Comments by CocoaBeach
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Posted on November 10 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1948, I am familiar with many of the works of Robert Service; literally from my father’s knee. Dad memorized Robert Service poetry for the fun of it, and would recite “The Shooting of Dan McGrew”, “The Cremation of Sam McGee” and others, from first line to last, upon the least provocation. As far as 100 year old northern literature goes, though, I’m more of a Jack London guy myself. I’ve long thought that “To Build A Fire” can’t be beat for a good book to curl up with near a crackling wood stove when the thermometer has dropped off the bottom side of 50 below.
I vote with you; winter is the best season – and March is the best month of the winter. Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on November 7 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1948, although we have more than a few interesting ArcticCammers, you are one of the few that can make me homesick. I spend a lot of time tromping around Florida these days, which has its' own delights, but your tromping report reminds me of why I am going back to Alaska when I'm no longer needed here - thank you. Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on November 3 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I, too, am really looking forward to getting up early tomorrow to cast my vote. I have voted as a registered independent in every election held since I registered for the draft lo these many years ago; in this election my vote will go to Senator Obama. I think he and Senator McCain are both honorable men, and both are trying to serve our country to the best of their ability. I will support whoever wins, and I recognize that the tasks the winner will face are monumental. Both candidates have their flaws, as don't we all. I don't think either is speaking the unvarnished truth to us, and in my opinion they both could have chosen better when they named their running mates. I am voting for Senator Obama simply because I believe that he has a better vision for addressing our problems, and I think he is a more reflective and skilled task manager. I would be proud to support John McCain should he win, but I believe Barack Hussein Obama will be a great president, and I am proudly supporting him with my vote by morning's light tomorrow.
Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on October 12 at 5:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Warm autumn greetings to all in the ArcticCam community! Many in our community have expressed political opinions on this site, and many have also expressed their preference that politics not be brought to the table in this particular venue. I want to commend the News-Miner, first of all, for providing us with this free forum, and also, not less importantly, for keeping a light touch with the censorship button. I believe that the overriding reason that this forum is more pleasant to read than many is that for the most part we in the ArcticCam community treat each other with respect. I enjoy reading what any ArcticCam community member has to say on any topic as long as the contribution is made with both self respect and respect for those whose opinion may differ. People that do not contribute with respect for themselves or others have no power to get me upset, and it bothers me not at all when writing reflects poorly on the writer. I, for one, would like to propose that we continue to allow anyone to express themselves on any topic, even political ones, within the bounds of good taste and mutual respect. When opinions expressed are well written and cogent, so much the better. When the inevitable ignorati do post here, we decline to give them the power to upset us, decline to react to them, and continue to model the respectful discourse and discussion we desire. We all have our own reasons for wanting to be part of this ArcticCam community, and mostly we like reading contributions that are Alaska oriented. There is nothing wrong with that, but I for one find the entire spectrum of the world contributions entertaining, and at times even interesting. I think our discussions need only be limited by good taste and respect, not topic.
Wildsteelhead, would you consider “fulgent”? I came across this word a few weeks ago, and have been on the lookout for ways to use it ever since. It seems apt for adding to your list of alternatives.
Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on August 31 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Flapalms, it is true that the tree line stops both above the higher elevations and the high latitudes north of the Brooks range, but that does not mean that there are no seasonal color changes to be appreciated. Alpine and arctic tundra each take on gorgeous fall colors, so if you have the time and the means and the inclination to experience the Alaskan fall, the vast vistas north of the Brooks should not be written off solely for lack of trees. Everyone's tastes are different, but personally I have found the arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems to be visually stunning on both the macroscopic and microscopic scales, especially in their fall colors. Since your question was about the fall color change timing, it would not occur to me to limit my answer to the changes that happen below the tree line.
Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on August 30 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On second thought, let me amend "Brooks Range" to "south side of the Brooks Range". If memory serves, the north side of the Brooks will likely be past the peak of the fall colors by now. Also, the next few weeks are the peak of hunting season, so the unpaved roads like the Denali Highway will be seeing more traffic than at any other time of year. That's OK, though; you'll laugh at what "more traffic" in Alaska looks like, and if you drive slowly and carefully you'll have no troubles. Again, regards to all!
Posted on August 30 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flapalms, the fall colors started their turn in Alaska over the past two or three weeks, but progress through Alaska at different rates depending on where you are. Generally speaking, the fall colors start earlier, peak, and end sooner as you go north in latitude and/or higher in elevation. It also changes somewhat from year to year. If you want to see fall colors peaking on Labor Day in Alaska I recommend touring up in the Brooks Range, Denali Park or the Denali Highway. Fairbanks and the Tanana valley will peak and then start to fade in the next two weeks. By the end of September most deciduous leaves will have turned brown and dropped, and the snow that won't melt until April may be starting to accumulate in even the lowest elevations of the Interior. Fall will peak in SouthCentral Alaska (Susitna/Chulitna drainage/Anchorage bowl) a week or two after the Interior. If you are planning to be in Alaska at this time next year, be flexible about your itinerary, be free and able to move about the country, and I promise you will see the fall in full magnificence.
Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on August 23 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for keeping us in mind, KingFisher907. We're a little soggy here on the salty side of the sandbar, but none the worse for wear. We battened down the hatches and judged it safe enough to stay in our ringside seat for one of nature's entertainments; a strong tropical storm.
You will be in my thoughts, as well; your hunting plans sound awesome. Are you strictly hunting moose, or do you plan to harvest other game if the opportunity presents itself? May you and all the hunters in the woods for the next few weeks have dry feet and a breeze in your faces.
Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
Posted on August 14 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Luvpopcorn, if you want to maximize your experience with darkness in Fairbanks, then you'll want to visit the last two weeks of December; the probability of severely cold air temps is good then as well. My recommendation would be to visit during the ice carving championships; in 2009 between 24 February and 22 March. Although by the end of March the daylength has increased back to nearly equal nightime, it is still plenty dark enough that there is a good probability for quality aurora viewing as well. The probability of severe cold (-40 or lower) is significantly lower in March, but it will probably be cold enough for you to get a taste of subzero air. This is when Alaskans conduct the premier sled dog races as well. March is my favorite month of the year in Alaska because the equal day/night length allows for plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures to play in the snow, and plenty of dark hours for night sky viewing.
Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
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Posted on November 16 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to add my voice in support of Harriet in choosing, for her own reasons, to type using all caps. Harriet, that is your choice, and I respect that choice. At the same time, however, I also would like to recognize that avid_guy (and others) are not being unreasonable or disrespectful in pointing out that what you do is considered to be a form of shouting. This is not a new, “nettiquete” rule; this is what we were all taught when we learned to write. If you choose to shout your contributions to this site, and others choose to shout in your support, I respect your choices. Please accept, though, that other people are not being unreasonable when they ask why you are doing this, even if some could be more diplomatic about it. Some, perhaps, may just be trolling for starting up an argument, but I have found that if I treat them with respect, or just ignore them, they eventually seek entertainment elsewhere. One of the things that many in our ArcticCam community enjoy about this site is that for the most part we treat each other with respect. I agree with those who point out that this site can also be relentlessly banal at times, but perhaps it is the old goldpanner in me that enjoys sifting through the dross for the anticipated flash of color. Sometimes there are nuggets to be found, even the occasional pearl! I would like to thank Rose for posting the News-Miner site etiquette; I hope that all posting here are asking themselves if they are showing respect for our site host by self complying with the site rules; particularly those who are misusing the site as a free Web advertising service.
All of which leads me to ask, Harriet, if you are in fact the author of the disrespectful private nastygram that avid_guy received and posted on our site. If so, I believe that you owe avid_guy an apology. If not, then I, for one, would like to hear it from you. Regards to all in the ArcticCam community!
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