Wisconsin

Posted on October 4, 2025 by J. R. Patee

Thinking is difficult, that is why most people judge.

Karl Jung

Traveling is always an iffy business. Generally, animals face their highest risks while traveling on migration. And I feel much the same when traveling. Things do not always go as expected. From Carson City, and a wonderful visit with friends there, we went to Reno to fly to Chicago. Unfortunately, Alaska Airlines’ flight was delayed 3 hours, which put us into Seattle at the same time our plane to Chicago took off. In their generosity, AlaskaAir was going to rebook us to Chicago, arriving at 5:30 a.m. That sort of voided the hotel, which was already paid for and meant no sleep for the baseball game. Jeanne is a Sapphire, Gold member with Alaska Airlines and got on the phone. Using her sugar and spice attitude, she managed to rearrange us on American Airlines to Phoenix and onto Chicago, arriving at the same time as the first flight.

This trip started with Maralyns invitation, in May, to go to Frenchglen. Then my cousin, Tom, visited us this past summer, and said we should come to his cabin on Pine Lake in wisconsin. He sweetened the offer with a baseball game at Wrigley Field. From there the trip progressed to include visitations of various friends and relatives scattered in the area. Seems we know a fair number of people, whom we keep in contact with.

Arrived Chicago, Friday at 12:30 am, train to hotel, and my cousin Tom picked us up at 11 am. We had lunch and onto the baseball game. Chicago Cubs vs the St.Louis Cardinals, an old rivalry. I had been to one professional game in my life in 1991, but had to leave due to an illness. I was excited.

Wrigley Field Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals

We walked in just as the national anthem begun. Wrigley field is one of two iconic baseball fields in the United States, Fenway park in Boston being the other. Holds approximately 45,000 people which is a lot of energy. Apparently much of its charm is it is not a big megalopolis complex but a neighborhood baseball field. Parking is about the neighborhood. I like baseball, but am far from a diehard fan and especially not a tribal member. I just like good baseball. Jeanne grew up in St.Louis and Tom is a diehard Cubs fan so was interesting. The game was awesome, with the energy, watching the goings on, especially with home runs, scores, changes in innings, the singing, the cheering. The 7th inning stretch, the final winning celebratory song, and of course the the beer, which cost $15 per beer, but I wanted the whole experience and it was 91 degrees F (32.8 C), and we were in the sun. Enjoyable to watch the players setting up in their positions. I thought they were checking their phones, but they were checking the stats of the batter.

Then off to my cousins place, an hour out of town, and spent the night. Great to catch up. He had visited us this past summer, but now on his turf. Always interesting to see people in their own environment. His wife Ilona ws caring for her agin father from Hungary, and was unable to attend baseball or the cabin, but delightful to see her, meet her father, and see the farm.

Saturday was to be a big day. We started, with an hour drive south, to Jeanne’s cousin who had just moved from their house of 54 years into an apartment complex. They were quite appreciative, that we had come to visit, despite it only being a couple hours.

Then back north and to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with more visiting. This time, some friends of ours and parents of a ski jump coach in Anchorage. We saw where Natasha grew up and became Natasha. A 50-meter ski jump in the backyard. But alas, the visit is short, as the day is progressing. I do not drive as well at night, so I am trying to get to the lake cabin before dark. It was good visit though.

We made it to the cabin on Pine Lake only an hour after dark, avoiding the evening deer, wandering the forest roads. My sister, had arrived from Montana and her family, 4 hours earlier, guiding us by flashlight the final few hundred feet of rough road. Tom , my cousin, arriving shortly before her, not having to stop and visit along the way.

The cabin was built in 1933 by my Aunt Shirleys Uncle Henry. There is actually a UTube video of it of 1933 quality. (Construction of Pine Lake cottage 1933) It has passed down through the family, and Tom currently has it. He is a very gracious person, host, and we felt very welcome. We just explored, walking, going out on the boat, several loons coming out to meet us. Occasionally diving under the boat swimming incredibly gracefully.

One delightful morning my sister and I took the boat out and watched the sun rise. Incredible woods with colors just beginning to change, with the variety of trees. Maple, white pine, ash, birch, larch, and others unidentified by me.

Evening found us playing the game of aggravation. This is a board game played by our family for generations. Currently nearly all farmily members have a board made by some member of the family. I have never seen a commercial game similar. We probably played a dozen games over the three days.

Day three was another cubs baseball game and Tom is an avid follower. For me it was not the same. Pure baseball with no seeing the in-between stuff. You don’t see in between innings. The seventh inning stretch was a commercial. The announcer explaining every move so very little thought as to what was happening. Ok I am being negative. It just was not the same as in person, although good baseball. Apparently Eddie Veder led the seventh inning song.

