Gotta Love Alaska!!!

[AKPilot]

I went to our local Michaels today, with the 40% off coupon from Sunday's paper . . . and got, what I feel, was a great deal.

Rocketry isn't too big up here, so Michaels selection is kinda lean, but I managed to pick up a Big Daddy for $7.20 and a Guardian for $3.00!!!

It's not always, but you know sometimes it just pays to be away from the main stream . . .
. . . that and our Permanent Fund Dividends came in last week as well. This year's total was $915.00 per person.

 

[eugenefl]

Originally posted by akpilot
I went to our local Michaels today, with the 40% off coupon from Sunday's paper . . . and got, what I feel, was a great deal.

Rocketry isn't too big up here, so Michaels selection is kinda lean, but I managed to pick up a Big Daddy for $7.20 and a Guardian for $3.00!!!

It's not always, but you know sometimes it just pays to be away from the main stream . . .
. . . that and our Permanent Fund Dividends came in last week as well. This year's total was $915.00 per person.

Hey, welcome to TRF! I lived in Alaska from '98-'01 (USAF/Elmendorf). At the time I wasn't quite back into model rocketry yet, but I recall that the 2 House of Hobbies had quite a selection of out-of-production rockets. Mind you, this was a few years ago now so I don't think they'll (either the shops or rockets) still be there, but check out Anchorage House of Hobbies and see if they still have any good finds. I know the one on Ingra St. had an NCR Archer in the window display. The other location had an Optima on the shelf. I recall it was $29.99.

2812 Spenard Rd
Anchorage, AK 99503 Phone: (907) 277-7778

585 Ingra St
Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 272-5651

So where are you flying rockets? I drove around for quite sometime everywhere from Anchorage to Eagle River and beyond (where the state fair is held) and could never seem to find any open fields. Living in the dorms I don't think I would have had the chance to grow any type of collection. Besides, I imagine they would have considered rocket motors as some type of contraband or "firework" on base or in the dorms. Post pictures if you can. I kinda miss Alaska! (Now living in Florida!)

Nice find in the Michael's. You'll see people post quite often regarding sales at different retail outlets. Just do a search in the forum and you'll see.

Once again, welcome to TRF!

 

[jflis]

My mom and sister Bev live in Anchorage with a place in Soldatna on the Kenia river. I've been up 3 times and would move in a heartbeat I just love it!

 

[wwattles]

Originally posted by jflis
My mom and sister Bev live in Anchorage with a place in Soldatna on the Kenia river. I've been up 3 times and would move in a heartbeat I just love it!

Is that where you got that King Salmon, Jim? I've been up to Soldotna twice for fishing trips, and loved both of them. Frankly, it spoiled me for fishing just about anywhere else! I hooked into a nice big King once, but it was 2 weeks after the end of the season on the Kenai, so I had to throw it back

People think of AK and think snow, but during the summer it's absolutely beautiful and warm...

WW

 

[AKPilot]

I'm also stationed at Elmendorf, but this is my last assignment as I have my retirement orders in hand. It's been great up here! To answer your question, I launch from a local park right here in the city. It's about four acres in size and for the most part, clear of any obstacles. It's been great so far for C-engines. As far as hobby shops, we have two: House of Hobbies, and Hobbycraft. The one on Ingram closed. The selection in the two is decent . . . and yes, you're right you can find some OOP models.

Anchorage is a great city too! Where else can you fish on a river, in the middle of the city, and catch Kings. This year's city derby saw a 52-pounder; down on the Kenai someone got a 60+ this year. Our family watches them make the run for the hatchery where they're so thick you can literally walk across the river on them. Our family is more into trout, artic char, greyling, etc. Some may snuff at this, but where else can you catch Rainbows 2'-3' long, coming in from 5-10lbs? The first time I caught one, in my canoe about 50' off shore, I freaked! Noone down in the lower 48 believes it until I show them the picture.

Another benefit is the moose. We live in the city towards the east side, about two miles from the base of the mountains and I can't tell you how many times this week we've encountered bull and cow moose walking down our street. It's, honestly, more frequent than Northern Exposure. We were in the car wash this week and saw a bull and cow, ambling down the sidewalk in the middle of the day on a main road. This morning we saw two laying in the grass. And then was the time where our daughter opened up the front door and almost got a mouth full of moose rear-end fur. It was standing on our door step.

Gotta love it . . .

 

[eugenefl]

Originally posted by akpilot
I'm also stationed at Elmendorf, but this is my last assignment as I have my retirement orders in hand. It's been great up here! To answer your question, I launch from a local park right here in the city. It's about four acres in size and for the most part, clear of any obstacles. It's been great so far for C-engines. As far as hobby shops, we have two: House of Hobbies, and Hobbycraft. The one on Ingram closed. The selection in the two is decent . . . and yes, you're right you can find some OOP models.

