Merry Christmas . . . . .

. . . and a Happy New Year.  On Christmas Eve, I had my annual ski at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. When you dress like Santa, your ticket is free, so Gus and I found our red and joined the rest of the Santas on the mountain for the day.  Our truck thermometer had a 30 degree temperature swing in 75 miles.  The coldest reading was -18 right down by the Knik River and on Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage it read 12 degrees.  Most of the day at Alyeska was around 8 degrees. Since it wasn't windy, it was tolerable.  This was however, the least amount of snow I have ever seen on the mountain for this time of year.  There were trees, bushes and rock cliffs in places I have never seen in any other Santa Ski I participated in or when I worked there eons ago.  We had an unusual dry and warm October, and then even though it has been cold through November and December there really hasn't been a whole lot of snow or rain, so surprisingly the mountain that regularly receives over 750" of snowfall yearly is at a meager 146" this year so far.  The snowpack itself is at 43", which isn't much for Alyeska, but obviously enough to get us crazies out skiing for the day. 

On Christmas morning, we enjoyed beautiful blue skis, amazing mountain views, and the not so nice temperature of -15.  Today when I woke up the thermometer read 4 degrees and my first thought was "it's finally getting warm again."  Yeah, my perception is a little warped right now.  



Soft White Fluffy Stuff

. . . . and a lot of it this past weekend.  It looks like a lot more snow than what it will pack into and if the wind blows, which it is sure to do sometime soon, it will all fly away into compacted snow drifts. 

For now though, it sure looks pretty.  This kind of snow is the classic Christmas scene. 

Almost Finished with November

It took awhile for snow to fall, but once it did, we went through our usual winter in Southcentral Alaska pattern.  First there was about 4 inches of snow, then it turned really cold.  Earlier this month, I watched my car thermometer go from -8 at the house to -18 at the school only 8 miles away.  Then a few days later the warm winds came up in and it rained, which was soon followed by another 2 inches of snow and now we have cold again. 

We were going to go to the property tonight, but after a bike ride down by the river, the daylight got away from us and we decided to stay at the house tonight and leave in the morning.  Wyatt stopped by with a couple of his friends, so I lit the candles on his cake and we wished him a Happy 18th Birthday. 

Not surprising to know that he wasn't helping out with the cake we lit up this year!

Weekend Whereabouts

On Friday evening, we made our way to the property for the night.  We found out that the railroad project has almost managed to completely annihilate the hill on the western boundary of our property.  We spent a few minutes at the top of the hill watching the excavator pour bucket after bucket of mud slurry soup into each dump truck.

I think maybe they'd have preferred the white fluffy stuff over the rain that fell these last few weeks. The railroad  project trucks and equipment have been using the road and that just stirred up all the hard packed mud. It was one nasty muddy mess driving the last mile of gravel into the property.  

The pile of birch logs

We had hoped to find some wood to salvage while we were out there.  Sure enough, there was another stack of birch logs, so we filled the truck again and made our way back to the house. 

Different Perspective:  Bodenburg Butte in front of Pioneer Peak

On Sunday, Bryant and I explored the Matanuska River on the fat bikes, which is another glacier fed river near Palmer, but it has completely different character than the Knik River that is right out the backdoor.  I saw all my familiar scenery, but from a different perspective.  It was pretty cool seeing what the bikes can do on the river terrain. 

A bald eagle with Lazy Mountain in the background.

Bryant put together a short video of us playing around with the bikes on the rivers.  If you're interested, here is the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-imE18diw6U&feature=youtu.be



Warmest October on Record

I needed to document the green grass on Nov. 1, 2013.  I knew it was a stranger than normal October because I have yet to find my ice scraper and put the snow shovels on the decks.  The National Weather Service's data agreed.  The average normal temperature in Anchorage for October is 34 degrees and this year it was 43.1 degrees.  The old record was 42 degrees. 

The unusual Nov. 1st view from the deck.

For more details on the article:  www.adn.com/2013/10/31/3152310/anchorages-october-unofficially.html

Fat Bikes

I guess it is better to have the bike get fat as opposed to me and I'm lucky enough to have a husband who likes biking enough to see that happen.  For years Bryant, the avid biker, has watched the "fat bike" trend, but was reluctant to pull the plug and buy one. I never really wanted to pay the price of a fat bike so I put it out of my mind as running, skiing or swimming indoors are all valid attempts I've made through the winters to keep the pounds from adding up and keep my summer fitness in place.  But seeing as we sold the boat in Mexico, the long Alaskan winters, and Bryant's latest job promotion, he put two winter bikes on his short list and I got my Christmas present early.  This weekend, we tried out our fat bikes.     

