Last Day In AK

I had to make a stop before I left Alaska at one of the "Shoe Box Starbucks". They have these little sheds allover and you can grab espressos, lattes, etc. The prices were way better than Starbucks.

Interesting meeting. We flew from Pittsburgh to Salt Lake with these guys. We were bumming around Anchorage and I recognized them. They were from Irwin and Jeanette Pa. They were not even going to be on the return flights with us, but were flying out the same night. Julie wishes I would remember other "more important" things. LOL!

We went to the docks and watched them unload these containers off of ships with cranes and then load them on railroad cars with this machine.

Alaska Wild Berry Place

20' waterfall of 3,500lbs of real melted chocolate. Julie wanted to jump in.

Two moose that had gotten their racks stuck and died.

Taking a ride on a polar bear. Yep I did!

Before we left we got to meet Benny Durrs brother Robert and his wife.

They pastor the Pilgrim Nazarene Church in Anchorage.

Another moose just before we got to the airport.

My buddy Nick

After a super snail slow TSA checkpoint in which I wrote them and compained...

We flew home!!!!!

My Last and Successful Fishing Trip - Knik River

Notice a difference in the top of the mountain from 1 day to the next?

This was taken the day before.

We set back out for a couple of hours Thursday morning before we had to head into Anchorage for a few sightseeing stops and then to the airport to fly home. I was hoping I would catch at least one fish before I left.

Termination snow

A clearer picture of the glacier that we were fishing across from.

My Catch - a small stick.

I actually caught one, but never landed it...it got away before I could say Jack Robinson Crusoe!

Whittier and Prince William Sound

Driving along the Seward Highway towards Portage and Whittier.

Mini Glacier Icebergs in the water

Notice the blue tint to the super compressed ice. Almost all glacier travelers have stared with awe into the brilliant blue depths of an open crevasse. The bright white snow of the surface is a marked contrast to the deep rich blue inside a glacier. But why is ice blue? Snow is white because full spectrum, or white, light is scattered and reflected at the boundary between ice and air. The white color of bubbles at the top of a dark beer work the same way—small pockets of air reflect and scatter visible light. Ice only appears blue when it is sufficiently consolidated that bubbles do not interfere with the passage of light. Without the scattering effect of air bubbles, light can penetrate ice undisturbed. In ice, the absorption of light at the red end of the spectrum is six times greater than at the blue end. Thus the deeper light energy travels, the more photons from the red end of the spectrum it loses along the way. Two meters into the glacier, most of the reds are dead. A lack of reflected red wavelengths produces the color blue in the human eye. Now you know the rest of the story.

Waiting for our turn to enter the tunnel to Whittier. It runs trains, and vehicles both direction in the same narrow tunnel. There is a time schedule to keep and we missed it by 1 minute and had to wait another half hour to get back out.
The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel (often referred to simply as the Whittier Tunnel) is a tunnel through Maynard Mountain in the U.S. state of Alaska. It links the Seward Highway south of Anchorage with the relatively isolated community of Whittier. It is part of the Portage Glacier Highway and at 13,300 feet (4,050 m), is the second longest highway tunnel and longest combined rail and highway tunnel in North America. The original tunnel was completed in 1943 and used for railroad traffic. In the mid-1960s, the Alaska Railroad began offering a shuttle service for automobiles, similar to Amtrak's Auto Train, which allowed vehicles to drive on to rail cars to be transported between Whittier and the former town of Portage. As traffic to Whittier increased, the shuttle became insufficient, leading in the 1990s to a project to convert the existing railroad tunnel into a one-lane, combination highway and railroad tunnel. Construction on this project began in September 1998, and the combined tunnel was opened to traffic on June 7, 2000. As eastbound traffic, westbound traffic, and the Alaska Railroad must share the tunnel, there are often waits of 20 minutes or more to enter. As reflected on the Alaska Department of Transportation Tunnel Website, it is now considered "North America's longest railroad-highway tunnel." The tunnel held the title of the longest road tunnel in North America (at nearly 2.5 miles [4 km]) until completion of the 3.5 mile (5.6km) Interstate 93 tunnel as part of the "Big Dig" project in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a 2001 recipient of an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. The tunnel is named after Anton Anderson, an army engineer who in 1941 headed up the construction of the railroad spur from Whittier to Portage




There is not much above than just the rock they carved the longest tunnel in North America through.

The old army barracks when the town was a bustling cold water port during World War II.

The building now stands in ruins. Somebody was busy with their sling shot.

The only housing in Whittier - A 15 story housing high rise building.

The Whittier Zoo. One animal - a reindeer.

The halibut I wish I had caught.

A cruise ship loading up with thousands of people.

Fishing at Bird Creek / Whittier /Prince William Sound

Warren catching up on email...

Warren's mom Linda was the official babysitter for a couple of days.

An immature bald eagle.

Warren and I (former partners in crime) at the edge of a precipice overlooking the Matanuska River. Who would have ever thought that two guys in college rooming across the hall from each other would end up in the state of Alaska on the banks of the mighty Matanuska.

Carla a.k.a. Miss Hetrick with Cameron peaking over the seat.

An behind me is my beautiful companion.

A moose and her young munching weeds by Lowes.

In Alaska you do not refill your drink you renew them.

Since they were hosting us for a couple of days we took them to Golden Corral.

Kenai Peninsula across Turnagain Arm

We went fishing at Bird creek.



