Sunday, June 30, 2013

the first few in Alaska

Greetings from Kennecott, AK!
I'm having a day off and catching up with the technological and consumer parts of reality that I gladly enjoy a break from here, for the most part!  This post will mostly contain photos from the last 2.5 weeks and a bit of explanation, I have very limited electric and internet access here so, I will make it brief.  The "pizza bus" formally known as Tailor Made Pizza 2 is doing quite well, the introduction of espresso and Stacie's new menu items have really taken off and we are enjoying a busy summer thus far, the business really picks up from July 4th through August, so we are just ramping up to the true business we are looking forward to in the next 2 months!
We have been experiencing quite a heat wave and draught since I arrived, fires are prevalent in the park and we are ever hopeful for rain.  My friend, Ricky from the south pole and his mother are here now for a few days visiting and exploring the glacier and mine, they are the first people I've been able to share my great cabin with, I feel selfish at times because my cabin and surroundings certainly warrant enjoyment by as many people as possible!
Here we go...
on the Glenn Hwy on the way in from Anchorage

Matanuska Glacier

on the road, just outside of Glennallen, heading toward the Wrangells!

looking north on the Copper River, the home of the famous Copper River Red King Salmon!

looking south on the Copper River, crossing the bridge that begins the 60 mile McCarthy dirt road, touted as "the worst road in Alaska", although it wasn't so bad this time!

the Kuskalana rail trestle

northern view from the Kuskalana trestle

southern view from the trestle, it is customary to collect a massive rock before crossing the bridge and stop just in the middle and throw it off.... 

Donahoe and Stairway Icefall

Kennecott River

the museum, the CR & NW railroad, nicknamed the "Can't Run & Never Will"

The PIZZA BUS!

the espresso machine, our baby!

view of Kennecott glacier and Mt. Blackburn from our dining area

PIZZA!

the mine with Donahoe peak in the background

the hospital and National creek

down bridge side of National creek, notice the mining debris (trash)

the ammonia leeching plant

the conveyor bringing copper to the leeching plant from the mill building

the 14 story mill building

one of the remnants of the old tram system leading up to the mines

the power plant

inside the power plant

inside the refurbished power plant, one of the NPS projects here

inside the power plant

view of Kennecott from the glacier

Mt. Blackburn to the left, Donahoe in the middle and Stairway Icefall on the right

bluebells

wild roses with my cabin in the background

my cabin and bluebells

the out house

truly one of the most pleasurable out houses i've ever visited!

view of the glacier form the out house!

the shower and sauna house

the deck, over looking the glacier and Fireweed mountain

full moon on solstice

I hope you all enjoy these photos and I will get some more shots and stories up soon!
Until then, I wish you all a wonderfull day,
take care,
karen grace