First Blacktail

Going from hunting whitetail deer to blacktail deer is quite an experience. Make one unusual noise around a whitetail and it will run away, while the opposite seems to be true around nonpressured blacktail. Walked up on this guy following a doe and he stood still for me while I took a shot that dropped him.

 

First snow!

It is snowing as I am typing. I knew it wouldn't be long before the snow came down to our level and would stay. It all started with those innocent little flurries. Winter is settling in faster than I thought. The days are getting shorter and pretty soon it will be dark (and I mean DARK) at 4:00 pm. The darkness doesn't really bother me (Christina) though. I think it bothers Quent more as it cuts into his hunting time. Ha!

This is not a picture of the snow, but a picture I took yesterday of us. *smile*

 

Evening glow

Switching back to Alaska...

A beautiful view from Pat's Lake.

 

Brilliance!

I just couldn't get enough of the colored leaves. The ones I have held in my hand in the picture below I now have pressed between pages in a book. Autumn splendor...

 

Cider making

This was my first time making cider. What I enjoyed most about this was watching the kids help with the process. Oh...and the part where I drank the cider. Mmmm!!

 

Arrangement of colors

Here are some photos of time I spent with my mom. Below is a picture of her horse, Jenny. While visiting I looked out the window and saw light rainbow. We went outside to get a better view of it and saw a SUPER bright rainbow...a double rainbow! It was spectacular!

 

Friends

Bekah & I


Brandon & Bekah's son, Titus.


Carrie & I


I never thought I'd be so excited to see a cornfield. These are things that you don't see in Wrangell.

 

Caught you!

I like photography...and this trip made me realize just how much I like photography. It was fun (and challenging) to capture these sweet smiles!

This is what I meant by challenging--chasing a 3 year old around and trying to get her cute little face on camera! Ha!

Jacob
Another challenging shot...but I got him! *smile*

 

Random photos

Sassafrass leaf. Honestly, I didn't even know these trees existed. I believe this tree has 3 different kinds of leaves. I thought this one was unique.


I was thrilled to find a field of sunflowers!


I absolutely love this picture of my sister Amanda and I.


Oak leaf

 

Michigan & The Orchard

Autumn is my favorite season. The crisp air, the rustling leaves, the crunch of the leaves under my feet, what a joy these bring to my (Christina's) heart! Wrangell's trees, like Sitka Spruce, do not provide such luxuries as jumping in leaf piles, so I made arrangements to fly to Michigan to take part in the autumn splendor. But my reason for coming to Michigan was two-fold...to surprise a certain someone (or should I say "some-ones?). Happy birthday, Kelly!!

After a couple of days of being in Michigan, we went to an apple orchard. I was delighted!

Amanda and I on the wagon.

Katie reaching for an apple.

Climb every mountain

We had 2 clear days in a row! *gasp* We took advantage of the beauty and hiked up to the High Country Shelter. This was my (Christina's) first time up to the High Country Shelter. There are many pictures of this place already on this blog. It's absolutely beautiful up there. You really feel like you are in a different world. It's so quiet, so peaceful and awesome! This hike took 4 hours altogether.


Flatter than flat!! We were on our way up Spur Road when an unexpected event happened. POP! The culprit was a really sharp rock on the side of the road.



It's a bird...it's a plane...it's ALASKA AIRLINES!! Up, up and away! (Look in the center of the picture at the little white shape.)

 

This is looking toward the north peaks of Etolin Island.




This was Quent's idea. He took a picture through his rifle scope.