I know exactly which park you are flying in! There is a rec area there with tennis courts and a softball field or something to that effect and a church nearby. It's off of the main drag towards Elmendorf if I'm not mistaken. Are there several large buildings on the outset? If so, I flew an Astrocam there twice. On the second flight it landed in a side street and I had enough. You're right though, it's great for smaller birds and larger ones on Cs.

A few of my favorite restaurants are in Anchorage - Romanos, Simon and Siefords, and Taco King! Favorite day trip was taking the AK Railroad up to Denali. I used to snowboard at Hillberg nightly and did many runs at Alyeska. Ah man...I need to go back there some day.

I exited the AF as a SrA. I worked in the networking shop (3CS) at the NCC. Good times.

Well, best of luck with your rocketry adventures. There is a member on the Forums that goes by AKVance. I'm not too sure if he's active still, but you could drop him a line. I don't think he's too far from you.

 

[MetMan]

Cool thread! I was stationed at Fort Rich and Elmendorf from 89-92. Lived off base the first year and have a picture of our dog nose to nose with a moose across a chain link fence. (The moose's pack was bigger with two other cows laying in the snow so Chamois was very well behaved!)

I also almost ran into the side of a big cow after getting a haircut on Elmendorf one winter morning at 0715 (it was dark, of course). I'm not sure who was more suprised.

Best part was the aurbo (aurora borealis--northern lights). I'd been stationed in Maine prior to this and saw the 89 event that took out the Quebec power grid (wow!), but the variety and frequency in AK is beyond belief. Only problem was that the best aurbo occurred during the coldest weather!

Also did a project to support the Geophysical Institute with some DMSP data and got a tour of the Poker Flat Research Range. Unfortunately, I wasn't into rockets at the time and didn't retain all that much...

MetMan

 

[North Star]

Alaska is one of those 'must see' places that I haven't managed to get to yet. There is a specialist tour group for aviation enthusiasts that I sometimes travel with and they have a preliminary listing for september 2005 which includes Alaska and is aimed at those interested in propliners and older aircraft . Looks like I'd better get my booking in

 

[GL-P]

I live in Canada but I'd love to travel further North to the Yukon and maybe crossover to Alaska for a bit. I'd get to experience the real small town feeling up North. I bet I'd love it!!! (cuz I live in the boonies already!!! )

 

[jflis]

I want to plan a trip where i fly into Anchorage and rent a truck with a small camper. Head north east into Tok, then the Yukon and south into Washington.

That would be SUCH an awesome trip!

 

[AKPilot]

You guys won't be disappointed in coming up here!

As my callsign applies, I'm also a civil pilot. One of my favorite flights, to take relatives and friends on, involves taking off, from here in Anchorage - flying down the coast - then into Prince William Sound - and back up through a few glacier fields. On clear days we see Denali (Mt McKinley), spot moose, bear, dall sheep, whales, etc. Total flight time is 1.5 hours. The only close experience I had was at altitude with a bald eagle. Seems as if those guys don't take crap from anyone - they're the only bird that doesn't believe in diving away from an approaching aircraft - they kind of take it as a personal challenge to their airspace.

Also, talk about becoming a rocket geek . . . my family and I just got back from a general aviation conference up in Fairbanks. My wife was great! We stayed in the hotel, where the conference was at, so I was able to attend as I wanted. And then hit every hobby store in Fairbanks. When I asked if it was okay to buy some of the more hard to find rockets, she asked how much I wanted to spend. When I said, jokingly, $400 - she said "fine"! Talk about a green light?! While I didn't spend no where near that amount - it was truly a blessing to have her support.

Oh, by the way, don't tell the kids, but Santa wasn't home at his house in the North Pole . . . must be in Hawaii or something.

 

[sandman]

Oh, by the way, don't tell the kids, but Santa wasn't home at his house in the North Pole . . . must be in Hawaii or something.

Well, DUH!!!

Shows what you know!

Did you try his work number?

He does have a deadline you know!

 

[AKPilot]

Nope, I don't have his work number . . . I'll give his cell a go though.

The kids say it's okay, because he's coming to Anchorage city center the day after Thanksgiving - in his sled, pulled by 13 reindeer. Kinda of our Macy's Thanksgiving day parade up here. It's pretty cool because we have enough ice and/or snow that the reindeer can actually pull a real sleigh.

Funny though, a couple years ago we went as a family to see this and Rudolph (was first, and wearing a tag around his neck) was kicking up a fuss. He wanted out of the harness and out of the crowd pretty bad. Anyhow he was jumping around and the handlers were trying to hold him down (reindeer only weigh about 140lbs or so) and kids started shouting "he's trying to fly, he's trying to fly"!!!

Needless to say, the handler didn't seem as impressed as the kids . . . she needed to get a sense of humor.