What's one of the advantages of living in Juneau when the temps drop below freezing? Trekking across the frozen Mendenhall Lake, of course. This latest adventure involved joining friends for the two mile icy jaunt and into one of the lower Mendenhall Glacier ice caves. It was a rare rain-free day, with the sun peeking through snow clouds on occasion. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
(click the photos below to expand)
A far cry from Alaska, tonight I'm in Central Alabama for a long-awaited evening with my wonderful (and gorgeous!) friend, Stormy, who flew in from San Diego, and our close friends and mentors Audrey and Eduardo. Wish I lived closer to these three.
Funny story: in 2008, Stormy and I were visiting Audrey and Eduardo in their kitchen. The topic of my moving to Alaska came up, and I expressed my hesitancy. Audrey responded without missing a beat:
"What do you have to lose? It will change your life. You'll probably have the adventure of a lifetime, too."
For whatever reason, Audrey's statement flipped a switch in my mind.
Later that evening, I literally saw the sign - a magnet on Audrey's fridge, which read:
"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do."
Remember this inspiring advice, my friends. Remember it. Always.
Alaska Day... it's our official state holiday that honors the formal transfer of the Territory of Alaska from Russia to the United States. This event happened way back when on October 18, 1867. Alaskans still celebrate it today - and for good reason.
And what better way to celebrate this special holiday than by taking off on a sunset motorcycle ride through North Douglas and the Eaglecrest Ski Area? Especially on a rare sunny evening when Juneau takes a break from her rainforest ways...
The view south from False Outer Point on Douglas Island.
The view north from False Outer Point on Douglas Island.
Alpenglow up at the Eaglecrest Ski Area. John Muir quote.
Second time on a motorcycle. First time on a BMW. German engineering is zee best.
Mount Roberts was beckoning. From so many vantage points on Douglas Island, I could look across the Gastineau Channel and spot the majestic Mount Roberts rising high above sea level - 3,819 feet to be exact. I was determined to climb it, to see the eagle's eye views, take the fresh air deep into my lungs, and find peace of mind atop the mountain. I was determined to do all of this - solo. And it happened - wonderfully, slowly, and surely - marking my highest hike up a mountain.
In planning for the trip, I decided to shave about an hour and 1,900 feet off my elevation gain by taking the Mount Roberts Tram and starting my hike from there. I chose the second to last day of the 2014 Juneau cruise ship season, but little did I know I also picked one of the windiest days of the summer to brave the mountaintop. The friendly shopkeepers at Gastineau Guiding's Nature Center warned me about going on the trails above the Tram. 60 miles an hour wind gusts, they said. You'll get blown away, they said.
And boy did it blow. Like a banshee. From all sides, I was blown around on that trail, but determined to get as far as I could (and back) before sundown. I made it all the way past Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak. Once the wind finally knocked me clear on my tailbone, I figured it was best to turn back. A hunter had gone missing from this very trail just two days prior - and I was set on not being a statistic or another talking point in the news. So, in turning back towards downtown Juneau, I was proud I made the milestones there for me to achieve that day. The hike down was ever so breezy, not to mention absolutely breathtaking in the midst of the alpenglow.
Juneau's smallness rarely disappoints, and I was thrilled to run into good friends who were up at the Tram for a leisurely jaunt. We shared a bite to eat, had a few celebratory drinks, and reminisced about the fun-filled and challenging summer. Turns out, hunger and laughter with friends is the best seasoning, after all.
