Ramon Gandia, Nome, Alaska

Hello! I am Ramon, owner and webmaster of  XAlaska.com  

At left with me is Strider,  my late German Shepherd, who crossed the rainbow bridge into the summerlands in December 12, 2009. You can read about my dogs, here.

Daughter Uugiinisi, born 1985 is youngest, lives here in Nome and and works at Kawerak, Inc.

Stepson Thomas, born 1979, completed 4 years in the Marine Corps. He resides here in Nome and is married to Kandie since 5-3-07.

Kandie, 1980, is a construction electrician in Nome.

Son Tony, 1976, also lives in Nome, and is a computer technician.

Natasha, 1969, is a heavy equipment operator and laborer, currently residing near Seattle, Washington.

Skipper, Ramon's late but beloved dog, was veteran of many a 4-wheeler adventure, helicopter rides, sailboats, powerboats, canoes, trucks trips....you name it. He went anywhere, but crossed the rainbow bridge to the summerlands on September 24, 2004, at age 17.

Ramon is also a veteran Amateur Radio Operator, AL7X, and a member of the Seward Peninsula Amateur Radio Cluband Ragchew Amateur Magic, the two ham radio clubs based in Nome.

Check out my new toy ...

This blue beauty is coming on the first, spring 2011 barge from Seattle. Just in time for my fat arse to ride in style.

The AL7X Ham Radio Shack

Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll straighten it all out tomorrow. Oh! You see the handheld and the morse code key, but where is the RADIO?? Hint, look under and to the right of the computer monitor.

If you haven't been paid, its because your bill is somewhere in the pile on the left....

Headstart Driver

Ramon is also currently employed part-time as a Headstart Bus Driver. This is a Federal early education pre-school program for 3 and 4 year old children. In Nome and most of the area villages it is administered by Kawerak, Inc.

The bus and its route are dictated by Kawerak; but the bus is operated for them by Morgan Enterprises, the local schoolbus company. Ramon works for Morgan's.

Here are some shots of the Headstart operation, in no particular order:

Ultralight

Quicksilver after Sunset. Taken by Chris Rowe as I approached to land on the beach.

Ramon at the Controls. A few moments later I was handed my helmet and I took the Quick for my first test flight.

First Flight! There go I!

Four Wheeling

Ramon loves to go out summers on his four-wheeler. He currently owns two that run: a 2004 Honda 350 4x4 Rancher ES, and a 2004 Polaris 500 ATP. Links to his trips, with photos, is on the Home Page; look in the blue column on the right.

Snowmachining

In the winter, Ramon goes snowmachining. He is not a racer, but rather a conservative cross county machiner. He has completed the Iron Dog Trail Class twice, in 2006 and 2007. He currently owns two machines, a 2011 SkiDoo Tundra LT 600 ACE, and a 2007 SkiDoo Tundra 300F. Love those Tundras!

During the All Alaska Sweepstakes dog race, where he was the Checker at the Boston Checkpoint. Over 1000 miles were riden in preparation and support of this event which took place in 2008.

See his snowmachining links on the Home Page; look in the blue column on the right.

Copyright © 1999-2011, Ramon Gandia. All rights reserved. Three pictures Copyright © 2010-2011, Alvin Ivanoff, with permission. Two pictures copyright © 2010-2011, Leah Keller, with permission.
Web page Updated 5/14/2011