North 2 the Future

Sunburst Saturday

2011-11-26T18:39:00.004-09:00

Poking out of clouds on the climb up

The clouds below

One last run before the sun sets

Today, while Anchorage and the surrounding areas were under a thick layer of clouds I headed up high to see if the visibility was any better above 3000' with a few friends - Rachel, Chris and Rob. After climbing about 1200' we found sun, warmth, and a windless day of backcountry skiing. It almost felt like skiing in Colorado when we were on the ridgetops. Although as soon as we dropped into the shadow of a ridge after a long, powdery descent we were reminded that it was in fact Alaska and the temps out of the sun weren't much higher than zero degrees. The opportunity to be back in the sun was a great motivator to climb back up and do it all again. The snow felt bottomless and we squeezed every last drop of sunshine from the day. (Thanks to Rob for the first and third photos)

Sea change

2011-11-17T09:56:00.003-09:00

Sea change: noun
1
archaic : a change brought about by the sea
2
a marked change : transformation.

Sea change has been on my mind lately. The term comes from Shakespeare's The Tempest:

Full fathom five thy father lies;
Of his bones are coral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him that doth fade
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange.

I jumped into the ocean about a month ago, off a dock on an island that I was visiting with good friends. The water was full of bioluminescence and the moon shone down through patches of glowing clouds. The water made me feel alive.

Pumpkins carved with good friends

2011-11-17T09:49:00.002-09:00

(note that the pumpkin is larger than my head)

Return to Afognak

2011-10-13T10:57:00.005-08:00

Meg flies to Kodiak tomorrow to see old friends over the weekend. In fact, she'll be spending time at a lodge on Afognak Island's Seal Bay. The bay faces the Alaska Current and may offer good beachcombing opportunities. This is her second time to Afognak after a summer trip in '09. I am excited for her to get out and see more of the island. In the meantime, here are a few shots from last month's elk hunt. Hopefully Meg will have pics to share when she gets back.

The Columbia anchored in Paramanof Bay

Patrick and the Shelikof Strait

Ray glassing for a herd

2011-10-10T17:06:00.004-08:00

There is a rotting elk head in my raised garden bed. As I write this, I realize that such a pronouncement might not raise any eyebrows here in our adopted State. Bruce carried the massive head, trailing tendons and furry flesh, out of the mountains of Afognak—a hard won trophy.

The head has assumed quite a presence in our lives. We take people out into the garden to see it, and they remark on it – its size and smell. Surprisingly dark antlers erupting from the bed’s weedy soil. Everyone is politely interested. They ask Bruce to uncover it, so they can see the skull, which is now brown and stained with earth. Bruce tells his stories and everyone pays their respects.

I worked in the garden this weekend, digging up giant roots and ripping out stubborn raspberries. I worry that each of these recent beautiful weekends will be the last of the fall. Turning over the soil I wonder how old it is, and who brought it to the garden. The head reeks. Its odor mixes with the smell of a crock pot roast from someplace nearby. I think about the head, and develop allegories for it, what it symbolizes in my life, our life.

A friend who visited with the head last weekend writes this morning, telling Bruce that he can buy brain-eating worms from a taxidermist.

Pack animal

2011-10-09T09:15:00.004-08:00

Take lots of rest breaks

Aim for high tide at pickup

Hang meat to allow for air circulation

Last night we hosted half a dozen friends for dinner to enjoy some of last week's elk harvest. Master hunter Patrick, who was in town for a conference, even stopped by to help Meg with the roast and joined us for dinner. It was quite remarkable to see our quarry feeding so many people and it got me thinking about all the energy required to bring the delicious roast to the table. On Afognak after successfully downing the animal the real work soon began processing and packing out the pieces. For instance, it took three of us about three hours to process, pack up, and hang the remaining parts in a nearby tree (the animal was too heavy to carry out in one trip). With each of us carrying well over 100 lbs. our progress was slow and we decided to camp at the valley floor. We encountered a sow brown bear earlier on the hike and were a bit anxious about having to keep so much game in camp. Normally, an electric fence would be used to protect us from any opportunistic bruins. However, our fence was wrapped around the remaining meat near the kill site. After an uneventful night we set out to the bay to rendezvous with the fishing boat that served as our base camp. For five hours we bushwhacked our way to the bay, following game trails and an old logging road voraciously overgrown by alders. We arrived to find the water at high tide - perfect for an easy pickup via fishing skiff. Once on board we were happy to unload our packs and enjoy a cold beer. Yet we knew that a full day of hiking awaited us the next day as we had to return to the kill site to pack out the rest of the quarry.

Afognak elk hunt: success

2011-10-02T20:10:00.010-08:00

Last week I was lucky enough to join a group of veteran hunters for a week-long hunting trip (watch) on Afognak Island. Located north of Kodiak, Afognak Island is remote and relatively wild - a logging camp is its lone settlement. Unlike other hunters, who fly in on a float plane and hunt near larger lakes on the island, we traveled to the island on a 50' commercial fishing boat. The boat allows us to explore several different areas during the trip. We pack enough gear to camp for three days and get dropped off on shore, striking out on land to scope hillsides and valleys for groups of roosevelt elk that live on the island. And when not hunting, we try our luck fishing for halibut and cod.

While hunting we found a group of about 25 elk on the morning of our second day. We approached the herd from a peak above as the animals grazed near a lake. I was able to get within 100 yards of the herd when a large bull singled himself out from the rest of the group. Luckily, my rifle shot true and we soon had a large animal to process and carry five miles back to the boat. More pictures and descriptions of the hunt coming soon.

Friendly visitors

2011-09-02T21:54:00.004-08:00

Brother Duncan aboard the Mulligan - Haystack Beach off the stern

We had two new visitors come to town recently. My brother Duncan and Alicia, his brand new fiance (!) made the trip up from Colorado. While the sun was behind the clouds for most of their visit, they made the most of the adventure. After camping for a night in Denali together, they joined Meghan and I for a two night stay at a yurt in Kachemak Bay State Park. The yurt is across the Bay from Homer and we all hopped aboard a water taxi for a short cruise to the secluded beachside yurt. Seals, puffins, and thick-billed murres scattered in our wake as we sped through the thick fog to our weekend getaway. Once at the yurt we felt quite secluded. Although a curious black bear soon let us know that we were not alone. We cooked meals on the beach, played a few games and generally whooped it up together. We hope the young couple joins us again soon for another AK adventure.

Hiking with Alicia and Duncan

Another great photo op.

Ship shape

2011-08-22T20:18:00.007-08:00

A few weeks ago our friends Mark and Laurence took us sailing in Resurrection Bay aboard the Radiance, a sloop that they plan to sail across the Pacific and back. After bunking up in port the night before, we set sail under stormy skies at midday. We cruised the bay, watching otters, porpoises and the occasional humpback surface from the green sea. A three hour sail put us in the shelter of Sunny Cove. We lowered the jib and mainsail just before a gail kicked up. From the Radiance's well-appointed galley we watched the heavy rain fall on rows of spruce trees onshore. Anchored in the cove, we enjoyed a tasty meal and were gently rocked into a pleasant sleep. The next day we climbed aboard the dingy and took to shore to comb the beach. Sunny skies made the trip back to port a fine end to a great outing. Thanks M&L!

Hoisting the jib

Going ashore in Sunny cove on Fox Island

The captain and his lovely first mate

Resettled

2011-08-22T19:50:00.003-08:00

We've relocated to a new nest in Anchorage and couldn't be happier with the views. We'll have new posts up soon. Stay tuned...

Running with data (and Dave and Ben)

2011-07-20T15:58:00.006-08:00

Map and profile of Saturday's run

Recently, I received a GPS watch as a gift for anniversary #1 from Meg. It's been quite fun wearing the watch, downloading the data, and looking at the topography of each run. Even a quick 5 miler around the neighborhood features short climbs that I'd never considered. I look forward to gathering more data about each outing to get an even better feel for the terrain in and around Anchorage. In the future, I hope to know as much about the routes near home as other outdoor enthusiasts living in Alaska. Perhaps inspired by this video, I've become more intrigued recently about getting out and "mapping" the surrounding terrain via trail runs. The data featured here is from a trip over Powerline Pass with Dave and Ben this weekend.

Hatcher Pass Marathon

2011-07-10T19:27:00.004-08:00

Passing Summit Lake at mile 24

Support crew Ben & Laura fresh off the Yukon River

The scenery was reason enough to run the course

After several weeks of training it was finally time to run the first annual Hatcher Pass Marathon on Saturday. With a course profile resembling a very difficult treadmill program, I knew I was in for a doozy on my first full marathon. I was aiming for an 8 minute per mile pace and kept on target for more than half the race, arriving at mile 16 in 2:08. Then the course really started to climb. With the help of my support crew - Meghan, Ben, and Laura - who provided plenty of feed options (Ben even ran alongside for a few of the steepest miles) I was able to hold off a late challenge from a fellow racer just below the summit. When I crested the pass the sun was shining on the last mile - a steep descent to the finish where I crossed the line at 3:50:45. Although I ran slower than my goal, I learned a lot about long distance racing . Like labor, I have nearly forgotten the most painful parts of the race (e.g., when my left hip flexor refused to flex at miles 17-20) and look forward to another long trail race.

Happy Birthday Kevin!

2011-07-10T17:09:00.004-08:00

I cannot believe that our handsome world traveler is twenty-one years old today. In my mind you will always be Baby Kevin...Happy birthday, Kevin. Wishing you a year filled with joy and adventure. We love you!

more from Cordova

2011-07-10T16:59:00.003-08:00

strange bird

up close and personal with Child's Glacier

Miles Lake

enjoying one of Harry Need's glacier-tinis after setting up camp

Wisconsin Lumberjack

2011-07-10T16:51:00.006-08:00

Bruce in his element during our visit home to the farm over Memorial Day.

Garden Metamorphosis

2011-07-10T16:47:00.002-08:00

Then (May)...

...Now (jungle garden)...

Cordova Holiday

2011-07-07T19:24:00.004-08:00

Vanagons lined up for the ferry

Cordova harbor under partly sunny skies

Childs Glacier & the Copper River

Old ice baby

Over the Fourth of July holiday we joined several friends for a trip across Prince William Sound. Two couples have recently acquired Volkswagon Vanagon camper vans and were eager to get them on the road, or sea as it were, to camp. We drove to Whittier in the Vanagons and sailed aboard the M/V Chenega, a high speed ferry, to Cordova. Arriving in Cordova we sampled the local cuisine (oysters and red salmon) and drove the 50 mile stretch of road to Childs Glacier where we camped for two nights on the banks of the Copper River. The Childs Glacier towers more than 200' above the River and was quite active during our visit. The Glacier moaned and cracked, sending thunderous kabooms across the valley each time house-sized pieces fell from its face into the silty Copper River. We spent most of one day watching the Glacier calve, cheering each time a large piece came crashing down. More pictures to come...

First Half

2011-06-19T09:35:00.007-08:00

The Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon and Half Marathon brought nearly 4,000 runners from 49 states and several friends from Kodiak to Anchorage's trails on Saturday. A slight breeze and mostly sunny skies made for excellent race day conditions at the start. While the picturesque course offering million dollar views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet made everyone a winner. I ran the half marathon course (my longest race distance to date) and Meg ran race support - meeting me at the finish with comfortable shoes and a dry shirt. During the race I was able to keep a steady pace and finish right at my goal. this was my first major individual race and it was really fun to be at the start with thousands of other folks pumped about running. To me it's evidence that humans are hard-wired to run in groups. For instance I've noticed that my times are much faster when running with someone else. Perhaps it's a vestige of our ancestral persistence hunting tactic: running = survival.

Pickup

2011-06-14T22:12:00.008-08:00

Tacoma at the Columbia

Mom takes a gander at the Gorge

After a spring spent hunting for a safe and reliable vehicle in which to explore summer in AK, Meg and I took the plunge and bought a pickup truck. We wanted something that we could use for camping in places with a paucity of developed campsites (e.g., the Denali Highway), yet small enough to parallel park downtown. A 4x4 was essential and we wanted to make sure that we had a place to retreat to if any bruins got too close (i.e., our encounter in Montana). So we found a Toyota in Colorado for a fair price and made the purchase. Lacking the vacation time to drive the truck all the way up to AK, we decided to put it on the barge in Seattle. Last weekend my Mom helped me drive it from Colorado to Seattle. We had good weather and Mom got to see parts of the West that she had never been to before. We took the "northern route" through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It reminded me of my younger days taking road trips with the family, when the journey was the destination. I could not have made the trip without Mom - as always a great traveling companion.

On the river

2011-06-14T09:28:00.005-08:00

Out for a practice float in the Taiya River near Skagway, AK

Ben and Laura prepare to put in near Dawson, YT

Laura conducts trip logistics

Two good friends recently set off on a two month adventure paddling the Yukon River. Ben and Laura plan to kayak most of the length of the Yukon river this summer. When possible, they will send dispatches from the field and update their position via their Spot Satellite Messenger. As you might expect, being completely self-sufficient during the next 60 watery days requires considerable planning. Meg and I are excited to be part of the support crew. We have been mailing boxes of food and reading materials to places along the river where Ben and Laura will stop for provisions.

Midwest Tour

2011-06-08T19:08:00.006-08:00

Lighthouse, Muskegon, MI

Dad and Brother Duncan on the dock in Leland, MI

Large wooden pike

Meghan and I "made the rounds" this Memorial Day and paid a visit to several family members in the Upper Midwest. We began our trip at a cousin's wedding on Lake Michigan over the holiday weekend. Then Meg took the ferry across Lake Michigan to visit with her family in Wisconsin, while I made a trip to Northern Michigan to see the grandparents. I then rejoined Meg at the family farm in Wisconsin after taking the same ferry trip across the lake with my Mom. For most of the trip the weather was quite pleasant and when it got too hot we could always find a lake nearby to take a quick dip. It was great to see so many friends and family. I think we got a bit homesick for the "luxuries" of the L48: delicious food, proximity of family, affordable housing. The pictures above are from the Northern Michigan leg of the trip.

Summah's here - Gotta run

2011-05-13T08:55:00.008-08:00

David, Bill and I hanging out after work

Although there's still plenty of snow up high for getting turns, most of the trails in and around town are dry and begging for a run. Anchorage and the Chugach mountains to the east offer many (literally) breathtaking runs. Kincaid Park features a trail that runs along sandy bluffs overlooking Cook Inlet, Denali, and two volcanoes. There are many trails along the Turnagain Arm that traverse lush coastal forests and subalpine tundra. Not to mention the nearly 200 miles of trail in Anchorage proper where one might cross paths with moose, bear and the occasional wolf.
Friends and I have a few race dates circled on the summah calendar and we've been trying to get out as much as possible to prepare. Last night we tackled Bird Ridge south of town. The trail follows the shoulder of Bird Peak - straight up and straight down. We topped out at around 8p and hurried down for a beer in the parking lot, while fat mosquitoes swarmed our blood-rich limbs. Thanks to Dave for bringing along the camera.

She Passed!

2011-05-02T14:25:00.004-08:00

She did it again! Meg learned that she passed the Colorado Bar Exam soon after we moved to Alaska in '08. Today Meg received word that she passed the Alaska Bar Exam as well. We are so proud of all of her hard work and determination. Congratulations Meg. With this milestone behind you, I just know that you're looking for the next challenge. May I suggest babies?

In tape we crust (ski)

2011-04-17T21:34:00.010-08:00

Chris repairs the day's first failure

While the trails in town have surrendered their snow to the 50 degree temps, the weather has been perfect for crust skiing in the mountains surrounding Anchorage. On Saturday I was invited to join a few of seasoned experts who seek solitude and distance on their crust skiing excursions. An early alarm (5 am) and a drive down to the Kenai Peninsula brought us to some pretty amazing skiing -- accompanied by three pieces of broken equipment.

A fixit shop among the trees

We skied along a frozen river and an (unlawful) snow machine trail to a broad meadow. Much of the trail was rutted and it proved challenging to maintain one's balance. After skiing into a deep rut I heard a snap and instantly knew that my trusty pair of rock skis would never be the same. When I caught up to the group, they immediately set to work mending the cracked ski with the duct tape I was advised to bring along. Luckily, Chris brought along an emergency ski tip for such an occasion and fastened it to the shortened ski. Moments later a broken pole required more tape and a few cottonwood branches.

Corey ties up the repaired pole (notice the ski with the funny tip)

With all gear adequately mended the tour continued into a bright white meadow where the crust was perfect for high speed cruising. We skied to the top of the meadow and looked toward our intended destination - a high pass unreachable with hobbled gear and a greenhorn. We made the call to turn back at about 11 and rocketed back down the meadow toward the riverbed that would take us back to the trialhead. Sure enough, a bit of hotdogging snapped Martin's ski beneath the foot and forced him to ski most of the return trip on one foot. As for me, I'll be scouring Craigslist for another pair crust/ rock skis.

All smiles and speed in the meadow

Ski train

2011-03-27T21:57:00.003-08:00

Meghan happy to be off the train and on her skis above the Susitna River Valley

With Mark and Laurence inside the "Wine & Cheese Car"

Live entertainment

An overdue post on our trip aboard the infamous Ski Train. Departing from Anchorage at 7 am and returning well after 8 pm, the Ski Train was full day outing consisting of early morning cocktails, costumes, a polka band, and a little skiing thrown in. At times it felt intercontinental - nibbling on cheese and sipping wine while sitting in the glass domed rail car as Alaska's wilderness flashed by. At others it felt like a cramped car trip with dozens of loud traveling companions. Although the scenery was spectacular and it was great to get out with friends, Meg and I agreed that once is enough for the Ski Train.

In the Sea

2011-03-27T11:22:00.005-08:00

It is illegal to take shells from the beaches in Hawai'i...so I just collected and then replaced these finds. Lots of seaglass onshore, to my delight. We also learned that we could not carry fruit from Kaua'i on to Oahu and the fruit policeman and his x-ray machine caught Bruce trying to sneak an orange across the border.

The morning of our first day on the Island was cool and rainy-we were the only people to get in the water at Anini Beach-we tested the water temperature in our raingear before committing.

Another cool day, at Ke'e beach.

Strange Fruit

2011-03-27T09:56:00.004-08:00

Our last supper on the Island-a fantastic fruit, smoothie, and sandwich stand that we stumbled across after our stop at Moloa'a Beach. We devoured mahi-mahi, ahi, tangelo, lychee, the most flavorful bananas we have ever tasted, and an incredible smoothie. Amazing after a day of sun and sand. We tended to enjoy the best dining experience on the occasions when I would be overwhelmed with frustration and throw the guidebook into the backseat of the Vibe.

At Moloa'a we saw evidence of the tsunami's impact-an unusually high wrack and an abundance of plastic beach debris. Beachfront home owners worked to repair damage to their buildings.

Bruce absorbs some final rays.

Time flies...

2011-03-20T20:28:00.007-08:00

We enjoyed our trip to the North Shore so much that we are already plotting our return for next year. There are so many reasons to go back. We especially enjoyed the sleepy feel and slow pace of the windward side of the island. At the top of our list though, are the many different beaches to explore. Each sandy spot that we visited was unique. There were great reefs for snorkeling, waves for surfing, sun for tanning, and of course - sand for combing. Here are a few shots of the beaches where we stayed long enough to snap a pic or two.

Secret Beach

Anini Beach

Larsons Beach

Hanalei Bay

Island diversity

2011-03-14T21:37:00.017-08:00

Located more than 2,ooo miles from the nearest continental shore, the Hawaiian archipelago is the most isolated group of islands in the world. Nonetheless, we've caught a glimpse of several species that have found their way here one way or another including animals not pictured below such as humpback whales and the great frigatebird.

green sea turtle

red-footed booby

monk seal

sea meghan

whitemouth moray eel

red-crested cardinal

Postcard from paradise

2011-03-12T19:11:00.005-09:00

We'll keep the words brief to save space for pictures of the beautiful island. When not preparing for a tsunami evacuation we've been enjoying the North Shore.

Our greeting to the accommodations

The view from our lanai

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Haena Beach and Bali Hai

Next post, local wildlife...

Tour reflection

2011-03-08T16:47:00.007-09:00

Before: with a Tour veteran

The symbolic end of another Alaskan winter came and went on Sunday as we took part in the 24th annual Tour of Anchorage ski marathon. After skiing the 40k distance last year I signed up for the 50k distance this year. Meg ran race support, shuttling me and friends to the start and cheering us on along the route. It's amazing how much mental space the Tour occupies throughout the winter. After the race I sat down and took off my ski boots and Lycra. I paused, and felt my brain empty out. I had nothing in the near future to prepare for - no more worries about race times or bonking or whether I was skiing enough. And although I would have liked to have skied the race a bit faster, I am satisfied with my results considering the winter that was. Meg's winter-long bar prep required added attention. I neglected to get seen for a knee injury that nagged all winter until three weeks ago. And preparations for this specific race were not adequate. At the risk of listing excuses, I rarely skied longer than 90 minutes at a time this winter and on race day I slept in and ended up eating breakfast too late which caused some serious difficulty on the very hilly first 10k. All in all, it was quite the learning experience and it was great seeing friends do so well. Looking forward to 2012...

After: 50k and still smiling

Meg in motion

2011-03-04T21:51:00.005-09:00

Meg has taken to the trail every day after work this week.

Hallelujah

2011-02-27T09:23:00.003-09:00

Meghan finished taking the exam at the end of last week and life is slowly returning to normal around here. While she was studying it felt like only half of Meghan was around and it's nice to have all of her back. Many well wishers have sent congratulations her way after finishing and we are quite grateful it is over. Looking ahead, it seems that life will move forward very quickly. Next week we take our belated honeymoon and when we return 12 hrs. of daylight will greet us. The extended days seem to put energy levels on overdrive and summer comes before you know it. Which is nice, considering we'll have to wait three months to get Meg's results. The picture above is from the morning walks Meghan and I took during her three days of test taking last week.

Reinforcement

2011-02-22T18:41:00.004-09:00

Last week Meg's mom, Deb paid a visit. She provided much needed emotional and domestic support for our little bar exam-taker. When not cooking up a storm or taking care of Reb, Deb was on her skis as much as possible, always on the lookout for moose and other critters. Luckily, our neck of the woods was quite a popular spot for the boreal ungulates, as they seemed to stop by the front yard once a day during Deb's visit. We also toured Powerline Pass on Saturday under bright February sun to play in the 8" of fresh snow. Thanks for the visit Deb - we couldn't have made it to the test without you.

Sundowner

2011-02-13T17:57:00.003-09:00

5:46 pm

Update: Russian gray whale on the move

2011-02-09T13:33:00.005-09:00

Meghan scans for gray whales off Narrow Cape during Kodiak's 2009 Whale Fest

It looks like Flex, the wayward Russian western gray whale, successfully crossed both the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska and was recently swimming off the coast of Vancouver Island. A local BC paper reports that although Flex is following a well established eastern gray whale migration route, he is keeping his distance from his eastern Pacific cousins.

Flex is now more or less following the migration route of Eastern Pacific gray whales, but he's aloof, staying farther offshore than they do. The reason for uncertainty about Flex's uniqueness is that researchers have never tracked a Western Pacific gray so extensively.

Flex's speed and determination indicates that he may join other grays at their Mexican breeding grounds. He'd better hurry though, by March most of the single whales will have begun their northward migration to Kodiak and beyond.

Saturday sun

2011-02-05T12:49:00.005-09:00

Saturday offered clear skies, sun, and crisp air - perfect for snapping pics of the Anchorage Bowl. The Great One and the Alaska Range were on display to the north and surrounding ranges - Chugach and Tordrillo - showed their stuff as well. I took the camera along on an afternoon ski and dropped the shots into a slideshow between grabs from an FAA webcam located in downtown Anchorage.

Evening commute - no flash

2011-02-04T18:36:00.004-09:00

Today was cloudless and we finally got to see how much light we've gained this week. Like Candlemas Day, the first day when it's possible to make it home from work without lights marks winter's turning point. I left the office at 5:30 and skied home under civil twilight. As the days become longer energy levels increase and moods brighten. - just in time for Meg's big test and the big race.

Candlemas Day

2011-02-02T21:02:00.005-09:00

Halfway between the solstice and the equinox, Candlemas Day (Imbolc, in Old Irish) celebrates the return of daylight to northern latitudes. We will reach eight hours of light in a day or so and welcome the rays. Candlemas Day is also the precursor to Groundhog Day. Traditionally, depending on the environs, folks watched for critters like serpents or badgers to emerge from their dens. According to the limerick below, most of Alaska and the L48 will be rewarded with an early Spring - no shadows to be seen today.

For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day,

So far will the snow swirl until May.

For as the snow blows on Candlemas Day,
So far will the sun shine before May.

The trail

2011-01-31T21:50:00.004-09:00

Assorted sights on the Anchorage trail system

Smartly cloudy

2011-01-26T11:07:00.008-09:00

As the light slowly returns to 60 degrees north (we've more than 7 hrs./day now) and the weather patterns shift a bit, the clouds that fill the Anchorage Bowl begin to put on a show. Perhaps the convergence of weather that crosses over the Chugach Mountains to the east with the warmer air sitting above Cook Inlet to the southwest is a factor in the area's picturesque cloud formation. Although never quite as spectacular as some of the clouds found in other parts of the world, the Alaska clouds are remarkable in their own way. During most weekdays I can watch the sun rise from my office window as it pitches light against the clouds. (the first photo is from my desk chair; photos two and three are from Meg and Nicole's visit to Denali this summer).

Birthday up on Hatcher Pass

2011-01-25T10:52:00.009-09:00

This weekend we joined a few friends to celebrate the 30th birthday of Leslie, a good friend whom Meghan met while in law school. The party was a surprise and all celebrants had to sneak up to the Hatcher Pass Lodge undetected. Although the Alaskan winter sun had set hours before, the drive up the pass to the Lodge was white and serene as fresh snow blanketed the area. We enjoyed hot drinks, halibut, a delicious cake, and shared a few laughs before heading back toward Anchorage. On the return trip down the Pass, Meghan used her headlamp to "shine," then tried to call in a bull moose crossing the road to no avail.

The Lodge at night

Leslie's husband Harry presents the piece de resistance

Harry provides levity for the bar-weary Meghan

Skiing fast slowly

2011-01-22T14:33:00.005-09:00

Ice floats to the sea in Knik Arm

A good friend passed on a word of advice after a training ski this week. He quoted Olympic great Gunde Svan, a Swede with four cross country golds, who said that one should 'ski fast slowly.' In other words, it's much better to relax and be patient with each stride to maintain maximum efficiency. Much of the Big Race in March involves long efficient strides, so I skied 20 km of the course slowly, building speed by concentrating on each kick and glide. Along the way I stopped to watch the flowing tide carry ice down the Knik Arm to the Gulf of Alaska.

Russian gray whale defecting?

2011-01-19T09:06:00.014-09:00

Deb and I with Kodiak Gray Whale Project Coordinator Stacy Studebaker

Remember when Sean Connery, playing a Russian nuclear submarine captain in The Hunt for Red October, threatened to defect to the US ? Well, a western gray whale might be doing just that. The whale, originally from a population residing in the waters off the coast of Russia, has been making a beeline for the Alaska coast since October. Oregon State's Marine Mammal Institute is tracking "Flex" the whale:

Flex departed the Kamchatka coast on 3 January. and took one week to cross most of the Bering Sea before arriving at the slope edge of the eastern Bering Sea shelf on 9 January. Since 3 January, he has covered 1,689 km in 238 hours for an average of 7.09 km/hr. Since attaining the slope edge, he has trended to the south, toward the Pribilof islands. During the last several days we have obtained individual transmissions during several orbits, so we know the tag is still attached and functioning, but not enough transmissions to obtain reliable locations. Some of this may be due to regional bad weather.

This great swim is quite remarkable for a western gray - once thought to be extinct - especially considering the difficulty of crossing the Bering during the depths of winter.

Ice cold

2011-01-17T17:05:00.003-09:00

We experienced the coldest weather of the season over the weekend as temps dropped to -25 at night and warmed to -10 during the day in areas of the Anchorage Bowl. Fearing the snow on the ski trails would be slow and sticky I decided to try a pair of nordic skates as an alternative to skiing this weekend. Nordic skates are simply straight blades attached to a boot using ski bindings, making it easy to switch from skis to skates. I skied from the house down to the Lagoon, stepped off the skis and onto the nordic skates. After a few laps on the freshly hot-mopped big loop I soon got the hang of it and could feel the similarities between skiing and skating. The nordic skates are less forgiving than nordic skis and provided instant feedback (skidding) when I didn't transfer my weight smoothly from a glide to a kick. Though not as fast as a traditional speed skate, I really enjoyed the way the nordic skates felt like freestyle nordic skiing. And like barefoot running, the nordic skates provide self coaching - it only feels right when using the correct form.

Frost in the doldrums

2011-01-12T21:16:00.009-09:00

It seems that the "January Doldrums" have kicked in. For the past couple of weeks, we've been under clear, cold skies with nary a flake of snow. Although the darkness up north seems to exacerbate the month's toil, a quick Google search for the term yields several results of bloggers elsewhere dealing with feelings of boredom and ways to shake the torpor. I, for one, am quite impressed with the local nordic ski association's impeccable trail grooming which has turned ice into snow and provided great skiing conditions. The forecast suggests several more days of cold, dry air in the future - better increase the vitamin D intake.

Study escape

2011-01-09T14:39:00.006-09:00

This weekend Meg and I left Reb with a friendly boarder and spent two nights at a B&B in Girdwood - home of Alyeska Ski Resort. Meghan was able to catch up on some much-needed sleep and study in peace while I hit the slopes with some friends. The rental property was nice and quiet and featured an outdoor hot tub. Saturday offered as much sunshine as 60 degrees north latitude allows in mid-January. And the skiing - er, snowboarding was great. Nursing a nagging knee injury, I decided to take it easy and rent a board. It's been over 12 years since I was on a single plank and, for most of the day, I felt like a kid again - until the next morning's soreness arrived.

Data Viz

2011-01-05T10:50:00.010-09:00

Soon before the blog took a 6 month sabbatical I added a few sites to the blogroll on the right. And you, the reader, might ask, "what are these blogs and why are they there?" Well, I maintain a bit of a fascination with data visualization - using thoughtful representations of information to tell an interesting story. More than just a colorful pie chart or nifty scatterplot, data visualization, or data viz, done right can distill large sets of data and provide an elegant view of patterns and trends. Some even argue that journalists will need to become more adept at narrating with data. As it happens, I get to do a bit of data viz in my job. It's quite a rewarding process. Here's part of a data viz project from work. And don't forget to check out the sites to the right.

New Year Chinook

2011-01-02T13:31:00.006-09:00

Valley of the Moon Park

Downtown Anchorage under a southeasterly flow

A New Year Chinook blew in over the weekend bringing 40+ degree temps and unsettled air aloft. Although it's nice to head outside and leave the gloves and heavy coat at home, I hope the warm southern air blows through soon. The longer the warm weather sticks around, the worse the skiing becomes. Last winter we were the envy of our friends in Kodiak who got hit every few weeks with strong Chinooks that bypassed the Anchorage Bowl. We enjoyed monthlong stretches of crisp winter days and soft white snow, while Kodiak experienced a very cloudy and rainy winter.

Confronting Winter

2010-12-29T12:49:00.018-09:00

In the depths of winter, when temperatures drop and the sun barely pokes above the horizon, humans and animals either confront winter's short chilly days or retreat. There are several strategies for confronting the year's coldest days.

Chickadees cache food early in the winter to conserve valuable energy.

Moose and caribou use a circulatory system that warms blood in their legs as it returns to the heart.

Ptarmigan stuff a night's worth of food into their crop while roosting in snow.

Musk ox stand still. And wood frogs freeze.

Here are a few images of the Anchorage Bowl confronting winter.

Making albums

2010-12-28T10:59:00.004-09:00

Our friend Bekah atop Loveland Pass - "14ers" Greys and Torreys in the distance

M & B 1st Christmas

Pheasants in WI

With a bit of time off of work this week I have been able to get all of our photos in one place on our new computer. I've making new albums to organize the thousands of photos that inevitably accumulate in the digital age. Combing through the old photos allowed me to free up many MBs of memory and jog memories of years past. The first two photos here are from our time living in Colorado's high country. Meghan and I worked for Vail Resorts and experienced the ski bum lifestyle for a winter. We celebrated our first Christmas together there and hosted Meghan's family in a tiny one bedroom apartment (my parents lived just down the road). The last photo is of Meghan's brother (Patrick), Dad (Tom) and me on the family farm in Wisconsin after a day of hunting. I am about halfway through the old photos and hope to get them consolidated before going back to work next week.

Back to bloggin

2010-12-26T16:17:00.002-09:00

A Chugach panorama

The Holiday hearth

Skating on the lagoon with Ben and Laura

Armed with a new camera and computer that makes blogging a snap, N2F is primed to return after a six month hiatus. Don't expect to hear much from Meghan though, she's hard at work preparing for an important test in a couple of months.

Bruin news

2010-06-15T16:26:00.005-08:00

Photo: James Poulson

A couple of great shots in the ADN today of a cellist serenading brown bears in an old Sitka paper mill. And a fellow Anchorage bike commuter is surely thanking his lucky stars this evening after a run-in with a brown bear on his morning ride to work. The (defensive) attack occurred less than three miles from my daily commuting destination north of Tudor Road.

T-minus one month

2010-06-04T11:59:00.009-08:00

The countdown begins as Megatron and I drift closer toward an officially recognized life together as Husband and Wife. Thanks to all who have helped us ready the matrimony ship for a sail on the Pacific.

Wild Fruits - planting season at the urban homestead

2010-05-31T11:31:00.007-08:00

It is a grand fact that you cannot make the fairer fruits or parts of fruits matters of commerce; that is, you cannot buy the highest use and enjoyment of them.

You cannot buy that pleasure which it yields to him who truly plucks it.

Thoreau, Wild Fruits

our prized brown hog

the trees are blooming

veggies and flowers in Bruce's raised beds

Recycled fence post planters

Bird Brains

2010-05-17T08:25:00.010-08:00

Arctic terns

This weekend I had the chance to attend a presentation by Badger alumnus, former Kodiak resident, and "twitcher" (Australian parlance for birder) Richard Nelson. Nelson, a cultural anthropologist, is the mastermind behind the uniquely entertaining Encounters radio program. Aired primarily on Alaskan public radio stations, Encounters features 30 minutes of uninterrupted recordings of the natural world. The show will focus on an ecosystem, a specific animal, or phenomena like snow or rain. The first time that I heard the show Nelson was quietly watching a herd of muskox. When the oxen approached Nelson, you could hear their snorts - I was hooked. Nelson also narrates the natural history of the sounds during each show. It really brings Alaska's wilderness to life when sitting in the office or riding in the car.

Semipalmated plover doin' the macarena

During Nelson's presentation he played several of his recordings, many of which were birds. He also told the audience that he would be recording urban wildlife in Anchorage sometime during his visit. I left the talk excited to get into the field and listen. Saturday morning I walked Reb to a pond near our house to spot a few feathered friends. From shore, I was able to add northern shovelers, and a yellowleg to the life list. Later at Potters Marsh near Turnagain Arm I spotted arctic terns and a canvasback. The pictures featured here are courtesy of our Kodiak friend Raymond who has a really nice camera.

Short-billed dowitcher

Whale-less

2010-05-05T20:53:00.007-08:00

Looking into Resurrection Bay from Seward Harbor

We've been away from the blog and our readers (i.e., Moms) have voiced discontent. Job hunting, projects at work and travel plans have squeezed out bloggin' time. This here post is a belated entry from our Seward whale getaway last month. We left Rebel the weinerdog with some friends in Anchorage and drove over Turnagain Pass late Friday night after work. After driving through heavy snow and grabbing a quick sleep in the Holiday Inn Express, we caught the first boat out of the Harbor Saturday morning for a glimpse of migrating grey whale.

Aboard the Kenai Star

Before boarding the Kenai Star on Saturday morning we were excited to hear a few people say that they had seen "killers" and "greys" at the mouth of the Bay the day before. We popped in our whale eyeballs and donned raingear (temp: 41, winds: 40 mph, rain). On the way out of Resurrection Bay our captian pointed out a couple otters, several pods of Dall's porpoise, "bald-headed eagles," and a mountain goat with her kid on the shore.

Kittiwake rookery and sea lion haul-out

After passing a kittiwake rookery and a sea lion haul-out we "trawled" the mouth of the Bay for about 40 minutes hoping for spouts or a fluke. Although it felt great to get a face-full of seasalt air, we had to steam back to port with nary a whale in our scopes. The trip refreshed our sealegs and gave us a taste of our all-to-brief year on the water.

Almost Kodiak, but not quite

Know Your Whales

2010-04-14T10:26:00.008-08:00

"These go to eleven"

Meghan and I have reservations this weekend to take a whale-watching tour from Seward, AK. Although we have eight inches of fresh snow on the ground this morning and several more inches in the forecast, we're hoping for clear skies on Saturday when we steam out of Resurrection Bay to catch a glimpse of migrating gray whales on their way to the Bering Sea for the summer. The migration route is long and treacherous. Grays are a common sight from the surf beach in Kodiak, where many stay during the entire summer. At times, one could look out on the horizon and see an uncountable number of the gray's low bushy white spouts.

The gray's route north to the summer

along the Seward Highway

2010-03-29T13:40:00.002-08:00

Deb slaying the pow' at Alyeska

Jellies at the Sealife Center in Seward

giant squid!

walking the docks...in the rain

eyeing sea otter and surf scoters in Seward

exploring the urban wilderness

2010-03-29T13:31:00.002-08:00

skiing along the coastal trail

a little short for a storm trooper?

mmm, Mom's homemade pizza

turning in for the night

wierdness in Whittier

2010-03-29T13:25:00.002-08:00

someone was up and about in Whittier...

Bruce spits in Whittier

interesting sights as we wait for the tunnel

gliding amidst glaciers

2010-03-29T13:11:00.005-08:00

Kevin laying low at Byron Glacier

Visiting the Begich Boggs Visitor Center at the Portage Glacier.

Skiing to Byron Glacier...

hikin' with the family

2010-03-29T13:01:00.002-08:00

Hiking around Flattop, the most visited peak in Anchorage, enjoying the sun and views of Mt. Everest, err...Denali.

Little Deb and Baby Kevin headed home yesterday morning after spending their spring break with us here on the Last Frontier. We skied, hiked, went antiquing, saw wildlife, visited Hoth and its wampa, spit in Whittier, got wet in Seward, went to the movies and

ate lots of delicious food.

Mom thought that she was going home with less than she came with in her giant duffle,

but as we checked her in for her flight we learned that the bag was overweight...

too much frozen fish, I suppose.

We miss you two already! Come back soon!

Rebel and Lily at the dog park

2010-03-25T11:53:00.002-08:00

Fields

2010-03-16T11:31:00.006-08:00

by Faith Shearin
For Henry and Irene Spruill

My great grandfather had some fields in North Carolina

and he willed those fields to his sons and his sons

willed them to their sons so there is a two-hundred-year-old

farm house on that land where several generations

of my family fried chicken and laughed and hung

their laundry beneath the trees. There are things you

know when your family has lived close to the earth:

things that make magic seem likely. Dig a hole on the new

of the moon and you will have dirt to throw away

but dig one on the old of the moon and you won't have

enough to fill it back up again: I learned this trick

in the backyard of childhood with my hands. If you know

the way the moon pulls at everything then you can feel

it on the streets of a city where you cannot see the sky.

My mother says the moon is like a man: it changes

its mind every eight days and you plant nothing

until its risen full and high. If you plant corn when

the signs are in the heart you will get black spots

in your grain and if you meet a lover when the

signs are in the feet he will never take you dancing.

When the signs are in the bowels you must not plant

or your seed will rot and if you want to make a baby

you must undress under earth or water. I am the one

in the post office who buys stamps when the signs

are in the air so my mail will learn to fly. I stand in my

front yard, in the suburbs, and wish for luck and

money on the new of the moon when there

are many black nights. I may walk the streets

of this century and make my living in an office

but my blood is old farming blood and my true

self is underground like a potato. At the opera

I will think of rainfall and vines. In my dreams

all my corn may grow short but the ears will be

full. If you kiss my forehead on a dark moon

in March I may disappear—but do not be afraid—

I have taken root in my grandfather's

fields: I am hanging my laundry beneath his trees.

from The Owl Question. © Utah State University Press, 2002.

Elegy for the Personal Letter

2010-03-09T16:13:00.003-09:00

by Allison Joseph

I miss the rumpled corners of correspondence,
the ink blots and crossouts that show
someone lives on the other end, a person
whose hands make errors, leave traces.
I miss fine stationary, its raised elegant
lettering prominent on creamy shades of ivory
or pearl grey. I even miss hasty notes
dashed off on notebook paper, edges ragged as their scribbled messages—
can't much write now—thinking of you.
When letters come now, they are formatted
by some distant computer, addressed
to Occupant or To the family living at—
meager greetings at best,
salutations made by committee.
Among the glossy catalogs
and one time only offers
the bills and invoices,
letters arrive so rarely now that I drop
all other mail to the floor when
an envelope arrives and the handwriting
is actual handwriting, the return address
somewhere I can locate on any map.
So seldom is it that letters come
That I stop everything else
to identify the scrawl that has come this far—
the twist and the whirl of the letters,
the loops of the numerals. I open
those envelopes first, forgetting
the claim of any other mail,
hoping for news I could not read
in any other way but this.

Race Day aka Nordi-madness

2010-03-09T08:19:00.010-09:00

Lined up next to Tony Knowles (no. 685) at the start

Although originally signed up for the 25k Tour of Anchorage, I decided to try the longer 40k leg of the race. I had yet to ever ski 40k. Conditions the day before the race were marginal - 40 mph winds and blowing snow. On Sunday, however, the sky cleared and winds calmed. Temperatures were in the upper teens, but rising with the morning sun. The snow was firm. Great conditions for racing. As Meghan and I hurried to the start (a tad later than I would have liked) we avoided a bull moose crossing the highway. We made it to the start with little time to spare. I quickly took a warm up lap around the starting area and lined up with my wave. Soon after the start of the race I found myself all alone at the front of the wave. I then realized that with little to no experience in longer races I had not considered a strategy at all. I got nervous. My skis felt fast, however, so I decided to continue with a brisk pace. I soon caught the wave in front of me and within 10k had made it to the front of that wave. I was able to ski several kms alone moving from one group of skiers to the next. As the course wound its way through Anchorage I soon found myself on familiar terrain - the 8 kms that I ski to and from work - and skied past Meghan and friends cheering from the park in front of our house. With 10 km to go I decided that I had enough in the tank to make a sprint to the finish. I knew that 4 kms of hills guarded the finish line at Kincaid Park so bonking was a very real concern. The hills were a challenge, but I felt strong through the end of the race. Forgetting to start my stopwatch I only had an estimate of my time. Only later, via a text message form Eric G., did I learn that I had won my age group and received a medal (race results). The experience was fantastic and I am now hungry for more. Alas, the 50k course will give me all that I can handle if I ski it next year.

Nerdic skiing?

Iditarod Ceremonial Start

2010-03-09T07:23:00.003-09:00

Meghan cheers as a Scottish team heads down the Cordova St. hill

On Saturday morning Meghan and I walked a few blocks from our house to the watch the Iditarod Ceremonial Start slide through town. The Ceremonial Start is a chance for people in Anchorage to see the all of the mushers and dog teams before they head out on the trail for the 1,000 mile race to Nome. The actual race starts several miles north of Anchorage in Willow. We chose to watch the start from a spot where mushers must control their teams as they descend a steep hill. With one hand on the sled and one hand waving to the crowd, the first 35 teams had no trouble navigating the hill. As the morning progressed minor adjustments were made to the course. Volunteers added snow to bare spots on at the top of the hill. Suddenly a dog team jumped out of the snowy course and onto the city street, barreling toward crowds of people lining the course to watch the teams from what they thought was a safe distance. As the team continued to race down the hill fans scurried out of the way. With a loud "haw" the musher was able to command his team back on course at the bottom of the hill avoiding a serious incident. To add to the excitement, a second team jumped the course and soon righted itself -- it was defending champion Lance Mackey.

Do you need a better reason to follow the Last Great Race?

Feelin' Rondy

2010-02-26T10:51:00.007-09:00

Photos taken during the Fur Rondy sled dog race this weekend

We watched the race from spot 4 on the map below

From the Anchorage Daily News

Today is opening day of the 75th Annual Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage. Known affectionately as "Fur Rondy," the event was the brainchild of an old sourdough named Vern Johnson who sought a way to enliven the spirits of Anchorageans during especially long winters. Coinciding with the time of year when miners and trappers would meet up in Anchorage to socialize and ply their furs and wares, Fur Rondy used to feature all sorts of competitions and events including skiing, hockey and boxing. These days the dog sled races are the main attraction. The races cut through the middle of town allowing most people a glimpse of the races throughout the event. In fact, Meghan and her coworkers took the afternoon to watch the teams race through Anchorage's downtown streets on Friday (spot 1 on the map). I will try to avoid "remnants" of Friday's races during my ski home from work today (from spot 5 to spot 2 on the map above).

Sven and Oly(mpics)

2010-02-22T16:12:00.009-09:00

I probably left some drool on the bib after Sunday's very hilly 30 km race at Kincaid Park

As a tune up for the Tour of Anchorage I participated (competed would be less accurate) in the Sven Johanssen Race at Kincaid Park. The race offered two courses, a 10 km and a 30 km. Initially I planned to ski the 10 km course and get some racing experience, I then decided to enter the 30 km race and get a Medieval hill workout as well. After skiing about 25 km the day before I felt ready for some distance. Eric G., a friend and a racing veteran, agreed to provide the best wax for Sunday's race. Before turning on the iron we watched Olympic coverage of the men's 30 km pursuit in Whistler to get fired up. Perhaps as a nod to Sven, the namesake of the race here in Anchorage, two Swede's stunned everyone and captured a gold and a bronze amid 50 degree heat and a furious finish. During Sunday's race I was only hoping for a personal best - skiing a distance of 30 km. Racing was a blast (and exhausting) and definitely added an element of excitement to cross country skiing. Now, more than ever, I am looking forward to the Tour next month. Oh yeah, results from the Sven can be found here. Make sure you look for Eric G. near the top of the list.

A pair of Swedes, Johan Olsson and Marcus Hellner, sprint to the finish in Whistler during Saturday's 30 km race

Valentine Getaway to Exit Glacier

2010-02-16T12:40:00.010-09:00

For the long weekend Meghan and I joined our friends the Needs - Harry and Leslie - for a ski-cabin getaway. We drove to the trailhead early Saturday morning and began our quest after a quick stop at the Seward Safeway (which reminded us of the one in Kodiak). Our 8 mile ski out to the cabin began sunny, but the sun soon disappeared behind rain/snow clouds for most of the weekend. Our destination was a cabin in the Exit Glacier Area of Kenai Fjords National Park. While the weather did not offer much in the way of outdoor exploring, we enjoyed several games of Mexican Train, Hearts, and a menu of surprisingly tasty cabin-cooked meals (even a lil' champagne to celebrate V Day). Not much wildlife to speak of during the trip, only moose tracks (not the ice cream flavor) and a few bald eagles.

Meghan makes strides to the cabin

Entering the Kenai Fjords National Park's Exit Glacier Area

"...And some flapjacks."

Harry spies the toe of Exit Glacier

Nothing says Happy Valentine's Day like a warm afternoon ski to the glacier

Skiing home with packs empty and spirits full

Opening Ceremonies?

2010-02-09T09:30:00.004-09:00

This year's costume champs - last year they were caterpillars

Nope. These costumes were part of the Ski for Women event held on Super Bowl Sunday at Kincaid Park here in Anchorage, not in Vancouver to celebrate the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. Sponsored by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage and benefiting local domestic violence non-profits, Ski for Women is in its 14th year. Meghan and her friends joined the Party Wave and entered the costume contest.

The Skiters

Oh, and there was skiing involved as well. The Party Wave hit the Mize Loop to complete a 4k untamed, er untimed classic ski tour. The ladies had a great time and are already making plans for next year's costumes. My vote for a ski-themed Moby Dick was met with immediate disapproval.

MJ's zombie epic - 'Chiller'

Flattop Hike

2010-02-02T09:18:00.003-09:00

Snowy Saturday afternoon hike with friends. We sighted moose and backcountry skiers along the way as we scrambled up the mountainside.

Short Day Long Tour

2010-01-31T23:23:00.005-09:00

Gearing up along the Seward Highway and icy Turnagain Arm

Even though the days are getting longer we're still under 16 hours of darkness. On a tour this weekend Eric, Dana and I saw the sun rise and set while on skis. We left the car around 10 a.m. and 9 1/2 hours later made it out of the woods under foggy darkness. In all we covered more than 12 miles and gained over 5,000' of vertical. Here are some pictures to tell the tale (more here).

Over the AK RR...

...and up to the source of Peterson Creek.

We spotted a colouir and decided to check it out.

2010-01-31T23:15:00.010-09:00

Sittin' pretty in the backseat all the way to the glacier below

A successful climb and descent of the long colouir on the right gave us cause to celebrate just before sunset.

Before long the sun sets on our tour with three hours of skiing to go.

As darkness falls we noticed that a wolverine made tracks on this pitch just before us.

ravens and hoarfrost

2010-01-29T11:57:00.003-09:00

Some pictures that have been hiding on our camera since last year.

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."

The Raven was first published on this day in 1845 in The New York Evening Mirror.

Ski Biscuit

2010-01-29T09:22:00.005-09:00

Pictures from a sunny Saturday tour on Turnagain Pass. Corn Biscuit was our ridgeline of choice.

Of BroBrahs, Gnar, and the Teleturn

2010-01-26T09:53:00.013-09:00

This sounds very similar to a conversation overheard at a bar last week.

Till a' the seas gang dry

2010-01-25T11:32:00.001-09:00

Robert Burns, Bard of Ayrshire, was born 251 years ago today in Alloway, Scotland (1759).
Today people in Scotland and groups all over the world are holding Burns suppers to celebrate his life and work. They read Burns' poems, sing his songs, eat haggis, and drink lots of whiskey. (From the Writer's Almanac)

My favorite:

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June:
O my Luve's like the melodie
That’s sweetly play'd in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry:
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

What in the World?

2010-01-21T16:09:00.002-09:00

Our friend Raymond, Kodiak's own roving photojournalist, snapped these pics on a drive out the road today. First person to post a comment correctly identifying why these eagles are so interested in the shallows wins a prize.

I was reminded that it is January in Alaska.

2010-01-11T16:04:00.001-09:00

Windy walk to work this morning. I can’t get out of bed very promptly these days. I want to wait for the sun, usually ignoring my alarm.
I wore my heavy new boots – silly looking things that slow my steps.

My face was covered with a fleece scarf, my giant mittens made my hands into seal flippers, barely able to grasp my coffee mug.
I knew the coffee would be cold by the time I got into the office.

I thought the wind was going to blow me down. I leaned into it. Gravel and ice chips battered my face, making my eyes fill with tears. I was afraid that the street signs would break free

And hit me.

Owls

2010-01-11T15:43:00.005-09:00

Owls
— for Camille

Wait; the great horned owls

Calling from the wood's edge; listen.

There: the dark male, low

And booming, tremoring the whole valley.

There: the female, resolving, answering

High and clear, restoring silence.

The chilly woods draw in

Their breath, slow, waiting, and now both

Sound out together, close to harmony.

These are the year's worst nights.

Ice glazed on the top boughs,

Old snow deep on the ground,

Snow in the red-tailed hawks'

Nests they take for their own.

Nothing crosses the crusted ground.

No squirrels, no rabbits, the mice gone,

No crow has young yet they can steal.

These nights the iron air clangs

Like the gates of a cell block, blank

And black as the inside of your chest.

Now, the great owls take

The air, the male's calls take

Depth on and resonance, they take

A rough nest, take their mate

And, opening out long wings, take

Flight, unguided and apart, to caliper

The blind synapse their voices cross

Over the dead white fields,

The dead black woods, where they take

Soundings on nothing fast, take

Soundings on each other, each alone.

Know Before You Go

2010-01-05T10:09:00.013-09:00

This is an article that I wrote to be featured on the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center website. I plan to contribute two articles per month to the site.

It goes without saying that backcountry travel in avalanche terrain involves risks. Exposure, equipment failure, injury, and, of course, the hazards associated with the release of an avalanche are major risks that a traveler should consider before every tour. Backcountry users, however, tend to be an optimistic group. For instance, even the slightest accumulation of early season snow is cause for celebration among backcountry enthusiasts. In the same vein, backcountry users may also perceive lower risk in the face of danger as a result of their sunny disposition. Indeed, early season avalanches have claimed the lives of three U.S. backcountry users so far this season. While optimism is certainly an enviable trait, this glass-half-full outlook could lead to ill advised decisions in the backcountry. Which begs the question, are backcountry users aware of the avalanche danger during an outing? A recent article in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine details the efforts of researchers in Salt Lake City, Utah to determine who “knows before they go.” The group of three scientists took their clipboards to popular trailheads and backcountry access gates in the Wasatch and Uinta mountains in the winter of 2005-2006 and asked backcountry users to rate the avalanche danger for their destination. Over three hundred backcountry travelers completed a questionnaire that collected information such as level of avalanche education (i.e., whether the traveler had taken an avalanche education course) and mode of travel. Participants were then asked to assess the avalanche danger that they expected for their destination. These results were compared to that day’s avalanche forecast from the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) daily advisory which uses the same standard ranking system as the CNFAIC – low, moderate, considerable, high, or extreme. The backcountry users who participated in the survey were grouped based on their mode of travel – ski, snowboard, snowmachine, and snowshoe.
Results of the survey indicated that a large portion of skiers and snowboarders were aware of the avalanche danger – only 10% of skiers and 13% of snowboarders underestimated the level of avalanche danger for their destination. While a larger percentage of snowmachiners (22%) and snowshoers (45%) underestimated the avalanche danger. Now, before skiers and snowboarders launch “I told you so” rants and begin blaming other backcountry users for the slab that released during their last tour, it is important to note that this study did not determine whether the participants in the survey had accurately assessed the level of avalanche danger based on their own stability and weather observations. That is, backcountry users were not asked whether they had dug a pit, and tested the snow to assess the avalanche danger. Rather, the study simply identified who had read the daily avalanche advisory. Therefore, it is impossible to know which backcountry travelers in the study had actually examined snow pack conditions for their destination. While the results of the study may confirm preconceived notions about which backcountry users are aware of current avalanche conditions, it also demonstrates the challenges faced by avalanche centers such as the CNFAIC to expand their reach to backcountry travelers using snowshoes and snowmachines. A quick click or call to the CNFAIC daily avalanche advisory is always a good idea when planning a tour. And, with a new advisory every day of the week it’s even easier to “know before you go.”

Silverton NA, McIntosh SE, Kim HS. Risk Assessment in Backcountry Travel. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2009; 20(3): 269-274.

Happy Alaskans

2009-12-29T10:36:00.002-09:00

Bruce and I both had a great time visiting our respective families and home states over the holiday. We think that this might have been the last time that we could get away with splitting up for the season as matrimony looms in 2010. Perhaps we will just have to book tickets to Hawaii next year...

This headline greeted us in today's paper:

We live in our happy place (statistically, anyway)

This just in, Alaska: We’re happy.
In a study published earlier this month in Science magazine, Alaska was ranked the 11th happiest state in the country. We beat out Washington (rank: 36) and Oregon (rank: 30), Colorado (rank: 21), sunny California (rank: 46) and New York, which ranked last.

photo by Shelley Sanderman: sometimes Alaskan, always making us happy.

Le Tour

2009-12-18T10:17:00.004-09:00

For better or worse, I registered for the Tour of Anchorage yesterday. The 23-year-old ski marathon features four races in both classic and freestyle forms. Being a novice, I chose the 25k freestyle race for my competitive debut. What's most appealing about the race - and the upcoming training - is that the route passes in front of our house, in fact I can ski a portion of it to and from work. While this winter started dry, we've had about 20" of snow fall in town this week and the trails - once groomed - should be quite enjoyable for skating. I've recently noticed that this is the first winter in recent memory I have not been out on telemark skis before Christmas. It seems that skate skiing has sated my desire for speed on skis. Indeed, when everything comes together, skating on a well-groomed trail often feels like speeding downhill. In the meantime, I'll be looking for training tips (Patrick?), a spandex suit, and "more cowbell."

poem by Matthew Brennan

2009-12-12T13:05:00.000-09:00

Nights Our House Comes to Life

by Matthew Brennan

Some nights in midwinter when the creek clogs
With ice and the spines of fir trees stiffen
Under a blank, frozen sky,
On these nights our house comes to life.
It happens when you're half asleep:
A sudden crack, a fractured dream, you bolting
Upright – but all you can hear is the clock
Your great-grandfather found in 1860
And smuggled here from Dublin for his future bride,
A being as unknown to him then as she is now
To you, a being as distant as the strangers
Who built this house, and died in this room
Some cold, still night, like tonight,
When all that was heard were the rhythmic clicks
Of a pendulum, and something, barely audible,
Moving on the dark landing of the attic stairs.

"Nights Our House Comes to Life" by Matthew Brennan, from The House with the Mansard Roof. © The Backwaters Press, 2009.

beware the pogonip

2009-12-12T12:28:00.004-09:00

I don't think that we are actually experiencing ice fog right now, but the city has been impressively socked-in for the past week in a heavy, freezing fog. My office overlooks the inlet and a shade of gray has been draw across my windows. Yesterday I found myself googling phrases such as "fog madness" and "fog induced insanity." Everything is coated with a dry hoarfrost which lends the city a surreal appearance and makes me feel like I am in Narnia. I have not been served any Turkish delight, yet...

skating fool

2009-12-12T12:23:00.004-09:00

While Rebel and I are on the couch updating the blog this morning, Bruce is out for a ski along the trails here in town. Bruce has picked up the technique more quickly than some members of our household, much to someone's chagrin. He is hoping to join in some of the local races in 2010. I might have to invest in a cow bell...

Arctic sunrise

2009-12-12T12:18:00.003-09:00

The sun is rising around 10 AM these days-last weekend we were treated to some fantastic colors. This weekend we are socked-in with freezing fog.

Gettin' Excited 'bout the 'Lympics

2009-12-11T12:49:00.009-09:00

Meghan on her new skis? Nope, Anchorage 'Lympian Kikkan Randall skiing Powerline Pass Trail
(Photo: Mark Meyer)

Not that anyone is counting, but we're 10 days from the solstice, less than a month from celebrating a new year, and two months from tomorrow the Winter Olympics in Vancouver begin. Although there are several reasons to dislike the modern Olympics - it's brazen commercialism, the large-scale amount of waste generated by changing venues each Olympiad, and of course an over-exposure of Bob Costas - we can't help but get excited about this year's Winter Games. Meghan is thrilled that her favorite country, Canada, is hosting this year. We also love to root for hometown athletes - especially in the unique events featured in the Winter Games. This year we are keenly interested in nordic skiing. A fellow Alaskan, Kikkan Randall, is touted as a favorite for the nordic freestyle sprint competition. As reported in The Times Randall can be spotted training on Anchorage trails and eating the occasional doughnut at local eateries. The Olympics also seem to freeze time, marking different stages of life. I can remember with whom and where I watched several Olympics. For instance, Beijing 2008, when not camping on our drive up to Alaska, Meghan and I were able to watch the Summer Games with varying degrees of clear reception on the TV at the occasional motor lodge across western Canada. I remember sitting next to my late grandmother as she clasped her hands, anxiously awaiting Kerri Strug's final vault in Atlanta. For good or bad, the Olympics turn sport into drama and we often can't hep but get caught up in the spectacle. Now, who's gonna supply the flatscreen?

The Hunters of Greenland

2009-12-07T10:19:00.003-09:00

The Kodiak birthday hunt seems balmy compared to these conditions

After reading the morning paper I just had to share what I found. That purveyor of yuppie cool, The New York Times, features an incredible album of black and white photos depicting Inuit hunters on Greenland. The Icelandic photojournalist, Ragnar Axelsson's photographs capture the arctic's stark beauty with an intense immediacy that seems to belie the toilsome work of procuring food in such a harsh climate. Make sure to read the blog post and visit Mr. Axelsson's own site.

Harvesting a narwhal (Monodon monoceros)

It's Great to Skate

2009-12-06T08:38:00.004-09:00

Gearing up in the "front yard"

This weekend Meghan and I discovered a new way to enjoy the Alaskan winter - skate skiing. Like classic skiing, skate skis are made for gliding on snow. Unlike classic skiing, skate skis are shorter, skinnier, and designed to be used on edge. Instead of kicking with the base of the ski flat on the snow like a classic ski, a skate, or freestyle skier, kicks with the edge of the ski at angle to propel forward - like ice skating. After the lesson we realized that we can move quite fast when skate skiing - I got giddy.

Out to the Inlet

The day after our lesson we ventured from our house to Anchorage's Coastal Trail. I was delighted to be able to strap on our skis directly in front of our house and begin skiing. The Chester Creek Trail - which I use to bike to work - connects with the Coastal Trail about a mile from our house. The snow on the trails was a little bumpy, but smooth enough to feel the thrill of the speed of this new-found method of sliding on snow. Meghan and I agree that it has been nice to live with powdery snow on the ground during the winter months. Back in Denver an occasional blizzard would dump a foot or two on the ground, but the high, dry temps would soon melt the snow away. Kodiak's maritime climate provided plenty of precipitation and snow to the mountains, but the frequent warmer temperatures would bring rain and ice to the island melting snow or turning it to ice in town.

And back before dark

We had a great time during our ski and even crossed paths with friends who took part in Friday's lesson. I can't wait to get back out there. As I write, sunlight is still an hour hence, but perhaps a headlamp will do. Now I have to convince Meghan that skiing the Tour of Anchorage would be a fun thing to do this winter.

pecan pie for the birthday boy

2009-11-29T12:22:00.003-09:00

Here is Bruce's pecan 29th birthday pie. This year my friend assisted me in making her mother's pecan maple syrup rum pie. Mmm...
I think that I might make a tradition of finding a new pecan pie recipe with which to commemorate Bruce's birthday every year. I am lucky to have such accomplished bakers as friends!

Beach Lake trails ski

2009-11-29T11:44:00.003-09:00

Yesterday myself and a pack of my new co-workers took to the woods for some turns about the trails. The nordic center in Eagle River does a nice job of grooming a fairly elaborate lighted trail system near Chugiak High School. We spent several hours exploring the twists and turns of the Beach Lake trails. I was a little intimidated by routes labeled "Agony Hill" and "Devil's Corner," but my fearless companions charged ahead, and we all survived.

Time for Pie and Holiday Sweaters

2009-11-29T11:24:00.003-09:00

Rebel is shy about showing off his holiday sweater

Ahh, the holidays in Alaska, a time when you remember how far away you
really are from family and Outside friends. It is also a time when my lovely assistant and I make Grandma Peggy's chocolate pie and Grandma Kelly's broccoli casserole. Bruce was a whiz with a new spin on the pies this year: graham cracker crusts...mmm.

We have not been brave enough, yet, to attempt any of Bruce's Babi's famous Czech holiday buchti (cookies)...but perhaps this will be the year! Bruce has inherited some of her baking ability, I believe.

Earlier this winter Bruce did prepare and enjoy a Czech meal in the spirit of his prarodiče (grandparents)-ptarmigan with locally made zeli (sauerkraut), Palmer, AK peas, and a can of pilsner.

Winter Air Travel

2009-11-22T17:17:00.004-09:00

Touching down in Old Harbor, AK

It's getting to be that time of year again, the Holidays arrive and so does the inclement weather. Although I was able to get in and out of Kodiak on schedule, Meghan and I have Thanksgiving and Christmas travel plans that take us through several different airports - Seattle, Denver and Chicago - where delays and cancellations are frequent. Back in Kodiak, I used to pack a sleeping bag, extra clothes and food in case of weather delays when traveling to the Island's remote villages. Part of me is glad that my commute to work is a bit more predictable (though coming across ornery moose is often a possibility here in Anchorage). On the other hand, the adventure of flying over remote Alaskan wilderness and landing in a landscape with different features and customs was quite exhilarating. I was always thankful when our pilot brought us safely to our destination, no matter how marginal the conditions. To me, the bush pilots in Alaska are heroes on par with firefighters and other rescue personnel who remain calm and professional in the face of sheer despair. Disagree? Read this account of a pilot flying out of Bethel who's engine quit mid-flight featured in Friday's Anchorage Daily News.

Video of the Birthday Hunt

2009-11-20T13:24:00.004-09:00

Thanks to Patrick for leading the excursion and creating the video.

Sharatin Bay Hunt

2009-11-17T21:07:00.006-09:00

Loading up in Anton Larson Bay's calm waters

In an effort to augment our winter cache of salmon and halibut Meghan sent me over to Kodiak to hunt for deer. I made plans with Patrick, an avid backcountry hunter and camping fanatic, to kayak to Sharatin Bay on the north end of Kodiak Island. We planned to camp and try our hand at a late fall hunt. Although my interest in hunting had been piqued by last month’s successful ptarmigan hunt and I was looking forward to learning more about pursuing larger game, I found the kayak leg of this brief expedition most appealing. Our paddle began in Anton Larson Bay after a drive over a mountain pass with the same name. As we crested the pass and glanced toward Pyramid Mountain’s white slopes we felt a bit confused, as if we should be preparing for a ski tour rather than a kayak camping trip.

Arriving in Sharatin Bay, rifle on the bow and Elbow Mountain dead ahead

Reaching our intended hunting spot demanded eight solid miles of paddling, most of it unprotected. As we paddled out of Anton Larson Bay and into open water Brother Wind threw down the first gauntlet. Strong northwest winds churned up a confused sea that sent waves in every direction. Our large double-hatch kayaks, however, felt stable in the unsettled seas. Once we found the “rhythm” to the arrhythmic waters we were able to enjoy, as much as possible, the sea life floating and flying all around us. Curious seals and sea otters looked to Patrick’s boat then mine, then back again and dove out of sight. Cormorants and gulls passed overhead perhaps looking for a free scrap of food tossed overboard. Our hands gripped the paddles tight though, the swirling seas allowed no time for eating or even snapping a quick photo. In the distance a pod of whales spouted and breached, enjoying the mid-November sun, while a bald eagle perched on the edge of a tall grassy island surveilling the scene.

Patrick on the hunt

After two hours of sustained paddling we reached our intended destination a bit cold, but prepared to hunt. We decided to set camp first and after clearing the snow away from our tent site we began our foray into the hills above. We climbed steep slopes and bushwhacked through dried alder and salmonberry thickets to reach the top of a long ridge. On several occasions we spotted deer in pairs, all well out of range. We continued to hike through dry snow, looking down at the occasional deer, rabbit and brown bear track and looking up at the sun sitting poised to drop behind Kodiak’s craggy peaks. Then Patrick suddenly raised his binoculars and in one determined motion dropped his pack shouldered his rifle and lined up a shot. In a brief second he fired one shot and downed a doe on a lower ridge. We then decided to split up – Patrick would claim his quarry and I would trace a larger arc across the valley to look for another deer. As I continued climbing up the ridge I soon heard another shot, Patrick had scared up a second doe and dispatched it from about 100 yards. We reunited at the second animal and decided to bring the two deer together to clean and load onto our packs while keeping an eye out for any nearby predators. We soon realized that we had precious little daylight left and the timing of the two kills was impeccable – another 30 minutes and we would be harvesting our quarry in the cold, dark Alaskan night. We bushwhacked our way back to camp in the fading light and loaded the quarry into the front hatch of our boats – just as planned – and settled in for the night.

After a very cold 16 degree moonless night we quickly packed up camp and dragged our boats down to the water’s edge, taking several more steps than when we arrived at high tide. Brother Wind blew down the bay and we paddled hard, perhaps somehow knowing that we would need to be in the right spot at the right time during our return paddle to make it home safely. As we exited Sharatin Bay and returned to the open water we soon realized that we were dealing with a different animal than the confused sea during our earlier paddle. A strong wind whipped waves into a frenzy, many of the larger whitecaps broke over the deck of our boats and coated the entire topside of the kayaks in ice. Our adrenaline surged as we tried to both enjoy the spectacular show of sunrise on white peaks across the larger bay and keeping our fully loaded kayaks upright. Patrick and I paddled in parallel, tacking to face the large waves and riding away from the smaller ones. Once I looked over to see Patrick with a look of surprise. He pointed in my direction and said “Look!” I assumed he was making reference to the increasing size of the waves. I shook my head in agreement as a whitecap broke over the hatch where I was sitting. Relieved to be upright, I glanced back to Patrick and realized what he actually meant by his exclamation. A fin whale, second only in size to the blue whale, surfaced 100 yards to my left. I now had to focus on paddling in tormented seas and avoiding a curious 60 foot whale. Then, in the most exhilarating moment of the entire trip, the whale reappeared this time at half the distance it surfaced before – its back seemed to roll forever out of the water. I tried to stay as calm as possible and focus on the deep blue water breaking all around me.

The last straw, breaking the ice

Eventually we rounded the last exposed point of our journey and slipped into the protection of Anton Larson Bay, sheltered from the wind. The adrenaline that had propelled us through the turbulent open water soon wore off and we had to dig deep to paddle the last section of the bay. As we made our final turn toward our launch point we were shocked to see that the water had frozen solid overnight. Although a skiff had broken a small path through the brackish ice, we were forced to scrape and crash our way through the icy bay. With the little strength we had left Patrick cleared a path and I followed, nearly exhausted. We found our way to shore and dragged the boats to the truck, not quite sure how lucky we really were to be on dry land.

Happy Birthday to Bruce

2009-11-15T10:46:00.016-09:00

Today is Bruce's birthday and he is celebrating with a weekend of adventure in Kodiak. He is deer hunting with our friend, Patrick. The high winds kept them inside yesterday, but they were off to an early start this morning. I am hoping that they each bring home a kayak full of meat!

Bruce's apartment on Lake Mendota

We met six years ago today, when Bruce was a graduate student out on the town in Madison, WI, celebrating his birthday, and I was finishing my last semester of college. I can hardly believe that six years have passed. We have had shared more adventures than I could have imagined, and I know that there are many more yet to come. I feel so fortunate to share to my days with such a wonderful partner. Happy birthday, Bruce-I love you!

British Columbia, Canada

Seattle

On the farm in Wisconsin

Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park, CO

Carpathian Mountains, Romania

On the Danube, Budapest

Lost Creek Wilderness Area, CO

Silverton, CO

Pruhonice, Czech Republic

xoxo

first snow

2009-11-09T10:04:00.006-09:00

Last night we finally got some snow here in the city. About 3 inches fell and this morning we have bright sun and blue skies. The arctic winter light makes the snow glow with a blueish-purple tint...lovely.

Observant readers will notice that these photos were not taken here in Anchorage (they are actually from the Easter storm in Kodiak last Spring)...stay tuned for more local shots!