15 Sep 2007, 4:16 am
I just got home from work a while ago and I did't see any lights, I see them all the time and they were one of the big reasons I came to Alaska the first time back in 1990.(I did't want to die saying.."Gee, I wish I would have....I'd seen them in my World Book Encyclopedia when I was 6 and made a list of everything I had to see before I died.) Now I'm "jaded" but they are still beautiful. I used to drive from Fairbanks to Wasilla once a week (about 300 miles) in the winter and would leave at midnight. The lights would be dancing and there was no light pollution, stars shining brightly, just indescribable! Something everyone should see once. The red ones are best, I have some really GREAT pictures of them. If I could ever figure out how to put pictures on here I'd show you.
hartzofspace when were you at Ft. Ben Harrison, I also did AIT there after leaving Tank Hill at Ft. Jackson. Only my MOS was "Physical Activites Spec.(There was only 400 and something of us in the whole Army,) all the people who were going to get tossed out for being overweight, I got them for 12 weeks first and Rank no longer mattered...they were MINE. GRUELING PT...ran 12 miles a day, swam 1 mile a day and lifted weights for 3 hours a day. They hated me. 
None of mine EVER got out for weight.
Wow, I wrote alot,sorry so long.
15 Sep 2007, 5:33 am
You're never alone nannarob! I flew in my dreams all night. I probably visited you at least once. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3awrz2VTMdI
15 Sep 2007, 8:35 am
15 Sep 2007, 10:21 am
15 Sep 2007, 10:25 am
hartzofspace when were you at Ft. Ben Harrison, I also did AIT there after leaving Tank Hill at Ft. Jackson. Only my MOS was "Physical Activites Spec.(There was only 400 and something of us in the whole Army,) all the people who were going to get tossed out for being overweight, I got them for 12 weeks first and Rank no longer mattered...they were MINE. GRUELING PT...ran 12 miles a day, swam 1 mile a day and lifted weights for 3 hours a day. They hated me.
None of mine EVER got out for weight.Wow, I wrote alot,sorry so long.
wow, this place is just crawling (no offense) with ex-military aspies. there some sort of correlation there, i wonder?
15 Sep 2007, 10:58 am
i thought i answered this, but it looks like i didn't.
was looking north of albany, actually, for a while. housing is cheaper outside albany proper, it seems. i just need to be within striking distance of a university or community college, and have internet access. otherwise, i'd have to rent to "regular" people instead of university affiliates. much easier to deal with the latter.
there was a town, on the map it seems to be due west of burlington, vermont, that looked interesting. depends on where the kid wants to go to school - have to consider in-state tuition issues. then again, since it doesn't look like we're going this year (the original plan), she may just have to cough up the out-of-state no matter where she goes. she'll only have to do it for two years, anyway. suny albany was on the list, at one time. as was william and mary. as was some small college in PA.
what's a no-see-em? black flies i know, and i remember skeeters from jersey.
richie
Supporting Member
Joined: 9 Jan 2007
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Posts: 30,142
Location: Lake Whoop-Dee-Doo, Pennsylvania
15 Sep 2007, 11:25 am
i thought i answered this, but it looks like i didn't.
was looking north of albany, actually, for a while. housing is cheaper outside albany proper, it seems. i just need to be within striking distance of a university or community college, and have internet access. otherwise, i'd have to rent to "regular" people instead of university affiliates. much easier to deal with the latter.
there was a town, on the map it seems to be due west of burlington, vermont, that looked interesting. depends on where the kid wants to go to school - have to consider in-state tuition issues. then again, since it doesn't look like we're going this year (the original plan), she may just have to cough up the out-of-state no matter where she goes. she'll only have to do it for two years, anyway. suny albany was on the list, at one time. as was william and mary. as was some small college in PA.
what's a no-see-em? black flies i know, and i remember skeeters from jersey.
What's a no-see-em? Those are those tiny little ones that have a very loud buzz and they hover near your ears driving you bonkers!
The black flies of the Adirondacks are no joke, my mom has a camp in the Adirondacks and I stayed there one weekend,
those little buggers left marks on my arms that lasted almost two years.
