The Frostys Admiring the Tree on Christmas Eve

Things are getting quiet here at 54 Holly.....

Another cleaning product translation

Another tough translation....just doesn't come across the same :)

Cool Ideograms (literally)

Reviewing the contents of the refrigerator during my overnight stay in Magadan, I saw a graphic for what setting to use depending on what food you had in it.  I believe I get most of them but wasn't sure about the bottom right....looked like an antelope or gazelle to me but maybe a deer or goat.

Pier 4 Mirrored in Aqua Impressionism

As we were returning to the boat the First Mate suggested a photo of the lights from a different angle.  I have no clue how I kept the camera steady long enough for this one after a few glasses and standing on a floating finger pier.

Three Amigos from around St. Petersburg

Most of you will recognize Igor from previous posts, but I also have a new friend, Renat, standing to my right who grew up about as far from a St. Petersburg as I did---the original one.  Both great guys and I look forward to working with both in the future.  I may have to learn a few more Russian words as Renat has basic English skills (though much better than my Russian).  Igor swears his English is deteriorating due not using it enough on a daily basis and I tell him I think it is his Russian that is lacking :)

Sly like a fox...

Walking back to the truck after stopping at a roadside diner on the way back from a sister mine, Igor told me I had a visitor following me.  Sure enough, just a few feet to one side and behind me a young fox was following me.  He stopped when I stopped, sat down on his haunches and waited for a hand-out.  I didn't have any but he made his rounds of other travelers and I'm sure ate well.

From the look of him, it appears he eats well most nights.

In case of emergency....

While not as impressive as the Bat Signal, my funny friends here at Kupol have files and contact info stored here for those serious(?) emergency purposes that CI can face from time to time.

Clear Morning Sunrise

First sunrise in a while that you could actually see the sun.....has been somewhat cloudy this past week though much warmer -7 to -10C.  Now we're back into the -20s again and clear weather.

Kupol Eye Test

I'm thinking that some coffee drinkers are getting a bit lonely here.....

Scenic Outdoors

The carnivores have started to be a bit less afraid of the area around the mine site with many close encounters with some of the folks.  Mostly foxes but bears, wolves and wolverines have all been seen regularly.

Lost in Translation

 We have some strange names for our soap products in the United States but the translations sometimes are a bit confusing here in Russia....

 

 Here is some "Help" hand soap with what looks like some green tea extract...

Here is one that is "Ideal"....nice berry smell but not a lot of suds.

I truly have no clue on this one..."Fax" hand soap?

Littlest Princess has a Birthday Today!!!!

It's a very exciting day!!!!

You'll get lots of presents.....

Eat some cake....

Have some ice cream....

And have a great celebration!!!

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!!!!!!

Sunrise over the Kupol

The first sun rise at the mine this trip.  What appears to be a lens flare on the left is actually something more like an ice rainbow.

First Meal

What says welcome to Kupol better than most anything?  Lasagna for Dinner!!!!

40+ hours will get you a long way

Trying something a bit different this year......going all the way to the mine non-stop.  Usually there is a layover at "D" (Magadan) but with the new jets we can catch an afternoon flight and get us up to the mine for dinner (and a looooong nap).  Even Igor says it is a "little hard".....

Small Engine Repair 101

A couple of small, nondescript boxes hanging out in the kitchen.  Heck, I couldn't tell for sure what was actually in the boxes without opening them.  The Spanish words look to be the English equivalent of what one would find on these types of products.....quality, new, original, etc.

No, these are not for my Mini---but almost the right size.  Time for a bit of work on the riding mower.  Suspect the starter is the issue but the solenoid was only $7 and cheap insurance while I am working on the starting circuit.

Gee, a bit dusty under the hood but its almost the end of the season here.  Fairly straightforward replacement though the starter was a pain with very tight access to the bolts (torx!?).

 

Weak return spring did not allow the starter to disengage completely--wore the brushes out?  Cleaned things up a bit, removed the rust off the flywheel, checked the dual magneto gaps and now I'm back in the lawn mowing/leaf mulching business again!!!

Never thought I'd thank dad for getting that wheel puller and Briggs & Stratton manual back during my impressionable years.

Looper Migration

Every year about this time the Looper migration begins to funnel through Green Turtle Bay as the facilities are typically rated as amongst the best marinas on the inland waterways.



Fairly typical of the size and style of the northern boats that travel the Great Lakes and Canada.

Another...

Slightly more conventional style but still has the outward slanted windows.

Modern style cruiser.  These are typically higher horse-powered and much faster than the typical trawler.  

Another...

This boat defies description....my first thought was a river barge in the inland waterways of Europe but the home port is Cape Coral.  I assume that it does cruise the coastal waters a bit.

Kumbaya was quite nimble on her exit and did a 180 to get into the fuel island.

Ricky Raccoon's Breakfast of Champions

Ricky, the bird seed loving raccoon,  yawns and stretches before descending to his breakfast.

Heading down....

Half way there....

2 out of 4 paws....

Down!  The grub looks really good today from having a retired busy body to keep the feeder full!!!

His best bandito stare after yours truly chased him off the feeder.  Of course he returned during the night and ate all the sunflower seeds.

Ever Eat An Acorn?

Our resident ground hog seems to like acorns.  He going to have to learn not to be so skittish if he's going to keep up with our oak tree next to the house.

Annual Soup Night on Pier 4

Starting line for the eclectic fare....a seasonal theme is obviously in play.

Seafood chowder starts off the soups because we all have sailboats even though we're hundreds of inland waterway miles from saltwater.

Followed by Fish Chowder----not sure what kind of fish we're talking of...

A local favorite---though not exactly nautical.

By far my personal favorite of course.....some good old fashion chili.

 

And to cleanse everyone's palate before trying another bowl....little Kahlua(?) shots topped with whipped cream and moonshine cherries.  I believe the soups got better and better reviews as the cool Fall evening progressed and the moon began to rise :)