So, Alaska I went

for some time well spent,

to visit my boys

and not make a bunch of noise.

The wilderness we saw

and now are in awe,

of the caribou, moose and even bear paw.

The mountains and glaciers; they show no flaw.

The fish, the food, it’s a great summer haul.

It was great fun, but the best of all,

was the time well spent and we had a ball.

 Memories we now have for the time we spent,

no price tag can be placed on what it all meant!

Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried

My yougest son, Rob, turned me on to this music on my trip to Alaska. I liked it so much, I thought I would share it with the rest of you. So enjoy!

Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried Roughstock.com

Your Honor, the Mayor

This is the current "official photo" of the City Council of Owosso, Michigan. I just thought I would point out the photos on the wall in the background. It is of the 10 first previous Mayors under the current city charter, adopted in the 1960's.

Yes, there he is, #10, the Honorable Mayor Michael J. Dvorak. ...might I add, an extremely young Mayor Dvorak! :) lol

Parting Shots

Here are a few pictures at the Fairbanks, Alaska International Airport last night; as I head back home to reality! It was a wild ride, to say the least. Alaska has got to be the most breath taking state in the union and some of my other pictures and video clearly point out. But, the best part has been to be able to spend time with both my boys who are serving in an active duty capacity with the US Army in our missile defense shield in the interior of Alaska's great wilderness. Here I am with my son J and his daughter Samantha.

Here is Samantha with Aunt Erin. Erin is married to my youngest son, Rob. He had to work following a vacation to the lower 48 for the past 18 days.

Thanks, Kids, for the memories!

Alaska at it's Best

My time has been extended in Alaska...so make pictures to share; while the pictures are hot! More of my trip to the final frontier. About the only thing we have not seen is a black bear, which we could hunt without a license, because there are so many. Not to say that we have not been looking hard to find one. We carry the right equipment at all times, just in case! But the overall splendor of this state is truly breathtaking. ...and the best part has been spending some real quality time with my boys. This is what makes lifetime memories to talk about forever. So, here you go, more pics of Alaska at its best!

Wildlife & Alyeska Pipeline

Tonight Rob & I took a drive up to the remote area of Donnely Dome looking for wildlife. Big wildlife. Like the kind you expect to see in Alaska's wilderness. ...and we were not disappointed! As if trophy caribou, a medium sized bull moose and red fox were not enough excitement, we also had an opportunity to fire off a couple rounds from various firearms. (You can never have enough loaded weapons around when in Alaska!)

One of the rifles was a 45-70 lever action with plenty of kick to throw your equilibrium off. For me, it threw my reading glasses off my head and onto the ground and yes, my shoulder is feeling the aftershock!

The other part of our outing was to see the section of the Alyeska Pipeline that runs through this remote section of the wilderness. The picture is me, standing under the pipeline.

Enjoy the picture video and return regularly to see future posts; as the adventure in Alaska continues.

Ahhh...Alaska, Finally!

It has been a notable trip so far, and it has only begun. On Thursday, I went from 110 degree weather in Phoenix to 58 degrees in Fairbanks, Alaska. Delayed getting to Fairbanks, then getting up to Delta Junction, by the dense smoke of the wild fires in the area. My flight into Fairbanks was only the second commercial airline flight to arrive there that day.

I spent Thursday night and all day Friday with WO1 (Warrant Officer 1)Dave Piggott, who has been around our family since his high school Days. In fact, Dave calls his real Dad by his first name but calls me "Dad". Dave is stationed in Fairbanks at Ft. Wainwright as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, so he took me on base and let me experience one up close. This is way cool!

Rob, Erin and Samantha were held in Minnapolis until late Friday, before they were cleared to fly to Alaska. They finally arrived in Delta Junction very early Saturday morning. Here is Samantha and Aunt Erin on the last leg of their trip up here. Rob obviously took this picture!

Early this morning I could hear the bulgle of the moose in the distance on post. It is common place for them to walk through the neighborhood. Rob had one standing in his yard before their trip back to Michigan.

Then there is Rob's dog Alex. The newest addition to the Dvorak family. He is a Chesapeak Retriever and is nearly 1 year old and has a lot of character. Here he is in the backseat of the car with Samantha.

Check back later as I will be adding to this post, as we experience Alaska!