Practicing Being Old (my niece Sara defining us)

Then time to depart, oh sweet sorrow again. As is often the case sometimes a short visit is better than too long, as it leaves you wanting to come back for more. But traveling on, this time to Zak’s parents on the Michigan – Wisconsin border. a 4 hour drive. It all seems so close when looking at a map from a long ways away, but in reality the world is a big place.

Arriving early evening, Mike and Carol took us out to a local “supper club”. Apparently that is a Wisconsin thing. I am always fascinated by local traditions and culture. I was amazed at the prices. $12.00 for a 8 oz steak with full baked potato and salad. $140 for 4 people with alcohol for dinner. At home that would be double that.

Hammill visit Jeanne, Carol, Mike, J. R.

Thursday, Mike and Carol took us on a tour of the area. Various industries, places they had lived, and of course the Pine Mountain ski jump complex. A 120 meter jump, Olympic size only set up for winter jumping. Fascinating to see other jumps, construction style and materials. More ideas.

Returned to their home and we were going to head out for a little river excursion on the Menamenee River behind their house. No boat for all 4 of us, but decided on two small boats with 2 hp motors. While Mike got some gas for motors and other stuff, it fell upon me to just test out the boats. First one worked great, second one he warned me his concerns. I thought he said the motor was difficult but what he said was the boat was tippy and difficult. Whatever. In I go after checking out the first boat. Just 30 meters upriver and return. Did great, turned around, but alas the seating was difficult to drive the motor and I turned myself in the boat. This threw off the balance, which I did not expect and over I went. The boat and motor completely tipped over on top of me. I easily got out from under, was able to stand and pushed it into the proper upright position. Unfortunately, completely full of water with the motor submerged. On shore I hear Carol and Jeanne laughing hysterically. I think they may have peed their pants laughing so hard. I pulled the boat back in, emptied it out but the motor was soaked.

It seemed our river trip was not to be. I was totally soaked along with wallet and phone. Instead of river trip we opted to sit around the fire, just enjoying the evening.

Share airport train from car rental to airport

A few adventures during the night, then a long drive back to OHare airport and two long flights home to Anchorage. Arrived at 3 am and fell into bed exhausted, but full of memories of friends and family.

Frenchglen, Oregon weekend

Posted on September 24, 2025September 25, 2025 by J. R. Patee

Failure is where we learn the most.

Faith Dickey (professional highliner)

My friend Maralyn is a friend from Seattle. I first met her as a freshman in Colorado College. This happened, shall we say, over 50 years ago. She is as I describe, a poor starving artist who is one of the most delightful people you could ever meet. She has gone to this little hotel in Frenchglen, Oregon for over 40 years as a little retreat. This year she invited us and we made the time available, mid to end September. I checked for reservations and alas very full, and this was May_June. Geez who thinks that far ahead? But got them and on waiting list for Friday night, which was successful two weeks prior to our arrival.

Then, one of my cousins, while visiting this summer said we needed to come visit, enticing us with a baseball game at Wrigley Field, in Chicago. I have been to one- half of a game in St, Louis. OK-it seemed we could tack it on to the Frenchglen trip. Then there is the “family cabin which my cousin Tom has in mid Wisconsin, not too far. Well the trip has ballooned into a huge visiting people. to be revealed. Jeanne flew into San Francisco, rented a car, and drove to a friends house to visit in Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world. Then to friends near Yosemite National Park where she worked and lived for 4 years. Two days there and on to another friend who used to live in Alaska and now is a campground host.

Jeanne picked me up in Reno, Nevada Thursday night. Friday we drove to Frenchglen, a small unincorporated town in southern Oregon. It is near the Malheur Wildlife refuge. A drive of about 380 miles(611 kilometer) made in about 6 1/2 hours, stopping Winnemucca, Nevada to visit more friends. Driving north, I recognized the area as a desert. It was transitioning into high desert, similar to Southern Idaho where I spent grades 1-8 going to school there.

Frenchglen hotel

I did learn that it is not really what I called a high desert – sagebrush, cold winters, hot summers, very dry. It is not a desert which by definition is very little precipitation. Frenchglen gets about 15” (38cm) of precipitation a year, similar to(slightly less) than Anchorage, Salt Lake City. Seattle gets about 40″ (101cm). It snows a lot in the winter in Frenchglen and the Steens Mtn. scenic loop does not open until late May or later, due to snow. Turns out sagebrush requires too much water to live in a desert. Thus the area is actually called a shrub steppe. Whoopee.

