overflow

overflow, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Here's a lesson for the readers out there: "if it's black, don't go
back!"

This is a picture from a remote lake in Alaska where some friends own
land. We landed and glided across the surface and then took off
again. Then we circled back to inspect the tracks and sure enough--
they turned black. What happens is new, heavy snow weighs down the
ice enough that water rises up through the cracks (forming puddles in
the tracks). This kind of slushy conditions causes problems for
snowmachines and planes, so we didn't land on the ice.

Overflow is a concept I learned in my Arctic Engineering class-- so it
was pretty cool to see in real life!

plane ride

plane ride, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Ryan took Brian and I up in his plane! It was so neat! And what a
beautiful part of Alaska!

self portrait!

self portrait!, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Brian and I at the airport! Right over Brian's shoulder is Ryan's
plane.

Taxiway

Taxiway, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Hanging out at the Airport in Talkeetna on Friday. No shopping for me!

Turkey

Turkey, originally uploaded by aimos325.

This was the deep fried turkey. There was a grilled one at the other
end of the table. Both were perfect! Lots of food and lots of
friends-- so much to be thankful for!

Alaskan Thanksgiving

Alaskan Thanksgiving, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Brian took this picture of Turkey Day festivities-- his pals from
Michigan, Ryan and Heidi, are looking towards the camera. There's a
deep-frying operation on the left side of the picture and if you look
closely you can see Yours Truly in the distance. I was on the phone
with Mom and Dad!

sign

sign, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Frosty sign, too! That's the river in the background.

Frosty Trees

Frosty Trees, originally uploaded by aimos325.

This is right along the Chena River. Frosty trees and good light!
I'd take more pictures but it's cold up here!

Chena River

Chena River, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Steamy Chena River. Everything around the river is caked in frost.
Very pretty.

Yum!

Yum!, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Bananaramas!

the desert!

the desert!, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Here's a shot I fixed up the other day-- nothing wrong with the
original but this on really pops. It's the "other" end of Lake Mead.
The more famous end is the Hoover Dam, of course.

fotoshop

fotoshop, originally uploaded by aimos325.

After/before

Denali

Denali, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Here's a picture I took in August. Denali was crystal clear and I
exposed for the mountain and the sky-- leaving the trees really dark.
I fixed it up a little in photoshop. ;-)

another!

another!, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Here's another old one I fixed up! I won't tell you what I did but I
think it looks sharp! Walt, Matt and I in front of Rainbow Ridge.

Valdez

Valdez, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Here's an oldie but goodie of Walt and Matt looking pensive in
Valdez. The original picture was too dark and it's easy to lighten
just a few areas now!

palms

palms, originally uploaded by aimos325.

I bought myself an early Christmas present-- Photoshop! I've been
playing with my new tools with all kinds of old pictures... I took
this one in Vegas. I've always liked it and I might have blogged a
more bland version before.

sky

sky, originally uploaded by aimos325.

I took this picture yesterday-- there were a bunch of trails in the
sky like this-- maybe military exercises? Pretty, anyway. It's been
clear lately which means COLD. And maybe another shot at seeing the
aurora...

snow

snow, originally uploaded by aimos325.

Does it look cold here?

beautiful day

beautiful day, originally uploaded by aimos325.

It was a beautiful day today! I ended up driving to the polls since
we had gotten some new snow the night before... I took this picture
with a big grin on my face-- it feels good to vote! And even though
my vote went to the losing side here in Alaska, I am excited about
Barack Obama and our country's future!