Tag Archives: history

Green Up Day 2024

The Fairbanks phenomenon known as Green Up Day occurred this Saturday.

When I drove into work early that morning, there was not a green bud noticeable.

Upon my return in the late afternoon, the hills were glowing a vibrant green.

As a reminder that we are in Alaska, it snowed all day Monday.


Call of the Sandhill

Early Saturday morning I heard the calls of sandhill cranes echoing from the Goldstream Valley.

It was the first time this season. It is officially spring.

Sandhill Cranes


Right Day; Wrong Time

The ice officially went out on the Tanana River on 27 April at 5:18am.

Another year; another breakup.


Gilahina Trestle

Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

The Gilahina wooden train trestle was built in eight days in January 1911. Copper ore had been discovered in Kennecott and a railway was quickly built to get the ore to Cordova on the coast. The final copper spike was driven on March 29, 1911.

Originally 890 feet long and 90 feet tall, with a 120 degree arc, the trestle required 1/2 million board feet of timber. The original trestle was burned during a wildfire in 1915. The bridge was rebuilt the same summer. It is the 1915 trestle which still stands today.

The McCarthy Road travels the old railroad grade of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway. The CR&NWR, affectionately known to Alaskans as the Can’t Run & Never Will, ran its last train on November 11, 1938.


Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Leica M3; Kodak TMax 100

Kenai Fjords National Park


Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve

Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark

Camera: Leica M3; Film: Kodak 35mm, TMax 100


Camping in Joshua Tree

National Parks Week:

Happy Earth Day


Death Valley by Beetle

National Parks Week:


National Parks Week