The tires are oversized and that allows for floatation on snow and sand.  Since we do live in a climate of 5 months of snow and right out our backdoor is twenty miles of river with glacial rock, sand, and silt, we are in a good position to enjoy what a fat bike has to offer.  This weekend, Bryant and I headed out to explore the Knik River bottom on bike.  While we didn't set any new speed records, we learned that the bikes will plow through just about anything - creek crossings, deep gravel, and sand. All things our mountain bikes would not have liked. 

Riding on the fat bike this weekend brought me back to my college days in 1988 when I finally splurged to buy my first mountain bike, a Trek 830.  Money I knew I could hardly afford, but suspected it was well spent.  I used that Trek for the next three years both winter and summer as I made my way sliding and speeding to campus and on the occasional trail in and around Marquette, MI.  After riding around this weekend, I feel like possibilities where once again opened up.  Along with the river riding around the house, every snowmachine trail that I rode around the property are now potential bike loops. In my brain, I created all sorts of loops and time frames in which they should be complete.  I have even gone so far as to find out when the winter bike races are in Anchorage are so I have a goal to keep me going as the days grow darker.  I am quite convinced that I have joined the group of crazies who are bundled up from head to toe riding fat bikes in the middle of winter.       

Cloudy, Windy, and Warm

 

I thought I saw the last of the fifty degree temperatures, but the strong winds must be bringing in some warmer than normal temperatures and keeping the snow away.  I'm not complaining. I learned long ago that one doesn't wish for snow, because Jack Frost doesn't forget to come even if he is a little late. This mini-weather pattern we are in is unusual though. By this time of year, most everything green has either died from multiple frosts or is covered in snow. Even my neglected flower pot is thriving.  The annual pansies that act like perennials usually flower in mid-July, but seeing as all of our rain fell in August and September, their life-cycle is delayed and they are continuing to bloom.

 

Another Weekend Over Already

After a lazy Saturday morning around the house, Bryant and I packed our bikes and bags and headed toward the property.  We biked at the Kepler Bradley/Matanuska Lakes/Crevasse Moraine trails to enjoy the last of the fall colors.

Biking on the Matanuska Greenbelt Trails

The trails in this system remind me of silly string as they are tangled, woven, and crisscrossed in every direction.  I generally know where I am, but if I enter from a different trailhead, I often take a wrong turn and find myself momentarily confused.  The good thing is that none of the trails are too long, and eventually I pop back into a familiar intersection.  So was the case on Saturday. We ended up creating a fun figure eight type loop mixing up some single track and the double track in the farm fields.

Railroad construction looking south

Once again, the railroad project going on at the property provided us with some entertainment and discussion. The huge hill on our shared western boundary line has been brought down to railroad grade leaving behind a 35 degree hill that is going to make a perfect mini-ski slope. One of our friends suggested we turn our shabin (half shack/half cabin) into a chalet this winter.  I suspect we'll be competing for the powder runs against the snowmachiners, who will be busy high marking on this part of the unfinished railroad corridor.  



Railroad construction looking north

Someone also cut and stacked trees on our property line's north easement that runs right along the road.  It seems to me we should have been notified that this was going on, but anyhow . . . we suspected they were clearing the easements to provide better visibility of the railroad where it crosses the road. So we made ourselves into good Alaskans and in the between the raindrops, chain sawed the stacked logs into lengths, loaded them into the truck, and drove home with some firewood for the winter. 

A Few More Fall Photos

Yesterday evening the light was perfect, so I had to take a few pictures of the fall colors.

It is quite surprising how many leaves are still left on the trees.  While it did freeze last night, there haven't been many frost filled nights yet this fall. 

Fall

A couple of weeks ago, snow started to rear its ugly head up high in the mountains.  It's been such a rainy fall, it's surprising I was even able to find a day to take a picture.  On September 23rd, Gus and I walked to the bus stop with little snowflakes all around us.  By the time I went to work an hour and a half later, there was a thin layer across my windshield that I had to swipe away.  Of course the kids at school were excited.  As weather would have it this time of year, it was melted by the time I left work and the only evidence that it had snowed at all were the little snowmen left behind in the soccer field.

