Although just a few days late, I have confirmed what I have known since early childhood. Santa Claus is a live and well! Finally, a governmental agency has had the nerve as well as spirit to confirm my belief regardless to the fact that it is not "politically correct" to do so. Kudos and well done to the biologists at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. By clicking on the "link" you can find out everything you wanted to know about Santa's Reindeer, so the next time you are asked by a little one you can tell them the facts.

Next year, this documentation will be provided to each school in Alaska and hopefully we will get "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" back into school's Christmas Concert instead of the continuation of the Winter Festival and dope smoking, hippie musical programs that have no significant social or educational redeemable value whatsoever in regards to Christmas.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn ~ October 2007

Stone Ram ~ October 2007

Dall Ram ~ Christmas Day 2007

"Christmas Rams"

Wishing All Of You A Very Merry Christmas. Hoping That It Finds You Surrounded With Loved Ones. May The Season Bring You Fond Memories Of Those That You Have Shared This Blessed Holiday With In The Past.

On this Christmas Eve, the weather man tells me, so it must be so, that we can expect more snow. Just to make sure, I have checked my list and going to check it again, just to make sure that the roads are clear on Turnagain. According to the man, he has posted heavy snow warnings, heavy wind warnings and even flooding on the Kenai. I know this is so as my doppler radar does show. Santa, has Rudolph to guide him through the snow, I will just plug in "Suzy" and hit the road. No problem with the weather, I will just watch "Suzy" and know when it is time to go slow. On instruments I will drive, through the blowing snow, over the hill and through the the vale, my trusty Ford and "Suzy" will not fail.

Senator McCain is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Upon his graduation and commissioning as an an Officer of the Line at the rank of Ensign, his twenty two year Naval career commenced. Following his graduation from the academy he was trained as a Naval Aviator. He volunteered to go to Vietnam. On July 29, 1967 he narrowly survived the first of many near death experiences during his lifetime. He was preparing to launch his aircraft from the decks of the U.S.S. Forrestal to conduct a bombing mission over North Vietnam. While preparing to launch, a missile accidentally fired from a nearby aircraft, striking the fuel tanks of McCain's aircraft creating a deadly inferno onboard the ship. He barely escaped the inferno that killed 134 men, injured hundreds and destroyed twenty aircraft.

Instead of exercising the option to return home following the Forrestal disaster he volunteered once again for combat duty. On his 23rd bombing mission on October 26, 1967 a missile struck his aircraft over North Vietnam. He ejected himself from the aircraft breaking both his arms and leg. On the ground, he was taken as a Prisoner of War and placed into the infamous "Hanoi Hilton". He would remain in solitary confinement for a number of years and was liberated when all of the American Prisoners of War were released a the conclusion of the Vietnam Conflict. Although, he had received little medical treatment for his wounds and interrogation methods, he continued his naval career and regained flight status. He retired form the Navy in 1981. His naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following retirement, he would seek election to the U.S. Senate, an office that he still holds.

Today, I discovered some additional information that I found most interesting and coincidental. I would refer to you a posting that I made on Friday, December 7, 2007 which you can see by scrolling down just a few days. As most of you know, the first ship that I served on in the Navy during my naval career was the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Shangri-la (CVA-38). On my birth date, May 18, 1945, the Admiral's pennant was raised on the U.S.S. Shangri-La making it the flagship of the 2nd Carrier Task Force. A few days later, under this Admiral's command the Shangri-La launched the first air strikes on the Japanese home islands. The Admiral of the 2nd Carrier Task Force was Vice Admiral John S. McCain, SR, the grandfather of Senator John McCain. Senator McCain's father, John S. McCain, Jr also served in the Navy during World War II as a Submarine Commander. He would later serve as Commander In Chief of the Pacific Fleet during the Vietnam War and period of time that his son was held as a Prisoner of War.

The U.S. Air force has been providing "Top Cover" over Alaska for several years utilizing the F-16. Recently, more sorties have been flown due to the encroachment of Russian aircraft (Russian Bear) into the air space over Alaska. Unfortunately, due to their age and the stress that has been placed on them, the F-16 Fleet has been grounded leaving the Alaska airspace unguarded. However, today it was announced that our neighbors to the south have come to our aide and will provide "Air Cover" over Alaska until we can resume our normal operational control. The Canadian Royal Air Force has dispatched their first air wing to Alaska to provide this air cover. They have dispatched three of their best intercept fighters that they have and the remaining three aircraft left in their air force fleet will remain on the ground to provide back up in the event they are required to be launched. We do appreciate their assistance in this critical time. The first photograph of the Royal Canadian Air Force intercepting a Russian Bear over Alaska was released today.

