Studded tires makes winter biking easier in the snow.

     As the light returns to Alaska, the temperatures normally get colder.   Cept this year.   We finnally get twenty inches of beautiful snow in time for Christmas ( or at least we thought)  but by the time the holiday finnally came around, the streets were clear, and white had turned to brown in some areas.  The snow has now crusted over although it still hangs on some trees reminding us of its presence.

Its nice ot have the snow cleared  because I can ride my bike and not worry about the depths of the snow  getting into my driveline and hubs and then having to stop because the snow is too deep.   Sometimes the snow gets so deep and is so wet that I end up having to push me and my bike to the intended destination.

However, this past semester I did a marketing plan for a recent new bike called the FatBack bike.  This bike is much like the Fat Tire bike except the frame is friendlier for stopping  in the snow and having to let your feet sink in the snow at which time your crotch area becomes lowered as well and can get injured by the other fat back bikes.  This frame has a lowerd high bar for this reason.   No more ” ouch” when you get off your bike and your feet sink in the snow as your privates hit the high bar.  

This style of bike is excellent for riding in the snow or in the sand.  The four inch tires help to glide across the snow, deep snow and twigs or other debris that may have fallen.  The tires are much more durable as are the frames of theise bikes which can either be aluminim or titanium which of course, make these bikes spendy.  But, these bikes are for mature riders as they will last a lifetime.  The ti bikes will not rust and are lifetime guaranteed.  The aluminum bikes will not rust either.   They are the greatest newest bikes on the market these days.   But no matter what bike is ridden in the winter, proper clothing is a must.

Dressing for cycling can be a trick.  One would think to dress heavy because of the cold but thats not correct.  Too many layers and the exertion the cyclist will rapidly heat up.   Its best to dress cool or in layers as if skiing.  Layers can be peeled off or put back on.  Of course, cotton is not recommended because cotton absorbs moisture and it sticks to the skin which in returns can chill the body into a very cold temperature.   Trust me, warming back up after being chilled to the bone from cycling or any outdoor activity can take a while!!

Tomorrow marks the blue moon and New years Eve.  Should make for an interesting day!!

                Once again, Alaskans come together to celebrate one of the few populated holidays in most of the world.

Today, December 21, celebrates winter solstice, the shortest day of the entire year or,  the day with the most darkness.   This is the day when we Alaskans go a bit crazy.  We celebrate no matter what day it falls on.   To most Americans, this is just another day. 

Winter finnally shows up in anchorage with twenty inches in three days.

But, we love this day.   This is the day celebrated in various ways to say goodbye to the twenty hours of darkness in anticipation of the light returning to this northern hemisphere.    It’s a day all Alaskans look forward to.  Although winter has technically  just set in, it’s not resented as Alaskans  know that the light is returning and  the snow begins to melt in breakup, the light is returning in minutes a day and soon the fish will be returning to the waters in which are enjoyed by most residents. 

This time of year, many Alaskans experience SADness or Seasonal Affectedness’ Disorder.   To many, solstice is a reminder of happier days ahead.    Most   people lack in vitamin D which is from the sun, but Alaskans are more prone to lack much more of it and should supplement their diet with the vitamin.  This vitamin helps mood and this time of year, Alaskans can be rather grumpy than in the summer.   

The whole thought of solstice makes people happy just thinking about the return of daylight.  While it is usually a cold time of year, residents do not falter in their celebrations.   Celebrations this time of year do not lack as everyone looks for any reason to enjoy life.    The darkest day of the year is not unusual with tent campers atop flattop trail in the Chugach Mountains inside of Anchorage.  This night although short, is easy enough to watch the sun or light come and go in a few hours time which makes for a great winter outing especially if the Aurora Borealis or the Northern lights make an appearance which adds to the majestic beauty of the frozen lakes, snow covered trees and frost laden window sills. 

What a view!!

    When a person commits to something, it is an  agreement  to giving their all to that thing.   It is not just a word, commitment is

This group made some huge finds in Cheney Lake!!

 an action. 

   I have made the commmitment to get another degree  and this time it will be in Environmental Studies.  This means I will do whatever it takes to make this happen for me.  I am hoping I will be done in two years, not three.   I am not only saying this, but I have put action to it. How?

This summer I have been working on my junior praticum and it involves completing various environmental projects

in which I have become involved in community projects not only in Anchorage, but also down in Homer, AK. 

Of course I had to go to Homer because I love the place and the people there.  I feel like I am at home in Homer.

I met so many people that live there that are sustainable and environmentally frinedly folks.   My next trip down I was invited back by so many people I am not sure if I will have time to visit everyone!! 

My first stop was to go to KBBI radio station and help them start a garden on the other side of the building they occupied.  This was a god send because through her, I got hooked up in the city with many other folks that grew organic gardens.  One name came up often as I spoke to people and now I am privvy to the sustainable Homer email list. 

