Hiking Matanuska Glacier

When I arrived in Alaska a little over a year ago I jumped right into my role as an intern. With VBS just a week after I arrived I was quickly introduced to the people of the congregation and region of Chugiak, Alaska.

 Pastor so graciously took me to all the typical tourist places and one of the first places I went to was Matanuska Glacier. At 27 miles long by 4 miles wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Its terminus (snout) is the source of the Matanuska River. Pastor and I did not walk on it but seeing it from afar was amazing.

Fast forward two months and my fiancé Adam arrived. I took him to Matanuska Glacier to share with him my fascination as we paid the park fee to go hiking on the glacier.

Now, more than a year later I wanted to see the glacier one last time before I leave Alaska. The new DCE intern Ryan arrived here Friday. When Monday rolled around I offered to take Ryan to see it because, well it’s the Alaska experience and it's quite something to see.

Mile 49.9 of the Glenn Highway

The drive there is half the beauty. North, past Palmer is several scenic overlooks with spectacular views. Once on the glacier we hiked our way past the dirty, silt covered ice onto the beautiful white and glacier blue ice mound. As we hiked further onto the glacier we crossed more and more little streams of melting ice.

We reached an impasse at a wide stream of glacial water. We couldn’t jump over it so we had to backtrack. We discovered that we could not take the easy trail as it lead to the stream. So we did what any explorer would have—we broke out the crampons (ice cleats) and Yaktrax to gain traction and hike not on the flat easy trail but up and over a steep peak upon the glacier.

Crampons!

Each of those peaks are upwards of 50-100 feet tall. It's deceptive in the photo.

Walking on the glacier

Look at the people for perspective and comparison.

One foot in front of the other and we made it. We saw a little ways in front of us an ice waterfall. It seemed like a great site so we decided to hike over to it. The waterfall on its own was beautiful but the pool of glacial water below was stunning. The color combination from the reflection of the sky above and the ice around blended a mix of blue, gray, and green. I joked that all we needed was a polar bear and it would be an “All-in-one Alaska photo”.

We took pictures and Ryan lost one of his Yaktrax in the process. He was going to retrieve it too, but doing so would have meant a sharp decent down 7 foot of ice toward the icy water below. Even if he would have gotten down i'm not sure he could have reached it as it sank to the bottom.

Ryan's Yaktrax at the bottom of the icy pool of water.

Waterfall (look closely to the left it blends in with the ice)

Love the color of the water.

My shoes are not untied-those are the straps from my crampons

With our destination complete we made our way back to the car. As we jumped over the streams of ice water, and crevasses of ice my water bottle fell out of my side pouch and landed in the water below. It was rapidly rushed down stream before Ryan or I could grab it. I feel terrible and it was not my intention to "trash Alaska" but like Ryan's Yaktrax there was no way to retrieve it...not to mention it continued down stream and is probably halfway to Palmer via the Matanuska River.

We eventually made it back to the car and back safely to Chugiak. It was a great day and a perfect bookend to my Alaska internship. With a week left and my days numbered I take comfort in the fact that I have gotten to spend a year in this great state. I am ready to be reunited with my husband-to-be, but will still miss this place and these people. I love this place!

Sunset

As daylight grows longer I get some spectacular sunsets outside my door. Click on the image for larger view. I tried to post it bigger but it overflowed because it's so wide. You are looking at Silhouettes (from left to right) Mt. Susitna ("Sleeping Lady"), the Alaska Range, and Foraker, Hunter and Denali (Mt. McKinley). I live in the heartland of God's handiwork. Our God is an awesome God!

Break-Up

It’s that time of the year again. The time when the days grow longer (MUCH longer, 6 minutes per day added daylight), the snow turns disgustingly black, garbage appears from beneath the snow, the parking lots become a treacherous mess, and everything smells like poop. Yup, it’s that time of the year—“Break-up”.

Panorama of the street. The 6 foot tall snow berms are hard as a rock and black as coal.

Break-up describes the idea that ice and snow are melting (250,000 tons of snow or around 500 million pounds to be exact). For the average citizen, this means that all of the snow cover is now turning to slush, and mini rivers flow EVERYWHERE. All of the debris that has accumulated over the winter (who wants to go outside at 40 below to clean up the yard?) is now coming to the surface. For those of us who have dogs, and God-forbid, dog teams, this presents a special problem!

There are always surprises! One may discover, surfacing, their neighbors' mail, the missing mitten their grandchild lost, dog bones that were the subject of much barking, pacing, etc., children's toys, and assorted articles of missing clothing, etc., etc. Pick-up trucks are a special menace, as many Alaskans use these to store their trash. When the trash carrying pick-up is on its way to the dump station, lots of debris can fly out. There are many surprises as to what can emerge and plant itself in one's yard.

You are looking at a snow pile...with trash

A melting ice covered parking lot reveals many things

Parking lots are like washboards with a foot of ice here, dry pavement there, puddles which appear only inches deep until one drives through them revealing two feet in depth. There is one particularly bad pothole near Fred Meyer. Do not be deceived to think it is but a “puddle” this is the death of a car’s alignment!
With puddles EVERYWHERE it’s the time when children and adults get out their “Breakup boots”. My “breakup boots” are a cute pair of bogs. They are seriously the best boot ever. Good for snow, good for rain, good for life.

Check out the size of those ice ruts!

Parking lot, this giant puddle was over a foot and a half deep.

This...is a parking lot

 Children are admonished not to enter through the front door. They must come into the side entry, the Artic entry, or the attached garage (for those of us to be so fortunate), to take off all offending footware and clothing before they enter civilization. This takes special reminding, but mothers and grandma's are very good at this! Spare sets of dry and clean clothing are kept on hand this time of year!

Dogs are not allowed in the house until they have "dried off". This means that they are shut in the garage, howls of protestation abound, until they are deemed by the lady of the house as safe to enter and recline on the carpet. A thorough toweling is a pre-requisite to entering a civilized home.

There is a river under the ice

Melting ice water flows down the downspout and under the very ground (ice) I walk on.

This puddle may or may not have altered the alignment on my car. YIKES!

This is why you need breakup boots at all times!

A special thrill is the breakup of the river ice. A friend has a break-up party each year. I’m told they all gather on the banks of the inlet for a special party. Ice chunks go floating by. There is a tinkling sound. They barbecue sausages, slug down some beer or wine, place out beach chairs on the banks of the river, and enjoy.

Breakup season is here but I await spring. Spring, like fall, is one of Alaska's shorter seasons. Its length depends on what part of the state you're in; in Anchorage, it often begins in late April when the first carefully nurtured crocuses appear and ends in early June when the lilacs bloom. But for now I am enjoying the many hours of daylight and warmer temps (today 39*F for a high).

Sledding anyone?

Ice Fishing

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

After a long weekend at the high school retreat I was feeling rather exhausted and ready for bed, but not before heading out for an afternoon on Mirror Lake with my internship congregation for their annual Ice Fishing Day.

Each year in March ORLC members, and friends head out for an afternoon on the lake. This year Greg headed up the event as he too was fatigued from a Boy Scout trip the night previous. None the less the Holy Spirit granted energy and a beautiful day.

Working on my tan while awaiting some fish

There was no cloud in sight and it was a balmy 30˚F. The crew had set up camp in the middle of Mirror Lake. Greg brought tables complete with hot dogs, coffee, hot chocolate, chips, cookies, crackers, candy and the like. What’s the saying? Where two or three Lutherans are gathered there will be food? Haha.

Len is just chillin' (no pun intended)

We started out fairly close together with several holes within a 100 foot radius. Then the younger kids left and came back explaining that the fish were in a different area (I love the rationale or children). So Greg left and drilled several more holes.

Digging out the newly formed ice after 15 minutes with the pole in.

In order to get to the ice, one must shovel off the 2 feet or so of snow that blankets the ice. Once to the ice the drill reaches another 3-4 feet down corresponding to the depth of the ice. The men even had to put on the ice auger extender because it was so thick. No falling in worries here.

John and Ernie with the auger extension on...looking for water not continued ice, it's thick!

That's 3 feet of ice right there

Here fishy, fishy, fishy

Rick walking back with Jacob from a far away fishing spot.

We had over 20 people show up throughout the four hour afternoon span. I even got sun burn on my nose. It was great. I was not cold as wearing black snow pants attracted the sun above and reflection from the pure white abyss all around me and the snow covered mountains that surrounded the lake.

We did not catch any fish, but that did not matter. The kids lost interest and headed sledding on the shoreline, and eventually we had a full on snowball fight. It was great fun to be had by all.

Pulling her brother in the sled. Cute!

Love this picture-Scotty in snowshoes getting tired of waiting for a fish. Patience of a saint right there.

On a side note (as I continue to learn the Alaskan terminology one does not say "Fishing Pole"...it is called a "Fishing rod". Just as one does not say "Snowmobile"...it's called a "Snowmachine". Little things, that separate the visitors from the Alaskans. I will never be true Alaskan Native but I can try as my heart wishes I were :)

Such unique experiences I am blessed to have here in Alaska. Where else would a congregation go ice fishing? Where else does a congregation go hiking under the moon and northern lights? Where else does a congregation bring their K-9 companions to worship? Alaska, I fall in love with you more each day.

Shed Some Light On the Subject

"Shed light on the subject"
If you were an artist or photographer this phrase could mean something different to you than if you were not. If you were to tell an artist they needed to shed light on a subject they will actually do it. They will add light so that the subject they are trying to capture is revealed even more. They will literally add light so that the focus of their art is better seen.

To non-art type people, shedding the light on something is a little different, but not too much. If we shed the light on a situation then we are seeking the truth in a certain situation. Light is almost never used as a metaphor for bad things. Light is synonymous for goodness, purity and truth. God created light before anything else because it is good (or maybe it's good because it was first...it's the chicken or the egg debate).

Christians are called to be light in the world. Jesus called us to be light in Matthew 5:14-16 (a continuation from yesterday).

