Some things just come together to perfection, like a well oiled machine.

Every moment from day one, has been complete enjoyment for me , since JR so kindly invited me to see the mountains of his line. The up close and personal touching of these ranges that I illustrated , along with his wolverine, for the cover of Trappers Post, is a never ending invigorating current revving high gear into all my senses. Red line.

The only other aspect that eclipses all this natural beauty , are the equally warm people I have been having the pleasure of meeting and getting to know.

It is my privilege and honor to share my life with such people.

I told JR I wanted to be a little like a tourist, but a lot helper in every place he takes me. Willing to work and help make anything that much smoother . He assured me that he will do just that . " I'll work you like a borrowed mule", he likes to tell me , well, I'm not afraid of helping

JR helped us to work out the plan . My main concern was food supplies for meals, and all that fell into place as nothing I've ever seen , and we took off the next day. I felt as in a dream from day one. I am still in that dream.

I couldn't have a better man to look forward in diving into the land , and in helping me to understand the personality of overflow . To take the edge off my fear of them , so I can calmly enjoy the magnitude of colours they have. That hollow crunch sound of the tracks , a full stop, then actually walking on the ice. With the same hollow crunch and cracking !

" JR, I hear water gurgling and creaking under me "...forgetting to breathe.

" It's ok, that ice you're on is thick and you'll be fine. Look at the colours on this area". He was good at distracting me . I became absorbed with the glacial blues and whites of ice strata .

After the first day, I was thrilled. I had conquered a huge fear of stories and photos of waters swallowing up machines and drenched riders. The next day, he found an amazing sloped ledge of overflow, had me dismount my metal steed, and quite literally led me up that slope to stand on a most beautiful wonder of ice and colour.

"Turn around, I'm gonna take a picture of you." I was fearful of sliding down the slope like an otter, but my Steger's taught me just how amazing they are on sheer ice.

My fearful smile turned to exultant jubilation.

"See? I told you that you could do it", he smiled, his camera snapping away.

There were not enough words to describe my new found courage . I was so happy walking around, I forgot that JR wanted to get going , so he reminded me to mount up ...he was smiling at my child like excitement .

Even when I said, like a child," I'm having an epiphany !"

" Just get your ----- on the ----- machine"....he said , smiling...he added a couple of words in those directions, but I'll leave those out

I am at the mid way point on my journey . As I knew, time is flying way too fast. I could explore those mountains forever.

The depth of feeling I experienced, in seeing the ranges that I spent hours drawing, colouring in, was overwhelming . We discussed the twists , turns, colour changes of the peaks , the moods they give from morning to night, even at night. Thankfully, JR wants to take me back out on the trail this next week . I will be ready to capture more images.

The re freeze really messed with a number of his traps, having to chop them out and re set them. Watching him work with such smooth professionalism , at last. I saw all the places I've only studied in one dimensional photos , to living colour, multi dimensions of observed appreciative learning.

I hadn't been told the half of the beauty I have absorbed, and still am.

I think I am redeeming myself as a happy tag along , with my cooking skills, helping with wood, cleaning, etc.

The Fling yesterday was awesome. And so fun. But with a glimpse of the immense work in preparations and cooperation required by many hands and minds to bring it all together. I don't know how many people there were that attended the events, from the fur auction, the Banquet and inside auction, to the second day today as well, but the place has been packed .

But I am getting ahead of myself. For now, in sections, here are some images of my journey , with Iron Man . Who has been patient and thoughtful of me. I think he is enjoying himself too.

I could have never kept up with him if I drove my own machine. He planned it perfectly that I ride in back with him, being able to enjoy the mountains much better , with easy communication for stopping.

JR drives snow machine like I ride race horses. We hit some dips and bumps that unseated us both , us, the machine, and sled, all airborne. Good thing I am an adept horse rider. I would have never stayed on some of those maneuvers. If that machine was a horse acting like that, I would have taken a whip to it ...

Off the trail , one afternoon, JR was showing me some great country but the going was tough with no groomed trail . The snow depth grabbed us and the next thing I knew, we were tipping over . It was as if in slow motion we tipped over, sinking into the depth of snow. I was fine, so was JR, of course. He jumped up and righted the machine with all that weight that was attached to it. Effortlessly. Strong as an ox. He was ready to go and I was still in the snow...all my clothes in the way of a graceful jump up...needless to say, however deep that snow was ! He wanted to know what I was doing down there...I just need to make some snow angels , that was my excuse , anyway ..

I had fun even doing that . We were not injured and the machine didn't fall on us. It listed like a ship. Another exciting adventure for me with nothing broke or injured. And I saw more lovely country in new dimensions. Maybe we can do that again this next week ...I'll take pics this time.

Morning glow at the cabin .




My first overflow epiphany. The slope in front was steeper than it looks in the photo. Honest...it was.... I was ecstatic.


This machine never ceased to amaze me at its power, reliability, and consistent transporting us safely through it all, no matter the temp. It was so comfortable for me. I gripped it just as I do a horse to balance, stand halfway often in leg hydraulics over the rough areas or unexpected drops.

JR drives as fast as he can on the smoother places, but slow and careful as a surgeon around rocks, trees, and open water leads. He took good care of us. Not once was I ever doubtful or frightened . I had full free abandon confidence in him.



The mountain I put so much work into , for the cover art. Sheep Mtn. It is lovely no matter how you view it , from any angle.






I forget the names of other mountains here, and I invite JR to please fill in the names if he desires.








A military chopper flew over us out on an open flat, and we waved at them. JR said he turned on the lights to get their attention . They flew straight to us . What a hoot. He said jets and choppers have a habit of flying along those areas. Fun to see them.
Closer view of our ride. I sure like this machine.

More good shares to come a bit later. I am having the time of my life.

"........the happiest girl.....in the whole USA ...."

Thanks for the report. You gonna skin a wolf ?

Wow! Looks like an awesome time. As a mountain lover, I don’t know why I’m living out here…lol.
Those skidoos must be Skandics eh? 4 strokes?

Skinning wolves ain’t all it’s cracked up to be!

No trip to Alaska range trapping is complete without some time wolf skinning!

I have to think Sharon would take the opportunity, if it’s available.

Happy to see you making new memories, Ms. Sharon. The photos are amazing.

I have resolved to skin whatever critter JR directs me to do. Howevah. What he did catch last week, was an upset porcupine. He says they chew on everything , and they do. So, he dealt with that . I would happily detail or pinstripe anything JR would want me to.

For some reason, I think skinning the wee ones , like ermine and marten, are the things I'd love.

Sounds like a great adventure for you! Hope the wolves cooperate and you get some fur next week. I was at the auction today, was gonna stop by and say hello on the way home, but ran out of time. Thanks for the artwork you did for the ATA, it was beautiful!

Thanks for the ride along Ms. Sharon. Your story telling proves you are as skilled with a pen and paper as you are a paint brush. I could almost hear the snow crunching beneth your boots as well as seeing the colors of the mountain range. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

I have never heard anyone claim that overflow had "personality!" That is great!

Pete

Thank you, Mike, and Ctraps, more photos coming.

N114, you sure had the whole auction in an uproar with your trap for the 50th ! Excellent artwork, as usual.

Smalltime, Im sorry we didnt meet. I would have liked that very much. I want to do my part to contribute for this remarkable milestone for the ATA. And what better way to do that , than an original framed wolverine . The print of JR's wuff was another good one as well. Just not an original, but a very good print regardless.

Pete ! So good of you to stop in yesterday and have me meet the Hollywood Tucker . That was fun for me. I rarely get to have hands on meetings with the portraits of people's animals who commission me. Tucker has a signature announcing of his arrival similar to the Roman Dignitaries in the town square. Instead of the sounding trumpets, I heard his howling INSIDE Pete's truck a block away, before they pulled into the drive !

On this note, here is Mr Hollywood himself . Only paying attention when offered treats ! I had to keep hold of him or else he would make a bee line for JR's bears on the wall .

So................Tucker commissioned a portrait of Pete ??? Did I understand that correctly ??

Pleasure meeting you at the fling Glad you made it up here and had a good time running with JR! He runs some of the most beautiful country in the state, IMO. Appreciate the art you created and donated for the auction! Hope you make it up here again!

Glad you discerned that correctly, Sir Ken

HFT, my pleasure to meet you as well. I'm looking forward to enjoying more of the country this week too. And it was fun to donate my wolverine to the cause. JR and I recalled this morning, that the original wolverine went for $ 900 plus change, and JR's wuff print went for around $ 500 plus.
I'm happy that contributes to the ATA. I would love to come back and enjoy everything all over again.

These next shots were from the fur auction, on the first day. Arlin , JR's neighbor and long time friend, was kind to take me there and drop me back to the house. JR had a long day both days there . He also built some hefty stairs that made access to the stage safe and easy. A lot of preparation before the auction. Ill start with those stairs.

