Fires and Smoke Continue in Alaska; Wisconsin cool and rainy

Just reading Aliy Zirkle's blog and the Fairbanks Daily News Miner , the wildfires and smoke continue in Interior Alaska. Aliy commented that training starts when the rains come and the smoke stops. The benefits of training in July do not outweigh the hazards, dust and smoke in the dogs' lungs, overheating, etc., not only in Alaska, but here as well.

We in Wisconsin have had an unusual summer, very few 'beach' days for families. I've only gone to the lake to swim once , very unusual. For the past two weeks we've had a front that has dense storm clouds, with rains springing up unpredictably and continual thunder storm threats. Again yesterday a dog escaped the pen while I was gone a short while, scared by the rains/thunder.

Far be it from me to complain about cool weather (although I do complain about thunder storms, not that it can help :). I'm loving this summer but am in the very small minority . It seems it has been warmer in Fairbanks all summer than here.

More Bucks

Firemen Celebration

Our small town is hosting 1200 firemen from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and NE Wisconsin. The town is overflowing with people and the celebration. Parade number one was held on Thursday night with more today. The weather has been rain and thunderstorms off and on, but they are still having a great time.

The photos are from the opening parade, a tribute to all of the hardworking men and women fighting fires.

Passing of a good friend, regional artist and author, Packy Eckola

Packy Eckola, great friend, author and artist, passed away from cancer on July 12, 2009.

Best known perhaps for her book, HUGHITT STREET,

an historical account of life in the small town of Iron Mountain, Michigan during World War II,

she was also a prolific artist .

She directed many variety shows in the town of Crystal Fall, MI . Packy was a true patriot and a very good friend. She will missed by her family and friends very much.

Photos: Top,her rendering of Queen Anne's Lace, the cover photo for her last book,

WILDFLOWERS, 2008. Bottom, her painting of the old foundation at the front of our kennel land.

Packy's website: www. packyeckolasartbarn.com is still accessible.

Diverse Population

Seems like the water trough is drawing in a bit of a diverse group.

Three Buck Scouting Party

Raspberries and blueberries on the hill of the front forty are ripe enough for the deer. We met some on our morning run. This three buck 'scouting' party came through yesterday, beauties all. Berries are not quite as ripe where they were.

Bucks in Velvet

Just glanced out the window about noon yesterday and these two bucks were out there together. Nice looking velvet.

Twin fawns

First time we've seen these fawns in, Mama has kept them well protected. They look healthy and sturdy.

View Improves

Today the view is clearing a bit at the Talkeetna web cam overlooking Denali.

Time is 22:55 PM so this is sunset in the land of the midnight sun.

Wildfires in Alaska

100,000 acres of wildfires have occurred in this dry spell in Alaska, and many are still burning. The largest one is south of Nenana, so far. Smoke is prominent in the air.

Photo: credit to http://www.talkeetnaair.com/

a smoke shrouded view of Denali from Talkeetna. In clear weather the mountain range is prominent in this view.

Teaspoon of Rain

Finally a bit of rain, and just enough thunder/lightning to make the dogs wild at 2AM. Now back to blue sky and heat for a bit. The berry crops will like this. The wildflowers don't seem to mind the arid and dry week we've had.

Summer Camp

We have a nice empty pen with tall white pines (lots of shade) that is vacant now. Each day I ask one or two dogs if they'd like to go to 'summer camp' (day campers only) and they now know that means they leave their pen for the big shady pen with all of the toys lying around. It gives them a nice break from the summer monotony. We'll keep it as a play pen now as we don't need it for a regular home.

It was a hot one today after several consecutive cool days. I set up even more tarps to provide shade. The sun is so high in the sky that it's difficult to provide shade for consecutive hours.

We took a trail walk today with our new camera , trying it out. The sun was blazing and I was trying to darken the brightness, not too successfully. Even the machines hid in the shade.

Sierra, the little Elkhound, has the thickest coat in the kennel. I brush her every day and she always needs more brushing. She is in the air conditioning which helps her quite a bit with that thick coat. Hard on my vacuum cleaner, however.

Fourth of July, 2009

Red, White and Blue Buddy.

Grandma and Fina.

Fina in celebration head dress.

Fireworks over the island with a full moon.

Tim's restoration project (1976 family Boston whaler; all redone mahogany wood and reassembly by Tim.) Renamed the

S.S. Play Pen for the grandchildren.
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We spent a nice Fourth of July weekend, first, of course, caring for and settling the kennel dogs. Then we went to the cottage to watch the fireworks, which were spectacular. Just now the local town fireworks are starting and the dogs are starting to agitate. I will be home for the night so they should be okay.

Today we went to the cottage to spend the afternoon with my granddaughter, Josefina, age two. She is adapting to water life very well, always wants her boat! It was an old fashioned cottage Fourth... hot dogs/hamburgers on the grill, marshmallows, root beer floats, a boat parade, a boat ride, a swim and then home to the kennel dogs.

I'm adding a photo of the dog I call the Red/White and Blue dog, Buddy. He's very soldier like in his behaviors, walks in perfect marching posture, has blue eyes, white fur and a red collar. He would look regal in a parade, we should try that with him one day as he is so proud to be noticed and appreciated .

Encroaching (on) wildlife

Who encroaches on whom? They were here first? Today we met a snake, actually twice. First time I was on the ATV and nearly ran it over. It was at least three to four feet long, looked like a pine snake to me.
Will add a photo tomorrow. Later in the day the dogs in pen nearest the snake were pawing outside the pen. It was the shed snakeskin they were trying to snag. I think it is a pine snake, not sure, but it was hunting seriously when I interrupted it. They're not so bad if they just stay away from me and the dogs. Dogs have an instinctive dislike for snakes, it seems. They like to grab them and shake them.