Thrive Outside

The blog has been a bit neglected.  There is no reason except, I moved to a new town.  Life was a bit of a transition.  I did find my way to a plethora of new to me hikes and adventures.  I guess, I just didn't take the time to organize them until now.  Since the onsite of the dreaded "virus",  I found a few things: Unemployed (our Alaska Airlines Lounge closed on March 29) so more "free" time Hunker down- but with the option in Alaska to enjoy trails safely with others Very outdated website (sorry) But, as I was taking my good friend on one of my treasures trails in Anchorage, Alaska today, I remembered how I have been able to find "new to me" places.  I used the same tool when I went visiting my friend in Mesa, AZ.  It is simple and somehow people overlook a simple tool. I google map it. On the left hand side, select the bicycling tab.  Then right below the map pops up a trail guide that puts the trails and bicycling route right on you

Always the last to join in on the fad, but Fat Tire bikes are a passport to adventure.  It takes a bit of sleuthing the social media feed for the best conditions.  We waiting until there was only one river crossing, and the sun shining.  We were blessed with NO wind and perfect conditions with the snow packed and not slushy (temps below 34 degrees).  Where to start? Knik Glacier Tours with my dear friend Tom who graciously allows a swarm of cars/trucks using his property.  There is a portapotty that is in high demand.  If you can't wait, you can borrow Pioneer Ridge Trail outhouse on the right before you get to the turnoff to Tom's place. The trail is super clear at the far end of the road and it is a short mile before the first adventure of the river crossing. River Crossing We realized that we left the keys in the truck, so I was able to watch a few different attempts to cross the Hunter Creek. If you do not have studs (or even if you do) be careful entering a

Last January, some wonderful friends invited me at the last minute to stay at Byers Lake Cabin.  It is just a few hours north of Wasilla and boast a wonderful get-a-way.  The cabins are simple, rustic, and warm.  We had a great time cooking and enjoying the starry night and ample classic skiing. A little video we recorded at the top of the ridge The next day, we ventured to our little treasure place called Kesugi Ken one of the newest campgrounds in the state.  We were THRILLED to find out that they actually groomed the loop trails near the Hunter and Denali Cabins.  However, we went up! We followed the Curry Ridge Trail that I have previously done in the summer, and enjoyed the skijoring with Willow the Great Dane.  The views were spectacular. Denali was out is PERFECT glory! We did come across some wind at the top of the ridge.  I also had a terrible time coming down because I used just regular classic skis and some backcountry skis would of done better on the decent.

Okay, I was hoping to write you about the last journey of my 1000 miles around Alaska with the trip I was DYING to do.  It was the same route as the Fireweed race from Sheep Mt. Lodge to Valdez, AK.  However, my husband couldn't take this time off, so I had recruited four friends to bike with me.  Just before the ride about a week prior, I got the notification that 3 backed out because of circumstances beyond their control. Dang. But, I still had one to bike with me.  However, two days before we were to start he came down with the FLU. Oh no.  I had my support staff willing to drive down, but I was going to need to bike by myself.  I wasn't afraid, but with the weather looking awful (99.9% chance of rain).  I knew my spirits would not enjoy the wet ride alone. So, I called it off. I enjoyed a WONDERFUL week of rest and fun with my children and Hannah my eldest also had some unexpected time off of work.  I am so glad I stayed.  It continued to rain for about 3 weeks

Waking up in a proper campground with an actual outhouse, was a dream.  We got in super late (1 am) because of the road closure and construction.  It was a short night.  We ate breakfast in a REAL RESTAURANT in Cold Foot.  I loved all the history of how the Gold Rush went all the way up to the interior of Alaska.  I knew it went to Fairbanks, Nome, Juneau, and of course Palmer.  But, the gold rush drew people who were "late" and finding it a bit crowed in the Fairbanks area, miners would take barges up the river to the interior in search of gold. One story I read the river froze early, and some walked back but others just survived the winter sharing what they had off the barge until they were able to retreat in the spring. Feeling like we could conquer the world, we left our luggage (panniers)  with our gracious support car and Uppa (James' Dad who searched for us and was willing to drive over 600 miles to help us since we flew to Prudhoe and needed a ride back).  We he

Throughout the night, we were startled by the sounds of a massive truck using their jack breaks.  We had no idea how loud they actually could be.  Thankfully, we were able to fall right back to sleep.  I guess that is the disadvantage of camping near the road at the bottom of the hill. The sun was gone but so was the mass of mosquitos on our tent.  The slight breeze kept them off and it only had a normal amount.  We packed up in a cloud and started our journey.   The low clouds made it so we had no idea what was 7 feet ahead of us, but our legs knew.  It was a CLIMB.  As we are continuing to slog up the hill, we hear the sound of (thump, thump, thump) like a helicopter.  Knowing that the sounds of the trucks sometimes have that similar sound, we both were like that must be a truck but it sounds like a helicopter.  Well, it took just a few minutes to confirm, it was a LOW flying helicopter.  It was hovering about 10 feet above the tundra-flying low because of the blackout clouds