We stayed at the Frenchglen hotel, registered on the National Historic register since 1924. A delightful place, although as with old wooden hotels, one wants to check the fire escapes when you move in. Meals are family style, which leads to wonderful conversations, with what I would call an eclectic group. There were several artists. They worked in oils, watercolors, and wood. A couple worked in environmental areas. They also occasionally worked in theatre as performers and directors. A seismologist, a geologist, and an architect were also present. One lady had worked in Los Angeles as an accountant. She tired of being inside, and her family was in Oregon. She quit her job, became a truck driver, and moved near Astoria, Oregon. A variety of people and delightful conversations.

The last morning, Maralyn and I were watching the sunrise from the front porch when a pickup truck pulled up. An apparent local then came in, and Maralyn and I hit him up before the front door was closed. Delightful character answering our numerous questions concerning ranching in the area. His job for the day was transporting 3 truckloads of hay to a ranch farther north. The big round rolls of hay. We learned a huge amount about hay and bailing it up, transporting for the winter. The coffee finally finished, and we all had to precede with our day.

But driving there one looks out and goes “there is nothing here, what have I signed up for” But I knew it is a “desert”, and what there is there, is definitely hiding and one has to look to see. Deserts are full of life. You just have to open up. Look as if you were in the desert, not as a human. Fascinating places but these areas require a change of attitude to see the glories.

The first day everyone proceeded to their own destinations. First I queried the geologist on the local geology. Geologists are generally incredibly passionate about geology, and almost always are willing to share their knowledge. This one very much so. I got a quick and dirty semi advanced geology lesson of lava flows, basalts, and such.

Jeanne and I drove the Center Patrol Road (CPR) sort of down the middle of Blitzen River Valley. Stopping to view turkey vultures, ranches, the river, drainage ditches, and efforts to control invasive critters and weeds.

Then came the visitor center at Malheur wildlife refuge. the visitor center was closed, not for lack of visitors or any known reason. But the book store and nature center was open and the volunteer there was delightful and informative.

We proceeded to the narrows between some ponds and viewed all sorts of birds. I am not much at identifying birds, but it is fascinating watching them. We hoped to see the western grebes dancing across the top of the water. Unfortunately, they just wanted to run about the water. Stopped at Diamond Craters Outstanding Natural Areas too view volcanic result

Sunday, Maralyn and Mary, who attended Colorado College with me and have maintained close contact ever since, along with Jeanne, drove the Steens Mountain Loop. The road is a 60 mile (100 k) loop. It goes from Frenchglen, which is at 4200 feet elevation (1280 meters), and rises to 9500 feet (2895 meters). Several canyons originate near the summit ridge. The aspen trees were beginning to change colors. But the best part was to spend a wondrous day with these three ladies.

Boxed Lunchs

Monday, most people were departing, making room for a new set of visitors. Jeanne and I headed south. We went off course once to visit the Alvord Desert. It’s below Steens Mountain on the opposite side from Frenchglen. Stopped at Fields at the one store and got a milk shake. A repeat of the drive up, a long 6 hour drive to Reno. We visited Neva, who had come up to visit this summer. We delivered a photo book and video of her trip to Alaska this past summer. She is 13 years old and had spent 10 days with us.

It was a long day. I fell asleep early and long. Now in Carson City, Nevada visiting another good friend.

Summer and that means visitor

Posted on September 18, 2025September 18, 2025 by J. R. Patee

Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure.

Jack Lemmon

Interesting summer, but that is usual. In Alaska seems there is no such thing as a normal summer. At the beginning of the summer several of us were discussing the usual,quandary of what will the season be like. The choices were rainy, cool, cloudy, or hot, dry and smoky. Predicting the future is always a go to conversation and almost always a waste of time. It will be what it will be. But we continue with the predictions of the future.

After the boat trip in southeast, it seemed an auspicious beginning, but the weather forecasts often stated otherwise. Cloudy rain were the predictions, but often did not come true. 3 times this summer I arose in the morning, as usual and read the weather report, 3 times it said it was raining and going to rain all day. I looked outside and had to remember basic weather. Does not rain require clouds, as it was a blue sky, clear day. Sometimes you have to think for yourself and not depend on others. The summer turned out to be one of the best. And I am backed up by the energy output of our solar panels. 2nd best year in 8 years. 3700KW this year.

Summertime in Alaska for us these days means visitors. The story I tell, although short and to the point as well as a story is, we had visitors every day from June 4 until the 24 of July, with 7 days off of which we flew to Portland Oregon and picked up a car we had purchased and drove it home, a 2500 mile trip.

