Enthusiast in the beauty of humans, travel, nature, flowers, photography, wildlife, hikes. Believes in the law of attraction, being happy, and especially Jesus Christ.
Blog formerly known as Haines, Alaska Tour Guide

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Saturday, December 22, 2012

John Schnabel loves the Big Nugget Mine Calendar

I visited John & Irma Schnabel last Saturday night.  They were in high spirits.  John had recently returned from a Bridge Tournament in Whitehorse (4 hours away in the Yukon, Canada).  He said he took 3 and 4th place.  John said they used to be #1 in the tournament but the Whitehorse people have learned too many tricks from them (the Haines people).  John said he would be willing to teach me how to play too.  That would be very cool.


Well, I enjoyed Gold Rush.  I liked seeing behind the scenes with the cameramen getting in all sorts of trouble.  I was a little sad for Glenn getting reamed on by Parker so hard.  Glenn is so nice.  Parker is the Big Boss though ......you can see it huh.  He is not a boy any more.
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for reading. 

21 comments:

  1. Holly, thanks so much for the update! So happy to see John and Irma looking so well, and able to be out and about. Now... I want one of those calendars! :)

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    1. Thank you for reading. Unfortunately, these very cool calendars are not for sell. We may work on getting one out to the public in the future. This calendar I made with the photos I took on the tours and gave them to the Schnabels for Christmas. I held a contest for one as well, but don't plan on doing any more contest since this calendar started in Jan.

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  2. I love your site! We'd love to visit AK some day, we live in San Diego CA and although some think it is heaven here, we see where you call home as heaven. We watch all the TV shows about AK and her people. Also, we just love John Schnaubel. How delightful to see him on your site here. What a dear man and seems to be a truly genuine person; a true American Dream realized! Be grateful where you live Holly Jo, wonderful people and beautiful place to call home. God Bless! Tammy L. Santee Calif.

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    1. Thank you Tammy. I have been to San Diego and think it is a piece of heaven also. Aren't we so lucky to live in such wonderful places? John is a delight to know. His birthday is coming up Feb. 11th. I think he is turning 93. We are gearing up for a big birthday bash in his honor. If you want to send him a birthday card he loves to hear from people.
      John Schnabel PO Box 149 Haines, Alaska 99827.

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  3. Why has the tour been changed to Dakota Fred's mine and not the big nugget? We were coming up there this summer and so looking forward to meeting Parker.

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    1. oh good question. I may write a blog about this today.....now that the cat is out of the bag.

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  4. Thank you for this site Holly Jo. It's wonderful to see the pictures of John and Irma Schnabel. I have watched Gold Rush from the beginning and absolutely adore and love John and his family. He is so kind, genuine and gentle. I know he is very proud of Parker and the job he is doing. It's amazing to see how Parker has grown. Parker must be just as proud to look just like his grandpa and take over his legacy. Happy New Year. Thanks for posting John's address...I'm excited to write him a letter. I see a trip to Alaska in my near future. DK, Laramie, Wyoming.

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    1. Thank you DK. I am happy you are going to write John. You know, his birthday is coming up Feb. 11th. I am getting the word out to flood his mailbox with birthday wishes. Parker IS a spitting image of his Grandpa Schnabel which is very cool.

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  5. Thankyou so much, Holly Jo! I'm a huge fan of John's and the entire Schnabel family. I enjoyed reading your blog very much.Please keep us up to date with this amazing family. You're a legend! Cheers and best wishes, Julie "Steampunk",Australia. :D

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    1. Thank you for your support all the way "down under" - Us Alaskans love you Aussies!

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  6. John Schnabel is an inspiration to all. His perseverance, patience, and kindness are all traits he exemplifies. I feel so fortunate to have seen him in Gold Rush, but now miss him terribly.
    We can all learn from this great example of a man.

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    1. I'm sure you will see him again. He is got more where that comes from. He is a great, wonderful man and I feel fortunate to call him my friend. He has invited me to his 93rd Birthday Party, I feel so honored, lucky and giggly with excitement. I will take photos and write of his party so it will be like you and all his loyal fans were there too.

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  7. Holly, when you see the Schnabel family again, John, Parker and others, please greets them from big fans from Poland /Europe, we are a thousands miles away from You and we can only dreams about visiting Alaska, maybe if we win a lotery then we go there and use You as tourguide :)
    Please greet them from Maciej & Natalia from Poland :) we are watching them on Discovery every week and vish them all the best!!

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    1. Will do Maciej & Natalia. Thank you for your kind words.....I will pass them along for sure. It is very cool to know we have you fans in Poland! I hope you make it here someday. I would love to show you this beautiful place.

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  8. Hi again Holly, thanks for pass them our vishes. Can You tell me how much cost a day for 1 person in Haines? I mean for turist, a room, meal, etc, I am trying to calculate a cost of a dream :)

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    1. Hello Maciej - Living in Haines is expensive. Just getting here is expensive. If you are coming to Haines check rates online for Alaska Airlines (they fly into Juneau - Our closest big airport), and Alaska Marine Highway System ports right at Haines - you can get on in Bellingham, WA. Also check out our Visitor Bureau where they will have lists of lodging, transport, etc.
      http://www.haines.ak.us/
      Good Luck Maciej - Hope to see you here!

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  9. We Love You! <3

    Anne ja Rauli
    Reposaari
    Finland

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  10. hi! we love the Schnabel's all the way from Lincoln, United Kingdom!

    love to all

    The Powell Family

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  11. Hi John My Husband and I were in Haines Ak. June 2012. But we did not get to meet you. We meet Dakota Fred in the Bamboo Room. We hope to come to Haines in June of 2014. Maybe we will see you then. Howard and Betty Smith of West Tn.

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  12. Hi John, My name is Don Slaw author of Out of Control, A Life with ADHD, Our Support Groups loves watching you on T.V. We are Looking for a Place to Find Gold at. We are using Gold as Way to Fight Back against ADHD

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  13. Dear Mr. John Schnabel,
    I am sure you get many letters like mine.
    You may feel uncomfortable hearing how I feel.
    To me.........you remind me of my own dear
    Grandpa and of family.
    You're such a moving inspiration to me. I am sure to many.
    The last show I saw you tell how family is the
    most important thing to you. I so much agree.
    I miss my family terribly. You see.....I just lost
    my mom this past June. She was my last
    remaining family member. She had leukemia
    and Alzheimers disease. I took care of her here
    at my home in Niles Mi. During a period
    between 1989 and mid 2000's, I lost 22 family
    members. Then this last year my mom and
    wife. When I see your wonderful family
    together.......it takes me back to the good times.
    Please keep inspiring us Mr. Schnabel.
    You are a very rare commodity in this world.
    More rare than all the gold in the cold, hard
    ground. God bless!

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