Unique

Unique

I thought I would share some more things about the North Slope that might interest you. The North Slope is the largest borough, or county, in size (not population) in the United States with an area mass of just under 90,000 square miles. The population is somewhere between 7000 and 9000 people. This does not count the oil field workers in Prudhoe Bay, which is within the North Slope jurisdiction. The borough has a camp in Deadhorse, which houses the government agencies. One such agency is the NSB Police Department. I worked for this agency for 10.5 months back in 2001 but left for employment with a private company after 9/11. Here are a few photos which depicts the NSB’s standard patrol vehicle. The thing that set the vehicle aside is the very unique emblem of the department. It really does capture the soul of the North Slope. I look forward to sharing more unusual things found in this part of Alaska.


This graphic has got to be one of the most interesting ever to be placed on a law enforcement vehicle.

All images by Randy J. Cole

A Day on the Slope

A caribou strolls along a small lake near the main road, under the watchful eye of waterfowl.

Every summer, tourist arrive by the bus loads to dip their toes into the Beaufort Sea (Arctic Ocean.) This spot is the only access where they can fulfill their desires. The area is known as East Dock and is within the controlled access area of the Prudhoe Bay oil field. Many people go a step further with total submersion. Cloths are optional. To visit this site you must arrange a tour with the private tour company located in Deadhorse, just off the oil lease property. Holland America and Princess Cruise Lines both have regular tours to this location and upon thier arrival on the slope are handled by the same tour company. Would you believe that the numbers this year for those coming on the oil field for a tour will top 8000 between May 15Th and September 15Th. For more info about the tours let me give you this number. 907-659-2368. and the web site, http://www.arcticcaribouinn.com

After 9/11, I was directly involved in the tours for two years. It was amazing to see people arrive with so many negative ideas about the oil industry. After seeing the standards in place that we must abide by, and seeing first hand just how clean this place is, most walked away with a different point of view.

Sand dunes in the Arctic? Yep, and they are hundreds of years old. The sand is blown to this area from the Sagvanirktok River Delta. They are located just off the main road which takes you to the East Dock area. They are for viewing only. No personnel is allowed to walk on the tundra or any area such as this, without being allowed to do so by the BP Environmental Department. This requires a permit process.

Geese and other waterfowl are everywhere. This year it seems like there are more birds then ever. It is one of the highlights of being on the slope. Watching the animal life do its thing.

All images by Randy J. Cole

SAM 970

We have established that I enjoy history. If I could make a living out of visiting historic places and things I would do it in a heartbeat.In February 2007, I made a trip to Seattle, WA and visited a remarkable place, Boeing’s Museum of Flight. I had been there before but the aircraft I had stopped by to tour had not yet arrived. SAM 970, the first jet powered aircraft to be used as Air Force One had been delivered to the museum, on loan from the Air Force Museum after its retirement in 1996. The aircraft sits among other historic aircraft outside, and across the street from the main building. Personally I think it should be undercover. It is easy to see the elements taking its toll on this beautiful machine.

The aircraft was delivered to the Air Force for use as the presidential plane in May of 1959. President Eisenhower took his first jet ride in SAM 970, in August of the same year. His destination was Europe.
September of 1959 Nikita, Khrushchev, used this aircraft while touring the United States.

January 20th, 1961, SAM 970, becomes President John F. Kennedy’s Main transport aircraft.

October of 1962, SAM 970 makes way for a new sister. Replaced by the even more famous 707, tail number 26000.

February, 1963, with the assistance of The First Lady, a new color scheme is introduced to the presidential fleet. The amazing white on blue over silver colors that she sported until President Jimmy Carter came to be. He felt the color scheme was too showy and had it toned down a bit. Heaven forbid that the aircraft with such a significant purpose be too flashy.

SAM 970 remained a faithful servant and was used by Vice President Johnson, to fly into Love Field, Dallas Texas, November 22ND, 1963.

1970 to 1971 the aircraft was used to transport Henry Kissinger to Europe and elsewhere for secret talks where plans were made to disengage from the Vietnam War.