A bald eagle up on the mountain.

I am not sure what I was laughing at other than the fact I about fell into the river.

1st Fishing trip in Alaska

We arrived at Warren and Carla Hill's place about 5:00 Tuesday evening. We had supper and then we went down to the Knik River right near where Jim Creek joins it to fish for silver salmon.

Warren getting his gear.
Matanuska River

Knik River

Silver Salmon

Warren waiting for a bite.
You can barely make out the glacier across the river.

Denali

We headed from Fairbanks through Denali National Park on our way to Anchorage. The view was amazing. You could see for miles - my guess 40-50 miles.

Nenana the port where the barges load up with containers headed down the Tanana River and eventually the Yukon River.

Typical scene - Gas station, lodge, and restaurant.

Fish wheel used to catch fish.

I took a picture of this cool pickup for Kenton and Vincent.

This is what happens when you step into a bear trap and the wolves eat you.

World record Polar Bear.

A very cool iron. Fill it up with fuel, pump it up and iron away.

Everywhere we would see this wood with huge knots and bulges.


The sign says it all.

The meals here are very good and start around $25.00.

Julie was always ready for a new Pizza joint. This picture is the view we had of what the sign said we should be able to see. It was so cloudy that Mount McKinley was not visable. Because of the formation of the mountains it causes a natural rain in this area making it almost impossible to see. On average it is visable from this point 26 days out of the year.

We ate lunch at this little restaurant near Trapper Creek. It had great food! We will eat there again the next time through.

If Your Head is Stupid...#25657

View this and tell me that if he would have used his head and submitted that he would not have had to suffer for it. It is simple... a cop tells you to give him your hand so he can cuff you...give him your hand or eventually you will. The cop might have used excessive force, but then again he may have just been a little annoyed at the resistance and lack of respect to an officer.

http://video.wnbc.com/player/?id=280833

North Pole Missionary Chapel

Here is one of the most beautiful Churches I have had the privilege of being in.

The Newton's helped to cover over my singing attempt with their melodious voices.

It was great to be with the Newtons. They know how to joke around and have fun.

With my help...Duane cooked up some Halibut - DELICIOUS!! Every time he dumped a batch out of the fryer it was my job to salt them sample a couple to make sure they were okay and then cover each layer with a paper towel. WOW it was good!! ...and I don't even like fish.

Gwen cooked up a moose roast and the gravy from it was absolutely delicious. I want to go back just to have another meal .

Jason and Tammy Dodson were also there at our evening with the Newtons.

Some of Duane's handiwork. They sure are fortunate to have him as pastor. He does allot around the church and parsonage. A great servant leader which is the model of Christ.

Another moose. I snapped this picture near the Army Base - Fort Wainwright. I went along with Duane to load up some lumber material for Andy Bryan. Andy is working along the Yukon in a school remodeling project. The material gets shipped by barge down the Tanana River and then down the Yukon to St. Mary's where they are working. I hear Daryl Quessenberry is learning how to build under Andy's guidance this summer. Hopefully by the time the summer is over he will know how to cut a board and nail it into place.

The native chapel in Fairbanks.

Far North Christian School.

Some hitchhiker that my wife picked up. She cleaned up real well after some soap and hot water. We prayed with her and just hope that the seed of the gospel will have sprouted in her heart. PS. Thanks Tracey for letting us stay at your house a couple of days.

This is what she thought of our visit.

Sunday night Kevin and Peggy Taylor came over for a visit. Kevin had made up the richest chocolate ice cream ever. It was good!

The light poles in North Pole.

Proof we were in Santa Clauses House.

Camp Reflections Part 2

Bro. Betters after working all day on a septic problem at the church up the road. The girls were staying each night in a community church.

The ladies that prepared our food. (l. to r.) Judy Thomas, Julia Gurnee, Mary Deal, Jill Ridenour, A stranger that showed up to camp when it was almost over, and Elayne Hartman. (Sorry Tracey - couldn't resist.)

Gwen Newton practicing for the Talent Show.

The Boy's Shower that Joe Clark built.

My wife wrapped in a blanket at church.

Inside the Tabernacle/Barn/Airplane Hangar
Janan Hunt playing a special.

The infamous MacGyver of the Far North aka Joe Clark.

Enjoying preaching in the 45-65 degree barn.

On the last day after seeing glimpses of bears crossing all week a nice cinnamon phase black bear made an appearance. I was able to get some video if it as well.

Last but not least... a very cool trailer that hauled the youth around.

Sunday afternoon we headed to North Pole to preach at the Missionary Chapel. We saw this beautiful log cabin across a small lake called Birch Lake.

Eielson Air Force Base - with a group of C-130's that are stationed there.

Stone Houses - Dot Lake Alaska

Before leaving for Alaska, I call Justin Hosier and asked what was interesting around Dot Lake since he spent his growing up years there. He replied "The Stone Houses, If you don't see anything else, you have to go see them." The Stone Houses ended up being a trail ride round trip of 19.2 miles over rugged trails. It was well worth as you can see.

What a privilege it was to chauffeur Miss Alyssa Miller on our expedition.

All ready for the trip. Roger Ridenour, James Marchand, Jason Dodson, Duane Newton, myself, and Alyssa Miller.

A few steep hills. We were riding the ridge of a mountain.

Ptarmigan - He has one blade of grass he thinks he is hiding behind.

Jason filming a trip through the tundra.

Bro. Betters 4 wheeler was overheating.