Knowing that the Christmas season is a very busy time in most households, however I do have a homework assignment for my immediate family and friends. For years, sitting around the fire pit at the Hole In The Wall, you have heard reference made to names such as Ranger Gus McCrae, Ranger Woodrow Call, Blue Duck, Buffalo Hump, Claire Allen, and Newt without really knowing and appreciating the names. On a couple of occasions, my own daughters have made the comment that they are going to have to take the time to watch a series of movies so they know what we are talking about.

The movies I reference is Larry McMurty's series of western movies that were originally mini series on television. There are several of these mini series and they were not released in a chronological time line. The first of the series released was the later years of the two Texas Rangers Call and McCrae. This particular series was a smash hit and now considered a classic. This particular series was "Lonesome Dove". The second series was titled "Return to Lonesome Dove". The next series released portrayed the rangers when they first joined the Texas Rangers, "Dead Man's Walk" . The last one in the series is, "Streets of Laredo"and portrays Ranger Woodrow Call in his retirement years.

The homework assignment is to locate these movies. They can be checked out at most video stores but due to the length it may be better to purchase them (Wally World) and watch them. The two critical series that you will want to watch is "Lonesome Dove" and "Return To Lonesome Dove". These two videos will introduce you to the primary characters. Your homework assignment must be completed prior to January 13, 2008.

On January 13th, Larry McMurty's next series will be aired on NBC for three nights for a total of about six hours viewing time. The name of this series will be "Comanche Moon". From the reviews I have seen, this should be a big hit for those fans that enjoyed the other series. This series will introduce you to all of the original characters, including Ranger Gus McCrae, resurrected from the dead. This series will also portray some of the characters never seen before but heard their names like Maggie, the mother of Newt and lady friend of Ranger Call. All of the regular characters including Pea, Blue Duck, and Buffalo Hump will also take part in this series. A name mentioned in the past but never seen is an Indian by the name of Quannah Parker. This should be an excellent series and if you can believe the reviews, it will be as big as the original, "Lonesome Dove". It will be well worth watching, prior planning as well as proper prepartion and previous previewing will prepare you for many hours of enjoyable entertainment ( Seven "P" Principal). A big bowl of popcorn, a sack of potato chips, a six pack and two boxes of cherry chocolates will add to the enhancement of your viewing pleasure. Please do not disturb me on January 13th, 14th, and 15th, I will be busy.

President Truman With Private Herrera

With twenty three shopping days until Christmas, I still find myself contemplating gift ideas. Taking into consideration, my personal dislike for shopping, I decided that I would do all of my shopping from home, sitting in my shorts and sipping hot eggnog and rum. Always wanted to go shopping in my shorts. I have visited several web sites and look at numerous items, but strictly by accident I found the perfect site to do all of my shopping in one place. Having a wife, four children, four children in-laws, twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren I found the perfect gift for each. Being one that cannot keep secrets and since there is some legal matters to take care of to make the transactions, I thought it best that I reveal my Christmas gift to each of you early this year.

We have all lived in Alaska for many years and what better gift to give than a piece of Alaska. I have the opportunity to purchase a piece of property for each person on my list and will pay all of the real estate taxes for life. The only thing I ask in return is that you hold onto the property,not selling it to anyone other than those in the family. Each of the lots will be adjoining consequently a sizable piece of property will be "family" controlled. The "property" is located in Talkeetna, Alaska and has river frontage.

Now that I have peaked your interest, this is not your gift! I have done some dumb things in my life, but this is not one of them. Besides, if you remember, a long time ago, a bunch of us bought property in Homer to build a fire station. We got deeds but I am not sure I know where the property is at. I come upon this scam by accident, it is all legal however, the developer has a parcel of one acre of land in Talkeetna. He has divided the property into one square inch lots. Most likely, this particular acre of property is worthless to develop so why not develop it into something that can never be built upon or sold. Before you do the math, an acre is comprised of 6,273,000 square inches. Verify by going to the link and seeing all the great pictures, the one square inch lots are being sold for $19.99 each. Again, before you do the math, when all of the lots are sold the gross income received from this one acre is $125,397,270. A nice profit margin on a piece of property that most likely has a market value of less than $8,000. However, you do get a nice Certificate of Title to your property, cost of .25 cents but knowing you own land in Alaska is priceless.