1972 SAM 970 was part of the official fleet that flew President Nixon and company to China.

All in all it was a pretty long and important career with the U.S. Government. If only the walls could talk. She sits now, waiting for visitors from around the world to come aboard and get lost in her history.

All images by Randy J. Cole

Lincoln's Rain

The Peterson House. Lincoln was carried through the door, and down this hallway to a back bedroom where he would slip away, into the ages.

Lincoln’s Rain
By Randy J. Cole

Those who were there said it rained that day,
It surprises me not that history was destined in such a way.

Did you feel the rain strike your face,
as those in blue carried you to that place?

Across the street to the Peterson house, you were laid upon the bed,
Your wife, your son, spoke sorrow and pain, so many prayers were said.

Did you feel the rain strike your face,
as those in blue carried you to that place?

They said that a dream came to you, and gave you a chance to see,
Perhaps you chose to ignore the thought, or decided it was destiny.

Black draped the house of white, as you filled the history pages,
first by horse, and then by train, you were carried into the ages.





Interesting Tidbits


For those of you who have not had the experience of going to Washington DC. I thought it might be interesting to give you some tidbits of information that can be found in the basement of the Fords Theater. I for one love history, although you would never know it if you were to look at the grades I received all through my school years in this subject. What a shame that I wasted those years. Today, if given the chance to visit the spot where a major event has occurred, I find myself lost in thought. Transferred to the moment that history was changed. I love it and I know that many of you have this ability and share my interest in these kind of events. The Fords Theater is one of those places where it is so easy to get lost in the moment. The displays are remarkable.
Today is would not seem so odd to hear of a person trying to obtain a memento of a serious rip in history by taking a souvenir such as an item with a blood stain on it for instance. It seems morbid but people are in fact fascinated by such a collection. It would appear that even in the days of Lincoln, such trophies were not uncommon. This photo is of the overcoat worn by Lincoln at the time of his assassination. The information provided says that after Lincoln was shot, trophy seekers actually cut pieces from the overcoat which were stained with Lincoln’s blood to keep as souvenirs from the event.

The door you see behind the coat is the original door that Booth opened to fire the fatal round.

The murder weapon, a .44 caliber pistol. Experts say that if this gun were to ever be placed up for auction, it would without a doubt become the most expensive hand gun in the world.

