Backwards posts

So I seem to always forget how to post these pics and the order ends up backwards.............. So read in reverse....... Oh and here is a picture of Rachel's Kayak that she built! That's MY sister!

Having a go as a lookout

I thought well I was up there I would try to see what it was like to be a lookout. I looked hard but was unable to locate any smokes.  Phil, the actual lookout allowed us to check the place out, showing us unparalleled hospitality. Thanks again Phil for a great time. I  some of the things I love doing when I'm home, I played a few games of cribbage (lost all of them) listened to Red Sox baseball, and enjoyed some good company. It was a great evening at Hillsborough Peak lookout.

A nice and easy fire

It was not the most difficult fire I have ever been on but sometimes that is just great. The altitude was hard on the lungs, but it was a great fire to warm up with. I know know the things I need to bring (I seem to forget after each season) I set up my hammock right near the lookout and had an amazing view of the forest. I climbed the lookout and took in the views, caught the sunset, and was just real lucky to be able to be out there. 

Possibly the best fire I will ever get to jump...

I jumped a fire with Dawson my jump partner on Friday. It was an amazing jump at 10, 000 ft right at the Hillsboro lookout tower in the Gila Wilderness. 

A new base.....A new plane

We have a plane that I have never jumped out of before, they call it the "Doug" It's a DC-3 and it's pretty neat. It is like being in an Indiana Jones movie or something. It is also know to give most folks on board a sick to there stomach feeling which leads to barfing inside the hot plane either into your suit or hopefully into a barf bag. Rumor has it last yea a jumper was in the door ready to jump and threw up through his face mask as he went out.... Will that be me?? I sure hope not. Anyway, here is the "Doug" out on the ramp as some storms rolled through. It sure is a nice looking plane with the new shiny paint job.

New Mexico or bust

The Forest service sets up a jump base down in Silver city, New Mexico every year to jump the Gila National forest as well as Arizona. The BLM (Alaska, and Boise) only send two jumpers a year to the southwest to be Gila Smokejumpers. I was lucky enough to pull my name out of a hat and get on the jump list near the top.  The choice went down the list and I had the chance so I went. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do being that I'm still new to Alaska, but the opportunity to come down here may never come again. I'm In silver City now, the base, the people, the town are all pretty neat. I like the desert and hopefully Ill get to jump the Gila wilderness a few times. Here are some pictures of the new digs.

Carpenters boat shop

I received a letter from the Boat shop in Pemiquid, Maine accepting me into the program for the entire off season. I will be living there learning to build wooden boats and working on other carpentry skills. I am excited to join this community and pick up some great skills. 

Yeager's cabin

Our crew supervisor is building a cabin out of rough logs. I was fortunate enough to get out and lend a hand one day. It is crazy the process he goes through building this huge place. Here are some pictures of the cabin being built.

Refresher training

Back in Fairbanks, back to work, ready for another fun season.  It was great to be back at work and back into the swing of things at the base. we had a two week refresher, jumping six times in the snow, it was a great time. That first jump always gets your palms sweating but it was just like riding a bike after that one was out of the way. It's back to making hay so I can put some money into the house and enjoy another winter.

The volcano blows

Mt Redoubt, across the inlet erupted while I was in Homer. As The dogs and I walked down the beach I looked up, coffee in hand to see the ash plume.  Homer looked prehistoric this morning, Eagles all over the beach, dogs playing, the eruption, Just waiting for the dinosaurs to show up.  

A few days In homer with Rachel

The transition back to Alaska was much better this year being that rookie training and 5 weeks of agony was not on the horizon. It was great to be back in Homer and and back in Alaska. Rachel lives at Ben's place now which is an incredible house he built with friends overlooking the bay and town. It is really an amazing place to wake up in the morning. Rachel and Ben are crazy busy people so It was a good time for me to wind down and adjust for the next six months.  It was real hard to say good by to Shaemus, we have spent pretty much every waking hour together for the past six months. Thankfully he now lives with two other great dogs and is going to be just fine. Anyway, it was great to see Rachel and meet Ben and some of there friends, I look forward to getting down there again this summer

Back to Alaska

Leaving Maine was tough for sure, leaving the new house, passing Shaemus off to Rachel, just as we were getting settled. This crazy seasonal schedule is wonderful though. I never seem to be in one place long enough for it to get stale. Shaemus did not want to go on the plane again, I thought he may have forgotten about the crate by now but he knew exactly what it meant. I was throwing treats into the crate at Mom's house and he wouldn't go in to get it, I was amazed, he loves food in a major way. We made the trip and he didn't have any problems, another dog was in a crate next to him on the flight so at least he had someone to talk to.  I'm pretty sure I heard him Shaemus whisper under his breath as this picture was taken, "Seriously?"