However, it did peak my curiosity, not wanting to take advantage of anyone I came up with a concept that gives a prospective property owner something in exchange. The "Hole In The Wall" property is about three acres from east to west and from "Private Road" to the top of the bluff. By subdividing this parcel of property, we could reduce it to one square inch lots and sell them for $11.99 each with the guarantee that the property owner can camp at the HITW two days per year from October 1st through March 30th (I know March has 31 days). Now, when you do the math, once the lots are sold we have a gross income of $188,033,175.00 or $7,834,715.62 for each adult and child. We would never have to worry about Christmas budgets again!

For those living in the LA area, coming soon to your fair city is the new Plumma Espresso Cafe and Conference Center, a new business that my son in law, the Plumma and my daughter have been working on for some time. Knowing his love of the plumbing industry as well as his taste for good coffee, it is only natural that it would be just a matter of time before they developed a marketing plan that could combine both features. I wish them success in their new venture.

Their strategy is well thought out and cost of construction will be reduced due to the fact that the Plumma can do all of the required plumbing and has been collecting fixtures for several years. At first you might consider this concept as ridiculous, just as I did when they first approached me with their marketing concepts. However, I am now convinced that the concept is very good and in the future I foresee franchises being offered on the market.

Before you consider it ridiculous, consider a few basic facts: (1) How many times have you been sitting in a "cafe" enjoying a cup of coffee, visiting with friends or just contemplating life when mother nature calls. You have to get out of your seat, walk across the room and wait in line to gain access to the appropriate restroom. By the time you have returned to your table, your espresso that you are paying $4.50 for, is now cold. (2) How many boring, long conferences have you attended that the speaker has forgotten to take a break, you pay very little attention while squirming in your seat hoping that they will take a break soon so you can make a dash for the "john". (3) Most businesses conduct some type of conference at varied times of the year, a lot of company money is lost during these conferences due to the decline in production and salary costs for employees attending conferences. With the new conference room at the the "Plumma Espresso" a full day conference can be reduced to less than four hours due to the fact that no "potty breaks" or lunch breaks will be required. The comfortable seating arrangements are full service toilets, when the need arises you will not even need to leave your seat and your coffee will not chill, you can even continue to eat your lunch is you so desire.

With the Plumma and the Screamer working the kitchen and their three daughters hustling drinks and acting as hostesses, I can foresee a great future for them on their path to success.

It is a big chore preparing a Thanksgiving Dinner, I have watched my wife do it for years! The planning usually starts about two weeks before the big dinner: who is coming to dinner, menu, seating, why is Stan making so much candy, why are all my roasting pans full of fudge, how do I make mince meat, should we have turkey and ham or just turkey or just ham, how many pies, and above all how many cans of black olives are going to be required and the day after the big dinner, how many egg noodles do I need to make, what do you mean we need a jello salad, we already have three other salads, I don't care how your mother did it, I am doing it this way - it is always so much fun to watch the stress factor as I sit back and sip a hot egg nog. Stuffin the old bird and popping him into the oven is no big deal, especially when you consider the planning to prepare this dinner:

I really do not care if you are Male, Female, a White Saxton Protestant, Catholic, Black, American Indian, Messican, Jewish Faith, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or any other religion or race, this is my friend. He has been my friend for the past 62 Years, 6 Months and 1 Day, I will be the first in line to defend him, his reputation and the good will that he spreads each year when the world really needs a dose of good will.

For just an instant, stop and think of the millions of people from infants to seniors that he has made happy through the years. Consider the "good will" that he has spread between those who cannot tolerate anyone in their family or workplace, except at Christmas. Bringing happiness and hope to millions of people, but he asks nothing in return, not even the Nobel Peace Prize! Why hasn't he been considered for this coveted award? He has done so much more for mankind than Al Gore!

As I pointed out last year, I still believe in this man! I have seen the good that he does and have seen the eyes of the children light up when they catch sight of him. For those in the United States that are mounting the drive to force businesses into insuring that those Santa's that visit their store are slim, fit, and skinny in order to "set the example" as being healthy. They do not want to see any Santa's with a big tummy! To those that are concerned about a overweight little man driving a sled pulled by reindeer, get a life and visit your local McDonald's and "super size" your Happy Meal.

To those that reside "Down Under" that are suffering from "Imus In The Morning Syndrome" and want to prohibit Santa from saying "HO - HO - HO" so as to not offend any woman of the black race! I am sure these same ladies, being Black also enjoy the good will of Santa Claus and find no offense at his belly laugh. Although, I do not know the origin of the word "Ho" but I am sure Santa was using this term long before it become degrading to the black woman.