15 Sep 2007, 11:38 am
so i wonder, why is housing so cheap in upstate new york? the taxes don't seem too bad. the heating costs, well, no worse than the cooling costs in the desert.
seems a bit strange to be looking on realtor.com and seeing four bedroom homes that we'd (hypothetically) be able to pay cash for someday and that cost less than a shared garage costs here.
so, what's so awful about upstate ny that we're not seeing? no pizza delivery?
15 Sep 2007, 11:39 am
good argument for long hair!
15 Sep 2007, 2:35 pm
Lupine, there really isn't a way to be SURE of seeing them on any given night. All you can do is check the "Aurora Watches" and hope they show. And even if you only see them for a few moments, its worth it, you'll never forget it. Sometimes they come far south also. The sunspot cycle??every 11 years or something?
When I first got back here in 1999 I was working at "Chena Hot Springs Resort" about 56 miles above Fairbanks which is known for its "Aurora Tours" It's CRAZY busy in the winter because of the Japanese. Apparently in their culture, they believe their child will lead a "Blessed Life" if it's conceived under the Northren Lights. We'd have a line out the door w/ a 45 min. wait and if some one said "AURORA" the place emptied just like that . I don't know if I believe it will help their child, but I do respect any parent- to- be who would at least TRY to give their child a better life. I think it's a sweet belief.
Also I think it was the "Discovery" channel, did an Aurora Lecture in the winter of 2000 at Chena, and I got to spend 2 days w/ all the leading experts and a bunch of astrophysists,they all gave me copies of their books, it was so cool. They let me attend EVERYTHING w/ them, I had a great time. Also because I was somewhat knowledgable about physics and they could tell I was a "Geek" they tipped me UNBELIEVABLY WELL!! ! They were tipping like $5.00 every time I poured coffee...these people have money, when I'd protest and I DID, I felt guilty almost, they would tell me "We have to take care of our own." It felt nice to be counted in.
If you ever do decide to try seeing them Lupine let me know, your plane WILL stop in Anchorage.Every plan stops in Anchorage, my daughter calls it "Airplane Yard" she likes the planes.
As for the x-military thing mine was I'v always wanted to see Europe It was also on the List I made as a child. All my family were military althrough my father had gotten out by the time I was born.He worked at Groom Lake (Area 51) but won't talk about it....Damn. The summer I was 5, I remember us driving up with my Uncle Houston to take him to Ft. Ord to ship out for Vietnam.(Also remember my mom getting the phone call that he was wounded and being sent home. Little "Bouncing Betty" action) My uncle was Post Commander of the Intelligence Post, (I can't spell Ft. Huchjuaca??? 
it's in Sierra Vista AZ)uncle works for NASA, Grandfather retired off of Edwards Airforce base.(used to eat dinner w/ Chuck Yeager when I was like 5 years old but did't know who he was except Granpa's friend.
I really made a mistake by joining as my differences were made "Glaringly Clear" there. The more I was told to conform the less I would. I learned ALOT, and would't trade the experience, but truly hated it and managed to get out in 11 mos. and 4 days Honorably.
Sorry so long, I'm really bad about that.
postpaleo
Veteran
Joined: 21 Feb 2007
Age: 74
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,134
Location: North Mirage, Pennsyltucky
15 Sep 2007, 3:41 pm
15 Sep 2007, 3:59 pm
What a perfect day weather-wise here! I'd take more of the same forever! Started hiking at 3:00am, came back for breakfast and lunch, and called it quits just now at 4:00pm. Just did not want to be inside today! I'm going up to Alaska one day reika. Gotta see your stomping grounds for myself. Might try the Adirondacks too, with some mosquito netting. What the heck. I'm a geek anyway - may as well look the part. Mosquito netting, and a pocket protector.
15 Sep 2007, 4:13 pm
15 Sep 2007, 4:22 pm
Have you ever awakened to the sound of two cats fighting? I was hiking through the woods in the dark this morning, and about 25 feet off to my left two raccoons went after each other. Cats got nothing on raccoons. I'm quite sure I broke 4 Olympic records. Three in brand new categories.
richie
Supporting Member
Joined: 9 Jan 2007
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Posts: 30,142
Location: Lake Whoop-Dee-Doo, Pennsylvania
15 Sep 2007, 4:30 pm
15 Sep 2007, 4:33 pm
I wonder if I'll see any changes.
I don't mind sharing!
Hope what I had today moves your way tomorrow! (except the raccoons).
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