In between the raindrops, a construction crew has been busy most of the summer, "improving" the 1/2 mile stretch of road between us and the main drag.  If my boys were 4 years old again, I would find this project a source of entertainment as the novelty of seeing the equipment would supply many hours of joy.  But as it stands, its been a little irritating.  Twenty-five years ago, a section of road was built in the electrical easement, and now they've decided there are enough funds in the borough budget to make the electrical company happy and improve the spring drainage.  I've had a hard time appreciating this new and improved road because all I ever see are big ditches my teenage drivers could slide over in the winter and what used to be a get out and push stuck now becomes a "call the tow truck" situation. 

Last weekend, Wyatt and I drove to Fairbanks.  There were beautiful blue skies, fall colors and Denali mountain views for most of the way.  Since we'd left so early in the morning, I witnessed a range of colors and shadows across the Alaska Range.  It was one of those moments that Bryant and I often joke about and say, "Why would you want to live anywhere else?" I experienced another moment like that 24 hours later as I approached the backside of Ester Dome, 14 miles into the Equinox, Marathon when southern views of the Alaska Range and Denali came into view.  I just completed 2000 feet of climbing on trails and knew I had accomplished something I wasn't sure on how I would fair. Furthermore, I had energy left in the tank and had these wonderful views to reward me. "Why would you want to do any other race?"  

I finished the last half feeling pretty good and wondered if I signed up for it next year, would Wyatt be attending UAF like he so enthusiastically expounded upon during our campus visit the day before or if he would choose some other path. 

As it stands today on this Saturday morning, we are quickly falling into winter, but I cross my fingers that the snow stays up  high for another month.





Summarizing Summer . . .

Superior:  Wyatt, Gus and I flew down to Michigan where we stayed with my parents at their camp in Little Traverse Bay on Lake Superior. The water was a little cold and the mosquitoes were prolific, but we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the family.  And even though Alaska had a warmer and drier than normal summer, the summer temperatures are always warmer other places.  Michigan was no exception. 


Gus enjoying a campfire on the beach with his cousins.



Wyatt's fascination with snakes hasn't diminished.

 

Surfing:  From the U.P., we flew down to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, rented a car, and drove north to Todos Santos to surf.  We stayed minutes from the beach and spent 4 days at the beach surfing, boogie boarding and playing in the waves.  By the end of day four, my body was aching and my eyes so sunburn it hurt to open them in broad daylight without sunglasses.  It was a good thing that I had a travel day.   

 Scuba Diving:  Although it had been nearly 25 years since I put on a scuba gear and received my PADI Open Water Diver, I was anxious to put on gear and try it again.  We made our way to Cabo Pulmo Dive Resort on the Sea of Cortez to explore the underworld.  I took a refresher course, Gus a Discover Scuba Class, and Wyatt became certified as an Open Water Diver.  

Snorkeling by the Arch:  After we finished the diving classes, we circled back around to Cabo for two nights.  My mission was to get to Cabo's famous Arch to snorkel without taking one of the million tourist water taxis.  Ironically, it was a local, who was selling tourist adventures around Cabo, who told me where to park and assured me it wasn't too difficult as long as we didn't mind getting wet from the shore break and climbing over a few rocks.  

Lover's Beach; where the Sea of  Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean

After we finished snorkeling, we walked out between the rocks and watched the enormous surf of the Pacific bang against the beach.  The Go Pro ran out of batteries, so we didn't get any good pictures. 

 

Europe: While the boys and I were busy in our travels Bryant was thousands of miles away pursuing a dream of his own - traveling Europe.  He flew into Germany, headed south to Italy, north to the French Alps and back to Germany.  Condor Airlines has straight flights from Anchorage to Frankfurt, Germany.

Along with seeing some of the culture the area had to offer, he climbed thousands of feet in the mountains on his road bike.  A highlight at the end of his trip was being able to ride his bike up the mountain to see a couple of stages of the 100th Running of the Tour de France.  For someone who has spend many hours riding a bike on the trainer in the garage watching bike races, it was exciting to see him have the opportunity to fulfill this dream.   

The pass Bryant road over to get to the Tour De France

A couple of weeks after his return, we biked to Hatcher's Pass from the house.  Looking at the pictures of the two places side by side, I had to chuckle at how similar the terrain looks! 

Bryant at the top of Hatcher's Pass near Palmer, Alaska





For the past couple of years, I've been making my way to the top of the pass at least twice in a season and the only satisfaction I have is that the end of the year ride always feels a little easier than the beginning of the year ride.  And this day was no exception. 