JR is one talented worker in metal art as well as industrial building. The Iron Man himself.


First day of the fur auction. I really liked being there. The stairs did the job.


The auctioneer,Dwight , is a true Montanan who did a fine job keeping track of the bidding . Not only for the fur auction, but the Fling as well. He puts style into his job !

Have a look at that wolverine. There were several like that bloke that sold.


Many hands helped the process along.


A gorgeous set of antlers that JR sold. 68-74 spread. This was separate of the auction events. I just really liked those antlers.

Tomorrow, I think, I will disappear again on walkabout to the mountains . Back to the cabin. So I wanted to do more catch up on recent events.

The preparations that went into the Fling and auction really showed. The decor in classy taste, the catering, banquet, the foundations were planned with such care. I appreciated the table area I was seated in . To the front and side, with a view of the stage and tables off to the side in back. It was filled with people. To a person, everyone was polite, mannerly and thoughtful .





There was fun company at my table too. I was in the seat next to JR .

It was fun meeting Pete and Emma. The owners of Hollywood Tucker.

I thought my wolverine would be along the walls somewhere. I was surprised to see him jumping out of his frame right up front on the podium. Along with the pencil art print of JR's wuff. I had not been present to see my own things bid on at any auction. It was another first for me. I am so glad the funds from all the unique items went to a good cause.




Of course, quite a stir commenced over the beauty of an ivory trap that Chuck carved, even more so this 50th . Everyone cheered as the bidding went higher and higher, and that Montana cowboy auctioneer really put his all into the energy.


Dave Miller was at our table and took wonderful photos of the evening. He was so pleasant to visit with. At one point, we were a few yards away from each other and we smiled at each other with cameras in our hands. I signaled to him that we should take shots of each other at the same time. That was fun.


Dave was so kind as he took his photos.


What a wonderful time.
Ill finish this set with a pretty crossbill that was tal
king to me just a few feet away at the cabin last week. Jr's camera captured this beautifully.

Thanks for posting all the pictures. The pics of mountains and the blue sky with whisps of clouds, BEAUTIFULL !

CLOSE.....!

A few more pics to add.




Some thoughtful gifts from JR. The calender has his beautiful photos throughout.

I am finally organized from my trip and so here is the rest of the story. I am no worse for wear, with the full speed ahead snow machine rides , and helping JR load trailers , along with other chores. It all was great fun and learning .

I didn't get any photos, but after the auctions, JR had me helping him log and take stock of every stack of fur that was left over, in his shop, that needed to get back to the trappers. Soon I was into a smooth orderly procedure helping him, count each fur, the numbers, JR writing each bundle or single down on the list. With me helping, this count went a lot faster for JR. His procedure left no room for error , to make sure left over fur returned to the owners.

Along with folks stopping in , that was basically the next day or so , along with a few trips in town , and in enjoying a small museum of native art and history .

JR's plans right away , was to load the trailer up with the next job in hauling freight . I was able to help him load some of that onto the trailer , using his truck to pull the heavy things with a pulley up the ramp . With himself balancing the loads and guiding them as it rolled up.

I enjoy helping , even though it sometimes means having to learn new things and new ways of taking up the slack. I am my own worst critic, wanting to do them fast and correct in following JR's directions, that I experience a freeze up mental wall at times, blanking out temporarily in focus , until he explains again what or where I should go and do. I have had this mental wall freeze, since I was a girl, from wanting to please my father so much without taking a lot of time to learn, afraid of inconveniencing him. I only get this way , with people I respect very much. No one else has that influence on me. They can be the most seemingly simplest things, but to me they are solid walls , when I get that way. JR understood my mental handicap and was very patient with me. If he had not been so, I would have gotten worse. Instead, once I snap out of my freeze up, then I am off and running , happy to help.

The days left showed much promise in perfect weather. Oh good, even more overflow to enjoy, I anticipated. I am so glad JR wanted to take us back out.

JR with a moose rub.

Wuffs killed this moose. Right on the trail. A fresh kill . JR would have had a wuff in each trap if the weather hadnt of froze them up .

A perfect day with my driver . We looked for antlers along the way , as well as seeing how deep the snow was off the groomed trail ...

Sheep mountain cabin. There are not enough words to describe this place. I could live there forever. I wanted to give an offer to JR , but he won't sell it to me ...

A nice rest in his high land cabin, with a snack.

