Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Volcano
Alaska Volcano Observatory
So far we've not had any volcanic ash fall our way, but if the wind changes we could have some. In that event we've taken precautions as directed here.
http://www.ak-prepared.com/Poster_Contest_Files/Ash_Alert.pdf
When we went last week we followed the groomer and the trails were in really great shape. Today it looked like it'd been a while since the groomer had been through. The tracks had some holes in them and were partially filled with snow. Since I didn't fall.. maybe this was a good thing for me??
Since I remembered to take the camera this time I thought you might enjoy a few other pictures.
I took the map along just in case and I got it out quite often. They also had thoughtfully posted maps at almost all of the junctions of the trails with a handy little icon that said "you are here".
This is a REALLY nice trail system. And another nice feature for me is a well stocked restroom at the trail head. I have a picture of that too, but really .. if you've seen one you've seen them all.
On my way off the trail I came upon some kind of strange green trail marker. On closer inspection it turned out to be a green bag used for poop scooping. Someone must have dropped it. Being a good trail citizen I picked it up and placed it here.
I hope I get to go again before the snow melts. But if not.. it was fun while it lasted. And I hope to be back in Alaska or somwhere else where I can ski again someday.Skiing at Crevasse Moraine
I wanted to blog about my experience today (that would be March 17) skiing but frustratingly enough for some reason neither blogspot nor yahoo will open up for me. My home page works fine though. Maybe this is a sign tthat it's time for bed since I do have to be at work tomorrow.
Just some things that stand out. First I didn't break a leg. Thank goodness and thank God. That would have made it rough to be at work tomorrow and I missed a couple of days last week being sick. Speaking of which it's really great not to be sick anymore.
My performance on the trail wasn't stellar and I was really embarrased by my lack of stamina. Some of which I put down to being sick last week and not exercising and eating right durring that time. Now that I'm not sick I'll get back to my routine of regular exercise. My goal in that area is to burn off at least 300 calories a day - which I was doing pretty well in..
I fell several times and no I wasn't counting. But none of the falls were serious. Snow is not actually soft - as it might apear to be at times but still I didn't hurt myself.
It turns out that a lot of the techniques I've used before as a beginner/Intermediate (at times) level downhill skiier work fine for cross country skiing. And that the bindings on my new boots and skiis are far superior to the ones the movers broke for me when we moved to Cottonwood AZ 5 years ago. So in actuality they really did me a favor in breaking them. That forced me to buy new skis this year and since I had new skis I might as well get new bindngs and therefore new boots to boot. I did however manage to get by with my "old" poles.
I wanted to post some pictures but forgot to bring a camera.. but here's a web site with some great pictures of the trails. http://www.solsticelight.com/aks/gallery/journal/alaska/030301/index.htm
Mark and Stacie from the Mat-Su ski club were nice enough to meet me there and show me the trails and basic techniques.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tear Drop trailer - not a moose
I can't beleive that anyone would read this.. but
I titled my blog "South from Alaska" because I now live in Knik Alaska (about 45 miles from Anchorage) and will soon be driving the Alcan south for the first time. I've now driven it twice headed north but on my other move south we took the ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway. I highly recomend it although I personaly was sick for the part where we crossed the Gulf of Alaska.
I work at Walmart and so I'm there almost every day. Which is why I can tell you for sure that the Wasilla Walmart has a display of "The Milepost" which they recently set up. I've been thinking that I should get one for my upcoming trip south.
Why move away from Alaska you ask? Good question. The typical answer - work.
Mark, my husband, will be taking a church in Sahuarita AZ this June.
We will miss Alaska but we also love Arizona and we're looking forward to making new friends there and getting to know the church we will be serving there. We know that God has great plans for us and for Santa Cruz UMC.
See you later.