New used car from Portland Oregon enroute to Alaska

It occurs to me that when one is home one does not think of it as an adventure or a trip or such thing. It is just normal life. But why does everyone come to Alaska to visit on vacation. I live here, just normal existence, and do not write about it because it is just normal.

Summer ski jumping camp. Hike to portage glacier

Visitors bring out the spectacular in Alaska. We did the 26 glacier cruise day trip, viewing, yes, 26 glaciers although they are shrinking fast and are not as spectacular as in the past. ( But then what isn’t better in my memory) We did it twice. For me though, the Kenai Fjords tour is taking over, as the spectacular one. Both see wildlife and glaciers, and despite some people saying “If you have seen one glacier you have seen them all”, I never tire of glaciers. Always interesting always changing, always spectacular.

Pacific coastline covered in kittiwakes, gulls and a sea lion

And the wildlife, stellar sea lions, puffins, (tufted and horned), salmon, a smack of jellyfish, bears, goats, sheep, moose, seals, herons, the list goes on and on.

Did some work building new stairs for jumps (250 steps)

And our freezer is full of fish. Fortunately or unfortunately I am not one who necessarily enjoys fishing for the sake of catching fish. Get a net and catch what you need and move on to something more fun. Different strokes for different folks.

One of the worlds largest Ukrainian flags

And so goes summer 2025, now into the fall season. One of main discussions is what will the winter bring, miserable warm no snow, or cold and good snow. ?? the questions of the future go on.

And it continues

Home again

Posted on June 19, 2025 by J. R. Patee

If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.

Charles Darwin

Made it back yesterday afternoon. 2491 miles (4009 Km) 50 hours and 7 minutes drive time. (Thanks to the wonderment of the new car, it recorded that), 6 days total and as noted too fast. We did the final push in 6.5 hours with only one stop to empty bladders. Whew. Before leaving talked with some motorcyclists from Michigan touring the route we just did. They were scheduled to go to Whittier today, and I mentioned I would be there for hiking. Interesting the various convergences.

Incredible country- we went through the rain forests of northwest United States, the rain forests of coastal Canada, into the dryer interior lands with big rivers. The flatlands between the Canadian Rockies and the coastal range. Along the interior side of the Wrangell St. Elias mountains, and home. When we left Haines Junction yesterday after our Canadian Chinese breakfast it felt like we were in our homeland again. Then we got to the Chugach Mountains of Southcentral Alaska. Beautiful day, and the mountains greeted us in good fashion.

Arrived home and friends came over to welcome us home. The summer ski jumping solstice camp is going along and some of parents from previous years came over and was good to reacquaint.

Road Trip II

Posted on June 17, 2025June 17, 2025 by J. R. Patee

It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end.

Ursula Le Guin

Departed Hazelton and made it the 45 km to Kitwanga for breakfast at roadside gas station. Only game around and ordered the 2x2x2x2 breakfast- 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 ham, 2 spam, 2 toast, and hash browns. Then on to the totem park, for a quick tour, then began the 450 miles (724 km)of Cassiar Highway. We have done it several times winter and summer. and always a treat. Not as developed as the Alaska Highway, being more winding and mountainous. We expected a fair amount of traffic due to the Alaska highway being closed, but not bad. Had no issues whatever. And the scenery was great. It is entirely paved now except for tiny sections undergoing construction. As before though the southern end is much better than the northern end which gets a bit rough and narrower.

A tiny room barely enough room to squeak around the bed and a shared bathroom.

We realized we were probably not going to make it the entire Cassiar unless we pushed later than we like. I looked at Jade City, a mining place with, I thought a motel and restaurant. We had the Milepost – the guide to driving the highways, byways and routes to and around Alaska. It listed only a small 4 room motel and no restaurant. The next one was another 75 miles (120km) going south when we reached the Alaska Highway to Watson Lake. Dease lake motels were full and it was only 2 pm, way too early to stop there, so on we went to see what Jade City offered. We arrived at about 7 pm and motel seen, but office closed up. Jeanne knocked and a nice lady came and unbolted some major dead bolts. They negotiated a price involving credit card, cash, Canadian money, and American money. Settled on $120 US with a 10 dollar Canadian change given. Price was $110 so we lost a bit, but it was the last room, so we got a place to stay. We had eaten a fair quality hamburger in Dease Lake, so food was not an issue.

“In the morning supposedly they had breakfast, but none to be found. We flunked the coffee making in Keurig coffee machine managing to spill water all over the counter and floor using up precious coffee modules. As another resident said “us old people don’t do well with the fancy coffee machines. How about just a percolator or the drip kind” Fancy coffee machines, but they give powdered creamer with the coffee.