To all who want to down play the presence of Santa in our lives and the meaning of Christmas, including our school system, I hope all you get for Christmas is a big "fat" piece of black coal in your stocking and all you hear is the tinkling of little bells in the dark of night and a hearty, HO-HO-HO-HO-HO as he drives out of sight.

HO - HO - HO

In just the few short weeks that I was absent from the community, everything went to hell. Upon my return, I discovered that the Texas Hold'em Tournament was on the verge of going broke. Although, I did get to play and win the first round of the tournament prior to my departure, upon my return I discovered that I was still leading. A strong indicator that either not a lot of action was taking place, poor record keeping, failure to post results, or someone was assuming my identity. I am back into the position of tournament organizer. Kicked off the 1st Round of the Snow Rondi Tournament last night. The Championship Round will be played during the Snow Rondi weekend. When I made an inquiry to the local Chamber of Commerce to determine when the Snow Rondi would be held so I could make up a schedule, the response was it would be the last week of February, perhaps in March but no later than April!

"Cease and Desist" Needing a snail mail stamp, I stopped by the local Post Office, stamps are now forty one (.41) cents each now a days! Just the few short years ago that I was a kid they were only seven cents and those letters went by "Airmail". I am surely glad that I only have to buy one or two stamps a year! However, upon entering the Post Office, I could not help but notice a very large legal form posted on the front door. I had never seen a "Cease and Desist" order before, issued by the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game pertaining to the camping area at Whiskey gulch. Do not know the story behind it, but all structures both permanent and temporary must be removed within 30 days of the dated posting. Guess I had best wander down and take a look to see what is going on.

"Political Correctness" has reared it's ugly head in Anchor Point. I understand that the annual "Halloween Carnival" could not be held this year at the school. The carnival has been a community activity since my little brother went to school (he is pushing 60) in Anchor Point! The project is supported by local businesses and private individuals with no funding coming from the school district, except the use of the gym. Whatever happened to the concept that the school was the center of the community, used for public meetings, social gatherings as well as education. If the kids cannot have a Halloween Carnival, then I guess we had better forget the concept of having anything that resembles Thanksgiving, (I bet they serve taco's for lunch on the last day of school before Thanksgiving) and forget anything that even suggests CHRISTmas, that was abolished several years ago. I refuse to sit on the hard bleaches to hear "Snow Flakes Drifting Down", "Bring In The Winter Clowns" and "Fun In the Snow". Now I will endure the pain of splinters in my butt to hear, "Silent Night", "Little Drummer Boy" or any one of the other thousands of Christmas Classics but don't try to appease me with a program called "Winter Concert". I want to see a little fat man, dressed as Santa passing out candy, a little toothless boy singing "All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" and everyone wishing one another a hardy "Merry Christmas".

In my absence, we have obtained a medical clinic, dentist office, an approval for a Golf Club House which is suppose to serve meals and libations in time. Several separations, a divorce or two and a bunch of DWI's or DUI's.

Have to cut it short, I need to do a little research on "Winter Vacation" plans - I ain't sticking around here!

Having recently made a round trip on the Alcan Highway after a good number of years, I was surprised at several things. I made my first trip over the Alcan Highway in the back of a one ton jeep stock truck. The rack of the truck was covered with a tarp and in the back where my brothers and I rode from Colorado to Homer, Alaska my father had built a set of bunk beds, three high. Two hundred miles per day was a good day on the highway, but come nightfall, all it took was to pull off in the barrow ditch and camp out.


Today, the highway is paved all the way and easily driven at 60 to 80 mph when the roads permit. My biggest disappointment was that though the years, the original highway has been re-aligned to permit faster driving and shorter distance. Throughout the trip, you can see the road bed of the old highway, slowly being overtaken by grass, bushes, and trees. You will not see a single sign commemorating the "old highway" or given the opportunity to drive the original route. It seems our neighbors to the south have forgotten the cost and number of Americans it took to build this historic roadway in order to defend their country and our country to the north of them. The "old" lodges and road houses that I remember as a kid are now gone or reduced to deserted, weathered, wood skeletons.

In those years of long ago, when a "potty break" was required, all one had to do was bang on the truck window, grab a couple pages out of the Sears, Roebuck, and Company catalog and head for the nearest bush.

For the first time in our history, the Canadian dollar is stronger than the American dollar. However, with this modest landfall of unexpected income, the Canadians have utilized the extra cash flow to upgrade their rest areas so potty breaks in the bushes are no longer required.

