It's coming down the mountain...

..the snow, that is.  This is the same view from last week (outside of the office), and you can really see how the snow is lower now.  The first snowfall is expected by the end of the week.

Ball park

This shows a 360 degree view of the ball park by sandy beach where the dogs love to run and play ball.

Webcams

Here's a link to webcams in Juneau and surrounding areas:

http://www.kinyradio.com/webcams.html

More snow on the Mountains

From the back door at the office.  It has been really rainy for a few days and cleared up for few hours.  A bunch of us went out and took pictures!  :)

Ravens

Ravens are everywhere in Juneau..."Birds" anyone?  Here are a few hanging out in the Walmart parking lot.  I have been told that they also hang out at Costco, and know that some people will buy and leave dog food, etc. in the back of their truck, at which point the Ravens tear into the bags.  They even take the lids off of trash cans.  Smart little critters...

Late fall is here!

I noticed this tree whose leaves had changed some weeks ago has lost most of them.  This is outside the office building.

Today was a cold and rainy day, 42 degrees in this video and winds were very gusty, up to 40-60 miles per hour was the forecast.  Expecting strong rains tonight.  I took this video at 5:15 when I got home from work.  You can tell it is getting dark earlier already.  Under two months to winter solstice!

Old Faithful

Yellowstone was absolutely beautiful in late August, and Old Faithful was the highlight.  Awesome!!!

This is walking back to the impressive Visitor's Center after watching the eruption. 

Roundabout

As you approach Douglas Island crossing the bridge from downtown Juneau, there is a roundabout.  I live to the left.

Douglas Island from the bridge

Douglas Bridge

It's kind of hard to see in this picture,  but behind the boats in the Douglas Bridge looking toward Douglas Island.  Behind the bridge somewhere in the hills is my rent house.

Barge

This is a picture across Gastineau Channel from downtown Juneau to Douglas Island.  Back behind the barge somewhere is the sandy beach and ball fields where I take the dogs to play.

Ferry views - Skagway to Juneau

More views from the ferry to Juneau from Skagway.  The weather, though a little overcast, was pretty decent - no winds and not too cold.  It was a beautiful trip!  (this was back on 8/31/11)

I can imagine there is a bit more snow there now :)

Eldred Rock Lighthouse

This is the Eldred Rock Lighthouse, as seen from the ferry on the way to Juneau from Skagway. 

http://www.sheldonmuseum.org/eldredrock.htm

Road graffiti

Driving through the Yukon on the way to Juneau, there was a stretch of the Alaskan Highway where names were written with rocks on the side of the road .  I have no idea what the origin of this is...I googled it but didn't find anything.

House with views

This is the front of my rent house, with the mountains over downtown Juneau in the background (before the snow started this weekend on the tops.)  I REALLY enjoy the views!!

Mountainside Estates

Last week I visited this neighborhood to pick up some fresh shrimp that had just been caught and seaplaned in from Hoonah.  The neighborhood was on the side of a mountain (hence the name Mountainside Estates) and had beautiful views.

State Office Building

This the view from the south side of the State Office Building in downtown Juneau.  I work across the street from this (on the first floor).

Moose in Anchorage

This was in the Anchorage newspaper - a moose walking around an Anchorage neighborhood.  Kinda reminds me of Northern Exposure...

US Customs

On the way to US Customs entering Alaska from BC - driving in clouds way up in the mountains.

US Customs on the side of a mountain

  

 

- straight down from here to Skagway, AK.  Well, not straight, pretty curvy, but down!

Sign Post Forest

This is the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory.  Watson Lake is the first place to stop after leaving BC as you enter the Yukon.  Cool place!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watson_Lake,_Yukon

 

Parking on the ferry

This is where we parked and where the dogs stayed on the 6 1/2 hour ferry ride from Skagway, AK to Juneau, with a stop in Haines, AK through the inner passage.

Emerald Lake

This was a beautiful lake and scene between passing out of Canada and before getting to US Customs.  That was a spectacular drive!
 

Mile 0

The Alaska Highway begins in Dawson Creek, BC.

Perseverance Theater

From 10/7/11
Rainy day in Juneau - but so many days lately have been clear and dry.

Check out this theater that is down the street from where I live.  I went to see 39 Steps last night - fabulous!!!!

www.perseverancetheatre.org/

PFD 2011

From 10/6/11 -

it is a special day here in Alaska.  Today it is recommended to stay away from the stores unless you have a real need.  It is the day the PFD (Permanent Fund Dividend) is direct deposited to qualifying Alaskan residents.   The checks are also mailed today.  Here's the news release:

2011 Alaska PFD check: $1,174 Forget beltway politics. As presidential candidates pitch their respective remedies for the nation's financial woes, Alaskan eyes gleam a little brighter knowing that doing nothing more than calling the Last Frontier home leads to a reliable autumn bank account bulge.

This year, the payment will be $1,174. The dividend comes from royalty payments on Alaska's oil.
Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell revealed the amount Tuesday during a press conference. "This is truly one of the great duties as Alaska's governor," he said as he delivered the news.
People who chose to direct deposit their PFD will cash in Oct. 6. Checks for everyone else will be mailed out that same day.
And thus begins the quest by retailers to encourage Alaskans to spend the annual infusion of cash. This year, more than 647,000 Alaskans will receive dividends, making $760 million up for grabs. Some will buy tickets to Hawaii. Others will use it for down payments on a car, snowmachine or boat. Some will load up on any number of items stocked at big box stores like Costco and Sams Clubs, from food to furniture to car tires. Some may pay bills. Some may donate the money. The more disciplined won’t touch it, instead placing it into savings or a college fund.
The largest payout in the dividend’s 30 year history occurred in 2008, when the dividend reached $2,069.  Parnell warned that while the dividend this year is healthy, Alaskans could face diminished amounts in the years ahead, in part from the performance of the stock market and also due to an anticipated decline in oil revenues due to lower oil production.
For more info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaska_Permanent_Fund

Studded Tires

From 10/5/11 - Studded tires installed on the suburban - ready for the snow and ice!  I hope :)

Home Depot

From 10/4/11 - Nice setting for a Home Depot, eh?

 And Walmart...

Mendenhall Glacier

From 10/3/11 - I paid another visit to Mendenhall Glacier over the weekend.  It was just breathtaking.  Getting snowy on those peaks!

The road heading away from the glacier

The leaves are turning!!

From 10/2/11

Termination Dust

From 10/1/11
I took this picture from the back of the office building yesterday in the morning. 
When the clouds cleared by lunch, we saw snow on the top of the same mountains.  Must have happened the night before.  This is called Termination Dust, meaning summer is over.  I thought it was pretty, the locals were bummed.  I just don't know any better yet!  :)

Gastineau Channel

From 9/29/11

This is a view of Gastineau Channel from the window of a place I bought a chair last weekend.  :)  From Douglas Island looking to the mainland.  The water is so green!

And you can tell it was on Saturday because that last cruise ship is in one of the pictures...