Week Nine

Cannery and harbor with eagles flying and lining the building.



Waiting for the snow princess.



Week Eight



Seagulls fighting 70mph wind gust and no seagulls were hurt taking this picture.  Just caught him in a twist.




Tiny little gator, ignoring the boat.



Week Seven

Wind rainbow

Snow mermaid

The wind was howling last week gust close to 80 and the sea spray was something to see.  As it caught the light it was making these great rainbows, so I braved the wind and took this picture. 

I don't know who made the snow mermaid but I thought she was pretty darn cute with her sea glass necklace, starfish nose and sea grass skirt.

Week five and six

Stellar Sea Lion diving, notice the cute little nubby tail.



Anchorage street waiting to turn on to the next street, just love the "moose" lights.




My "boys" sitting in the truck waiting for me take a picture and get back in the truck.




Returning the rental car in Anchorage, we went up the one way ramp and here comes the sand truck down the ramp at us.



Week three and four

Sitka Spruce tree wearing a winter coat.



Buddy playing under the Sitka tree.




C-130 in the sun.




Old barn/shed in Alabama



Week Two Photo



This was taken with my IPhone as we left Anchorage and were heading to Kodiak.




Jellyfish at the floatdock.



Santa to the Villages Program

As some of you know I was lucky enough to participate in the Santa to the Villages Program (STV) this past Christmas.  This program has been going for over 30 years.  In the early part of December a USCG helicopter is loaded with presents and stockings filled with little goodies and a apple and a orange.  Hand knitted hats, scarves, and mittens are loaded on a helio along with a few elves and Santa Clause.  These presents are then taken out to remote villages that you can only get to by flying or by boat.The Spouses Association runs this program, but we would not be able to do it without the help of so many people from all over the United Sates.  Many women knit scarves, gloves, and hats for the children.  Books are collected and donated and the spouses have a auction every year to raise funds to buy presents and fruits to give out.  There is months of prep work for this program.  And it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.  To fly over a village and see so many children waiting out in the cold and sometimes snow, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa is incredible.  To watch them charge to Santa with these great big smiles, squealing with excitement could melt the Grinch's cold heart. They get the most joy out of getting a present and the fruit and picking out the knit ware and books.  I love this program with or without riding a helio.  I hope to participate in this program for a very long time.