Waiting for the motor to cool down.

To keep Duane from passing out, I fed him packets of peanuts from our plane trip.

Our first glimpse of the Stone Houses.

A little closer and the trail got rough enough, Alyssa started hiking.

The Whirlpool au Naturale.

Another set of stone houses in the distance.

Perspective of how far away they were.

Enjoying the scenery. Unfortunately the clouds were covering the snow covered mountains and we only got a glimpse of them when the clouds were starting to lift just as we were leaving. On the other side of this huge boulder we were sitting on was 70'+ straight down to the ground.

The crew....I propped my camera on a 3" ledge right where Roger has his foot in the picture above, shimmed it with a few stones and the camera strap, set the timer and hopped across to the other side and captured this photo.

Sitting in the Stone Jacuzzi.

We all have our moments of acting retarded. At least some of use recognize and admit. Others are in a constant state of denial. Here I was giving my best impression of "Punxsatawney Phil". Since it was so cold in the middle of July I was hoping not to see my shadow thus making warm weather break out for the rest of the trip. Unfortunately you will see a shadow on my coat. Yep it stayed cold the rest of the trip.

James spots another stone mountain for "us" to climb.

If I had been watching what I ate that morning I may have been able to squeeze through.... unfortunately the biscuits and gravy was so good....I had a second helping. And it did nothing in helping me go up that way.

You can just start to see the mountains covered with snow just as we were leaving. The camera did not see as well as I did. You can see how close we are to the Alaskan Range high elevation mountains.

Rock Tumbling Trip

We took a trip up the mountain that overlooks the Camp. The camp was at the old Dot Lake Children's Home that the North Pole Missionary Fellowship owns. The purpose of our trip was very mature. We went to tumble boulders and rocks down over the steep open slope of the mountain and watch the rocks smash through the trees at the bottom splintering them and shaking them. It was lots of fun. Matter of fact as Bro. Betters would say "I haven't had so much fun since the hogs ate my little brother."

A view of the camp from the mountain.

The Tanana Valley with the Tanana River running through it.

Tracey, Steven, and Julie

Jason & Tammy Dodson

Jason and I working on getting a rock loose.

Camp Reflections Part 1

Getting ready for a 6+ mile hike.

Roger Ridenour adjusting his bear protection.

The only flowers I saw on the hike.

It was interesting to see the very unique designs made by some bug on the insides of the leaves of these plants.

The first ones to Checkpoint A and the rendevous for playing capture the flag.

Carving my initials....the circles in the B fell out.

The Pistol Packin Preacher.

Getting ready to play capture the flag.

Bro. and Sis. John Betters

( L. to R. clockwise)Jason Dodson (KCBC), Jonathan Miller, Elaine and Bob Hartman, Mary (Irvine) Deal, John Betters, James Marchand, Judy (Tripony)Thomas, Julia, Duane Newton, Jill Ridenour, and Michael Brownwood.

Jonathan Miller leading the singing.

Wheelbarrow races.

25 people X 2 legs = 50 Leg Race

Katie Bryan, Katie Miller, Annalisa Taylor, and ?

The kids had fun trying to get these coins out of the traps using spaghetti sticks.

Duane Newton making sure they didn't cheat.

Bethany Deal and Emily Thomas

Visiting with John Betters and Duane Newton.

The Whole Crew.

The crazy pose.

?, Renee, and Hiedi Newton
Janan Hunt

Thomas Ridenour & Alex Leslie...these fellows could play!

Alaskan Pipeline and Alaskan Range

The Beautiful Alaskan Range Mountains.

The Alaskan Pipeline.




Gulkana Glacier - the beginning of the Delta River.

Many rivers are started by the melting of a glacier.

My first moose picture. I saw my first moose about 1 mile from the Anchorage Airport, but it was dark and I did not have my camera ready - imagine that.

Another Reason.....

....why I am dead set against alcoholic beverages and the consumption thereof. I can not condone anything that scriptures put a great condemnation against. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica he gave them instruction for dis-fellowshipping with those that get drunk. The question then falls what is drunk. Everyone has there own standard and the state has theirs. Why bother? I came to a conclusion after much studying of scripture, that all though the Bible never teaches total abstinence as God's requirement of all His people, I concluded that the production, sale, and use of a beverage alcohol (and any other addictive or mind altering drugs) are incompatible with biblical principles.

God was good to two of my congregants and their friends as they traveled home last night. A drunk ran into the back of them at 55mph. It usually is the one drunk that never gets hurt and walks away while others suffer or die. Fortunately God was good and Buddy and Lisa were able to leave St. Vincents hospital in Erie at 4:00 AM with only sore necks and bodies. Thank You God!

No Child Left Behind: Noble Sentiment and Poor Design

Some good reasons more eloquently stated and better outlined why I and 99.99% of educators have no use for the bipartisan NCLB of 2001

Excerpt: NCLB gives standardized testing the central place in assessing school quality. Standardized testing, regardless of the way it is done, is neither an accurate nor adequate measure of school quality.A too-heavy reliance on test scores as measures of school quality will result in some schools appearing to be much better than they are and some much worse, just as too-heavy reliance on quarterly profit and loss statements can make business corporations appear to be in better or worse shape than they are.

This can be found at: http://www.schlechtycenter.org/pdfs/nclb.pdf

Ideas for Fasting

It has been the opinion of the Christian church throughout history that fasting is a Biblical and practical spiritual discipline. A study of Bible characters, great men and women through the centuries of the church, and the history of revivals will lead one to see how God has made this exercise a means of great grace and blessing.

