feast and served Italian food instead. Yummy, though I did miss the turkey. It was really nice to hang out with them for a few days! I volunteered to watch In Bruges, a show which is totally ridiculous. There are some truly funny bits, and some terribly tacky bits too. Not my cup of tea, but certainly something I'll remember. I definitely like to stretch my cinematic point of view now and then. This qualifies as the stretch for 2008.

I started and mostly finished the book "Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise" by Ruth Reichl. It was a fascinating look into food criticism, restaurants, food, newspaper publishing and New York.

We didn't get out and do any bird watching. I was still fighting with the chronic migraine issue.

Loved hanging out with the family though.

Jenny's Maple Cinnamon Granola

Watch out, this makes a lot of granola. It is easy to halve this recipe though...

Dry
12 cups oats (the big rolled oats, not quick oats)
2 cups sliced almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds (salted)

Liquids and Flavors
1 cup honey
1 cup maple syrup
1 cup canola oil
2 tbsp vanilla
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

1. Toast the oats
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
Put oats in even layer (maximum 1 inch deep) in roasting pan or baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes stirring every 2-3 for even toasting. Oats will be a bit less chewey. Be careful not to over-toast as this wills scorch them and make them bitter.

After removing from oven put in large bowl, add the almonds and sunflower seeds and stir together.

Leave oven on, you'll be using it again in a minute.

2. Warm the liquids and flavors
Over medium heat mix together the remaining ingredients, stir till it is warm and thoroughly mixed. You do not need to bring this to a boil. I recommend you don't let it go to a boil, after all, you're not making candy.

3. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir till thoroughly coated.

4. Spread into 1 inch deep layer in roasting pan or baking sheet (I usually have to use two). Put in oven for 20-25 minutes (still at 325 degrees F). Every 5 minutes stir and re-spread.

5. Remove from oven, press into even layer and allow to cool in a solid mass (this will make it more clumpy).

6. Once cooled, break it up and store in tight container

Walnut Italian Salad

This salad was deduced from the fabulous salad that Annie and I had at an Italian restaurant. Ours is definitely different though the idea is similar.

Walnut Italian Salad

• Romaine lettuce
• Spiced walnuts
• Dried cranberries
• Crumbled gorgonzola (or other blue cheese)
• Sliced sharp green apples
• Good Italian dressing

This is a great salad, Nick and I add grilled chicken and call it dinner.

-- Jenny

Spiced Walnuts

Just made another batch of these today. We use them in a salad, I'll post next. -- Jenny

Spiced Nuts
4 cups walnuts (I keep an additional 1-1.5 cups of walnuts on hand in case the syrup will cover more) Also, other nuts can be used. I've even mixed walnuts and pecans together.
1.5 cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp water (this is equal to 1/4 cup and 1/8 cup water)
1 tsp vanilla

Put 1/2 of the nuts (2 cups) into a large bowl (metal or glass). Keep the other half in another container.

Cook the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and water in a small-medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously till the temperature reaches 234 - 240 degrees farenheit (soft ball stage).

Poor over nuts and stir, continue adding nuts and syrup till all is mixed well. Sometimes we have added more nuts to sop up the excess syrup.

Spread onto wax paper to cool. As it cools you can break the walnuts into smaller pieces if desired. I do this if I am using it on salad. I don't do it if I'm giving them away as candy.

Dome Tours

B.T. Dome
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I arranged for a bunch of us to go see the dome homes in Menan. We started at Randy's house, stopped at Cliffdome, the Boyd residence and ended at Andrew's house. It was a lot of fun. At Cliffdome, I was able to tell the new owners about the beam mounted heater. (Okay they've been there almost 20 years now, but they are still the new owners to me). Regina, her husband & daughter, Krista & Terrial, and Cheryl went with us. Afterwards, we (minus Regina's family) went to lunch. We tried to go to the cajun place, only to find out that it was closed for lunch. Ended up at Olive Garden in Idaho Falls. I really want a dome again now.

Riverwalk

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I have mentioned in other blog posts that I am obsessed with the Bonneville Flood. When I discovered that the Riverwalk was to be led by Geoscience Professor Paul Link and he would be discussing/pointing out geology related to the flood I HAD to go. As expected it was very interesting.

This was the same morning as the homecoming parade. So after the fruitless attempt to help with the library float, I dashed over to Mocha Java for a bit of Chai to warm me up for the second morning walk. Somehow I managed to get there before Nick and Barkley. Barkley loved hearing about the flood, or maybe he just liked being outside with so many people.