You can't beat this shot with a stick. Stylin .


I liked how the ice layered up in a dome . Shows the power of upward thrust of sheer water and ice. The colours were beautiful up close.

More overflow to enjoy. JR helped me to go out on them with much more confidence. After starting out with the Tim Conway shuffle , I became even a bit cheeky in enjoying the experience. The layered colours, reflections, hollow crunch walking , hearing running water way under me, was epic. I was transfixed every time.





The last days were quite a lot warmer. All I needed was my Irish sweater and long wool shirt . It was great.





More to come in a bit...

Looks like really nice country ! You were fortunate on the weather also !

I can smell that wolf kill from here !

That wuff kill was so fresh, there really wasn't any bad smell. They hadn't even returned to finish off the legs, that I could see. Tracks were all around JR's traps too. He would have had one in each set had the weather cooperated.

A nice part of the last day, we stopped and I waited on my metal steed, and watched JR climb up the slick ice slope of Kill Ridge , to close up snares. That creek was solid ice, in mid stillness, flowing down that gully. JR climbed it like a pro. Partway up he took a shot of myself and his rig.
I was happy to wait. On the way back, he took a surfer stance and glided partway down that ice flow.






I think I enjoyed driving on overflow as much as groomed snow . Losing myself in focus of the lighting , colours of the sediment mixing with ice , the sounds. What a shame to continue to be frightened unduly of such a beautiful phenomenon , needlessly. I'm not saying I would be this way with anyone. If they aren't as JR in knowledge and experience, I wouldn't even go with them. Regardless, I had a bit of fun telling him that there are a number of my clients and editors watching over his shoulder, that their artist is well taken care of, not allowing anything to happen to her ...

The last morning, I was inspired to sketch what I had been enjoying out the cabin window. JR found some paper and I went to work. I had no idea he took any shots of me working. I did feel his energy force behind me , but never heard a camera . It was a peaceful morning with plenty of coffee. I only intended this to be a sketch of appreciation. I am thankful JR liked it so much.



Every turn , every high valley, every high bluff was brilliant .
On the way out, we came across a caribou antler. As if dropped right there for us to find.







If I recall correctly, this shot was one JR took, saying that he always looks for a different habitat or place to add to his photo collection.


Speaking of, Nate (smalltimetrapper), I sure appreciated you taking the time to travel on my last morning there. I truly enjoyed meeting you. A kind, soft spoken man you are. I wished there was more time to visit longer.

I enjoyed so much meeting everyone. A few approached me at the banquet. They had met me years ago at NTA in the eastern states. Amazing to see them again.

Thank you, JR. I wouldn't change a thing about my trip. My main concern was trying to keep up with you , making your time helping you as smooth as possible. As well as feeling I could be a kid in exuberance expressed. After all , this was my vacation too. I am serious enough day to day. It felt good to allow myself to express some happiness and fun.

My mother, years ago, was a professor of biology , at the University in Fairbanks . She moved there from FLA back in the late 60's. My only wish was that she took me with her . Not that I didn't have the time of my life with my father, I sure did. But I also would have, with her help, been able to sink my roots into this place, with the future of my whole life unfolding totally different . And wonderfully. Despite the insane cost of living the past four years, I suppose there is a way , someday, to set my sail to the north star. Montana and Alaska will always make up the beat of my heart.

Thank you all, for viewing.

These shots were JR's the day he dropped me at airport and hauled freight . I was able to help him load some of that freight . He accomplished a lot in one day.

Great pics Sharon thanks for Sharin.

Thanks for coming to visit us; glad you had a good time. Tucker enjoyed meeting you!

NEXT TIME we will definitely hit the UAF Museum!

Pete

Is that all luggage? How long were you up here ?

Boco, glad you liked my story.

Pete, you were so kind to offer to take me to the U . If time permitted, I would have taken you up on that . There was so much I wanted to do there, in such a short amount of time. JR told me of a museum in the U itself that he would like to have me see. I was hoping to meet the directors there , and ask if there are any photos of my mother in the archives . It wasn't real important, just something I had hoped to be able to do in person. I could call them, but going there was much more in line with what I wanted . If I can get up there again, which I would love to, that accomplishment will definitely be on my list . And to enjoy a visit with Tucker and his owners again , hopefully.

Part of that sled load was luggage , Sir Ken ....you see, I had hoped there was a tropical beach to get more of a tan than I already have , and I needed lots of space for all that coconut Coppertone cream oil . My swim suits didn't take up hardly any room at all ....