On to Nuggett City at the junction of Cassiar and Alaska Highway for breakfast. One item only 2 over easy eggs, ham, hash browns, and toast, but you can upgrade to bacon if you want. No changes including changing over easy scrambled eggs. They could do the eggs over hard though. Again flexibility is required.

Then Whitehorse which we have always liked. The town has never let us down. Arrived a bit early for stopping but one must at least walk to the Yukon and Miles Canyon, which we did. Realized our friend Sheila, back in Portland Oregon, had said to eat some donut holes from Tim Hortons for her. Tim Hortons is a Canadian chain of restaurants scattered all over Canada. Thus to fulfill our obligation, knowing it was last Tim Hortons for us, on this trip, we went into town and ordered donut holes. Then discussing later plans we realized food later was again going to be shall I say not at a time we wanted. One must be very flexible when driving the highway. Thus we ordered a sandwich and a chicken bowl. Sandwich OK, bowl very good.

The discussion continued about plans. We had hoped to be back to Anchorage by Tuesday night, making it a five day drive. It seems though 500 mile days (800 km) is a bit much for us not leaving anytime for hiking, viewing stopping and just unlaxing at rest areas. Have done the trip in 3.5 days but it was drive, sleep quick, drive, and eat in car. Seems a crime through such beautiful country. From Whitehorse it is 706 miles home (1136 km). Doable but not really fun. Thus maybe stay in Whitehorse. The fires are done and a bit of rain cleared the air, so air quality is good. I have said 8 days is a reasonable quick trip. I did the trip about 10 years ago and told myself I had all the time I wanted. Alas after 4 days I had only gone 350 of the 2400 miles. I picked up the pace and did it in 12.

There is a delightful hot springs outside Whitehorse which we have often stayed at. We found it the first time on a winter drive. It delighted us soaking in the hot pools at -20 degrees (-30C), mallard ducks overwintering in the pool swimming with me.

1990 Takhini Hot Springs ducks

We checked at going to Takhini, but it seems they have gone to a high end spa type. The old bunkhouse hostel has been turned into a high end Air B & B. I guess they don’t want our types any more. 300/night 2 night minimum. We opted for a downtown motel, and walked about Whitehorse. We found ourselves at a delightful restaurant and bar- The Dirty Northern. We ate outside in sunshine and had a couple appetizers and booze. A delightful waitress who could not give recommendations as she was only 18 and drinking age is 19.

Thus here we are in Tok, Alaska after a 385 mile day (611 KM). Not sure what is going on but hotels and restaurants are packed. Locals say it is just tourists but I have never seen crowds like this. Guess I usually camp or just don’t pay attention in the summer. Again for the third time on this trip we got the last room. It is a few miles out of town in a little cabin.

Since departing last thursday we have travelled 2162 miles (3479Km) in 5 days with 44 hours and 6 minutes of driving. Hopefully tomorrow home with about 385 miles (619 Km) left. We started with sunset at 9:05 pm in Portland and tonight the sun sets at 11:48. A bit farther north. and solstice next week. Almost forgot to write the animal count. several deer, hare, squirrels, 1 dead porcupine, 1 moose, a sow grizzly and cub, 3 fox, swans, hawks, and the list goes on.

And getting into the United States was probably the easiest time I or we have ever had. Showed passports waited 30 seconds and he said enjoy our day. ????

Road Trip

Posted on June 15, 2025 by J. R. Patee

What counts in life is not the mere fact we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

Nelson Mandela

Has been an interesting beginning to summer. First an early ending to snow and what usually is called winter. And it has been cooler and rainier than usual it seems. Clouds and rain have been the norm although certainly a few days of wondrous sunshine.

Then Jeanne hit a bollard at the gas station in her beloved 13 year old Volvo, which she loved and had said it would be her last car. Unfortunately the estimates came in at $11000 and $15000. Zounds! Amazing for a 2 mph crash. I guess bumpers are not designed for bumping. It did push the wheel back a little but we drove the totaled car onto the tow truck. Then the search for a new one.

$11,000 to $15000 dollar repair. Totaled.

