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Each year spring break-up on our lake is different, this one is no exception.  Last evening the temperature was +45, with no wind and endless sunshine.  I couldn’t stay indoors.  Something happens to me when these conditions exist, I grow restless and can’t concentrate.  I need to go outside, feel the sun and see the changes taking place in nature.

As I walked across the spongy thawing lawn toward the dock I chuckled to see the evidence of my recent travels exposed by a myriad of footprints etched on the ice.  Big changes are taking place rapidly, the lake surface is capped with a solid frozen plug 2 to 3 feet thick, but the top 3″ is slushy and wet, like the stuff in a snow cone.  My running shoes with carbide ice cleats worked fine, they just got soaked.  It didn’t matter.  I walked to the far north east shore and saw that the ice is thawing faster there because it is shallow and won’t be safe much longer.

Ducks circled overhead looking for the open water around the spring fed holes.  It is important to stay alert and know where the springs feed the lake, even in the dead of winter at 30 degrees below zero the crust over the spring is only 1″ thick.  During my sojourn I saw a number of grassy mounds piled like horse dung scattered on the ice called Muskrat “pushups,” that provide a feeding, resting and breathing place for these underwater dwellers.  Slowly, reluctantly, I returned to the studio satisfied and fulfilled from my walk on the lake.

Gail Niebrugge, landscape paintings

What is next?  Volcano eruptions and now a big earthquake?  With all this excitement going on, how can anyone concentrate on work?  I wish this volcano thing would just settle down and get back to being a pretty mountain again.  I was working on the second floor in my painting studio when the trembler hit and it was a major jolt, 4.7 magnitude!  That got my blood pressure moving.  The epicenter was about ten miles from our place, so it felt much more intense.  I wonder if the volcano will blow again soon, these episodes are often related.  Anyway, I’m back to work again now, today we are filing copyrights.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist

Another drop dead gorgeous day on our lake lured me to abandon my easel and paint inside the studio.  Sunshine and no wind, perfect!  This time I walked on the lake following the perimeter and discovered some wonderful places.  Heavily drifted snow along the south west shores is growing mushy in the plus 40 degree midday sun.  Walking is difficult, I staggered and punched through the crust then cautiously navigated slick polished ice.  Returning along the north east shore hiking is easier, the surface smooth like sand.  My light weight polar fleece jacket is too warm and I am glad for sunglasses and a visor.  Today my carbide ice cleats are on running shoes.  It is fun to see undisturbed tracks in the snow and imagine who traveled this way before; a skate skier, snow machine, dog prints and two sets of miniature snow shoes.  I wondered if the dog was with one of them or wandered alone.  It is silent and beautiful.  Reluctantly I returned to the studio knowing the temperature will drop as the sun goes down made it a bit easier.  And, thankful for no ash from the volcano today.

Gail Niebrugge,  Landscape painter

Even the atmospheric haze from the recent volcanic eruption of Mt. Redoubt couldn’t stop the sun from shining and warming up the frozen landscape outside the studio.  I just can’t stay inside on days like this!  Bob and I took a two hour hike across the lake to the opposite shore then walked south following the trail along the wooded ridge between two lakes.  The snow is melting fast, sometimes we found ourselves slipping down south facing slopes in mud.  We walked back onto the frozen estuary at the end of a long finger and staggered through melting drifts until we found solid ice again.  On our way back to the studio we saw others enjoying the sunshine, the lake was transformed into a beehive of activity with ice fishermen scattered everywhere.  Our neighbor shoveled a glassy ice rink and kids squealed with joy as they skidded across the slick surface.  An airplane landed on wheel skis, and vehicles, snowmachines, and ATV’s slowly inched toward their favorite fishing spots.

It won’t be long, the ice will be too thin and all will grow quiet until break-up.  I love those silent days as well, when the birds and waterfowl return to build their nests.  Alaska in April is awesome!

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska landscape artist

All the members of our family lead very busy lives, it is a rare occasion when we can all be together.  Successful photographer, son Ron, just returned from a four month photo shoot on the road in the lower 48 states, joined us during the Alyeska Ski Club races and used his skill to photograph his niece and nephew during the competitions.

Ron’s wife, aunt Janine, congratulates niece Sydney who placed third in the Mighty Mites Beavers category.

Later in the afternoon the Challenge Alaska Ski Lodge hosted their last day before closing celebration with a relay ski race.  Here is the first of four legs where son-in-law Rob skis the pylons with his daughter Quincy in her adaptive bi-ski.

The second part of the the race team are daughter Tawny and her son Reilly with his eyes covered as they complete the leg using training for the blind with voice commands.  The Buck team placed third in this very challenging event.  Earlier in the day Reilly took second place in his division in the Brian Russell Memorial Races.

Bob and I spent our time running back and forth between events, being present when awards were presented and I shot photos with my aging pocket digital camera with a non-functioning LED screen.  It is amazing that the photos came out half way decent.  And, that is our first day with the whole family in 2009!  We hope we can have a few more family gatherings soon, but with this busy group it is not easy.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska Artist

I’ve spent too many days at the desk attacking the piles of paper that accumulated while I was away.  I don’t mind being indoors during the ash fall from the volcano Mt. Redoubt, but today the sun came out, the mountains were visible and the temperatures climbed to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  I had to go outdoors and check out the landscape.  Donning sunglasses and carbide ice cleats for my boots, I walked down onto the frozen lake and chose a path that brought me the opposite shore on the west end.  The sun felt good.

From there I followed a snowmachine trail through the woods and crossed over a slowly melting stream on the foot bridge.  On my way back I talked to some ice fisherman who just lost a fishing pole through the hole in the ice.  That had to be a pretty big fish!  My walk took an hour and it felt good to stretch my legs and immerse myself in the Alaska landscape again.  Birds are beginning to return and soon the snow will be gone, but for now this is one of my favorite times of the year.

Gail Niebrugge, landscape painter

Just a quick note to let you know that I’ve been invited to be the guest speaker at the Fairbanks Watercolor Society monthly meeting, April 15, downstairs at Alaskaland around 6:30PM.  Contact Matt Moberly at Matt.Moberly@bannerhealth.com, or Cheryl Berrong at 907-389-2114 for more details and information.  I look forward to this event.

Gail Niebrugge, Alaska artist