TW New Guy in Alaska

I've made a few posts, so decided I should introduce myself in this forum.

26 year Air Force Veteran, recently retired Nov 1, 2009. My comfort zone after 26 years, and the current economy, had me a little scared to go fully civilian, and I lucked into a civil service job with the Air Force in the same squadron I retired from.

Came to Alaska in 2001, and have no intention of leaving anytime soon...unless my better half says otherwise, or we get too old to endure the winters. 9 years and every March I still ask myself why I'm staying here...then fishing season comes around and I say "Now I remember!"

Bought my 2007 4cyl/5spd/4x4 Access Cab May 3, 2010 from Magnum Motors in Soldotna; great company and the purchase was my first enjoyable/stress-free car purchase I can remember...if you're truck/car shopping in Alaska, give them a look. http://www.magnumalaska.com/

Couldn't stomach the price of a new one from the one "stealership" in town...more of that "because it's Alaska price gouging." Even the used prices were ridiculous...something like only $1000 below the like model new...no competition for them.

Guess my truck purchase culminated my "mid-life crisis." Traded my last pick-up 24 years ago when we became pregnant with our first son. It was a 1981 Toyota 4x2/5spd. Necessity of family friendly vehicles and overseas assignments kept me in sedans/wagons.

Think I kept the mid-life crisis under control, besides the truck, we got a dog last summer when I was in the final months of my Air Force active duty career. Held off on that until I would have time for the dog. 14 to 18 hour days don't leave much time to keep an animal entertained. I don't believe in "bad dogs;" just neglected dogs that behave badly out of boredom.

New dog and and a truck inside of 1 year...feel like a kid again!

How's that for a run-on introduction?

I find this site an extremely valuable resource...I'll be in the neighborhood.

God Bless America and the Men and Women defending her!

 

Thankyou for service!! And welcome!!





Oh let's see that truck!!!

 

Here it is...

 

Welcome to the site, good looking truck there!!

 

Welcome!

 

Pretty plain so far...added a toolbox in the first week...got the info off TW...the J-bolts worked perfectly for securing to the rails. Next upgrade will be a hitch...gonna check with U-haul and Trailer Kraft in Anchorage this afternoon.

Better half dragging me into Anchorage to go window blind shopping...might as well get something for the truck too!

Ordered my AFE filter yesterday.

In the Fall will do some lighting...fogs w/HIDs and probably some driving lights to spot those darn moose lurking in the shadows by the highway! Not a whole lot of need in Summer up here, so I can hold off to keep from exceeding my toy $ allotment and avoid sleeping in the garage.

Last moose/vehicle interaction was a bit traumatic (see pics). Couldn't find the e-copies of the pics...must not have transferred from the last computer...these are scanned b/w copies.

Do all I can to prevent another...and that one slipped out from behind an overpass about 5:00 AM in July...clear morning with bright sunlight. Either God wasn't finished with me, or the Devil didn't want me...walked away with some glass cuts on my forearms and 4 stitches to patch up a small gash in my forehead. Plus 3 crowns to repair cracked teeth...lucky the head gash was small.

 

HellO!

Welcome !!


Nice pics !!!

Enjoy the forum....

 

Welcome from PA. Luckily, we don't have moose in PA just dumb deer and bear that can't stop playing in the streets.

 

MLittle,

Have a friend living in New Jersey around McGuire AFB, lot of deer in that area. His current truck is a gold/brown 2005 Tacoma Access Cab. Previous truck was blue.

Blue truck had deer run into the side of it twice with several near misses to boot.

Since he got the brown truck, he's had several deer run out, but they all have turned and some even run along side the truck. He thinks it has something to do with their visual perception of the truck color. He's the most honest man I know, practically a father to me now...military service creates that kind of bond, if one is lucky.

Any way, thought you might find that interesting...things that make you go hmmmm.....

 

First off,Thank you for your service Rob.
Nice intro. Welcome to TW.

 

Welcome fellow Alaskan!!!

 

Welcome from BC