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV)

Verse 14: Jesus is talking to his disciples. He tells them that they are the light of the world. They are called to be different. Then he uses an interesting analogy. He says that a town on a hill cannot be hidden. If you were to build a house on the top of a hill, then everyone will be able to see it. If you were to build your house in a valley, or behind a hill, then only people with certain vantage points will see it.

Jesus is telling them (in two different ways) that they are called to stand out. They are called to be different and to be seen by everyone. They are called to stand out, not to hide.

Verse 15: You have to remember that Jesus knows we are thickheaded people and he knows that the only way we are going to understand things is if we are told them multiple times in different ways.

So Jesus tells the disciples again how to live. This time he gives another analogy. He talks to them about lamps. He reminds them that when people light lamps they don't hide them, that would be a waste. If you light a lamp you want the light to be used. So instead of hiding the light away in the closet, you would put the light out and up high so that everyone could see and use the light.

Verse 16: So this is how we are to live. We are supposed to be light. We are to stand where everyone can see and not try to hide. We are to supposed to shine for all to see, not run from the world. We are supposed to be goodness and truth in the world.

We need to be the light so that we can let others see, but also so that our actions will all bring glory to God. God created life and called it good and Jesus told us to be light. We are supposed to bring glory to God in all that we do. We are supposed to be pure and good and if we are these things then we will bring glory to God. This is our call, our goal, our purpose!

Speaking of light check out the beautiful Northern Lights time lapse below. They are so awe-inspiring.


Aurora Timelapse. Fire in the sky. from Anna Possberg on Vimeo.

UFO (Unrecognized Faith Occasion)

Do you believe in UFO’s? I do, but let me explain. Say my brother takes a pencil eraser and chucks it across my living room while I’m watching T.V. I saw “something” but did not know what it was exactly. In that moment I had seen an U.F.O –Unidentified flying object. In that sense I believe that there are many objects that are unidentifiable and some of them even fly in home, such as this scenario.

Well with that said I do not believe in aliens—at least not in the extra-terrestrial, little green men. Why all the talk of UFO’s? Because last night I DEFINATLEY saw several UFOs, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

I really enjoy photographing the northern lights. I’m addicted, and I admit it. I have an app on my phone that wakes me up at ridiculous hours of the night to alert me when they are out in the Chugiak, AK area. I dart out of bed at two, three, four in the morning and start taking pictures.

The stripe Northwest side...

..the strip northeast side-extended all the way across the horizon

Strip with some added "curtains" above

Last evening was a very active one. It was active with both northern lights and shooting stars (meteorites) in the sky. When the Northern Light’s show began around 11:00pm I was on the phone with Adam and saw two shootings stars in the one 20 minute conversation.

Two meteors caught on film!

Over the next hour and a half I must have seen a dozen or so shooting stars, and managed to capture two on film—what are the odds? Upon later research I discovered that the reason for so much activity was due to the Gamma Normids (GNO) Meteor shower which is a shower that extends over the period of March 11 to 21. Maximum occurs on March 16--Today!

Purple, yellow, green colors

RED!

Green sky up above

I snapped a couple dozen shots at my host home. From there I decided it was not fun to have the same shot over and over again so I got in my car and drove down the mountain to the local baseball field (at 2:00am mind you). While I thought this would be a good viewing spot the lights that line the highway were very distracting. I did manage to capture several shots before heading up a different road on the same mountain range I live on. 

Swirling green and a tint of red

Green and red-it's Christmas

If you look at the two pictures (below) I captured at the Loretta French baseball field, you will see some very bright lights of the local gas station called Alice Mae’s. But directly above it is something strange. It appears there are six “spinning top” shaped object. I did not notice this until after I looked at the pictures on my computer.

These spaceship shapes seem to move across the sky from one picture to the next. In the first they are clearly visible, and in the second shot they move from center to the right side of the photo. I am not one who believes in aliens but there is no doubt about it…these things are UFO’s—that is un-identified flying objects. Either it’s a reflection, pieces of space debris, comets, or something…obviously unknown, hence I am going to call them UFOs.

Six "tops"...UFO

The moved across the picture to the top right corner...

With these UFO sky objects it’s hard for me to tell what they really are. Perhaps that is because I am only seeing them from one angle, at one specific moment.

The same is true in life situations. It isn’t always easy to see why God has brought us to a specific path. You may be facing a dead end right now — financial, emotional, or relational — but if you will trust God and keep on moving in faith, even when you don’t see the full picture, he will make a way.

It will become more understandable as you head down the path he sets before you, but understanding is not a requirement for you to start down the path. Proverbs 4:18 says, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (NIV). One day you will stand in the full light of eternity and view the big picture. You’ll see God’s purpose behind the path he specifically chose for you.

Perhaps you are going through a UFO time in your life--an Unrecognized Faith Occasion--that is, a time for your faith to grow and flourish because of an event placed before you. You may not understand now but God will reveal why, and the bigger picture. In the meantime, do what Proverbs 3 says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Be patient. God knows what he’s doing. God knows what is best for you. He can see the end result. You can’t. All those problems, heartaches, difficulties and delays — all the things that make you ask “why” — will one day be clear in the light of God’s love.