From a biblical perspective, fasting is a Christian’s voluntary abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. If medically possible, fasting from food should be done regularly by every Christian. Jesus said, “When you fast…,” not “if you fast” (Matthew 6:16-18). Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about a kind of fasting from the marital relationship for a certain limited time and by mutual consent (I Cor. 7:5).

But there is a broader view of fasting that is often overlooked. In the words of Richard Foster, a fast is “the voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity.” The following are several normal functions from which we could abstain profitably for a period of time.

Fasting from Talking – I once fasted in this way for six hours in the middle of the day. I informed my family that I would not speak during this time, and that they should be creative and ask me only “yes” or “no” questions, that I could answer with a nod of my head. They enjoyed having a silent father, and I gained a new control over my tongue. Frequently we are so noisy and quick spoken, that we do not hear what God and others are really saying to us. Sometimes we lack inner control, because we fail to control our words.

Fasting from the Media – Many of us fail to recognize our addiction to the media. Radio, newspapers, television, video, and the internet have changed our world forever. Daily our thoughts are preoccupied and shaped by these voices, and most of the information is hardly necessary for life and godliness. How beneficial it can be to turn off these voices and listen for the voice of God and our loved ones. The art of meditation has been lost primarily because we fill most of our silent spaces with the noise of the media.

Fasting from the Company of Others – Jesus regularly practiced this form of fasting, otherwise known as solitude. The Gospels inform us that He withdrew himself from the company of others and sought solitary places where He could be alone with God for prayer and meditation. We need the fellowship of others, or we will become stale; but we need time alone, or we will remain shallow. In The Still Hour, Austin Phelps wrote, “It has been said that no great work in literature or in science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often and long alone with God.”

Fasting from Sleep – All of us need our rest, but sometimes we don’t need as much as we take. Perhaps for a week or two we might want to sleep one hour less and give that time to prayer for God’s blessing in some particular area of our life. We might be pleasantly surprised how God will reward this small act of self denial.

Fasting from Negative Commentary – While it might not be possible or desirable to live our entire life without making negative statements, it may be very helpful to live some time without them. In fact, to do so may help us gain a certain measure of control over ourselves, enabling us to make only the negative statements that bring about positive results. I suggest that you try to go one whole day without uttering one negative comment about anything. This would include the weather, traffic conditions, the attitudes and actions of others, and the food you’re eating. I wish you well. I have yet to have one person, who taking up this challenge, came back to me to say that they had succeeded. Many came back to tell me of failure. Oops, was that negative commentary.

Devotional written on July 7, 2008 by Dan Glick
Dr. Glick is a former professor of mine at Allegheny Wesleyan College.

Even when we don't get our way...

.....we should be thankful for what has gone our way and what we do have. We are so blessed. The "American Way" has to have everything the way we want it, when we want it and how we want it. When it does not go the way we wanted it, when we wanted it or how we wanted it, we get upset and frustrated call our attorney to sue someone, we pull our money and leave, or we just let the other guy know exactly how we feel etc. The Christian way is totally different from the American way. I do not think there is anything in life worth feeling ouched about after listening to this guy preach - without arms or legs. We are so blessed. He does not complain, but praises God. I wish a little of this from this Australian could pour out in America... Talk about perspective! WOW! Lord help me to be more complacent with life.

Playing Catch Up....

I will post the rest of the Alaska Pics as soon as I have time. I am trying to catch up at home and church, on school, and sleep. I see my wife posted that I would have them on here. I have to sort through almost 1400 of them. I will also note that the camera could begin to capture what the eye can. The slight fog and moisture in the air did not let the pictures turn out as vividly as I would have wanted.

I will continue to post them in groups:

Alaska Pipeline and Alaskan Range

Dot Lake Youth Camp

Fairbanks/North Pole

Denali

Warren & Carla Hill

Anchorage

Kenia Peninsula / Whittier, Alaska

Church Members...

From Travis Johnson's Blog......http://teenrev.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/what-is-a-healthy-church-member/

Glenallen and Paxson Alaska

At the foot of the Mount Drum are two towns: Glenallen and Copperville. We stopped and ate at the Caribou Restaurant in Glenallen. Of course we tried their pizza and found it to be good. Here was a vehicle I thought about buying for the boys to ride around in Keepville. Kenton wondered why I didn't just buy it and drive it home.

By the time we stopped to get gas in Paxson I had not seen any cars on the highway for about 20 miles. In Alaska the miles seem to take twice as long. When I filled up the guy on the other side of the pump was from the Meadville Pennsylvania area. The conversation went like this:

He: Where are you from?

Me: Pennsylvania

He: No way! Where in Pennsylvania?

Me: Western Pennsylvania.

He: No way! Where in Western Pennsylvania?

Me: Northwestern Pennsylvania.

He: No Way! Where in northwestern Pennsylvania?

Me: Up near Erie.

He: No I mean what town!

Me: Near Meadville.

He: No way! What town?

Me: Oh one you never heard of.

He: No... what town?

Me: Keepville near Albion.

He: (Chuckles) I am from a little town near Meadville as well.

Me: No way! Which one?

He: Oh one you never heard of.

Me: OK what one?

He: Blooming Valley - Townville.

Me: No way! My mom's side of the family are from Bloomingvalley - Townville.

