A Few Random Pictures

Our daughters loaded up the hatchback and drove to Denali National Park over the weekend. Since Alaska has few, if any, tourists this year (mandatory 14-day quarantine periods, airline and cruise ship shutdowns ... it all did the trick), the locals are swarming the summertime-only attractions. We normally can't get near them because of the hordes of tourists. 

This year, not so much, to the point that many of the roadside businesses have yet to reopen. And the campgrounds, usually awash with RVs, are busy only on the weekends.

So off they went, and had a great time. 

the Savage River

Click to enlarge - there are a couple of caribou
under the bridge, center frame

Home sweet home

Denali in the distance

Denali, one more time - all 20,320+ feet of it

Yuck

There's a rather vicious variety of the creeping crud-slash-head cold making its way through the population of southcentral AK. It seems I have it, this morning.

We got another five six inches of snow overnight, with more on the way. That puts us a few inches above seasonal normal, for the first time in four winters. Most of that is because we've received nearly three feet of snow, this month.

Strangely enough, I don't feel much like running the snowblower today. But it'll have to get done. Both daughters, who have done the plowing/clearing/shoveling for the last two weekends, will be out all day. Younger Daughter is working two jobs, and won't get off from the second one until midnight, and Older Daughter is attending the mid-winter refresher course for Appleseed instructors.

But the chores were done early, along with most of the weekend shopping, so my bride and I don't really have anything major on the agenda. Come to think of it, that's rather nice.

Celebrating the Holidays in Our New Home

After a sumptuous lunch yesterday, the girls launched their annual Christmas decorating. I helped Older Daughter erect the new tree (goes with the new house, don'tcha know), and then got the heck out of the way.

:)

I believe they did a good job. :)

You knew this one was mine ... didn't you?

Trees and Fish

Over the weekend, we shopped for new end tables. The ones we found have dual 120-volt receptacles and two USB ports on each one. I thought that was pretty cool.

Tonight after work, I met with the owner of a local tree-trimming service to discuss the removal of a tree which leans across - and over - the neighbor's fence, at a 45 degree angle. They will take the tree, after securing it to its neighbors, down to a flat stump in the yard, for the low, low price of $500.

Ouch.

We'll be getting a second estimate, of course, but I'm not really surprised by the cost. Things cost a lot, up here.

* * * * *

Our daughters will be participating in a private fishing expedition next week, so tonight they're trying on hip-waders. It's all new to them, but they'll be with experienced folk, and the boat is normally a charter vessel. But this time, it's a private "friends and family" expedition. They'll be on a river up in the mountains well north of here, and should have a great time.


So now you know where the post title came from. Bet it made you wonder, eh?

Batching It

So my wife and younger daughter made it to Hawaii last night, after a delay of several hours in getting the flight off the ground here. Not sure why, but stuff happens.

Anyway, they'll be waking in Honolulu this morning, which isn't surprising. After all, that's where they went to sleep last night.

And I, weary traveler, plod along here in Anchorage. Nah, that's too dramatic.

Let's just say I can't remember the last time I was alone in the house for more than a long afternoon. In this case, I won't see them again until the end of the month. Before they return home, Older Daughter and I will be winging southeastward to FOB Ozarks.

So all is good. I think. :)

The Day That Was

We woke to a frosty morning, but the rising sun soon put an end to that. It's currently 44°, and tomorrow looks like a re-run.

The wife and I did our usual Saturday shopping run; no particular excitement there, although we did notice an unusual number of pickups with covered loads in their beds. I have no idea what that's about.

After a lunch of pasta and home-made sauce, smothered in parmesan (yum!), I taught Older Daughter how to change her to set the gap for new spark plugs, and to install them. I provided a couple of tools she needed, and some pointers along the way (that's what dads are for, of course!), but she did the work.

And now I can smell the chicken vegetable soup simmering on the stove, and both daughters are visiting, so I should get back to the group.

Thanks for stopping by, friends.

Busy, Busy, Busy

We got a thin layer of light, fluffy snow on top of the small amount that's already here, which makes me happy. Anchorage is nearly two feet shy of the snow that normally falls at this point in the winter.

All the presents we've purchased are under the tree, more or less. So that's one less thing to think about.

Gasoline has dropped to $3.04/gallon; with a 10-cent discount (affiliated with a grocery store), the $2.94 I paid yesterday was the lowest it's been here in ... what? Two years? Three? I can't recall.