We have always bought our cars from down south, i.e. the lower 48, because prices are ridiculous in Alaska and dealers will not even think of meeting the price even with shipping a car to Alaska. Thus we searched all over the United States, eliminating the east because of salt, and the south because of flooding. We finally settled on a 2023 used Volvo XC 60 what they call a mini hybrid. (Mini hybrid apparently means you do not plug it in and the electric motor helps the gas motor, as opposed to a full hybrid, which plugs in, where the gas motor helps the electric, sort of). And the good part, it was in Portland Oregon which meant relatively close. But the dealer had to have it off their lot within 5 days. The dealer did not make it easy. We have purchased several cars and all were very easy – send us the money and we will send you a car or you can come get it and drive it home. Not this time. Notaries, even fingerprints, wired cash did not give us a warm fuzzy feeling of dealing with them. We almost called it off several times thinking it was scam. All this while Jeanne’s family was with us. We thought of having a friend pick it up at dealer and store it at their house near Portland for a few weeks until the timing would be better, but after the hassle of us buying it, probably would be an even bigger hassle for someone to pick it up. And the rest of summer is busy with ski jumping camp, and more visitors. Timing was and is bad.

Family left Wednesday afternoon and Thursday we were on a plane at 5 am for Portland. We arrived at 11:30 am at the dealer and picked up the car. They were very nice explaining a lot of the whatnot, doodads, bells and whistles on the car. By 12:30 we were on the road.

First visited a friend of mine, from Colorado College which we attended several decades ago. It was a great visit, although sad due to a brain tumor and she is in a nursing home on hospice care nearing the end.

Then on to the friends who had offered to pick up the car and store it for a few weeks. They served us lunch and off we drove north, getting to nearly Seattle.

Friday a breakfast with a friend who had to serve as proxy for all the friends we have in Seattle area. Departed Seattle and made it across the Canadian border easily, apologizing to the border officer for the United States current belligerence. The officer responded with “we will all get through it”. Hopefully getting back into the United States will not be a problem.

The drive up through Skagit valley was incredible. The farmland in the valleys of incredible hills and cliffs with the Fraser river running through it. Then the Thompson river with the high flow of water, made me ponder the huge hydraulics of a big river. Trains ran both sides of river and I measure one parked train at a mile long (1.6 km). Either coal or gravel it seemed.

We left the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest and went into more dry lands of sagebrush and cattle country. Made it to 100mile house where we spent the night and a surprise dinner at the German restaurant which served only kebabs, but very good ones.

Today cruised 450 miles to Hazelton covering a lot of flat ground, with delightful scenery. Always a treat to look out and see the distant horizon beckoning. I seem to never tire of that. “The horizon beckons and I must go” I believe Jack Sparrow said, in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Tonite here in New Hazelton we wanted a beer but only a liquor store and one restaurant, which happened to be a Chinese restaurant. Pilsner beers are not our favorite but that was what we had. Not quite half way, 1050 miles done 1500 to go. (1690 km and 2400 km) I had hoped to be home by Tuesday, now Saturday, don’t think we will make it. Alas, it is a wonderful drive.

Due to forest fires the usually faster alaska highway is much slower now

Summertime

Posted on June 10, 2025 by J. R. Patee

The question is not what you look at, but what you see

Henry David Thoreau

Summertime in Alaska is always greatly anticipated. Warmth, green, life abounding. It is a treat to watch the season progression. Seems whenever someone asks me what is my favorite season, somehow it always seems to be the season we are currently in. I love the changes and advancement, although I might take an exception to springtime. It drags on and is often muddy and dirty, as the snow melts and the misled garbage and dirt from the winter makes its appearance. This past year was weird as we had very little snow, and when it melted the leaves and green were yet weeks away. We got an extra month of brown. But now we are in full summer. Someone once told me Alaska in the summertime is just various shades of green everywhere.

Years ago I had worked In Barrow, now Utqiagvik, at 71 degrees north. I returned to Fairbanks the first of June and had been in snow, ice, since October. I remember flying in and my eyeballs hurt from suddenly seeing green, and the smell. Oh the smell was incredible.

But now summer is in full swing, and there is an extra energy about. Hence the boat tour in Southeast Alaska, and trails opening up. And people begin coming out more. I am surprised every year by how much more activity there is in the summer. More people, more cars on the road, and of course what would Alaska be without visitors.

Jeanne’s family has not been here to visit in 25 years and it was time. This past week we have been hosting their visit. Jeanne’s sister, brother-in-law, niece, husband, 5 year old son, nephew, and Jeanne and I. Of course we want to show off our home, and I think we have been doing a fair job of doing that. Glen Alps hiking, Eklutna Lake viewing, the Amoosement Park in Palmer, Thunderbird Falls hike, Musk Ox farm, glacier and wildlife boat tour out of Whittier, Kincaid Park, and now in Seward.

