time is flying

Hey
On the Alaska end of things its going to get hectic soon with the arrival of the road travelers and others who are flying in. four people are arriving Monday into Anchorage where I'll pick them up.
Our furnace for the Wasilla and Kenai pours is built. The refractory cast. The blower is being mounted and accessories are being fabricated, Ladles, skimmers etc.
We will be making sand molds at my studio in Palmer on Tuesday and Wednesday and are planning to leave for Wiseman on Thursday morning. The weather in Alaska has been on the cool side with highs in the upper 50s and lows in the 40s. but I hope for a little warmer weather next week.
In a little research about casting in Alaska I have found references to Iron foundries set up first by the Russians in what is now Sitka. They used charcoal to cast iron fittings for the ships they built to service the fur trade. Later references to a Iron foundry in Juneau which used coal to make and repair equipment for the gold mines in the area. Other references and photos around 1920 talk about the coking of coal for an iron foundry in Anchorage operated by the railroad.
With Alaska's long history of major mining operations even above the Arctic Circle such as Nome.
I would hesitate to say this will be the first Iron pour above the Arctic circle. Though it may be.
It will definitely be the first for the purpose of creating art work.
well back to work.
Pat