We live 30 minutes from each other and had never seen each other until we met in Paxson Alaska. If you blink, you miss the gas station....and Paxson. Here he is.

Paxson lies along Paxson Lake at Mile 185 of the Richardson Highway, at its intersection with the Denali Highway. Paxson has about 40 residents. The primary residents of Paxson are state highway maintenance personnel and their families. The others run a gas station and a couple of lodges. January temperatures average from minus 22 to minus 42; July temperatures average only from 50 to 72. Annual precipitation is 11.3 inches. This area has been a testing site for snow machine(snowmobile) companies for the past several years. This small town in the middle of nowhere is home to the Arctic Man snow machine festival, where insane guys jump snowmobiles hundreds of feet and do crazy things on them. ( I would love to try it.)

A typical scene every 50 miles - Souped up outhouse - otherwise known as rest areas. They are concrete and there is no TP provided. I did see a few catalogs on the floor. I passed and waited for another 80 miles till we landed in Delta Junction.

Summit Lake just below where the Arctic Man Snow-machine festival is held.

.....and the spot where they hold the competition.

Trip to the Wrangell Mountains

Matanuska River just a few miles from Palmer off of the Glen Highway.

Cabin near Chicaloon.

Matanuska Glacier in the distance.

Matanuska Glacier up and close.

Another Glacier

Can anyone guess what year this is?

Markers used to keep traffic on the road in white-out conditions.

Mae-West Lake
Wrangell Mountains and Mount Mount Drum

Randy Bonifant from Kansas

If anyone knows Randy Bonifant....they will realize that this is his real life look-a-like. He saw me stop and about trip going through the airport and look at him like I thought I knew him. He ended on the same plane and just the next row back. I plan on sending him pictures of who he looks like.

Plane Pics

With my gorgeous wife!!

My supper...I think I was forced to go on a voluntary diet. No comments from Janiece, Tracey, or Warren...or anyone else for that matter. The sandwich was a hard bun with a very weird flavor because of caraway seeds. It had turkey, swiss cheese, wilted lettuce, and Hellmans mayonise for dressing. I guess if they would have asked it would have been a soft bun, no seeds, thick smoked virginia baked ham, crispy lettuce, provolone cheese, and Miracle Whip. The Kettle Classics chips were as hard and thick as an iron kettle. I ussually end up eating what Julie doesn't. This time I offerd her my sandwich minus a bite, the chips minus one....I did eat the Milano cookies. I guess as cheap as we got our tickets was as cheap as the meal.

Beautiful scenes along the way....

Mountains peeking up through the clouds.

Salt Lake City, Utah

I will try to get caught back up on this while trying to get my grass cut, my school work caught up, church work, and other miscellaneous items. My phone has been ringing off the hook and people have stopped by to say hello and ask about our trip. OK back to our trip......

Just before we landed in Salt Lake the plane banked around a huge smoke cloud coming from a forest fire below. At 36,000 feet it had made a pretty good sized cloud. You can see it was a small contained fire. I just am curious to know how large it was from the ground.

We had a 2.5 hour layover in Salt Lake and my wife's friend Erica gave us a grand tour of downtown Salt Lake City. She took us to eat at a neat little restaurant called Apollo Burgers. A charcoal broiled Greek joint. The funny thing was that it was run by a bunch of Mexicans. Like the sign advertised "A little bit different and a whole lot better!" If I am ever back in Salt Lake I will stop and eat there again.

Here is a self portrait of my beautiful wife and I in Apollo's.

Julie and Erica catching up on all the latest news that they had not discussed since their last collaboration. They might have been just in the last couple of days. Nevertheless they chatted about the things women do while I busied myself with snapping pictures of everything around me.

Here is the Apollo Burger!! A huge sandwich loaded with hamburger, roast beef, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onions, melted cheese, sauce, and maybe a lot more and only maybe a little less. I just know that it was GOOD!

After eating we zoomed through downtown Salt Lake (so fast I could only get 30 pictures instead of 300). Here is a place I will stop back to see. The Genealogical Society of Utah building - home to the largest amassment (is that a word?) of records of every one's ancestors.

The HUGE Mormon temple with the gold statue of the prophet Moroni perched on top of the tallest spire.
The Utah state capitol building. Sitting right in the middle of a desert. The streets were laid out in very neat squares. Erica informed us that no buildings could be built that would be taller than the tip of the dome on this building.

Good Post

....on this blog.  http://jonearls.blogspot.com/2008/07/i-want-to-be-relevant.html

Pitt International Airport Departure

Technology is great. Laptop computer, digital camera cell phones, and WiFi in the airport with a little time to kill makes for some blogging time.

Miss Pittsburgh - Old US Mail Plane

It was funny watching my wife get wanded and frisked. Doesn't she look like a criminal? LOL

Helping Franco Harris catch the Immaculate Reception. The Immaculate Reception is the nickname given to one of the most famous plays in the history of American football. It occurred in the AFC divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 23, 1972. NFL Films has chosen it as the greatest play of all time. The play was a turning point for the Steelers, who reversed four decades of futility with their first playoff win ever, and went on to win four Super Bowls by the end of the decade.

Our plane waiting to fly to Salt Lake City on our first leg of the journey to Alaska. We will arrive in Anchorage at 3:38 A.M. EST

I am now sitting here waiting and doing some schoolwork.

I was Cheated Again..

GROWL!!! This time it was McDonalds....here is proof! I usually check before I pull out of the drive-thru and hand my fries back in the window for a full one. They throw it in the garbage and get me one that is full to overflowing. Since we were in a rush to get to the airport I never checked.

Not a Good Sign

A message from Blackboard ASP:
This system is momentarily unavailable.
Please try back later!

If anyone has ever done work with Blackboard...this is not a good sign! I hope it is up and running by morning so I can finish some work.

Thank You Dad

Thanks Dad for being there to do all the things I needed to be doing, but couldn't since I am trying to cram 2 weeks worth of schooling into a day and a half. One course ends this Wednesday and another one starts Thursday. I will have just landed in Anchorage. I will head from there to no-man's land with no internet. So my grass is all cut and a whole list of other things needing to be done was taken care of by Papa Jack, while I have been sitting here working and watching out the window.

Prayer Request

I will be flying Tuesday to Alaska to preach a youth camp. Please feel free to remember me in prayer around noon EST Thursday through Sunday and around 10:00 PM EST Wednesday through Sunday. Alaska is 4 hours behind the East Coast. I will not be posting from there till Sunday or Monday because we will be out of internet range. Feel free to post a comment.

Learning Disabilities

Having a teaching certificate does not make one a good teacher any more than having a drivers licence makes one a good driver. - BJG

Is it the student or maybe the teacher really does not know how to teach? Many times the teacher tells the student what they need to know without giving the student the options, help, and/or aids to help them learn the material.

Could You Survive

In my graduate class - Diversity Persepctives in Education- I ran accross this quiz that I had to fill out. I thought it was interesting.

Could you survive in middle class?

Count the number of items you know how to do:
1. I know how to get my children into Little League, piano lessons, etc.
2. I know how to set a table properly.
3. I know which stores carry the clothing brands my family wears.
4. My children know the best name brands in clothing.
5. I know how to order in a nice restaurant.
6. I know how to use a credit card, checking account and savings account—and I understand an annuity. I understand term life insurance, disability insurance and 20/80 medical insurance as well as house, flood and replacement insurances.
7. I talk to my children about going to college.
8. I know how to get one of the best interest rates on my new car loan.
9. I understand the difference among the principal, interest, and escrow statements on my house payment.
10. I know how to help my children with their homework and do not hesitate to call the school if I need additional information.
11. I know how to decorate the house for the different holidays.
12. I know how to get a library card.
13. I know how to use most of the tools in the garage.
14. I repair items in my house almost immediately when they break—or know a repair service and call it.

Could you survive in poverty?

Count the number of items you know how to do:
1. I know which churches and sections of town have the best rummage sales.
2. I know which rummage sales have “bag sales” and when.
3. I know which grocery stores’ garbage bins can be accessed for thrown-away food.
4. I know how to get someone out of jail.
5. I know how to fight and defend myself physically.
6. I w how to get a gun, even if I have a police record.
7. I know how to keep my clothes from being stolen at the Laundromat.
8. I know what problems to look for in a used car.
9. I know how to live without a checking account.
10. I know how to live without electricity and a phone.
11. I know how to use a knife as scissors.
12. I can entertain a group of friends with my personality and my stories.
13. I know what to do when I don’t have money to pay the bills.
14. I know how to move in half a day.
15. I know how to get and use food stamps or an electronic card for benefits.
16. I know where the free medical clinics are.
17. I am very good at trading and bartering
18. I can get by without a car.

Could you survive in wealth?

Count the number of items you know how to do:
1. I can read a menu in French, English and another language.
2. I have several favorite restaurants in different countries of the world.
3. During the holidays, I know how to hire a decorator to identify the appropriate themes and items with which to decorate the house.
4. I know who my preferred financial advisor, legal service, designer, domestic-employment service, and hairdresser are.
5. I have at lest two residences that are staffed and maintained.
6. I know how to ensure confidentiality and loyalty from my domestic staff.
7. I have at least two or three “screens” that keep people whom I do t wish to see away from me.
8. I fly in my own plane or the company plane.
9. I know how to enroll my children in the preferred private schools
10. I know how to host the parties that “key” people attend.
11. I am on the boards of at least two charities.
12. I know the hidden rules of the Junior League.
13. I support or buy the work of a particular artist.
14. I know how to read a corporate financial statement and analyze my own financial statements.

This Looks Like a Cool Bike

V-Star Classic

Anybody have one for sale at a good price?

Want to Keep from Becoming Discouraged?

Then don't video tape yourself speaking like I did today. GOOD GRIEF!!! I said "Umm", "Uhh" and other bad things such as run on sentences, bad grammar, and speaking to fast. I also realized I scratched my head like my dad used to do when he was teaching. I mentally tried to block all this out as I watched myself. OUCH!! I guess this is the reason why my latest course had me do the video analysis. My reflection is not a good one.

That's my Girl!

When Alyssa walked in playing with a frog she caught after church, my wife shrieked "Get that thing out of my house!" She watched Alyssa for a few moments before declaring this edict. Alyssa was contently out in the back hallway playing away. She then had to bring it to show daddy. I am so proud of her!

Thats my girl!

Riding the Shiny Metal Object Thingy

What they do at UBC for fun.