Yesterday Jeanne and I dropped the family at the Anchorage train station at 6 am where they proceeded on the 5 hour trip via Grandview to Seward. Jeanne and I drove in the absolutely pouring rain arriving a few hours after they did. (We had some business to do, delaying our departure). A visit to the Sealife Center, where the aquarium is I feel a great experience for viewing wildlife, not exactly in the wild but one can see the puffins, guillemots, and murres swimming underwater, and the harbor seals, and sealions. I confess my favorite was the aquarium of seemingly empty sea water, but when you put a magnifying lens to it, the zooplankton were swimming about. Plus the intertidal touch ponds, and lots of information. Not like the real thing but certainly easier than reality to access.

Today we will walk the beach a bit, depending on rain, then we will go to Exit glacier, for annual check of how far back the glacier has receded. Amazing to think of the glacier face on the river plain and one could touch it (safely). Now it has melted back miles and lost hundreds of feet of depth. Amazing to see. We always tell people if you want to see glaciers do it now, because they won’t be here in the not so distant future. Absolutely amazing phenomenon, although I find most things in nature phenomenal.

And looking to the Northwest with a view of Anchorage and Denali if you can see through the clouds.

Receding Glaciers Cascade, Barry, and Cox. When I first went there the three were connected.

It is a treat to show off our home. It falls into the category of it may not be perfect, but for me, this is a pretty amazing place to live.

Boat travel

Posted on May 24, 2025May 24, 2025 by J. R. Patee

It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end.

Ursula Le Guin

Quite a week a one week boat cruise, although not as one thinks a Cruise. This was a relatively small boat. 37 passengers as opposed to a 3000 passenger trip. Boarded in Sitka alaska and cruised for 7days. When it was over one of the crew asked what was best part of the week. I had to think, always a tough proposition. A sow brown bear with2cubs, only to be bested by a sow with 3 cubs, only to be bested by humpback whales, only to be bested by orca whales, only to be bested by sea lion rookery with them checking us out closely (read keep your hands inside the skiff, only to bested by the orcas breaching next to the boat, to be bested by the mountain goat feeding just above a humpback cruising below, along with tufted puffins, and all interspersed with glaciers, fjords, hiking, kayaking, swimming. What was best?

Thinking about it I had to think it was the crew serving us. Their enthusiasm for not only serving our incredible meals, but their enthusiasm for being there, and seeing what we were seeing, answering never ending questions, or finding the answer. People who have a passion for what they are doing. People who work well together from the captain, to the chef, to the servers, to the boat crew whether they be full rated mates or the deckhands.

Sea otter and flounder catch photo by Jan Whelan

Barb and Steve after 38F (4 degrees C) swim

Tlingit cultural presenters in Kake, Alaska. Story almost as good as the bedtime stories told vey night by Bailey, the expedition leader, every night aboard the Admiralty Dream at 9:15 pm

Finally again

Posted on May 17, 2025 by J. R. Patee

You are perfectly cast in your life. I can’t imagine anyone but you in the role. Go play.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Has been a while in writing and I confess remiss. AS they say “My bad”

But here we are in Sitka Alaska prepping for a cruise. We have turned into cruise people I guess. Well this one is a 49 passenger 8 day trip through Southeast Alaska. It covers a lot of the area Jeanne and I kayaked in 8 weeks back in 1992 on our “honeymoon” trip. I suspect people will tire of Jeanne and I telling stories of a particular area. We are excited and have already been reliving memories of that awesome trip.

2025

Sitka has quite the history first with local Tlingit Natives and various native tribes, then invasion by the Russians for furs in early 1700’s. The Tlingits took back the area in 1802, but the Russians retook it in 1804. In 1867, Russian having overextended itself transferred its colonies and holdings to the United States. Although a price was paid of 7 million dollars it was never sold, because they never owned it. It was native land, which never became actually realized until 1971 with the Alaska Native claims settlement act. History is crazy. As one movie said history is “just the story of one bloody thing after another”.

Sitka itself is a hodgepodge of historical and modern stuff. The russian church, still active, the battlefields, the bishops house, the castle on hill now gone, and the totem park which we visit again this afternoon. Currently lots of tourists off the cruise ships. Interesting as there are advertisements all over to vote for or against limiting the numbers. The current ship holds 3000 passengers and a 1000 crew, into a town of 6000. the sidewalks are packed with folks walking gift shop to gift shop.

Next day and we again walked to totem pole park and walked about the wood and big trees.

Delightful day with lunch at food truck of fish tacos, and dinner of salmon cooked to perfection. One little incident where i was asked politely where from and when told I was from Anchorage, their response was I am sorry. Funny how people hate Anchorage because it is the big bad city. And we walked downtime fighting our way through the crowds of tourists.

Sitka has an election coming up to limit the tourists to 100,000 a year. Last year they had 300,000 in a town of 6000.