Actually, part of that was storage . JRs box and rack , just behind me, was perfect for stowing things. The big cooler was for food , or anything else that needed room. He is quite organized , and has a place for gear, equipment , clothes food, anything needed .

I always like seeing how folks gear up , hitch and tow, whether hauling horses or anything else. What I really enjoyed was observing up close how he loaded everything on his flatbed trailer to haul out to the trail head . So much of what made it all safe and convenient, was welded and customized by JR himself. That was so good to see that custom tailoring.

I can't recall the number of days at the cabin I spent there, but it was several . Not enough, even so, to me. I knew as soon as I became used to the routine and working with things there, it would be time for me to go back.

I'm still entirely impressed with JR's equipment. That snow machine never glitched once. And he sure put it through stress and speed. I know if life is to be enjoyed, you cannot skimp on the best tools and machinery . You need the best. And JR has it.

Oh man I completely spaced out the Coppertone ! That explains it !

The thing I learned about packing those containers, was if there are any fragile items , they need to be cushioned in a fully packed container, not partially. There are a lot of bumps on the trail to the cabin.

I had baked pecan pies , one was consumed immediately at the house, the other , packed for enjoyment at the cabin. It took a little abuse in jarring , but of course was still as good to eat. It just wasn't picture-perfect as when fresh baked.

That to me looks like a trip of a lifetime. Well done Ms. Sharon.

Bestowing kindness to others, having them as happy with me, as I was with them, made my trip as much a success as enjoying the land . Thank you, CTraps.

Looks like a good time. Too bad the traps were frozen, it would have been a nice bonus to be up close and personal with a couple big dogs!

It was nice to meet you, hope your travels can bring you up again sometime.

Nate, I too, was hoping JR would have several wuffs waiting . All in varied colours. Like crayons . The tracks around every set showed clearly how he would have had them if the weather hadn't messed with them so much.

JR told me several times , that my camera, a Go Pro , wasn't good enough in clear, zoomed in shots. Not compared to his iPhone. He was right. Mine was really for videos, which it did a decent job during this trip. It still was a pain, taking time to power on, switch from video to camera mode, and time to power off. With JR waiting impatiently. When he took shots, the time it took for him to take it from his coat, turn on, take pics, to finish was maybe two minutes. If that.

On the way back to my cabin, I made up my mind, and stopped at a tech store and bought a new iPhone 14. The second to newest version of their latest one. I have not owned a cell phone in some years, service is very spotty here in the mountains. I will not waste my money on something that I cannot use often. In this case, my aim was to invest in a good pixel camera that is fast and easy, like JR has. It doesn't need to have cell service. But, I can look into activating that service for a trip , too. That option will be there. So my task has been learning about this little computer , that will come in handy and easy to use. Everyone I saw in AK had them. Everyone on flights had them. Except me. Not anymore...

I will keep in focus , my next trip to travel there . In some way . With my new iPhone camera. If I am with JR again, he will not need to wait for me to take all the still shots and video I want.

Other than the camera, I feel I was well-prepared with everything I needed to be comfortable and equipped to go anywhere , at any temperature. I was never once uncomfortable traveling on walkabout , due to below 0 temps. I actually became overheated on the coldest day , not needing my coat at all . Montana winters can make tough people, too ...

What great memories and a wonderful trip! Congrats for the fun time , photo's and sharing them with all of us!! And that pecan pie may not be picture perfect, but still sumptuous looking!

Thanks, W.W., the pie was still enjoyed, regardless of the trip .

Awesome!

Thanks for taking us along on your excursion Sharon. A fine time indeed.

Thanks for the memories!!! Love these amazing photos and your heartfelt words!!

Steve, it was awesome, and fun. Had serious moments too, but that is all in the experience.

Kzoo, thanks.

Smasho, I've been studying an interactive map of AK , the routes , the mountains, the towns.

With my new iPhone camera now, any photos and videos I take again, will be perfect. In some way, I want to plan another trip. Visiting again, or for the first time, people on the forum here will be a highlight for me. As it was on this last trip. I am not even sure where I want to go , next time. As long as I am in the mountains. Of course, enjoying the same ranges again would be wonderful , too.

Right now, I've just been searching the routes from north to south , trying to figure, in the scale of miles, how much country I can see and enjoy on my next trip there.

Maybe I could rent someone's truck to enjoy a bit of mountain scenes ...but this all is just thinking out loud for now