"Winter Wonderland"

Have had a nice amount of snow drop on us two days out of the past three. I have had the time to enjoy a little quiet time pushing the snow around the Hole In the Wall. What a great place to spend some winter time, it is always so fresh and pristine. Each time, the snow was been untouched except for a few rabbit tracks. Today, was a beautiful day, almost shirt sleeve weather for a few hours. The snow berms are starting to increase in size, just begging for a little tunneling and snow forts.

Bronco Lane

"Cabins In The Woods"

"Bear Den"

"No Wind To Report"

"Moose Wallow and Old Bear Den Snowed In"

"Before I Finished Plowing, We Did Have White Out
Conditions As This Picture Shows"

Time To Plow

For once, the prognosticators got it right. We did get the 6 - 8 inches of snow as predicted. Had a some wind with it, on the front deck of the house, we had some drifts that were two feet high while on the back wood walkway, there was no snow. It made it much easier for Lady Eagle to shovel. I got some windshield time in today, it appears right now I may have some more tomorrow.

After completing the "nest" plowing, I moved into the HITW. What a pleasant place to plow snow. No cars or traffic to worry about, just steer the truck and plow. On occasion, a pile of lumber, gazebo, or cook tent frame will get your attention when you back into them. But it is a pleasant experience, the quietness, pristine powder snow, and tree laden snow sculptures makes it a great time to just be by yourself and contemplate. Those long pushes from the gazebo, down Bronco Lane, turning left onto Messican Drive out to the Sterling Highway gives you plenty of time to have your attention diverted. Reversing the course backwards is always stimulating, who in hell put the HITW sign in the right of way of Bronco Lane?

Although, I did not intend to time the plow time, but it took 57.6 minutes to clear out the snow today. Thought that I may want to record it just in the event that someday I may want to submit a statement of time (bill) to the time share owners. But, how could I ever charge anyone for a pleasant afternoon? Tomorrow, I may take a picnic lunch and start a fire. Today, I even considered running a cable down the hill and watch Super Bowl 43 under the Gazebo. How do I know that it is Super Bowl 43 ~ the math is simple. Super Bowl I pitted the Green Bay Packers against the Kansas City Chiefs, the final score was 35-10 in favor of Green Bay. This game occurred 34 days before two young kids were married in Homer, Alaska. Not that this has anything to do with plowing snow, but I do remember that day as it was a snowy, windy day, but it was hot and sunny.

Nauti Fantasy at HITWRA planned!

After careful consideration, a new
structure, strictly for entertainment
value, is planned to begin construction
Memorial Day weekend, 2009!
Or, we could just buy it in Homer,
and, order a new one next year. There
is a 38' seiner to be developed soon!
The mud pit will be by the south deck.


The Texas Hold 'Em games will
never be the same again!
There has to be funding for this in the
economy's new "stimulus package".
We just need to plan where a 50 foot
fishing vessel can rest for the summer
(and wax the pole).

Winter At the Hole In the Wall

Been awhile since any "new" postings have been made to the site. Surely do wish that the greenery of the area was in existence today instead of the ice and crusted snow that blankets the area. Come on Spring! Spent a little time in the area a couple of days ago and prepared a "mental list" of objectives to meet prior to Memorial Day. Now the process will begin by putting them onto paper and setting priorities. Although the list is rather long, hopefully we will have an early spring and I will get a forty day lead on the projects. Also have a folder of invoices sitting on my desk as a reminder that a "new" order has to be made for the construction season following Memorial Day.

Everything presently looks good in the area, it is wintering well. We did have some "new" inhabitants move into the area since Christmas. As I was wandering around looking at things that needed to be completed, "Ruger" was working the sides along the northern slopes. He jumped a flock of six Spruce Chickens. Watching him, after he jumped the flock, he did a very good job of criss-crossing the slopes trying to jump a few more. The presence of the chickens could well be the reason that the Snow Leopard chose to hold up in the area. Have not seen any additional sign of him / her but we may want to watch the "little ones" closer this next season.

