Pedaling and Paddling Eklutna

Picturesque Eklutna Lake, just 15ish miles from Anchorage as the crow flies (30ish road miles) is the source of Anchorage's drinking water.  This glacier run-off provides the coldest, best-tasting water of any place we've lived.  It also provides lots of recreational opportunities.  

We rode an awesome trail that runs the length of the lake.  The glacier has receded so far back that you must bike about 10 miles before you can see it. 

We also paddled kayaks, Gemma's new favorite outdoor activity, and were lucky to spot a bear foraging up the mountain.  

Fun paddling

A cool little fireweed-covered island in the middle of rushing glacial outflow

Eklutna Glacier

Nice lunch spot!

Enjoy!

Michelle

Bear With Us

Ok, it was a small, adorable bear, but a thrilling encounter for us just the same!  We camped at Exit Glacier campground outside of Seward, and walked to Exit Glacier from the visitor center.  This little black bear was foraging around the visitor center and crossed the trail right in front of us (and a couple dozen other thrilled hikers :)

Here's a close up of Exit Glacier; probably the most accessible glacier in Alaska.

This sign we're standing by marks where the edge of the glacier was in 1999, when Rick and I visited Alaska for Rick's research.  The distance that this glacier receded in the past decade is impressive.  Rangers stated that the weather has been so warm that the glacial outflow is currently at flood stage.  Here's a point that I'm totally with Sarah Palin...Drill Baby Drill!  Drive Baby Drive!  Whatever it takes to promote global warming while I'm stuck in this wretchedly cold climate!  (Just kidding, sort of)  By-the-way, a danged bug flew in my eye in this photo. 

Gemma is typically reluctant to expend any energy on physical activity, so to get her to hike, I went ahead and hid individually wrapped pieces of chocolate along the trail for her to find.  I hid them by things I found to be interesting, then Gemma had to tell me why she thought I hid them where I did.  This photo shows a tree that had fairly fresh bear scratchings on the branches.

Enjoy!

Michelle

Sea Kayaking Prince William Sound

While in South Dakota, I spoke with my niece about a kayaking trip she'd done.  It inspired me to finally try sea kayaking, something I've wanted to do for years.  We took off from Miller's Landing (camping, guides, sea kayaking, fishing charters, water taxi services) in Seward AK.  The whole experience was really terrific!  We're all excited about doing another sea kayak trip :)

We took a water taxi to this spot in Humpy Cove

After a brief lesson, we set out with our guides across the cove.  The water was very calm, so we were able to paddle along the cliff edges.  The water was so clear we could count sea stars and spot jelly fish.

We paddled into this secluded spot and beached our kayaks so that we could see...

this beautiful waterfall.

We're already thinking about possibilities for the next sea kayak trip :)

Big July 4th Fun in Little George IA

A run is my idea of a fun time :)  Rick and I, along with niece and nephew ran the George 4th of July 5K celebrating the opening of the new paved trail which loops around George.  

Nephew placed third in his age group!

Nephew, AKA Smoothiemeister, made post-race smoothies.  Mine was made with mulberries hand picked by nephew!  Good times!

Strawberry Fields Forever

Big strawberry fun at Getting's Gardens, Sanborn Iowa

Got carried away (literally, by the StrawBerry Express) and picked 3 big baskets full ;)