Thrive Outside

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...

My Christmas gift was a special cabin on the side of Eklutna Lake. We had planned on taking the holiday in January, but the lack of frozen lake prompted us to reschedule for end of May.  However, it turned into a different sort of day.  The only way to get to the cabin is by boat.  We had the luxury of having a slight tailwind both ways when we rented this public use cabin last year. When carrying the camping gear and the boat to the water's edge we noticed a few waves, but I thought, "It is not ALL white caps".  That is where we were wrong.  After dividing up the equipment (a little too much was brought), we headed out with Willow-our Great Dane-and all. First problem, if you didn't hit the waves directly, it lapped into the boat.  But, as I was struggling to steer the canoe, I wondered if we'd survive.  This is a glacier or mountain runoff lake.  Typically very cold.  I noticed the canoe with my husband and two teens sitting ...