Whittier and Shotgun Cove

This past Wednesday, I bailed on work to help Brian float his boat in Whittier.

The boat, Hoptoad, ready to go. 

The boat ramp, the launch went off without a hitch...

and after a walk into Whittier to get some food...

We were on out way out. 

An old looking picture from inside the Hoptoad courtesy of smart phones and their apps.

The weather was tip-top so we rode on the roof for a while. 

We boated out to Shotgun Cove and took the dingy to shore...

where we hung out next to a shipwreck and drank beer, pretty awesome day.

Yep, that's about right.

Cool looking stump. 

Checking out something to the left.

Brian had picked up a shrimp pot and we tried our luck with that, setting it out in the cove a ways. Sadly, no shrimp were tempted by the cat-food we used as bait. With the knowledge that the boat still floated and was sea-worthy, we headed back to Anchorage, good times. 

Cheers,

Turnagain Arm Trail Run

Tuesday night Dave and a few of our friends set out to run the Turnagain Arm Trail Run --it's an 8 mile race run between Potter Creek and Rainbow, two trailheads on the Turnagain Arm. Everyone had a great time and ran well--the weather was beautiful, sunny and in the 60's.

Dave waiting to get his bib--the race started at 6:30, but I thought it started at 5:30...Dave and our friend Emily had a lot of time to warmup. 

Game faces.

Not a bad spot to sit and wait for Dave to finish. 

The end of the trail is an extremely long and steep downhill above these trees.

Dave, finishing strong. 

Rabbit Lakes... errrr, Ptarmigan Pass!

This Sunday, Ben, Bruce, and I set out to run to Rabbit Lakes. We were skeptical about how much snow would still be up there but decided go out there and find out for ourselves. The beginning of the trail was in great shape...

This is what running on it looked like...

However, a short ways up, we encountered more and more snow.

Only to find more dry sections of trail in between the snowy bits.

Rabbit Lakes is in the center of the picture, directly under the un-friendly looking cloud build-up. After more snow running, we decided to forgo Rabbit Lakes and head up Ptarmigan Pass which was conveniently directly to the right of the trail.

After a bit of work...

We got to the Pass ridge.

And took it back down to the car.

The weather looked dodgy for most of the outing but save for a bit of rain and some snow on the Pass, it worked out great. 

Cheers, 

Garage Sale!

In preparation for our move back to Denver, we held a garage sale with a couple friends this past weekend. There was a bit of preparations to do, one of which involved visiting my friend Jae to get some plywood and sawhorses to make tables. This was a fine excuse to hang out with him and his giant dog Star.

Star in profile...

Star with Jae, a good illustration of her size and loving nature.

Saturday morning arrived a bit earlier than everyone expected but we got it together and put on the sale. The foam shark let people know that we meant business.

The garage sale in full swing. If you look closely you can see several friends with their arms crossed in a position that can only be achieved very early on an overcast and cool Saturday morning. Everyone made a bit of money and we got rid of a lot of stuff, good times.

Cheers, 

The second Golden Nugget

Last weekend Jes took part in the Golden Nugget Triathlon, an all-women Triathlon just east of Anchorage. She had a great time doing it last year so she signed up again and started with her training. Sadly, life got in the way and she was held back from completing her training goals. Turns out, that didn't matter as she crushed her time from the previous year, boo-ya! She had a great time again and I was very proud of her.

The scene at the finish line/transition zone. 

The pool.

Jes about to start...

and she's off (she's in the middle of the picture)

Transition from the pool to the bike...

How much fun is this Jes?

So much fun! (I'm not being sarcastic, she was really having a good time out there).

It is at this point that my photo taking abilities failed me, so I will paint a picture with words. Jes finished the bike with a great time, she transitioned to the run and passed me long enough to say something to the effect of 'my legs don't work right!' I took this as a good sign, she was making jokes during a triathlon. She finished the run in a good time and we celebrated with some truffles and coconut water. Another great time at the Golden Nugget Triathlon, well done Jes!

Cheers, 

Bird Ridge

Late this week, Bruce, Bill, and I did an after-work ascent of Bird Ridge. More great weather and a bit of snow on the top made for a memorable 'hike.'

Steep and dry conditions down low.

Lots of people getting out and enjoying the day.

A bit of a traffic jam.

Looking back towards the Arm.

Bruce enjoying the view from the summit.

The view from the summit.

Bill taking in the descent.

Cheers,

Kincaid Bluff Trail

Early this week Jes and I took advantage of the weather with a run on the Kincaid Bluff Trail. The trail runs along the southern edge of Kincaid Park on a bluff overlooking the Arm. We picked the right day to run it with clear views in all directions.

A good view from the trail.

 A very well placed bench...

Enjoying the view.

Good times. 

Cheers,

Prospect Heights

Yesterday Jes and I joined Kevin, Michelle, and Waylon on a hike out from the Prospect Heights trailhead. Great weather, late light, and good company made for a good hike.

The sun getting near the horizon at about 9.

Hikin'...

...in a forest.

Good times, cheers

First Friday

The first Friday of every month, art studios around Anchorage hold opens houses in the evenings. People milll about, walking from gallery to studio, checking out the art and enjoying refreshments provided by the galleries. Jes and I and a couple friends took in First Friday for May yesterday, good art and good times...

Perfect weather.

We stopped by the Anchorage Museum, it's one of the flashier buildings in town.

No leaves or grass yet but it's coming. 

Main stair in the Museum.

Mounts.

Favorite mount.

Good night out, not enough pictures were taken.

Cheers,