A close call

Posted on December 29, 2024 by J. R. Patee

One must from time to time attempt things which are beyond one’s capacity

Pierre-Augusta Renoir

A thrilling adventure!

Jeanne and I usually celebrate her birthday in Talkeetna, a charming town north of Anchorage, between Christmas and New Year’s. But this year, a friend invited us to their cozy cabin nestled north of Talkeetna, about 30 miles away. We left the day after Christmas, arriving before the sun dipped below the horizon at 3:30 p.m. Bud, our friend, picked us up in his snow machine with a trailer, ready to take us the mile to the cabin. Bud and Lulie, who have owned the cabin since 1988, spend most of the winter season there. They’re always welcoming visitors, so we felt right at home.

One of the best parts was that there was enough snow to ski! Anchorage has snow in October, but the warm weather in late November and beyond has melted most of it. The temperatures have been too warm to even make snow for the ski trails and jumps. Ice has been present, and falls are a major concern. But luckily, the studs around the tires of our bikes made it safe to explore the trails.

Bud and Lulie’s cabin is a true gem, and Bud takes great care of grooming miles and miles of trails. Jeanne and I decided to go out just as the sun was setting for a lovely ski. The next day, everyone thought a good ski was in order. Bud wanted to do a 4-5 mile loop to build up his strength on his new hip. Both he and Lulie are passionate about their dogs and have even competed in international ski touring events. Bud wanted to go skiing with his dog and suggested that I follow his tracks since there was only a couple of centimeters of fresh snow. The temperatures were perfect, around -5 C (25 F). I decided to give it a try.

Bud took off, with me not far behind. Of course, he was gone quickly, out of sight, but his tracks and the dog tracks were quite visible. The sky was a bit cloudy, but the forecast looked promising.

So, I was just enjoying the peaceful skiing through the flat country. It was amazing to see the swamps of summer covered in snow. The scrub black spruce trees stood tall, almost reaching the sky, with barely enough limbs to catch the new snow. About 2 miles into my ski, it started snowing, not exactly what I had planned. It was coming down pretty hard, maybe 1-2 cm an hour. If it kept up, I’d be buried in no time! The ski tracks were getting covered, but I could still see the snow machine width pack.

I kept going, but the snow started falling even more, and the visibility dropped to 2-3 miles. I could still hear the road of the Parks Highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, but I knew if it snowed much more, the sound would be muffled. The snow was definitely coming down more than a centimeter an hour. In 5 hours, my skis would be buried unless I lifted them up.

Then, I started thinking about the Donner Party. Would I be in the same situation as those unfortunate souls caught in the Sierra snow? Those folks either saved themselves or some of them by resorting to cannibalism. Oh my, this is getting a bit scary! I moved on the ski trail, crossing another snow machine track, and the ski tracks were gone for that meter of crossing. Donner Party thoughts kept coming to mind.

Then, I realized I was all alone, unlike the Donner Party, where they had 147 morsels to choose from. I decided to keep going, the snow starting to lighten up a bit. The GPS said I was starting to turn back toward the cabin. I passed another friend’s cabin, but I knew he was still in Anchorage for the holidays.

So, I had this wild idea to try and free my foot from the trap. I mean, I’ve heard stories of animals chewing off their limbs to escape, right? But then I realized, ‘Uh-oh, this is gonna be scary.’ And guess what? I hadn’t even had a shower in 24 hours! My foot was totally out of commission. I was stuck! But then, the snow stopped falling, and I decided to take a deep breath and brave the elements. I made it back to the cabin, about 45 minutes behind Bud. Bud and I had a blast gathering water from the spring a few miles away using the snow machines. It was such a fun task! On our way back, we ran into the three ladies who were returning from their ski trip. Jeanne was absolutely thrilled about skiing, calling the conditions ‘pure butter’.

Yesterday Bud drove us to the road where we left our car, and we proceeded to Talkeetna. We are now celebrating Jeanne’s birthday at the cabin in downtown Talkeetna. Beautiful day, sun is blasting down from its 4 degrees above the horizon.

	Maralyn Crosetto on Toronto
	Maralyn Crosetto on The Canadian part II
	Karen Copley on The Canadian
	Maralyn Crosetto on Vancouver B.C.
	spookydaze150851deec on Planes, Trains, and autom…

	Maralyn Crosetto on Toronto
	Maralyn Crosetto on The Canadian part II
	Karen Copley on The Canadian
	Maralyn Crosetto on Vancouver B.C.
	spookydaze150851deec on Planes, Trains, and autom…

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J. R.,s bike rides, tours, and philosophies

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