Since we last posted on this blog we've been keeping busy - mostly with work - but also with some short adventures around southcentral Alaska. The new entrepreneur, Jennah, is busy growing her small stand-up-paddleboarding business that she started with her friend Amber. The company is called Alaska Wilderness SUP, LLC. They plan to offer SUP lessons, events, races, and tours in and around Anchorage. They also hope to offer guided SUP trips at Spencer Glacier/Lake. Check out their website: www.alaskawildernesssup.com. Here is their cool logo:
We are often reminded of how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful and wild place. Although we live in Anchorage, a city almost as big as Colorado Springs, we can leave our door and within an hour be in the second largest state park in the country, and a wilderness more vast than any in the lower 48. That is what we did for a one night getaway in August. Within an hour of leaving our front door we had a campsite overlooking a valley, with no other humans or city in sight, and plenty of wild blueberries to pick and eat. We also saw two wolves run by!
Speaking of this state park, Chugach State Park, Nate was just accepted to the Chugach State Park Citizen Advisory Board. This is a three year volunteer position and the board meets once per month to provide input to park managers from a park user and citizen's perspective. Nate is looking forward to getting more involved in local land management.
As we mentioned in the last post, Nate changed jobs this summer. With that came a new office and a different commute, and he can no longer get to work 100% on bike path. So, with that as motivation, Nate purchased a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. It has been very nice having two cars instead of just one!
For our anniversary this year we went to Denali National Park. Surprisingly it was the first time we had been to Denali in the 3 years we've lived here! The highlight was taking a bus about half-way down the park road (45 miles), then getting off and riding our bikes back to our car at the park HQs.
For Labor Day weekend we joined 6 other friends at a yurt on Right Beach in Kachemak Bay State Park, across the bay from Homer. We took a water taxi across and rented kayaks. We explored the waters around the yurt and saw sea otters, porpoises, and humpback whales. We also took a hike to a glacier. It is a beautiful and peaceful area. We felt like our visit there was too short and there is so much more to see.
One day in September we made a trip to Spencer Glacier with our friend Rachel. It was just a short afternoon trip, but the fall colors and spectacular scenery made it very enjoyable.
The hardest time of the year to live in Alaska is October through December. The days get short and the weather gets cold, but usually there isn't any snow yet. However, if you can manage to get outside during the daylight, then you'll realize that the low angle of the Alaskan winter sun makes for some beautiful scenery and almost 5 hour sunsets/rises. Here are a few shots from around Anchorage.
Nate has been doing some field work in Cooper Landing. The project is a year-long study of wildlife habitat use and movement. It is a good chance to get into the field in a beautiful location. Here are a few photos from that work, including one of a very large wolf print and one of his coworker at the Kenai River.
We've really enjoyed making the most of this year with our friends, including our two furry friends Simi and Sanuk. We have had opportunities to get outdoors skiing, fat biking, and hiking. Also check out the video Nate made highlighting all the fun adventures we've had with friends in 2015, by clicking here.
Last weekend we spent Christmas Day and the next in Palmer and Hatcher Pass. We had some beautiful weather and had a great time fat biking and skiing.
Now we are heading to the airport to spend a week with family in Colorado and 10 days on the Big Island of Hawaii. We are excited for some sunshine and relaxation. So, until next time, Aloha!