Critique of Roosevelt Middle School

Friday I visited Roosevelt Middle School. I critiqued their summer program. Stats: 60% male 40% female; 70 % African American, Indian, Vietnamese etc. 30% Caucasian; 100% learning disabled; Class sizes - on average 10; Teachers - 1 regular, 1 special education, 1 aide. The teachers did a great job in keeping class control, interacting with the students, adapting for their special needs, and using a variety of learning strategies. One thing I learned - city schools are not as well funded as the district I teach in.

Special thanks to Mrs. Mulligan - acting principal for letting me use her school for a project.

If Your Head is Stupid...

Revelers are chased by Dolores Aguirre's ranch fighting bulls on the six day of the running of the bulls during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, Saturday, July 12, 2008. The fiestas 'Los San Fermines' held since 1591, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year for nine days of revelry, morning bull-runs and afternoon bullfights. Many people are seriously injured. The injuries include severe contusions, massive bruising, goring, and broken bones.

Yep, if your head is stupid......your body has to suffer for it!

Tony Snow Dies

Tony Snow, a conservative writer and commentator who cheerfully sparred with reporters in the White House briefing room during a stint as President Bush's press secretary, died early Saturday of colon cancer. Snow was 53 years old.

Flashback Friday

We were just at the OIHA camp in Pefferlaw Ontario. It was not very far from where I shot my bear on September 7, 2000 around 8:00 p.m. If you would head north from Cedarvale Camp on highway 48 around the east side of Lake Simcoe, in about an hour and a half, you would arrive at a town called Minden. Just east of Minden about 30 minutes in the Haliburton Highlands I met up with this 500 lb black bear. It was the largest bear the guide had ever produced for a hunter. I was very blessed and very pleased. I had watched the bear that Thursday morning after passing up two smaller bears on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. He made a sad mistake by coming back through that night. I heard him coming in about 10 minutes before he arrived. The rest is great tasting history.

Interesting story about the shot. Not only do I have an odd collection of cartridges cases from every deer taken since 1985, but I could not resist keeping the mushroomed bullet from this bear. The only problem with receiving my bullet from the meat cutter in a nice plastic envelope was the question of how this bullet got in the bear.
Before you start thinking smart comments let me explain. I was ready for the bear. It appeared about 15 yards from me and with one squeeze of the trigger the Remington 180 grain Core-Lokt bullet made its pass through the bear just behind the front shoulder. The bear dropped to the ground and started spinning while letting out the bear death wail. If you never have heard it, feel yourself to be blessed. It is hair raising and sad in a way. As the bear took off after its last revolution it took out on a run. I dropped my camera and snapped the 06' back in to place and squeezed off another shot. This shot had presumably missed. When we removed the entrails I found only two holes one in on the left side and one out on the right. They were both right behind the shoulders. The second shot I presumed had missed.

After receiving the mushroomed bullet from the meat cutter, I quickly called Daryl Muir taxidermist extraordinaire. He had the hide soaking in a tanning solution and he examined the cape. Yes - there were two holes in on the right and out on the left. An experienced hunter or taxidermist easily understand that a bullet enters and makes a small hole and as it expands it makes a larger one on exit. The problem was that I had shot it on the opposite side. I called the meat cutter and asked exactly where the mushroomed bullet had been found. Buried deep into the right front shoulder. I called back to Daryl who examined once again the holes and found that the hole on the left side was shaped irregular. Only then did close examination reveal that both shots had passed through the exact same spot making an odd shaped opening.

And now you know the rest of the story.

Fun with Fireflys

The kids were having a blast catching fire flys and then running around in the dark as streaks of light. Click the pic to enlarge to see Alyssa's head. This picture was at their request.

When it Rains

...you can find these two river rats either playing in the creek or the culvert. They were helping me out by cleaning some sticks and rocks that were in the catch basin. It is such a terrible thing when they were having so much fun getting wet and dirty.

Dubai UAE

Click on the pick for a larger size.
Our Gas Dollars?

This is taken from world's tallest building 'Burj Dubai' @ 2,620 ft
The same scene at night from a lower elevation.
The Burj' Dubai under construction.
Computer generated finished product.

The workers who are working on the upper most girders can supposedly see the:
'ROTATION OF EARTH'

No, Officer ... we've been fishing!

2,000 HP Outboard Inflatable.

Here's the latest drug runner toy from Europe. This thing belts across the English channel 3 times per week and was just a blur on the radar of the British Coast Guard. They were so astonished by the speed of the unknown craft, they brought in a special high speed helicopter to chase it. Drugs were found on board. Of course, you'd have to be on drugs to put the throttle down on this rig.

Raising Money for Blind River Indian Mission

Rev. Sherman, president of the Indian Mission in Blind River near Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, was present at the service to receive almost $400.00 raised by the children during camp. Also present to witness the event was "Bob" the Buck. I think that it was the first time in the history of the OIHA Camp and even the Nazarene campground that it is held on that a whitetail deer was present in the service.

Eh? Part 2

I must explain the title in this part 2 and also the part 1 of my posting of our trip to Canada. I met many great people from there and almost without exception the have a little word used at the end of every other sentence - "Eh?". So I jokingly kept saying "Eh?" when I was talking. I did this partly in tease and ...well it seemed to come so au naturale'. My wife was sorely displeased with the new term and scowled ferociously when I would say "Eh?". The joke is on her for last evening she asked me a question and ended it with "Eh?". I was truly ROFL - Rolling on the floor with laughter.

OK...on to our Niagara experience.

Vincent was driving a semi. I was the passenger. I was leaning hard to keep the truck on the road.

Helping Kenton fly his F-16.

My awesome kids hanging loose till I got back with the IMAX theatre tickets.

The Skylon Tower.

The Little car that rides up the side. My wife and I had dinner at the top of this 12 years ago on our 1st anniversary.

With the American Falls in the background.

A great view of the Horseshoe Falls.

American Falls

Maid of the Mist

One of the first turbine electric generators installed by Nikola Tesla.

My kids acting like their mother's father in-laws son on the outside of the Skylon.
MMMMMM!!!!!
Hoping for some gold.

One of my favorite people from history: Nikola Tesla Electrician Extraordinaire and Genius

This Bronze Buffalo has a long story. We stopped for some pictures for the blog and a cop pulled in behind us with lights flashing. The officer asked if everything was alright. I replied "Yes everything was alright". To distract him from asking anymore questions I pointed out to him that my check engine light was on. He asked if my engine was overheating. I said "No". He asked if my gas cap was loose. I guess he thought that could make my light come on. I got out and we checked the cap. Of course it was all right. He asked if I needed a tow truck and I said "No". As we drove off my son informed me that the check engine light has been on since we bought the vehicle. I guess the cop should have asked why we were stopped instead of was our car alright. Right in front of us was a sign that read - "No stopping except for emergency purposes."

Servant Leadership

I recently took a spiritual gift test while visiting with a pastor friend of mine. The results of that test showed that my gifts were Administration and Servant. At first I felt that it was a strange combination. Then as I began to think about the implication of them both, I began to realize that it was a great combination. I once had my pastor tell me that he was not the church members chore boy. I have often wondered how much more effective he would have been as a pastor instead of just being the Sunday morning preacher. I relish greatly in helping people. There is not a better satisfaction than helping someone with the possibility of no return or one at a minimum. I thank God for godly parents who trained me in this manner by their own example.

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt 20:26-28).

A rider on horseback, many years ago, came upon a squad of soldiers who were trying to move a heavy piece of timber. A corporal stood by, giving lordly orders to "heave." But the piece of timber was a trifle too heavy for the squad.

"Why don't you help them?" asked the quiet man on the horse, addressing the important corporal.

"Me? Why, I'm a corporal sir!"

Dismounting, the stranger carefully took his place with the soldiers. "Now, all together boys - heave!" he said. And the big piece of timber slid into place. The stranger mounted his horse and addressed the corporal.

"The next time you have a piece of timber for your men to handle, corporal, send for the commander-in-chief."

The horseman was George Washington, the first American president.

Whenever someone mentions your name does the word "servant" come to their mind? Jesus modeled servant-hood to twelve young men and changed the world. If you want to see others become servants you must model it yourself. George Washington was a great example of a Christian leader who was a great soldier and servant to those he led. No wonder God used this great servant to establish a new nation.

Moses was also a great leader of men. The Bible says that Moses was the most humble man on earth. That is why God could use him to lead hundreds of thousands out of slavery into the Promised Land. -OS Hillman

Eh? Part 1

And so we head to "Canada".... definitely not our home or native land as their song says. However we did enjoy our trip, make new friends, and hopefully did our best to minister to the little children. I think we must have done at least a half way decent job or maybe they are extremely hard up for workers or maybe the wanted some good American influence, because they asked us to come back for camp next year. Enjoy a few pictures out of the 1007 that we took.

Ready to cross from Canaan to Canada.

Each time I picked the slowest lane for the customs agents. Julia says it is because I have been asking God to help me with my patience. WOW He sure is trying to do His best to make sure I learn it good.

On the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way. Interesting fact (out of many) they Speak French, yet everything is British based. There are many remains of the influence. I finally figured out how they were able to give the citizens of Canada free health care.....they do not mow there interstate (maybe I should call them inter-provincial) highways. I guess the wild weed flowers were somewhat pretty.
And this takes the cake. A copy of our AAA. I even did my research, the USA started the American Automobile Association in 1902 and Canada followed with the Canadian Automobile Association in 1913.

I have yet to confirm this, but I believe this is the Canadian Official Tree. All around the large cities you see nothing but huge electric towers. It does have an adverse affect on the scenery around Toronto, hamilton and the cities around Lake Superior. We pulled into camp right behind this trailer that promptly got stuck. Any guesses who it is? One clue: It is not Mac Donald.

They hooked chains and straps and got the McCrearys pulled out. It was good to see Mac and Pansy again.

A life lesson from a tree stand.

Teaching the fine points of archery.

Kenton strikes a pose with the compoud bow.

Making sure Luther is putting an arrow toward the target this time and not the tabernacle.

Jeffery is preparing for the hunt on the morrow. I think that is how the Canadians would say it. Eh?

I am not sure which bulls-eye Jeremy aimed at, but he got one!Mr. LaPaige takes aim.

Our Great Group!!

New Friends - Luke Byer and his wife.
My lovely lady telling the story about a fish. Honey this is supposed to be about hunting!
Sneaking up on the Monster Buck!

With the downed Odocoileus virginianus....

They somehow thought that this great trophy looked like Bob the Buck from back at our childrens church room. There was no way I could convince them that this was a variation of a Canadian Whitetail commonly known as Odocoileus Plasticanus. They claimed their deer had fur I claimed that this type of deer when shot the fur hardens quickly into a plastic form. I had a few takers, although most were doubtful or at most dubious.

Congressional Blundering

At least this Congressman from Texas has it right.