Fireworks at 11:59PM

July 7, 2013

Juneauites take the Fourth of July very seriously. Our traditional fireworks celebration begins on July 3 at 11:59pm instead of July 4th as generally done in the Lower 48. It's held at midnight because that's usually the only time it is dark enough in Southeast Alaska to see the fireworks in the night sky. It's a unique part of life in Alaska, kinda like playing baseball at midnight.

2013 was my first year viewing the festivities from downtown Juneau; in previous years I've watched the fireworks from Douglas Island, which offers a whole other view, with a panorama of downtown Juneau. Each year, a barge is floated out to the Gastineau Channel, between downtown Juneau and Douglas Island, and the waterway is popular with fishing boats, skiffs, and cruise ships.

The Juneau area is notorious for fog and rain, but that didn't stop the party. The fireworks schedule wasn't deterred by the rainy evening. Fireworks were fairly visible in the night sky, and the reflection on the water of the boats, massive cruise ships, and colorful fireworks was remarkable and breathtaking.

Hope you enjoy my photos and videos of this spectacular evening. Be sure to listen to the boats and ships blaring their horns in minute 3:08 of my video below!

Happy Mother's Day

May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day to my sweet Momma, who's been there for me through good times and bad, who's been an amazing support system and never judged me, who's loved me unconditionally for 30 years.

I love you, Mom!

North Pole, Alaska

April 5, 2013

Three things you need to know about North Pole, Alaska:

1. It's easily accessible - only a short drive from Fairbanks.

2. The spirit of Christmas and Santa Claus is still alive.

3. Purchasing property can be ridiculously cheap!

I was in Fairbanks this week and decided to visit the North Pole. Well, not THE North Pole, but North Pole, Alaska, a suburb outside of the second largest city in the state.

It's difficult to imagine something more synonymous with the North Pole than Santa and his reindeer, sleigh, and jolly laughter. You can find all this and more at the Santa Claus House, built way back in 1949. Kiddos from across the world mail their letters to Santa to this locale. Eager parents can even place an order for an original letter from Santa - complete with a genuine North Pole postmark.

What I found most interesting about this magical place was the fact that I could own a piece of the action. So I purchased one square inch of North Pole, Alaska - Lot 56, Block 3507 to be more specific! I know what you're thinking. And yes, there's a way. You, too, can get your very own deed to your very own North Pole property here. I own a spot in Southeast Alaska, but there's nothing quite like having a toehold in the far North. :-)

Playing tourist on Santa's sleigh.  Too bad there wasn't a dog sled attached. — Playing tourist on Santa's sleigh. Too bad there wasn't a dog sled attached.

Santa's reindeer have strict diets.  I was told the fella in the background is the oldest reindeer in captivity. — Santa's reindeer have strict diets. I was told the fella in the background is the oldest reindeer in captivity.

Stealing Santa's chair.  The elf got creeped out when I pointed to him. — Stealing Santa's chair. The elf got creeped out when I pointed to him.

"I want one so so so so so so so badly!  I wanted to write more so's but I have to write more and I won't beablel to fit it." — "I want one so so so so so so so badly! I wanted to write more so's but I have to write more and I won't beablel to fit it."

A letter from Lithuania.  Little Miss Gabriele grew up to become her country's penmanship laureate. — A letter from Lithuania. Little Miss Gabriele grew up to become her country's penmanship laureate.

Has your kid been naughty this year?  A fear-inducing letter from Santa should do the trick. — Has your kid been naughty this year? A fear-inducing letter from Santa should do the trick.

2012 in Review: Alaska Adventures Galore - PART TWO!

March 2, 2013

Hello there! If you haven't checked out Part One of my 2012 Alaska Adventures, please mosey on over to see a recap of January - June 2012. (Pssst, click the "Part One" link above...) Here's the second installment of my video and photo synopsis of 2012's adventures. This blog features some of my experiences from July - December 2012. Enjoy - and know that you, too, can have these awesome adventures if you just put your mind to it!