Holidays 2010

Like everyone else I suppose, the holidays were filled with lots of fun.  First off was a trip to Lynx Lake Cabin for me and Champ on December 15th.  A quick hike to the cabin on a day of minus temperatures.  Unfortunately, a cold I had been dodging for a few days took hold and the night was one of lots of congestion and little sleep.  Still a nice little adventure.

On December 18, I took the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics.  Jumping into frozen waters of Goose Lake on a 2 degree day was just the thing I needed for my cold,  NOT.  Did it anyway, and personally raised $1150.  Thanks everyone!

A few days bed rest and then it was Christmas Eve and time to head to Coopers Landing for our trip to Trout Lake cabin on the Resurrection Trail.  Temperatures were as low as minus 24 as we drove to the trailhead but only minus 16 when we started hiking.  Four hours later, we reached the cabin.  Words can't describe how welcome a sight it was.  Very cold as I had become overheated on the trek and was wet with sweat.  Put a fire in the stove and jumped into a bag shivering mightily.  Soon it warmed up enough to enjoy the beautiful scenery and good food with Nancy and trail buddies David and Traci. 

KODIAK

Spent the past week visiting Nancy's parents on Kodiak Island.  Had a nice relaxing time enjoying as always the great food Cap Ed and Judy served up.  Homemade pizza, king crab legs, venison, remaki, pork fried rice and lots of desserts.  Judy even taught me a few bread making tips so I now aspire to be a baker.  Nancy got to indulge in several crafts including felting and antler baskets.  Also got to help out on the annual christmas tree hunt.

ALASKA CLUB

We joined the Alaska Club on Monday before Turkey day.  November 22 to be exact.  Have made it everyday since with the exception of Thanksgiving.  So its been 12 workouts in 13 days.  Added weights to the cardio on Monday and I am sore today.  How long can I keep it up?  Have also mangaged to add a walk/run with the dog at least daily.  Maybe this is the winter I lose weight and stay in shape.  Would be nice to start the summer in climbing shape. 

CITY MOOSE

Nice walk yesterday on the Tony Knowles Coastal trail.  Trying to take a shortcut home I ran into this moose pair who insisted I go a different way.  So I did.                                                                 

We met this bruiser while watching the moose.  His name is Buck and he seems to be a mixture of breeds including Great Dane.

                              

THANKSGIVING

Had a very nice Thanksgiving get together here in Bootleggers Cove.  Ten of us gathered together Thursday afternoon for dinner with a special guest appearance by a free 20 lb free range turkey courtesy of the North Slope Corporation.  Along with all the sides, the bird was excellent!

Weather cooperated as well with snow falling form before first light till well after dark.  Very thankful for the snow as sliding around on the ice was getting old.  The ice was the result of warmer temperatures Sunday night allowing us to experience a rare rainfall in November.  With the ground temp well below freezing, the reult was a coating of ice on everything Monday morning.  Wednesday night walking Champ resulted in a nasty fall as we tried to catch a cat.  Ouch.

BYERS LAKE

Nancy posing by the DOOR

Had a real relaxing weekend chilling out at Byers Lake Cabin 1.  This is an authentic "trapper style" Alaskan log cabin complete with sod roof.  Very large logs used to build the cabin circa 1970.  Lots of decorative touches including burls throughout.  Temperatures down to near zero Saturday night.  Champ was a godsend helping haul the sled.  Lake seemed to be frozen solid and the ice crystals were spectacular.  It was fun reading the journal entry I made in March 2009 when I last visited with my brother Matt and his daughter Shelby.

WEATHER REPORT

The winds finally stopped blowing.  Not sure what the wind chill is when its 18 and the wind is blowing 30 mph but its cold.  Sunny skies today are warming things up.  Low this morning was 11 and now its 20.  Packing up for a trip to Byers Lake tomorrow.  With all the wind lately I expect the lake to be snow free.  If so, the pictures will be fantastic.