Meanwhile, there's a lot going on: weekend chores, grocery shopping (some holiday meals coming up, don'tcha know), laundry, cleaning ...

We're trying to take care of all the things that drive my wife nuts on Christmas Eve, so that she can relax and concentrate on things she wants to do - like fixing the Christmas side dishes.

Younger Daughter the Pastry Chef has offered to prepare the meat and desserts.

Older Daughter got in on the act last night. It seems there was a candy mold in the pharmacy lab where she works as a compounding technician, for preparing certain meds as lollipops for kids. It's never been used, and probably won't ever be.

So, with her supervisor's permission, it mysteriously wound up in her kitchen last night (heh), wherein she made strawberry-and-rum flavored lollipops.

Yum!

Meanwhile, my Christmas present from my lovely, thoughtful bride was just shipped this morning, and will be here between Dec. 29 and Jan. 5 ... or so says Amazon.

I'm okay with that. It's a thing I've been wanting for over 35 years, and can finally afford to afford it. There's always been something we needed first, or some lean years when I wouldn't even allow myself to think about it. But now we can, so ... pictures will be forthcoming, once it arrives. :)

Light Posting for the Next Couple of Days

Our daughters begin moving out this afternoon, and we'll be assisting with the moving of boxes and furniture.

It will be strange to have our place to ourselves, thereafter; we've been parents for nearly 25 years. But you know what? It's time.

And we're all ready for the change. :)

At this point, I'm obligated to tell you that neither my wife nor I have grey hair, and - my wife insists! - we aren't old.

We Raised 'Em Right

I know the posts of late have been skimpy, and for that I apologize to all y'all. Stuff happens, but you have to do what needs to be done - and sometimes that involves not blogging much.

Younger Daughter's birthday has been a nice one, by all accounts. She received some things from us of which she heartily approved, and got her driver's license upgraded from "provisional" to the regular kind ... you know, the adult version.

She also registered to vote (she elected "Independent" ... told you we raised 'em right!) and is currently meeting with her trainer at the gym.

* * * * *

Older Daughter is preparing her meals for this weekend's Appleseed shoot. For new readers, she's an instructor-in-training, and has most recently served as Line Boss.

Since her birthday is in two weeks, I spent some time finding out what she'd like this year (she'll be 24). Her answer involved the name "Spyderco", which makes things simple.

Told you we raised 'em right!

A Day at the Range, Part 2

A couple more pix, and a brief story.

Younger daughter with the AK

Younger daughter with my Weatherby

My wife did what she usually does: make everybody else look like they're running in slow motion.

She last used a rifle in the late '80s, as best we can recall. Then, her brother & I were striving mightily to find the point of aim on a couple of uncooperative revolvers. She picked up each one & blew the center out of the targets, and then walked away.

Yesterday, she picked up Younger daughter's .22, and produced golf-ball-sized patterns. At 25 yards ... while shooting off-hand, standing.

Grumblemumblegrumblemumblegrumblemumble

My best at 100 yards (with the .270 Win) was a 3/4" grouping, about 7/8" off-center to the right. Shortly after that, the patterns started opening back up again, so I called it  a day. That's what I get for not shooting since last October.

Need practice.

A Day at the Range, in Pictures

My wife & daughters accompanied me to the range yesterday.

Savage, Mosin-Nagant, and Marlin

Younger daughter with the Savage

Classics

Older daughter with her Nagant

Me with the M1

A few more pics to follow.

After-Range Report

Daughters & I drove up to Birchwood Range this morning, just before sunrise ... meaning a half-hour to 45 minutes before the sun would actually be visible from behind the mountains to the east.

That range was cold. There was hoarfrost on the ground about 3/8" thick, and my fingers were numb almost immediately. Warming them back up in my pockets did the trick, though, and by then my Alaskan metabolism was cranking, so they never got that cold again.

One minor injury to report: the caps on my scope's adjustment knobs were tight; needed to use pliers ... gently, gently ... to loosen them. The first one came off without a hitch, but the second one was a bit tighter. I managed to pinch the ball of my thumb in the pliers, and removed a chunk of skin.

It was so cold that I didn't feel it at first, but did notice some small spots of blood transfer on my first two fingers, and then on the scope cover. See? That cold air does provide some help for things ... like slowing blood loss.

I blotted the area while Mel opened a bandaid for me, and then we got on with the fun.

Mel's new .30-06 is a joy to shoot, and feels much like my .270 in terms of handling and recoil. No surprise there, I know.

