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

Anything but a Lazy Mountain

View from the top of Lazy Mountain

I finally made my way back up Lazy Mountain.  My friend, who I do a lot of my long runs with, regularly climbs Lazy with her kids, other friends, by herself and in the winter.  During our runs, we recount our latest adventures.  She tells me of hers, which always seem to include Lazy Mountain, and I off-handedly always say, "Yeah, I need to do that hike again sometime." 



The day to hike Lazy Mountain again finally did happen and who better to go with me than my running partner.  I dutifully followed her footsteps all 3,000 ft., calves aching and panting almost the entire way. 

As I scrambled over the last few boulders and made my official summit for the 2nd time in my life on Lazy Mountain, I was once again reminded that Lazy Mountain is anything but lazy.