This is a picture of one of the many boulders that the Bonneville flood ripped out of the basalt lava, tumbled till smooth and deposited all over Pocatello. Dig anywhere in downtown Pocatello and you find monstrous black boulders. Apparently, these are much coveted for landscaping...

My other entries on the Bonneville flood are here:
http://jsemenza.blogspot.com/2006/04/geology-lake-bonneville-timeline.html
http://jsemenza.blogspot.com/2006/04/geology-lake-bonneville.html

After that walk, we returned the doggie to the house and went to the baglery for lunch. A pleasant day, I walked 5 miles before lunch.

Homecoming Parade

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

So, the library, or rather a couple of ambitious library folk figured out an easy idea for a parade entry. I was going to meet up with them and help with last minute decorating on Saturday morning. I got up really early and drove out to where the parade would be forming up.

The bad news is that we weren't allowed to get anywhere near the parade line in our cars. AND I didn't know where in the line the library vehicle would be. So I parked my car a few blocks from the head of the parade and started walking down the line of entries.

Some were very cool, like the Native American one with the big bison statue. It was a brisk morning with a good Idaho wind keeping people near buildings and in cabs of trucks. I kept walking.

And walking, and walking, and I go to the end of the parade (though it continued to be created as I walked) and still no library entry. Somehow I got my wires crossed on where they would be, bummer. I arrived at 8:10 a.m. at the parade line-up. I got back to my car at 8:45 a.m. My pedometer told me I had already walked a mile and a bit.

I didn't help them one bit, but I got to see the parade and get in a nice morning walk.

After later
Jenny

Crystal Park MT, Sept 2008

DSC07296
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Once upon a time there was an email group called Semenza Adventures where we would post upcoming field trips that other people could join us on. Unfortunately, that list died, along with the number of trips (had been going once a month through the summer/fall). It died when Nick went back to school. One of our favorite trips was to Crystal Park Montana to dig for quartz crystals.

After a 3 year hiatus, we went back, with a new batch of friends. We got really lucky and found this hunk of smoky quartz. We always find clear quartz crystals. Allegedly amethyst can also be found, though we have not been that lucky. I forgot how much fun it is to just dig in the dirt. Maybe we'll go back in the spring.

Yes, when Nick graduates we'll start a new Semenza Adventures group. Probably using Facebook. For more photos from the trip check out my link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157607378919824/

-- Jenny

Green Beans & Peppers

Okay, just so you know, Nick HATES green beans. The only reason we tried (and modified) this recipe is that it was part of a menu plan in a book we've been going through. Here's his modified, fabulous recipe:

Couple handfuls of fresh green beans
1-2 red bell peppers

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Snip the ends off the green beans
De-seed and slice the bell peppers

Put veggies in a colander. Drizzle olive oil over them, add salt and pepper to taste. Toss.

Place on cookie sheet in oven for approx 12 minutes. Stir at the halfway point.

This is yummy, easy and good for you.

Jenny

Favorite Poem

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters
by Portia Nelson

I.
I walk down the street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost ... I am helpless
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find way out.

II.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it is there.
I still Fall in... it's a habit
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It is my fault.
I get out immediately

IV.
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it.

V.
I walk down another street

Taken from the book "Inspiration Sandwich" by SARK 1992, page 120

Fettuccini Alfredo

Nick, is a fabulous cook. Shanna called asking for this recipe last night so he sent it to her and I thought I'd share it with all of you. It is super easy to put together and extraordinarily yummy. Of course, it'll harden your arteries while you eat, but what's not to love about that.

Nick's Fettuccine Alfredo

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup butter
1 cup Parmesan cheese
dash nutmeg
salt & pepper to taste

1 lb fettuccine pasta
**Bunch of steamed broccoli florets
**Grilled chicken breast or other cooked chicken

Mix whipping cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, heat through, stir on occasion till creamy. This step can be done in either the microwave or on the stove top. Just be sure it doesn't burn. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook pasta. Pour sauce over pasta and toss.

** Add cooked broccoli or chicken and toss with pasta and sauce.

Mesa Falls September 2008

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Mesa Falls is one of my favorite places ever. I drove up on Sunday September 7th and spent the day taking photos there and at Big Springs in Island Park. I'm going to try and go to Mesa Falls every month for 1 year and take pictures from the same spots to see what changes can be seen. It'll be fascinating to see when snow will stop me. For more photos of Mesa Falls and Big Springs Sept 08 see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157607382268669/
-- Jenny

Torta

Simplified, leftover using torta. It's a very yummy recipe.