The owner's manual claimed the scope was bore-sighted at the factory, but I don't believe it. It shot 4.5 inches low and two inches to the left, at 100 yrds. Mel's not a novice shooter anymore (just new to this rifle) so she adjusted things properly. By the end, she was shooting 1.25" groups at 50 yards.

Mine needed to be raised just a bit. The last time out, it was shooting more-or-less dead on 100 yards, so I raised it 5 clicks to be on at 200.

Due to the cold, Sam packed it in first, and got back in the car. By that time, my 1+" groups had opened up to 2+", so I decided we would call it a day. In another month, we'll be used to these temps, but the first time is always a bit of a struggle.

It makes me so proud to go to the range with my two daughters on the line beside me. You other dads out there will know what I mean.

AAR: Birchwood Recreation & Shooting Park

The girls & I loaded range bags, rifles, pistols, ammo, spotting scopes and targets in the truck, and headed north to Birchwood. After a short stop to purchase food & water for later, that is. Birchwood is a small community in the woods, between the Glen Highway & Knik Arm, with a large private airport and the Park, about 40 miles north of our house. (I didn't get any good pictures, but their website features a lot of good ones.)

The office staff was quite friendly and helpful, and the manager recognized both daughters right away.

There are eight (count 'em, eight) ranges for centerfire & rimfire weapons, and a very large shotgun/skeet/sporting clays area as well. Six of the ranges accommodate centerfire rifles, five can handle rifles, rimfire, muzzleloaders and handguns, and one of the rifle ranges goes to 300 yards. That's refreshing after the Wet Bunny Range which only has a 100-yard facility.

Daughters, setting up

The longer-distance ranges were in use for some three-gun matches and a couple of other things, so we wound up at one of the 50-yard facilities, useful for rimfire rifles of all types and handguns.

Melanie bore-sighted Samantha's new rifle to get the first shots on the paper, and they worked together for a few minutes to finish adjusting the scope. Within moments, Sam was once more shooting the centers out of the targets, as she usually does.

Mel, of course, went about her business like she normally does: quiet, determined, and very very competent. The two of them are just about evenly matched on the rifles ... they hit what they aim at, and that's the best anyone can say about a shooter.

I decided not to bother with the .270, and opted for my .22 rifle & 1911 instead. My first try at 25 yards was with a Marlin .22 and peep sights, using Appleseed's 200-400 yard qualification targets. I had three or more hits each inside the 200-, 300-, and 400-yard targets.

It was awfully nice to do that while my daughters were present to see their dad do that well with open sights, since they both have scopes.  :) In my case, I can hit whatever I can see ... and unfortunately that's not as much as I could a few years ago. Aging eyes are no joke, but I did okay, today.

However, moving to the .45 was sobering, to say the least; the first three magazines resulted in holes all over the paper. I knew I'd be rusty, but didn't realize it would be THAT bad.

It was.

All the old, bad habits I worked so hard to overcome (jerking the trigger and dipping the muzzle in anticipation of recoil are the two main offenders) were back, and I had to really bear down and focus.

So, honesty time: my initial spread was nearly a foot. Ouch. I paid attention to all the things I should: breath control, proper stance, trigger control, focusing on the front sight, etc. By the end, I was keeping them in about 4.5 inches. Not good, but a lot better than when I started.

Need more practice; Samantha says I'm taking her back there again, next weekend. That's probably a good thing. 

A Change of Plans

I admit it: I wimped out. Didn't go to the Wet Bunny range as planned, but then it seems my daughters didn't either. They headed 40 miles up the highway to the Birchwood Range (a much nicer facility with longer rifle distances & more options, but also more expensive).

But after the morning workout, and then stops at several stores on the way home, I let the falling rain dampen* my enthusiasm for standing in it & trying to put holes in wet paper.

But we managed to find some real deals on things the girls have requested for birthdays (both are October babies) and Christmas. One, I got for half what I thought I'd have to spend, and well below retail. Can't say what it is, for now, since they both read this blog.  Sorry, Mel, you'll just have to wait and see.

Heh.

But it's turning out to be a good day, just the same. Heard from a good friend, and my wife is fixing a pot roast for tonight, and her award-winning chili for the upcoming week.

There will be some interesting - and tantalizing - aromas around here, this afternoon.


* Yeah, yeah, I know. Pun intended. :^)

Guess I Brought 'em Up Right

Both daughters have asked for rifles for their birthdays, next month.

