The ***OFFICIAL*** Weekend Singles' Thread -- "Alaska Singles Thread (January 05 - 07, 2007,)

various | 5th January 2007 | Proud_yank

[snugs]

The 49th State - The Last Frontier
by proud_yank

Having recently moved here, I thought an Alaskan Singles Thread would be pretty fun.

Alaska is the largest state in America, roughly twice the size of Texas (sorry Texas!).

Putting Alaska into perspective. The Aleutian Islands over California, and South-eastern Alaska over Georgia.

An interesting fact I learned the other day is that in addition to being the Western and Northern-most state, Alaska is also the Eastern-most state too. The Western tip of the Aleutian Islands is just West of the International Dateline.

Alaska can be separated into five regions. The Far North (Also known as the 'North Slope') extends from the Brooks Range (the Northern-most extension of the Rocky Mountains) to the Arctic Ocean. Here are some photos of the Brooks Range, and the North Slope region. Barrow is the most Northern city in America. For fun, here is Barrow's weather.

Most people in Alaska live in Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage), and then the Interior (Fairbanks). Temperatures in the interior are sometimes colder than in the Arctic. Western Alaska is famous for the finish of the Iditarod dog-sled race in Nome. Southeastern, and the Interior, are famous for the Klondike gold rush.

Juneau, the state capitol is located in Southeastern Alaska. As a staunch conservative, it makes me smile that the govt. is located somewhere that can only be reached by boat or plane :-).

The Regions of Alaska

There are lots of moose here, and you really have to be careful driving. In the winter moose will come down from the mountains, and casually stroll through downtown Anchorage. We had one right outside the front door of our main office today! Other animals here include caribou, grizzly, polar, and black bears, muskoxen, beaver, otters, wolves, wolverines, tons of birds, and lots of delicious fish!

Some other interesting info about Alaska....

At 20,320 ft., Alaska has North America's highest peak, Denali.
State bird - Willow Ptarmigan.
State fish - King Salmon.
State tree - Sitka Spruce.
State spore - Dog mushing.
State animal - Moose.
State flower - Wild Native Forget-me-Not.
State song - 'Alaska's Flag'.

Eight stars of gold on a field of blue -
Alaska's flag. May it mean to you
The blue of the sea, the evening sky,
The mountain lakes, and the flow'rs nearby;
The gold of the early sourdough's dreams,
The precious gold of the hills and streams;
The brilliant stars in the northern sky,
The "Bear" - the "Dipper" - and, shining high,
The great North Star with its steady light,
Over land and sea a beacon bright.
Alaska's flag - to Alaskans dear,
The simple flag of a last frontier.

Here are some of my photos that I've put online so far

[DollyCali]

Alaska Humor

Funny State Slogans (Rejected State Mottos)

Alaska:  11,623 Eskimos Can't Be Wrong!
Alaska!  Come freeze your butt off!

Sam had been in business for 25 years and is finally sick of the stress.  He quits his job and buys 50 acres of land in Alaska as far from humanity as possible.
     Sam sees the postman once a week and gets groceries once a month.
     Otherwise it's total peace and quiet. After six months or so of almost total isolation, someone knocks on his door.
     He opens it and there is a big, bearded man standing there. "Name's Lars...Your neighbor from forty miles away.... Having a party Friday to celebrate the new Millennium.... Thought you'd like to come. About 5..."
     "Great," says Sam, "after six months out here I'm ready to meet some local folks. Thank you." As Lars is leaving, he stops. "Gotta warn you... There's gonna be some drinkin'." "Not a problem... after 25 years in business, I can drink with the best of 'em."
     Again, as he starts to leave, Lars stops. "More 'n' likely gonna be some fightin' too." Sam says, "Well, I get along with people. I'll be there.
     Thanks again."
     Once again Lars turns from the door. "I've seen some wild sex at these parties, too."
     "Now that's really not a problem," says Sam. "I've been all alone for six months! I'll definitely be there. By the way, what should I wear?"
     Lars stops in the door again and says, "Whatever you want, just gonna be the two of us."

~~~~~

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen - had to be a female. We should've known. Only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

[rzeznikj at stout]

"word up homey!"

damn right, bro...

"Whats up.... Well, the amount of snow in the yard :-)"

well, it's alaska...

[rzeznikj at stout]

Ah, no...

trust me on this one...

first, i tend to abhor dancing. second, the sight of a 255lb lineman dancing is enough to make most people sick. third, well, 'nuff said.

[rzeznikj at stout]

chalk another dead thread for me...

[thackney]

A few of my Alaska pictures for your thread.

In Eagle River...

[thackney]

State Fair...

[thackney]

Fur Rondy...

[thackney]

Resurrection Bay & Seward...

[thackney]

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Portage)...

[thackney]

Caught in Ship Creek fishing an hour before work one morning...

[thackney]

Denali National Park...

[thackney]

Outdoor fun...

[thackney]

Alaskan Teamwork...

Rustic Life...

This last one is outside Fairbanks. Just imagine it this month.

Fairbanks Weather Forecast

[WFTR]

One up--I have NEVER had a woman want to dance with me...

It's been years since a woman wanted to dance with me. In fact, it's likely been since I was your age. As you said very well, having to dance with me would be a kind of cruel and unusual punishment.

[WFTR]

How did you break and then reinjure your elbow? Are these recent injuries or injuries from childhood?

[WFTR]

I've never broken anything either, just had several other health problems, but I won't bring that on here.

I'm sorry to hear that you've had other problems. I've had more problems than I'd like, but I've avoided the big ones so far.

[DollyCali]

Oh my, those are beautiful!!!

I love eagles. I live contiguous to a national park & we have two bald eagles that are sited/present. We are thrilled with that.. and you have well, it seems a gazillion!

How far away from Proud_Yank are you?

[WFTR]

I faded quickly last night, but I'm still recovering from a cold. I love the little friend.

[DollyCali]

Is that last pix you holding the fish? are the children yours?

The pix are breathtaking.. LOVE the seals, the country side.. The dog is the nana dog in Peter Pan? I can see the bottle of rum? ha!

thanks for the great pix

[DollyCali]

Ladies, you must see Thanckney's wonderful pix above this post.. several sets of pix! They are funny, beautiful, magnificent, along the way.