All images by Randy J. Cole

An Angel in The Hand is Worth Two in The Bush

When you work with children as a course of your career as opposed to raising your own, you will indeed cross paths with some extraordinary young souls. I say that because we as parents usually consider our own children extraordinary. This story took place sometime between, 1994 and 1996, while I was a D.A.R.E. officer for the Bothell, Washington Police Department. During the school year I was responsible for delivering the anti drug message to seven elementary schools in the city limits of Bothell. I remember many of the 6th graders that were required to listen to my program, most of them because they were really little shits with skin. However, the ones I remember the most were the ones that taught me something. They helped me grow and understand more about human nature then they will ever know. One of these young people went by the name of Charlie. She was a dark haired, quite kid. The other students seemed to ignore her most of the time and I could sense a loss of self-esteem in her eyes. Her skin was somewhat pale when compared to the rest of her boisterous classmates. But something else was present that most would not see. She had a glow about her, almost angelic. She did not speak much during class but managed to smile when the time was right. It was just before Easter and I entered the classroom. Sitting on Charlie’s desk was one of the most amazing Easter egg trees I had ever seen. A limb about sixteen inches tall with small branches surrounding it. No vegetation was present but hanging of each small limb was a hollowed colorful Easter egg. They were attached with ribbons of various colors. I had never seen anything like it. I commented on the art work and Charlie told me that she had been its creator. I was shocked when Charlie said she had made it for me. The work this child had put into it was astounding. It was clear that Charlie had a heart and talent and she remained one of my favorite kids during the rest of time as a D.A.R.E. officer. When I was finished with the class at Charlie’s school I didn’t see her again for sometime.
The Christmas that followed was a cold one for that part of Washington. The officers I worked with on that department were very business like, but most of them had a heart of gold. During that holiday season one of the patrol officers saw Charlie out in the cold pulling a dead bush out of the ground. This was near the little apartment that she lived in. She was accompanied by a few of her siblings. The officer pulled up next to Charlie and asked her what she was doing. Charlie told him that Christmas was at hand. This bush was to be fashioned into a Christmas tree for her siblings. The officer was taken back by what Charlie had said. Imagine a twelve year old girl rising above a horrible situation and trying to provide some sort of normalcy for her family. This is true inner strength. During further investigation the officer found out that Charlie’s family was in a pretty tough spot. Her father was not able to provide for the family and had physically abused her mother as well as the children. The officer organized his shift and they provided not only gifts and a tree for the family, but a party with a Christmas dinner. I was very proud of those guys on that patrol shift and the detectives that took part. I wish I could have been there.
Christmas came and went as did Charlie’s father. He committed suicide within a few months of the holidays. It was tragic yes, but I know the family had been set free in some respects and could move on with their lives.
A few weeks later, I was called to the Police Department to meet with some people in the lobby. I had no idea who it was but as I walked into the lobby I was confronted with an angelic smile. Standing before me was Charlie and her mom and siblings. Charlie had grown in the short time since I had seen her last and I remember making that statement as she rushed up to me and buried her head into my chest and sobbed. All I could do was pat her on the back and tell her it was ok. Her mother smiled and with watery eyes said that Charlie just wanted to say hi and thanked me for treating her well in my class. I felt pretty good for the rest of the day. The family had moved on and was going to be in another part of the state with things seemingly going well. It was about a week later that I received a letter from Charlie’s mom. She said that it was nice to see me that day and that it was the first time Charlie cried since her father had died. She said that I was one of the few male role models she had in her life. I feel very privileged to have been in Charlie’s life even if it was for a short time. I know I always say that I am not religious but I am pretty sure that angels are out there and I am also sure that one of them is named Charlie. I hope that she and her family are doing well and yes, I will even pray for it.

OMG, its the news!

You ever look at a news report that is so bizarre that you just can’t keep your mouth shut. I usually don’t write these kinds of thoughts down as I find it better to wait until I am seated at the lunch table with co-workers and make my comments just as they are taking a drink of liquid. I love it when someone shoots milk out of their nose. The problem is that I had to eat lunch alone today, so I will share my thoughts with my readers but with a toned down texture. Some of you might be shocked as you think I am a really level headed individual that would not want to offend anyone. That is true, but dog gone it, sometimes I just can’t hold it in. I used to do stand-up comedy while I was a police officer in the Seattle area back in the mid 90’s. Thanks to a young and very successful comedian by the name of Kyle Cease. He talked me into trying out a few lines on an open mic night at a Seattle club. I did, and I liked it. I wish I would have stuck with it. Anyway this is where my morbid side comes from and if I offend you I am sorry.

The story that I picked up on this morning was located on the FOX News online. How could you pass this up?
Three dogs have been given a stay of execution by a Sherriff in Tulsa Oklahoma. These dogs were to be put to death because they had appeared in some porno films involving a 54 year old woman. OMG, I love dogs, they are my favorite four legged pals. These dogs are to be rehabilitated and put up for adoption. Hhhhhmmmmmmm. I am not sure I would be comfortable sending my child out to toss a ball with these animals. Would you dare bend over to work in the garden? It would also be a bit uncomfortable locking eyes with them. What the hell are you looking at? I know what you are thinking. How do you rehabilitate these animals? After all they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks! See, nothing in the lives of these animals will be normal, even a simple phrase like that can’t be said anywhere that someone is about to drink milk. God help these four legged creatures and the comedians who will be on stage this weekend.

RJ

How Many Independence Days Left?

By Randy J. Cole




The clock on the wall hangs silent, the calendar turns yellow with age,
years of warnings came and went, no one left to turn the page.



I wonder if the Mayans had it right, with the year twenty twelve as the date,
perhaps the answer depends on who we choose, as our next head of state.


Things are heating up in the world, and not just the climate alone,
A few more years of strange events, we will be living in the Twilight zone.


If you believe in God, I suggest you pray, do the things that you have missed,
I fear the end is coming one way or another, because Mother Earth is pissed!

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