 Top of Hatchers Pass near Palmer, Alaska

While June and July were warmer and drier than normal, August was its usual rainy and cloudy self.  Finally when the weather cleared on a Sunday afternoon in late August, we decided to headed up to Hatcher's Pass. 

Yesterday after Bryant finished his long bike and I my long run, we dug in the closet and actually found some nice clothes to wear and celebrate our 10th Anniversary by eating out at a local restaurant.  We both feel very fortunate to have had all the adventures we've had in the last 10 years and look forward to many more.   

10th Anniversary

That pretty much "Summarizes Summer."  Over the years, I've been keeping this blog for a dual purpose, to keep others informed and for me to document events.  I've realized my memory can't always keep up with everything and the details over the years and events sometimes contradict themselves.  The blog will keep it all straight if I stay faithful, and I will attempt to do better as we have already approached fall. 

Wild Irises Everywhere!

For the past month, I've been teaching Wyatt how to drive.  In order to make it more fun, I try to think of a destination or something we can do along the way.  Today I picked the Palmer Hay Flats.  Every June, I drive by thinking I should stop to take pictures of all the wild irises, but usually I'm on route to some other place and a camera is the last thing I think of to grab as I run out the door. 

As we left, I remembered to grab the camera, but I did forget one important item that definitely limited my patience for snapping pictures, bug dope! 

The end of the road - Homer, Alaska

Homer Boat Harbor

We packed our camping gear and bikes and headed south to the end of the road, Homer, Alaska.  When we had our boat, we made that pilgrimage every other weekend for many summers in a row, but without a boat, the obsession for water and fishing disappear quickly and the desire to drive 450 miles round-trip isn't quite so strong.  

Road bike riding on East End Road, Homer AK

Seeing as it had been awhile, we decided to make the journey south.  On Saturday, we escaped the fog filled Homer Spit where we were camping by biking out to the end of East End Road, which doesn't have much of a shoulder, but it did have almost brand new pavement for the first 12 miles; the last 8 miles were very much frost heaved, but also less traffic. 

By the time we arrived back at the campsite, the fog disappeared and the wind died down.  We spent the evening walking the docks.  The next day, friends invited us to fish from their boat.  It was pretty slow, but we still managed to bring home a couple of halibut.  After we already had filleted and packaged the fish, we remembered that none of us even took any pictures.  



But later that evening when we walked the other half of the boat harbor docks, we did find plenty of eagles hanging around and posing for pictures.  



Unexpected Company

Always one of my favorite Alaskan summertime scenes.

 Bryant was able to grab his camera in enough time to document the scene before they moved on. 

While I didn't see these two with mama, I did see another mama/baby crossing the road while I was biking.  I did however see this moose hanging out in the backyard. 

10 Years Later - Juneau, Alaska

Our capital city is in a very unique location as it is 700 miles away by road and 92 miles by ferry or a 2 hour plane ride from Anchorage.  Ten years ago, I left by via ferry and road after finishing up my Master's of Arts in Teaching at University of Alaska Southeast and really didn't care if I never went back. 

Auke Bay Beach - Gus and Wyatt 2002

Years go by, kids grow, memories of numerous rainy days fade and when Wyatt showed interest in attending U.A.S. in another year for marine biology . . . . .

Wyatt Critter Hunting - 2003

I suggested a trip to Juneau to visit the campus and check out our old stomping grounds. This time I chose the airplane route.

Wyatt Critter Hunting - 2013

We camped at Auke Bay Campground in the Tongass National Forest in the old growth spruce/hemlock forest waking up each morning to ravens and eagles squawking at each other. And surprisingly enough, not a drop of rain fell the entire time. 

Mendenhall Glacier

When it is sunny, there are few places as beautiful as Juneau, Alaska, the steep mountains, blue glaciers, and miles of coastline to explore.  But because I lived there twice (once in 1999 for 7 months while working at the ferry terminal and for the 2002-2003 school year), I know that Juneau is only habitable by those who can accept lots of rainy days, clouds, and isolation from the road system.  A slower economy and a higher cost of living compared to the Anchorage/Mat-Su area doesn't help matters, but in spite of all of that, about 30,000 Alaskans make Juneau their home. 

View from Trail Above Mt. Roberts Tramway

Our campus visit went well.  The students and staff we interacted with were friendly and welcoming.  The only thing that changed since I attended was the new recreation facility, which is a great addition. Whether Wyatt attends or not, we'll have to wait and see, but I certainly enjoyed revisiting the old places and seeing some new places. For more pictures from our visit:
https://picasaweb.google.com/jillcaho/JuneauAlaska2013