Gull Rock Trail - Hope, Alaska -- photos for my late-night friends

[Blue_In_AK]

We went camping last week with my daughter and her family in Hope, Alaska, which is about 80 miles south of here. Monday we took a 10.2 mile hike on the Gull Rock trail, which has been in use since the 1920s. Here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure. :)

[XemaSab]

1. Are those thimbleberries?

I saw some down here at a nursery yesterday, but I don't think they grow here. :(

Beautiful photos! :D

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Thimbleberries? I don't think I know what those are.

We did see a TON of wild raspberries in bloom, though, all along the trail. There's going to be some good eating down there in a month or so, but we saw signs of bears, too, so I don't think I want to venture down there when the berries are ripe.

[Radio_Lady]

2. Wonderful photos, Blue_in_AK! I'll end my day with thoughts about Alaska.

Actually, I saw a weather channel program on the shrinking of the "old" Arctic ice near or at the North Pole and wonder what will happen now.

The Russians planted their flag on the bottom of the Arctic Ocean? Also, Lewis and Clark are saluted (not by the Russian flag) -- they finally have that illusive river between the coasts (oceans).

Thanks for posting.

Radio Lady in OREGON

[Blue_In_AK]

5. Yes, I'm sure we're in for some changes.

While we're having a cooler than normal summer this year, the past couple of decades have been really warm. The glaciers look much different than they did when I came up here in 1975 and the habitats are changing. But it's not the first time that's happened up here in the grand scheme of things, so we just have to roll with the punches. I wonder if I can adapt to breathing methane as the permafrost continues to melt?

[Radio_Lady]

7. Sadly so. Well, if it's any comfort, we're breathing Alaskan benzene here in Oregon.

California and Washington have gasoline that is more refined than ours here in Oregon.

Why?


Well, because our skies are so clear here in this state -- the government figured nobody would notice. Supposedly it doesn't taste or smell badly.

If you're interested, here is the whole story. (You need a .pdf reader of course.) Looks as if this will improve in 2012. I'll try to live a little longer so we can get to that point (cough, cough...)

http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/factsheets/06-AQ-018_benzene.pdf

Meanwhile, there are so damned many things to be upset about and I've got to get to sleep.

Cordially,

RL in OR

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Benzene in Oregon’s Air

Benzene is one of the most serious air toxic pollutants in Oregon. Oregon has some of the highest reported levels of benzene in the United States and our gasoline is THE major source of that benzene. Why? Refineries in the Northwest rely on crude oil from Alaska that is naturally high in benzene. Most Northwest refineries do not have the equipment to remove benzene when producing the gasoline we use.

Northwest levels will decline

In March 2006, the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) proposed the Mobile Source Air Toxics rule that will initiate nation-wide reductions of benzene levels in gasoline. Unfortunately, EPA’s proposed rule originally left Oregon and the Pacific NW with the highest benzene levels in gasoline in the country. Under EPA’s initially proposed rule, our benzene levels would have been twice east coast levels.

In response to concerns expressed by Oregon and Washington environmental experts, Senator RonWyden and several public interest groups, EPA established a benzene cap on each refinery in thecountry. To meet the new standard, most Northwest refiners will be required to install emission control equipment to reduce benzene. These controls must be in place by 2012, and will result in benzene levels in Northwest gasoline that are comparable to other parts of the US.

(More at link.)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear Blue!

Oh, thanks for these!

I especially like the last one...

Something about the wide-open water and snowy peaks just does it for me...

Great pics!

:hi:

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Thanks, Peggy.

It was a long walk over an obstacle-strewn trail, but it was well worth it. The scenery was phenomenal ... photographs just don't do it justice.