A Review From Afar and June 2008 Pics

I opened my email this morning and was pleased to find several positive blog reviews. One of the reviews was from Capetown, South Africa! The power of the web at work! Check this site out: www.expatcapetown.com. If you are planning a trip to that area of the world, the information and photos will surely prove to be invaluable. As I've said many times before, your comments are always welcome, and I like to be "share-ee" as much as being the "share-er".

Today I'm posting more photos from our road trip last June. The pics are of the Pipeline terminal in Valdez, a waterfall north of Valdez, Eklutna Lake, Matanuska Glacier, and wildflowers on the Eklutna Lake Trail. The Eklutna photos were taken during a four-wheeler excursion on an easy and scenic 30 mile RT ride.

I'm not providing much detail about these areas due to limited time this week, but a quick web search will provide you tons of info. I am planning on writing more about Valdez and Eklutna at a later date. These are two of my favorite spots to go when we have summer visitors.

Valdez and Thompson Pass

I'm packing for "points north". Next Sunday evening, I'll fly via Alaska Airlines jet to Fairbanks. I'll overnight at Sophie Station, a decent suite style motel. On Monday morning I'll board a much smaller single engine utility aircraft, a Cessna Caravan. That aircraft will take mail, cargo, me, and probably one or two other passengers, to Anaktuvuk Pass, a small village above the Arctic Circle.

Until Sunday, I'll post a few photos of various places Angel, our friend Ruth, and I visited on the Alaska "road system" last June. If you look at a map of Alaska, you'll understand what I mean by "road system". Alaskans either live in communities that are connected by roads and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, or they live in areas that are only accessible by air. Those areas only accessible by air are known to Alaskans as the "Bush".

The pictures posted today were taken in Valdez, and at Mendenhall Glacier, which is near the top of Thompson Pass. Valdez is on Prince William Sound, and is the terminus of the Alaska Oil Pipeline. I thought the 29 mph speed limit sign at the oil terminal entrance was "somewhat unusual". Why the odd number? The "Pipeline" photo was taken a few hundred miles north of Valdez, between Paxon and Delta Junction.

Change in Format

Hello all! I'm trying out a new background color today. A couple of you have mentioned that the black background has made reading somewhat difficult. Do you like this one better? I'm undecided, but it does seem easier on the eyes. Your comments will be appreciated.

Also, I had one review of the site that mentioned "overlap" with my last posted photos. I don't see overlap on my screen. Has anyone else encountered that problem? Again, your feedback is welcome.

Have a wonderful day!

Alaska Salmon Recipes

You just never know what I might write about in this blog ... It's still about -20 here. I've completed my "honey do" list for the day, so I decided to dig up a few salmon recipes to post. Salmon and moose are common "wild" food sources in Alaska. Many of us fish and hunt to supplement our food supply. However, none of us, and that includes Sarah Palin, take any game animal from a helicopter or airplane. That's PETA nonsense. State laws prevent anyone from hunting for game on the same day that they are airborne. This law is strictly enforced.

You can use "fresh or canned" salmon for either of the recipes today, so those of you living in the "other 49", will have no problem finding ingredients. Canned salmon works as well as fresh. I discovered both dishes in the early 80's when we lived on Kodiak Island. Both are "my variation" on "tried and true" recipes from that location. Enjoy!

Russian Pirok(Purr..oak)Pie

1 ready-made 9 inch pie crust (top and bottom)
2 cups cooked rice (best if boiled in chicken broth)
2 cups cooked fresh or canned salmon (flaked)
1 tablespoon lemon juice or white wine
4 hardboiled eggs (diced)
1 medium onion (diced small
2 stalks celery (chopped)
1/4 head cabbage (red or green, chopped)
1/2 stick butter

Optional:

1/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup frozen corn
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
Tabasco (a few shakes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash and a dash of salt(or salt and pepper to your liking)

Saute the raw veggies in butter until partially cooked. Mix the precooked rice and salmon with the veggies. Spoon the mixture onto the first layer of pie dough in a lightly greased 9 inch pie pan. Heap high. It'll shrink a bit. Season the top of the mixture and dot with more butter, if desired. Cover with second piece of pie dough. Pinch edges. Poke with fork in a few spots. Brush top crust with melted butter. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375 degrees, or until crust is golden brown.

Alaska Salmon Nuggets

1.5 cups of cooked fresh or canned salmon
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1 tablespoon diced celery
1 tablespoon diced onion
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
1/2 pound sharp cheddar (shredded)
1 egg (beaten)
1 cup bread crumbs or flour

Mix mashed potatoes,flaked salmon, and cheese. Saute the celery and onion in butter. Add veggies to mixture. Form into small balls. Dip in egg and roll in bread crumbs or flour. Deep fat fry in vegetable oil at 375 degrees until golden brown.

The photos are of King Salmon dipnetted at Chitina, Alaska last June. The moose photos were taken about 30 miles south of Delta Junction, Alaska, also in June. The moose are in "velvet" at that time.

50 Years as the 49th state

Dear Alaska,

On January 3, 1959 you became the 49th U.S. state. Today we celebrate. You have been good to us. You've provided employment,food,shelter,friends,memories,and opportunities we likely would not have found, nor experienced, anywhere else on this planet. For this, we feel blessed and forever grateful. Happy Birthday, Alaska! We love you!

Your friends,

Matt and Angel