Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Snow (really this time)













The September snow got us all excited about winter - and then it left. Finally this week we got several inches and it seems that winter is really here. The paths at the Eagle River Nature Center that we walked all fall are now ready for skiing. Here are a few photos for comparison. The non-snow photos are from a walk there on September 22nd and with snow are the same spots on November 10th. This trail will be a fun one to watch as the seasons change.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

First Snow--26 September

The first snow of the year was 26 September--although it didn't stick in Eagle River it did in Arctic Valley. We drove up to the snow line and were excited to see a snowball fight in the parking lot.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Brewing Beer


One nice thing about our giant house is room to spread out...including the garage. We use the garage as our brew house. This picture is from our second batch of beer--an amber.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

More beautiful colors

This is one of my favorites--the colors across the street. Standing on the upper deck watching the sun set with a nice glass of wine and Chuck. You can't beat this!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Change in Seasons

Check out how fast the colors are changing in Alaska. The top picture was taken Friday after work and the bottom picture is from Labor Day weekend. There isn't much red in the Alaskan fall color wheel, but the shades of gold look like a fire rushing up the mountain. it's absolutely gorgeous.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Eklutna Lake

Due to my recent knee surgery, things have slowed down a bit for us. Both of us are frustrated. Chuck suggested we go somewhere flat where I could walk, we could both enjoy the outdoors, and maybe get a few pics. Eklutna Lake was our destination--as you can see there's a bit of fresh snow and it's further down than it was two weeks ago during our flight (see below). We didn't walk far or fast, but it was great to get out of the house for a while.

Friends from Fairbanks




Labor Day Weekend was a blur--the best part our good friends the Sumner's came to visit for a few days. We didn't do a lot but managed to have a great time catching up, entertaining three kids under the age of 2, shopping, fishing, and playing games. Chuck and I also played a part in helping one of the little ones start crawling.




Saturday, August 29, 2009

Fly Day

As many of you know, I've wanted to learn to fly for a while. I signed up for ground school that was a bust due to the craziness of my schedule. The plan now is for Chuck to teach me. We went up today and I ended up taking several pics. I should have opened the window, lesson learned for next time. These still turned out pretty good...we saw fresh snow and found a great place to kayak tomorrow if the weather holds.








Sunday, August 23, 2009

Crow Pass Hike - 26 miles - one day



So there is a nature center at the end of the road up the Eagle River valley. This is about 12 miles from our house and is the trailhead for a one-way hike to Girdwood (down the Turnagain Arm). This hike is 24 miles long, and we just had to go do it.
Of course the hiking descriptions mention that most people make the crossing in 2-3 days but a one day trek is possible. Of course, we have to try it in one day.
We hiked it from Girdwood back to Eagle river. There is a few thousand feet of climbing in the first several miles to crest Crow Pass, and then (pretty much) all downhill. On the way up Crow Pass it is very dry and scree filled. The sun was coming up during this part and quite serene. The top is pretty flat and filled with small ponds. As you crest the pass, you get full frontal of Raven Glacier and then follow Raven Creek down to the confluence with the Eagle River. We were both amazed at the changing terrain - from bone dry scree fields, to open evergreen forests, young glacial moraines, head high brush (in bear country nonetheless), and very 'boggy' wetlands.

As you reach the Eagle River (just past the halfway point), you come into a huge view of the Eagle Glacier. At this point you have to ford the Eagle River. Several hundred feet wide and COLD. It is glacial melt about a mile below the glacier. We were lucky to have the water relatively low (not too much above my knee - remember I'm 6'4"). A quick dry out and bite to eat, then down the valley.

No wildlife sightings, but we were shooting for that. This is bear country so we were constantly making noise so as not to surprise them. Did see a lot of bear shit though, some pretty fresh.

On the drive up here dad remarked that one gets numb to scenery on the Alcan because its just this endless parade of amazing vistas - but a long drive nonetheless. I felt like this hike was the same. You just kept coming around corners and seeing more amazing river views, giant mountains, glaciers, etc... but Andi and I both reached our fill about the 20 mile point, so by the time we got to the car, we were ready to be done. Sore knees and beat up feet, but quite a nice day. Reccomended, maybe two days though.

Just to make sure we were not feeling too big for our britches after our big hike, we read about the guys who run this as a marathon. Here is one account of guys running it. We felt good about 12 hours. Good people run this in three.

Also, some photos on Shutterfly.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Halibut Fishing in Homer



Last weekend I visited Homer (one of my favorite places). While there I had the chance to do a little Halibut fishing with the rest of the permanent AK Podolak's. The weather was great, we caught our limit, and had fun with some pictures.







Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Backpacking in the Trinity Alps

After camping in Oregon for a month, I felt like I really needed to get into the backcountry. Instead of the big group camp with 7 people, I took off for the Trinity Alps with just me and my backpack. The trail was relatively uncrowded and the 7 mile hike to Grizzly Lake was short and steep.
As you get to these meadows (about 6 miles into the hike) you see this high waterfall (about 800') above you. There is no real trail, but there is a scramble up the wall to the left.

And at the top, here is the view. The waterfall at the top is nothing more than a small creek about 8 feet wide. To cross it you have to jump from one stone to another, which is not normally a big deal, but thinking about slipping and going over the side....


I tried to go light on this trip - no tent. Fortunately it did not rain and my little shelter was more for the sun. Two nights out under the stars.

More photos up at shutterfly.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Chuck's Summer in Oregon


Done with this summer's Sandy River research. The group this year included 5 interns from the National Center for Earth surface Dynamics' summer research program - a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), and one of last year's interns who came back as my graduate assistant. All in all a good group who worked their tails off.
We did a lot of surveying of several stretches of the river (see below)


And counted a lot of rocks. For the research we need to know how much of a certain bar is made up of rocks of different sizes. To figure this out we walk around the bars measuring the rocks on the top, and then dig big holes to measure the rocks inside the bars. Each of our holes ended up holding just over one ton of rocks. These were days when we were happy to have a cool river nearby to dive in and cool off.

That is it for the Sandy River this summer. Next its back to Oregon in October for a professional meeting (Geological Society of America) where I will help in leading a field trip to the Sandy River. After that, its back for more winter work during the big storms. Stay posted.....

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Ty and Melissa's Wedding


Chuck and I met up in Colorado for Ty and Melissa's wedding.  It was a whirl wind trip for both of us.  We caught up with the Mills' (Chris is in the pictures with us) and several others.  The wedding was at the Cadet Chapel and reception in Doolittle Hall so there were year books and contrails being passed around.  

On Sunday we had time for a quick trip to Boulder.  We had lunch with Joan, Meri, Annie, and Atticus.  Then it was time to drive back to airport and fly our separate ways.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Things You Don't See Everyday...Well Maybe in Alaska


I was reading last night and noticed a few people standing in the road -- there was a moose and baby strutting down the road like they owned it.  It was about 100 yards from house by the time I got the camera.   The baby disappeared down the hill but the mom hung out by the roadside for a few minutes.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Hiking along Eagle River


I went hiking with one of my flights today--easy hike along the river.  The goal was to end up at a waterfall 4 miles from the starting point.  Along the way I got a great shot of an eagle and a funny sign (can you find the misspelled word?).  We did not see any bears...it was a nice easy hike with lots of mosquitos.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Come Visit....


As you can see, our new place is a little bigger than the piece of air we bought in DC. Plus we have some amazing views out our back doors.

The offer is on the table...please come visit us anytime. We expect this to be a two-year assignment with most of you wanting to visit between May and September. My sister has already bought tickets for Dec 26-Jan 2...anyone else brave enough to join her?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Hike to Harding Ice Field




Mom and Dad went on a whale watching adventure. Chuck and I decided to hike to the top of Exit Glacier and see the Harding Ice Field. It was absolutely spectacular. Unfortunately, I didn't adjust my camera enough so these pictures don't do it justice. Those of you that have hiked with Chuck you will be excited to know that while the posted time for the hike was 6-8 hours, we did it in 4:30.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Portage Glacier




Mom and Dad came to visit the day after we arrived...a little vacation, a little help unpacking, and to attend my Assumption of Command. Their first outing was to Portage Glacier on our way to Seward for the weekend.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Mexican Mickey, Chuck, Lars, and I made it


After 6 days of driving, 6 days on the ferry...we have finally arrived!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Arriving in Whittier



Our final day on the ferry as we are approaching Whittier. I love the picture with the tug and the glacier. At this point, we have about 1 hour until we depart and drive a bit to our new home.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

More great views...




Fun photos taken as our ferry maneuvered through a very narrow passage.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

More Catch Up...



We departed Juneau around 1130 p.m. and had a chance to see our first gorgeous sunset and whales. Absolutely spectacular! The whale was fun, mainly it hovered near the surface and blew--my one shot to get the baby breaching was blurry.