Proud papa here. :)

Range Day

Daughters & I are off to the range, later this morning. Both will be practicing for the Appleseed shoot in August, and both want to try my hunting rifle.

Stay tuned for the after-action report.

Harbingers

No, not the Earl kind. And before I forget, Happy Mother's Day! to all the moms out there. A harder job, I cannot imagine, and you do it so well.


We got nearly ten hours' sleep last night, and feel more-or-less normal again (well, as "normal" as I ever get, anyway).

The lingering snow drifts/berms that were scattered around the neighborhood are now mostly gone, and there's a green haze in the deciduous trees where buds and/or small leaves are coming out. The grass is greening, too.

Temps here were in the 40s while we were away, along with clouds and rain showers, but it's to be in the mid-50s today. AccuHunch has even gone out on a budding limb to predict low 60s by mid-week, with a return of the sun. I freely admit that the mid-70s and abundant sunshine in Missouri were easy to take, last week.

My daughters want to go see The Avengers movie today, but this day is about Mom, so I'm thinking the movie must wait. Besides, I've spent enough time surrounded by crowds of strangers over the last 10 days. If that confuses you, think airplanes.

Younger Daughter's official graduation ceremony is next Sunday at 4:00 pm. Pardon me if I'm repeating myself, but we've recently been informed that she's at the head of her class. And did this proud dad mention that she's only 16?

Older Daughter continues working five and six days/week at the pharmacy, and is looking forward to getting her driver's license this month. She's 22, but has been working within three blocks of home since she was 16, so there hasn't been much need urgency about a license. But with both girls now out of school, they're discussing future living arrangements, and have decided it might be nice to get an apartment together, one of these days.

Range Day: AAR

Both daughters went to the range again this morning, with more ammo (they ran out, last week, after going through the 400 rounds of .22 they'd taken).

When they got home, I showed Younger Daughter how to clean the .22 she used. At the end, she said, "You know, Dad, I think I'm ready to try something bigger. Would you teach me to shoot your other rifle, next time?"

It's a Weatherby Vanguard in .270 Win, and you know what? I don't mind one bit. I've been needing to take it there, anyway. :)

Another Busy Day

A new tenant's suite begins undergoing extensive renovations today, contractors all want some of my time ... the fire alarm panel must be disconnected or otherwise disabled, and I'm the only one with the access codes ...

The phone's been ringing off the hook, and we had a brief (4 minutes) power outage yesterday that seems to have scrambled parts of the electronic brains controlling the HVAC for the building. More contractors must be brought in to manually re-balance zone valves, dampers, fan speeds ...

And amid all the hubbub and confusion, I ran my older daughter over to DMV to get her instructional permit, to practice driving the 'new' li'l car we got for her.

Meanwhile, our younger daughter aced another test (leaving one to go) to help qualify for a "Governor's Scholarship" program at her chosen cooking school next fall.

You know, we've been running pretty hard since returning from vacation a month ago. It really wasn't this busy before we left. Maybe we shouldn't have gone ...?

WHAT AM I SAYING??

Range Report

Younger, Dad, Older from left to right

This won't be a long post, but it's a good one. Older daughter Melanie & I bought matching .22 rifles, just for fun, and took 'em to the range for sighting-in, and then a bit o' practice.

Both shot low and to the right, out of the box, but those are easy things to correct. After 10 shots, each were putting shots where we wanted. Well, more or less, considering inexpensive iron sights, but still.

Mel's proved to be quite finicky, with frequent failures to eject, along with a couple of misfires. Mine had a few FTEs, as well, but no light strikes. I had oiled the slides on both of the semi-auto plinkers, but clearly it was not enough. Jenny, who came along for the fun, had some Remington gun oil in her range kit which worked wonders. Mel's had only one additional FTE thereafter, and mine worked flawlessly.

We had ammo from Federal, Remington*, and CCI; my rifle ate whatever I put in it, but Mel's didn't like anything but the Federal "Champion" ammo.

Younger daughter Sam was the star of the show, though. Using Jenny's .scoped 22 and shooting off-hand with the CCI mini-mags, she put 10 shots into a cluster only 1 3/4" across at 50 yards.

I haven't shot this well without a shooting rest since moving to bifocals two decades ago. (grumble, grumble)

* One note: the Remington ammo was very inconsistent. Some rounds fired without much more sound than someone snapping their fingers, and others produced a louder report and sharper recoil. As you'd expect, the accuracy was horrible. Now I know why it was the least expensive option at the store.