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The main ice pack is growing smaller and is way out across the lake as you see in this photo, this morning the cove was clear. At this point the edge of the pack is breaking up into smaller chunks that drift around. Later in the day the wind blew and filled our cove with these smaller sheets of rotting ice. Soon the main pack will breakup and the thick, heavy masses will move back and forth across the lake with the direction of the wind sometimes damaging docks from the force of the ice. We are pretty much at the mercy of nature until the lake is ice free.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Break up of the ice on the lake was going along quite well until last night, the temperatures dipped to 28º and at noon today a thin crust of ice still remains on the water along the shore. The waterfowl avoid landing on the ice, even if it is thin. So, today it is pretty quiet on the lake. Last night before the water froze we saw our friend, the muskrat, cruising the shoreline.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

The ice is thawing rapidly now, a pair of Mallard ducks showed up this morning and will probably build a nest in the cove as they did last year, and several Trumpeter Swan flew low over the dock. We hear the sounds of Canada Geese as they circle above in large goups seeking a field to rest and feed before they continue the journey to their summer nesting grounds. This is one of my favorite times of the year in Alaska!

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaskan Artist

A little more water is showing along the shore by April 19. It would be extremely foolhardy to try to walk on the lake ice now, so far I’ve only seen a couple of dogs out there, and a moose.

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

If you have been reading my Blog entries “Kennicott Commission” you watched the progress of this original. Kennicott;Stabilized is available in a limited edition of 600, image size 9″x12″ signed and numbered by the artist, printed on acid free paper priced at $50.00 US. The painting features the historic Kennecott Copper Mine, in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and shows the glacier moraine and Mt. Blackburn in the distance. This historic site is one of my most favorite places to visit in Alaska, and one of the reasons I chose to live and work as an artist in the Copper River Valley thirty one years ago.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Rainbow of Promise is now available as a beautiful Giclee limited edition print of 200, image size 11.25″x30,” signed and numbered by the artist, printed on heavy rag watercolor paper with hand-torn deckled edges, priced at $470.00 US. This original acrylic painting was chosen by Governor Sarah Palin and Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell as the image for the 2006 Governors Commemorative Inagural Poster. The rainbow is circling Pioneer Peak, a prominent mountain in Palmer, Alaska.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

The winter of 2006-07 in Palmer, Alaska, was bitterly cold and windy. We had several periods of hurricane force winds, trees blew down, shingles blew off the roof of our new home, and the 4″x4″ support posts for the fences snapped off at the base! March came in like a lion and went out like a lamb. April has been wonderful, warm and sunny. Our lake froze 3′ deep and it is exciting to watch the ice melt and breakup begin. Water began showing along the shore by our dock on April 17.

More tomorrow.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

Bob and I with a pile of cannon balls at the old fort in historic San Juan, Puerto Rico.

After visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, we spent several days exploring Puerto Rico. We enjoyed the El Yunque rainforest and driving along the eastern coastline to Guayama before crossing the island back to San Juan. By now we were well rested, tan, and ready to return to Alaska where the snow would be melting and temperatures in April generally stay above freezing.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

We spent a wonderful day at an all inclusive beach resort at De Palm Island, Aruba, basking in the sun, swiming, and snorkeling. By now my sunburn was turning into a golden tan and I was feeling more comfortable in my ten-year old purple bathing suit, I decided to challenge my rusty swimming skills by snorkeling in the surf. I love watching the tropical fish dart in and out of rocky coves and coral formations. For a fleeting moment I thought it would be fun to paint scenes of tropical fish, but soon realized that I did not have enough knowledge of this underwater world to do it justice.
Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

One of the best parts of cruising is the food. We were very fortunate to have fun, interesting, fabulous dinner companions at early seating while on our South America/Panama Canal cruise. Every evening was full of great conversation, information, and plain ‘ole silliness. We had so much fun every night that the wait staff nearly kicked us out in order to prepare the tables for late seating. We miss our new friends. From left to right; Dr. Wilber Spaulding, Ann Wacker, me (tan and happy), my husband Bob, Mary Lou Spaulding, and Ron Wacker. Thank you Ron, for the great photo!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist