Friendly visitors

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

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

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)

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

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!

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

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

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

Garden Metamorphosis

Then (May)...

...Now (jungle garden)...

Cordova Holiday

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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)

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

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

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.