New Year 2009: Skiing on short days in the Chugach Mountains is a frigid endeavor - you really have to love it, especially with marginal snow conditions. But for some of us cold-lovers, live is good if their is a patch of snow to wallow in.

Property inspections in area of Akutan Volcano fumaroles in support of a proposed land exchange between the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and Akutan. Evaluation of potential geothermal resource for local-use power production.

Have you ever wanted to watch sea mammals or even coastal bears? If you are a flutist, play your flute, fife or piccolo on the shore line of a remote bay in Alaska waters. You will be surprised what a little Bach sonata or an Irish tune will produce for you. I have done it for many years with so much success that my wife does not let me play the flute in the season of salmon runs anymore - I attracted several brown bears that came to listen to the concert too close for comfort.