1 cup cooked rice
3 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (the fresh kind from brick, the stuff in the can will not work).
1 TBSP onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Spray bread pan with olive oil
Whisk together eggs and seasonings, stir in rice and cheese
Pour into pan
Bake for 30 minutes

The Weekend

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Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Decided to stay home and mix up being lazy and being productive. Saturday, we ran all over Pocatello, shopping, going to garage sales and checking things out. I found a book by Louis L'Amour (Frontier) that I had been looking for and Nick found another cast iron pan. Apparently, we need more cast iron pans...

Sunday, we made lots and lots of lasagnas and integrated Shanna's weapons collection onto Nick's weapons wall. She added ten, he owns three or four knives and the rest are mine. Shanna's include the Klingon stuff and a really great Chinese sword (horizontally hung green and black). It's a great looking wall.

Monday began with tomato processing. A friend of ours gave us a bushel of tomatoes. By adding fresh garlic, onion, basil, oregano and parsley we make a beautiful tomato sauce that freezes well. It's the perfect base to pasta sauce or tomato soup. Annie came over and kept us company for most of the process. We then went out for Chinese food. She took off and went to the fair with family. Me?

I vegged out on the sofa watching America's Next Top Model marathon and reading two different books during the advertisements. One book is on yoga and the other on herbs. It was a great way to do nothing. Oh, and the ANTM marathon was the season where the "Plus Size" model one. Though how you can call a size 8-10 a plus size is beyond me.

Labor Day Weekend

3 days off in a row, Nick without the homework hangover, home improvement done for now, what in the world are we going to do??? Ideas thus far:

1. Stay home, go to a bunch of garage sales, maybe a couple of movies, bake a bunch of food to freeze (Lasagne...) sleep in, read, hang out, soak in the newly functional hot tub.
2. Go daytripping to Soda Springs, Yellowstone, Jackson, City of Rocks, Craters of the Moon or other places.
3. Go for the weekend someplace like Soda Springs or West Yellowstone.

Hrmmmm, The Eastern Idaho State Fair starts this weekend, I'm beginning to really like option A. Perhaps its the hot tub and how tired I am. This is week two of working full time again and I'm wiped out. I know it'll get easier but really.....

Jenny

The newly finished bathroom

After
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

Okay, things get out of hand. First came the yoga room, and while talking about paint Nick suggested that maybe we could get the bathroom painted at the same time. Great Idea I said. We had some high gloss white paint (originally only going to be used for trim) and he wanted it white. So we started, or rather, he started. I was working on the yoga room.

First came the cleaning of the walls and the taping off of things and we started talking some more, about maybe getting something done to the floor. Then he primed the walls and ceiling. We started talking about fixing the sink and toilet. Then he painted and painted... As the room started to look better the plans grew. In the end, he fixed the toilet. He leveled the floor and put down a gorgeous faux tile linoleum. He stripped the old metal shower of years of latex and oil paint, rust, and contact paper then coated it with something more suitable. The parts for the sink are on order, a new shower curtain is up and we found the bright green curtains at a garage sale for a dollar.

The room looks so much larger and brighter. This is a basement bathroom and we finally feel like we can use it. Or in Nick's words: not be ashamed if anyone sees it.

For photos of both before and after see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157606958859859/

Whooo HOOO
Jenny

Packing

Spot in need of a wash - Haines Junction, Yukon
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

After traveling a great deal (10,000+ miles) over the past six months, I have come up with some travel/packing tips that might be of interest. I also figure that if I write them down here, I won't forget them.

The primo tip, from my brilliant husband:
Bring a surge protector. Then in the hotel room you only have to find one outlet and you can plug all your rechargeables into it and you won’t accidentally leave a cord or device in the hotel room.

Packing Tips for Car Travel:

• Mp3 player, and transmitter
• A cheapo plastic tarp. It can keep the rain off the stuff in the trunk when loading and unloading. Alternately, it can be used on the ground when you have to pull everything out to fix the spare tire.
• A bag of condiments such as ketchup, hot sauce, mayo, honey, salt & pepper. If you get the individual serving kinds like they serve at fast food restaurants no refrigeration is needed. Though I might worry about the mayo. Why? Because then you can doctor any food you need to. You might also add individual tea or coffee pouches to the bag.
• Ziplock bags
• Paper towels
  
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitizer (I had two, one in the glove compartment and one in the condiment bag).
• Book-light and flashlight in glove compartment
• Mints, Tums, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, Kleenex, telephone, CDs, camera, binoculars, if traveling alone these can be placed in a box on the passenger seat for easy access. (The box idea is from my friend Barb in circulation).
• Big white shirt and cotton gloves to keep the sun from burning you. The windshield is somewhat effective at keeping out the rays, but in most cars, the side windows do not have the same type of glass and then the sun will get you. Especially true when driving 10+ hours in Texas sunshine.
• Full size spare tire
• Emergency kit with tools, jumper cables and flares
• Car recharger for cell phone

Tips for Clothing:

• Monochromatic is your friend. If your socks, pants, shoes, and most shirts are black, then you know what you’re wearing in the morning. Just add jacket.
• Polyester is your friend, fewer wrinkles and packs tightly. There are a Lot of good polyester based clothing out there that masquerade as silk, linen, wool and other high end materials.
• Layers, one good cashmere cardigan is invaluable. Thin enough to go under jackets, yet a warming layer over shirts.
• Keep jewelry and accessories simple. The fewer, the easier. One good pair of real gold earrings, a couple of necklaces, a couple of broaches and a really good watch is really all you need.
• Keep styling products simple, maybe it’s time to rethink your haircut if it’s going to require a zillion products and devices to maintain. Don’t rely on the fact that most hotels provide shampoo, rinse, and blow-dryers. I discovered that the ones I stayed at had migrated to an ‘all-in-one shampoo/conditioner’ product. The blow-dryers are frequently not up to par. Best bet is a wash and go hair style

I expect I’ll add things to this list as I remember them. - Jenny

Yoga Room

After 5
Originally uploaded by J Semenza

I realized recently that I wasn't stretching out, doing yoga, or even belly dancing anymore. And I figured out the cause... my living room. My living room has become chock full of large beautiful pieces of furniture. So in order to work out I had to move it and then move it back. I have known for awhile that my evening stretching wasn't happening because of dog hair and debris. In order to use the floor I needed to vacuum. Nothing quite like fuzzy poodle paws to track in dirt, pine needles, and leaf debris. I don't mind vacuuming that much, but before every evening stretch was a bit much.

So I was racking my brain trying to think of a space to convert to a place for yoga and the light bulb went on over my head. (Yes I think you could really see it.) I had a little used guest bedroom downstairs. It had ugly blue carpet, paneling and would be just perfect with a little work.

And here it is. We gave the bed away, removed the dresser and one of the night stands. I kept a night stand for the fountain to sit on, traded out the desk for a real tv stand and kept the nice desk to hold videos, candles, cd's, etc...

Best of all, it works. I stretched out before going to bed last night. Whoooo HOOOOOO!!! I might even take up regular meditation again.

Jenny

For more pictures see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157606750786749/

Day Twenty Two - Homeward Bound

Saturday June 14th 2008
Drive from Great Falls to Helena to Pocatello
412 miles – estimated 8 hours of driving



And we drove and drove and drove and were thrilled to be home at a reasonable hour. Hugged our daughter and our doggie and I went to bed.


Receipts:
Best Western – Great Falls MT
Exxon – Great Falls MT
McDonalds – Great Falls MT
Teton Truck Stop (gas) – Roberts ID
McDonalds – Idaho Falls ID

Wildlife & Birds:
Wasn’t even looking by now, just ready to be home.

June 15 Sun Sleep

Photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605669078783/


Total number of animals spotted in the wild on the trip:
21 moose
7 caribou
8 black bears
4.5 grizzly bear
2 coyotes
1 humpback whale
pod of orcas
1 red fox

Various beaver, porcupine, elk, mule deer, bison, antelope & snowshoe hare
Numerous harbor seals, steller sea lions, sea otters, bighorn sheep, dall sheep, & mountain goats

Image: Grizzly Bear in Anchorage Zoo



We kept a Moose Log on our trip:
1 Moose in Yukon after haines junction - Nick has pictures
2 Moose in Alaska ouside of Tok Momma & baby - Nick has pictures
1 Moose in Alaska outside of Tok - no pictures
1 Moose in Alaska outside of Delta Junction - Jenny has pictures
2 Moose in AK outside of Delta Junctions Mile 294 Momma & baby - Nick & Jenny have pictures
1 Moose in AK outside of Fairbanks Mile 302 - Nick & Jenny have pictures
2 Moose in AK Denali park, blonde momma and baby - Jenny has pictures
2 Moose in AK Potter Marsh, no photos
1 Moose in AK Rabbit Creek Rd, with dandelion - Jenny & Nick have pictures
2 Moose in AK on the road to Seward, far apart from each other
1 Moose in Yukon past Muncho lake - Jenny has pictures
2 Moose in British Columbia past Toad River Momma & baby - Jenny has pictures
1 Moose in Alberta - no pictures