Now that the weather has warmed up a little and the propane tanks filled, expect to continue the "finishing" stages of the Bear Den. Keep in mind, that come spring I could surely use another 100 to 150 feet of 1.5 inch fire hose. In your travels, if you see any just laying around and not being fully utilized it can be put to good use come spring break-up. Other items to keep in mind, used kitchen cabinets, counter tops, appliances, beds, and furniture.

Currently, a couple of invitations have been extended to family members outside of Alaska to join us this summer. At present, we might plan on "Ranger Bill" to come riding in at anytime after green grass. Whether this will be prolonged visit or just a "touch down" is still up in the air at this time, however, he would like to be here for Memorial Day.

Best To All.

Eyes In The Dark

On New Year's Day, I ventured outside just prior to daylight to let the dogs do their thing. Immediately, "Ruger" started barking and headed to rim overlooking the Hole In The Wall. Of course, his reaction alerted "Goldie" and "Dutch" so they had to join Ruger on the rim. It was not a casual "moose alert" or an imaginary object bark, they were upset at something.

Thinking perhaps that the Wolf Clan had returned from their "wilderness trek" and were in their cabin, I walked over to the rim. Ruger was not in sight, but Goldie and Dutch were still barking. Not seeing any lights on in the cabin, I returned to the house to get a flash light. Returning to the rim, Dutch and Goldie had also ventured into the basin. Turning the flashlight on, I immediately picked up the eyes of all three dogs by the gazebo and looking into the trees by the Bear Den.

After screaming a lot, I finally got all three dogs to return to the rim while I continued trying to see what they were so upset about. I thought I had caught a glimpse of something moving through the trees and definitely picked up a set of eyes reflected in my light beam.

Returning to the house, I made my morning coffee and watched the morning news but still wondering what had upset them so much. Deciding I would check it out further when daylight arrived. I went out to start my truck and again all three dogs headed to the rim and started the same type of barking, but would not go down the bluff and into the campground. Walking over to the edge where they were standing, I did see something moving through the trees. First thought was a dog or perhaps a coyote, but it was moving more gracefully. Putting the dogs back in the house and grabbing my camera, I jumped into my truck and headed for the campground.

Pulling up in front of gazebo, I remained in the truck and watched the tree line alongside the Bear Den, where I had last spotted the intruder. Nothing was moving as far as I could tell. Getting out of the truck and just as I turned to walk towards the cabin, I saw something move behind a tree and disappear. It never came out from behind the tree! Reaching back into the truck, I got my camera, checked the settings and started walking slowly to the spot that I saw the creature disappear. I was watching the ground level area, that is where I made my mistake. The next thing I heard was a high pitched growl, the hair on the back on my neck literally rose on end. I have never had that sensation before. I heard it first but all the time I felt I was being watched. It was only then that I happened to glance up, I only had time to get one quick shot with camera before it was out of the tree and disappeared into the growth. It was an animal that I had never seen before. I remained in the campground for another hour hoping that it would return, it did not.

Later in the day I returned with the dogs, they immediately went to the spot where I had sighted the animal but never barked or reacted to any scent. Returning home, I got on the Internet and surprisingly discovered the identity of the creature, much to my surprise. See if you can identify the animal, sorry that I did not get a full body shot of the animal. It was fast!


I called the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, I do not think they believed me nor the description of the animal that I saw. Unless, someone can convince me other wise, this is a genuine Snow Leopard that I captured on my camera. The Snow Leopard is not indigenous to North America let alone Alaska. One can only guess where this Snow Leopard originated or how it found it's way to the Hole In The Wall Recreational Area.

Further research revealed that two Snow Leopard cubs were born at the Alaska Zoo, (see above link, 2nd Paragraph on linked site), but reportedly these two cubs died shortly after birth or did they? What other explanation could there be for a Snow Leopard being spotted at the Hole In The Wall Recreational Area?