Always on the outlook for tasty morsels, I have not been back in Alaska long enough to look, however, much to my surprise while cruising the isles of one of a thousand "Wally Worlds" that we saw, I came across an unfamiliar box of "Whoppers". One of my favorites when held tightly in the mouth and then a sip of hot coffee to dissolve it in your mouth. Chocolate, Malt, and coffee, the balance of delicate flavors is overwhelming. What I discovered, and I will be very disappointed if you already know about them but they now come in Strawberry Flavor. It took six boxes of them to establish a "fair and balanced" comparison with and without coffee. The new flavor is good but when taken with coffee, the old fashion Chocolate flavor is far superior. However, the Strawberry is very satisfying!

Today, while shopping for "bird feed" to assist our little feathered friends during this "global warming" period, I came across a second tasty morsel. This one is hot!!!!! Last year in December, I spent a lot of writing skills to fully introduce everyone to the proper methods of enjoying chocolate covered cherries. Again, you may already know but if not, rush to the store and grab a bag today. Hershey, the master of chocolate has developed the "Hershey Kiss Cherry Cordial"! In appearance it looks like the familiar chocolate kiss, but as it melts in your mouth or you bite into it, you are treated to a liquid Cherry Cordial creme. The particular bag I purchased is a 2 pound 6.5 ounce bag, enough to fill both of my candy jars. By this time tomorrow, they will not be available in the Homer area. If you like Chocolate Covered Cherries, there is no way that you will not savor these. You will thank me!

Our trip was completed today at about 2:30 pm., I do have to admit that it was good to see the Old Anchor River Bridge once again, after crossing several hundred bridges on our trip. Arrived in Anchorage yesterday afternoon, shared some good hours with the family and I had a great slumber party with my two oldest granddaughters. Their giggling kept me awake for almost 5 minutes. Slushy snow as we left Anchorage, Turnagain Pass had a little snow but overall the road conditions into Anchor Point was good. As for a review of the trip, It Was Great! We had the opportunity top see some beautiful country, see family and friends that we have not seen in years, and enjoyed some great opportunities to see and do new things. One of my personal highlights was to see where my parents lived as a young couple and visit the resting sites of both sets of my grandparents, two of which I never had the opportunity to meet. Solving the mystery of my Grandfather Henry Philo "Ten" Harrington made the trip well worth the time and effort.

Pulled out of Fort Nelson, B.C. this morning at first light and under light snow flurry weather conditions. Pulled into Whitehorse this evening at 7:15 and 584 miles north of Fort Nelson. Staying in the same motel that we stayed in on our trip south. Total road miles accumulated to date, 11,195.3 miles. After leaving Ft Nelson, about fifty miles up the highway, it had snowed during the night and we drove most of he day on snow packed roads. Seventy miles south of Whitehorse, we finally hit dry pavement again and picked up some lost time.

ELK

This was taken at Toad River, the entire herd was bedded down in the horse pasture, it was then I wished I had a better telephoto lens. It was quite a distance, but I could make out some antlers so there had to be some large bulls.

BUFFALO

We saw so many buffalo again today, this years calves, yearlings, heifers, cows, small bulls and some big bulls. Buffalo everywhere!

MOOSE

We finally saw our first moose on the trip, same area as all the other game. This young bull was skittish, but got a decent shot of him. Quite dark haired compared to the Alaskan Moose.

STONE SHEEP

We saw several bands,herds, flocks, or whatever you want to call them, but this particular group caught my eye because of one big ram, there was perhaps fifteen in this band, mostly ewes with several lambs. I was concentrating on getting a shot of the big Ram, which I did and in my haste to scout out the herd, I had missed seeing the largest ram since he stayed by himself, feeding in a little thicket.

He went behind the ridge one way and I went the opposite, when he came around the corner of the ridge, I was waiting for him, he did not seem to concerned that I had sneaked up on him, he stopped, looked me over and walked away, these shots were taken without a telephoto lens and within 25 feet of each other.

Getting these shots was so exciting, the way he looked at me, those big yellow eyes and he never bolted, just wandered off to gather up his band and then went up the mountain. Terry also captured this on video, the two of us playing tag so I am anxious to see if she caught the entire episode.

Tomorrow, we will have a leisurely drive into Tok Junction for the evening. If all goes as planned with no major hitches, we should pull into Anchorage on Friday afternoon. I believe it is someones birthday, now you know why Grandma has been pushing me to make more miles each day, I think she has become just a touch of homesick!