Day Twenty One - Onward to Great Falls MT

Friday June 13th 2008
Drive from Westlock to Edmonton to Calgary to Great Falls
567 miles – estimated 11 hours of driving


Image: Scooter on the lookout

This was another big driving day. The best part was that we finally found INTERSTATE! WHOOOOO HOOOOO. Before we found the interstate we stopped at the sign for the Devonian Gardens so Nick could prove it existed.


Another stop was for a Tim Hortons. We’d seen a lot them throughout the Canadian part of our trip and had to find out what it was. It is a coffee and donuts place kinda like a Starbucks.


Although both Edmonton and Calgary beckoned us to come and explore what they had to offer, budget constraints and a desire to get home kept us on the road.

Best Western in Great Falls
1700 Fox Farm Road,
Great Falls, Montana, 59404
Receipts:
Best Western – Westlock AB
Petro Canada – Aldersyde AB
Petro Canada (souvenirs, snacks) – Aldersyde AB
Tim Hortons – Leduc AB
Dairy Queen – Clairesholm AB
Applebee’s – Great Falls MT

Yes, we really did eat at a familiar chain once we crossed into the U.S.A. I won’t miss the international service charge that we got hit with for every transaction on a credit or debit card. Nor will I miss an exchange rate that favored Canada. Why did I have to go during the one time it would benefit them the most? It was also interesting to hear about how many Canadians were planning vacations in Hawaii because of the exchange rate.

Photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605668576783/

Day Twenty - Back to Westlock

Thursday June 12th 2008
Drive from Fort St. John to Dawson Creek to Westlock
391 miles – estimated 8 hours driving time


We were on our way out of town when we were stopped for a traffic jam due to construction on a bridge. So we're sitting there waiting and I look out my window and notice smoke, then flame, then fire, then really big fire. All the while I am hoping that there is nothing explosive in close proximity to the fire. I was very grateful when the traffic started moving and we got away from it.


We crossed many, many bridges on our drive north. Every single roadbed on every single bridge was made of metal. Because of the bridge construction just outside of Fort St. John I finally got a decent picture of the roadbed. It's not a solid piece but a grid. EEP.


Image: Alberta Pool Elevator

A pool elevator...? What the heck is a pool elevator? I know a grain elevator is a building for storing grain, but pools?!? I wonder just what they are up to in Dawson Creek.


As we made our way back into Alberta I began to appreciate the restfulness of the flatter scenery. The green expanses and the stands of trees were very welcoming. I would really love to go camping at Lesser Slave Lake sometime in my future. It is a HUGE body of water. Of course, I want to go camping everywhere I went so ….


Westlock was a familiar face and I was very glad to be so close to home. We once again stocked up on goodies from their grocery store and had a last dinner at JD’s Roadhouse.

Best Western Westlock
10520 100th Street
Westlock, Alberta T7P 2C6, Canada

Receipts:
Best Western – Fort St. John BC
Shell Canada – Fort St. John BC
Shell Canada – Slave Lake AB
JD’s Roadhouse Café – Westlock AB
Sobeys (grocery) – Westlock AB


Image to right: Lesser Slave Lake

Wildlife & Birds:
Ravens
Northern (Yellowshafted) Flicker
White Crowned Sparrow
American Kestrel
Red Winged Blackbird
Common Tern
Franklins Gulls
Magpies
Green Winged Teal
Lesser Scaups
Brewers Blackbirds
Robins
Swallows
Mule Deer
Moose

For more from this flickr set see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605662555510/

Day Nineteen - back to Fort St. John

Image: Signpost forest in the town of Watson Lake

Wednesday June 11th 2008
Drive from Watson Lake to Toad River to Fort St. John
556 miles – estimated 11 hours driving time


Image: An accidental self portrait
Considering how many photos I uploaded to flickr, deleted, or stored on my computer this self portrait is very much a statement on who I was and what I was doing on this trip.


Back on the road again... Frost heaves in the pavement can be quite steep, thankfully the Alaska-Canada highway people put little flags on the side of the road marking the heaves. If the flags are on both sides of the road then you know it stretches across both lanes. I heartily approve of this custom!


Image: Adorable and young mule deer, spotted close to Fort St. John.


Image: The art of clouds
There weather was perfect for driving most of the time we were on this trip. It was cloudy with bits of rain and bits of sun. Not so much sun that we needed air conditioning, nor so much rain that we couldn't see. It was PERFECT.


Image: Of course, it wasn't always perfect, not bugs but the smeared remains of hail on our windshield


Image: Black bear by the side of the road minding his own business, but willing to pose for pictures. Yes of course we stayed in our car.

Toad River Lodge is a place you can get gas, grub and souvenirs. It is completely dotted with trucker hats. They’ve been nailed to the walls and ceilings it is a stupendous array. They are also coated with a nice layer of dust. Still, by the time you’re here in the middle of nowhere dust is not longer a concern.


Image: Momma and baby moose


Image: Big Horn Sheep

Most of the wildlife in these photos were spotted in the Muncho Lake vicinity. I'd love to spend more time in this National park!


Image: And another moose...


Image: Bison

I always think of Bison as being part of the Yellowstone ecosystem. I was a bit shocked to find them here in northern Canada.


Image: Black bear

Eyup it really is. It is missing the grizzly bear hump, is substantially smaller and has the lighter colored muzzle. Other photos show his sleakness so go check out the photoset. Black bears come in all kinds of colors. Brown or Grizzly bears come in a variety of shades too, though never, as far as I know, black.



Image: Remains of a Moose v Car argument

This was a day of driving and looking. I was definitely noticing man made stuff more on the way back than on the way up.

Image to right: Caribou

Best Western Coachman Inn
8540 Alaska Road
Fort St John, British Columbia V1J 5L6, Canada

Receipts:
Belvedere Hotel – Watson Lake YT
Petro Canada – Watson Lake YT
Great Northern Oil (gas) – Toad River BC
Toad River Lodge (lunch) – Toad River BC


Wildlife & Birds:
Black Bears
Mountain Goats
Bison
Caribou
Moose
Bighorn Sheep
Mule Deer
Elk

Image at right: Bighorn Sheep

The small photos are not clickable. They are included in the photoset in the link at the bottom, and come in larger sizes on Flickr.

Common Mergansers
White Winged Crossbill

It’s a little funny that I noticed more mega-fauna than I did birds. Possibly because it is HARD to identify birds at 50 mph.

More photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsemenza/sets/72157605667495195/

Day Eighteen - Back to Watson Lake

Image: Evidence of the Fox encounter

Tuesday June 10th 2008
Drive from Haines Junction to Whitehorse to Teslin to Watson Lake
370 miles – estimated 7 hours of driving


Image: The fabulous Stardust Motel


Image: Exhibit at Teslin Cultural Center

By now we knew our money was running very, very low so more McDonalds fare was required. We got lucky in that I had signed up for a Best Western rewards card before my sabbatical started. This card covered the hotel in Golden BC. I used one visa card for the whole trip so it’s reward program paid for the hotel in Great Falls MT. Thank heavens my car gets 45 mpg when you’re going 50 mph, and 38-43 otherwise. I was impressed that excepting the car repair we did this whole trip on close to $4000.


This was another long day of driving. We stopped in Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre watched a video about the local people and poked around their exhibits. Then wandered down to the building where a local artist was working on another boat. Unfortunately he wasn’t there, but his loquacious nephew was. We got to look through a scrapbook of his uncles work and he explained about the boats. It was fascinating. I was particularly struck by the beauty of Teslin Lake, it is a long lake that is quiet narrow.

One of the ponds we suddenly stopped at had a few birds that were obvious but then looking, and looking we realized that there was a small flock of Bohemian waxings. This waxing is another new bird for my list, and one that I have longed to see.

Image: Statues sure to fake you out if you don't know any better.

Belvedere Hotel
Box 370,
Watson Lake: Yukon Y0A 1C0

Receipts:
Stardust Motel – Haines Junction YT
Fas Gas – Haines Junction YT
McDonalds – Whitehorse YT
Nisutlin Trading Post (food) – Nisutlin YT
Cultural Center (souvenirs) – Teslin YT

Wildlife & Birds:
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Rusty Blackbirds
American Wigeons
Robins
Bohemian Waxwings!!
Ravens
Mew Gulls
Canada Geese
Barrows Goldeneye

Image to the right: Teslin Lake