The day ended with a visit to one of the Marimba bands practices.  I was thinking I would only stay half an  hour.  I stayed the entire pracitce.. it was so amazing and beautiful to hear one of the five marimba bands in  H omer pracitce.  I was quite surprised when someone mentioned margaritas and the next thing i know, we are heading to Don Jose’s restaurant!!

I also cleaned out a greenhouse for the Land Trust there.   I was so happy to meet so many wonderful people.  After cleaning the greenhouse, I was invited to the Dawg to hear Sailor stories.  It was a great time and I felt so much at

home with all those story tellers!!  Good thing I was staying on the spit, it was not a long way home and I could not get pulled over for drunk driving!!

What a mess

I met and worked with folks from the Islands and Oceans Center in which I was invited back to go to Peterson Bay and do a clam survey later this summer.

In my commitment, I am trying to learn about the benefits of eating organic foods and cooking with more natural products.  Since my commitment has grown stronger, I have also chosen which market I will do most of my shopping at.  This market is also where I have found my most wonderful friend that supports me in my endeavors.  Another God-Send!!  I am so lucky!!

Now that is commitment, he helps me, I help him.   He asks me how I am, I ask him how he is and so on.   We help each other, its not a ” all about me” type of deal.  Its a win win siuation for both of us.  I am very  happy with this man!!

I also commmited to making the environment a better place.   Here is how: I ride my bike all around town so I can leave a smaller carbon footprint or I walk!!  What a great way to get some good exercise!!

  I ride the bus if necessary.  My car sits in the driveway alot .  Its used to run multiple errands and on long rides with others.  

 I buy items that are in recyclable containers.  Such as laundry powder.  ( Yes, I went back to powder)  Plastic bottles have a harder time being recycled here in Anchorage and so therefore I have gone to paper boxes.  I buy drinks in metal cans so they can easily be recyled and I use a stainless steel water bottle.  I air dry my clothes.  Saves me money  and my clothes last longer.  I clean with natural products like baking soda and vinegar.  Costs a whole lot less than the man made chemicals and is better for me and the earth!!

I buy local.  Local buying supports Alaska’s economy.  Everyone wins when consumers buy local.  I do it buy supporting local shops such as Speedway Cycles instead of REI and I buy veggies at the farmer’s market when I can or from a local CSA.  When in Homer, I know enough folks that give away fresh veggies so I can have a wonderful supply when down there.
I cook large meals.  I recently made a wonderful batch of turkey chili and was pleaseantly pleased with my outcome.  I made enough to freeze for when I go camping the next time.  Sharing this food with other campers is a great way to introduce non believers to turkey/tofu food!!

My commitment goes beyond what I do at my house.  I am currently seeking out wild alaska plants that are edible.  Many people cannot believe that marigolds are good for sore skin.  Jalapaenos are good for congestion.   Yes, food is medicine if it is used for the right reasons.  But the food shoudl be pesticide free.

To me, life needs a purpose, without a purpose life is meaningless.  All that constant drinking and partying gets old and is pointless.  Not many people will remember you in the next week.

However, the environment will be around a long time and if each of us do our part to protect it, it will last a long time and I want my commitment to show for something.  Partying all the time does  nothing but perhaps a liver transplant.  What do your actions say about you?

I came to Alaska eight years ago even though I had been told “the odds are good but the goods are odd”.

I did not realize this meant the human population!!  I have had some strange  human encounters while living up here and have not had one bad incident with animals.  In fact, I have been very close to moose and have not been attacked.  I have come close to bears and have not been attacked.  But, getting close to humans is a different story.  Perhaps it’s those that I choose to make friends with.  Perhaps.

Sun set shows the cols as it reflects off a building in January.

I was told when I first came up here that people that move to Alaska move here to get away in an attempt to run away from something.   The only thing I wanted to run away from was this town I grew up in and saw no future in it for me.  I needed direction, a change, more mountain air.  So my choice to either move to Kalispell, Mt or to Alaska was won over once I had visited Alaska.

So, now that I have been up here for eight years, I feel like I have finally met some wonderful people that I can call friends.  Funny for me though, it seems my friends and those that  I can count on are all older than me. I don’t know why, but even growing up I got along better with my brothers that were over fifteen years older than me.

For some reason, I have been attracted to Homer, AK since my initial visit.   A few weeks ago, I went  to do some work for my practicum and found that the people in Homer  are extremely inviting and fun to hang around with.   I am now planning another week’s visit to this wonderful town.  This time though will mark a wonderful trip across Katchamak Bay to Tutka bay.  A small, remote island where one can live off the land for months at a time before the heavy snow falls.   My next trip to Homer will include traveling across the bay to Peterson Bay to do clam surveying.  Ive also been invited back to just enjoy people and t heir hospitality.  How can I resist!!!

I also know that a lot of men who are not afraid of hard workand  work out  of and in Homer.  Last year a guy that wanted to go out on his boat and had let his deckhand off fo r the day offered to take me and my frined out.  Sadly enough, we had already had plans to do some clamdigging.

Fire

Although these trips include work, it shows that the town is still open to operating on the barter system.  Larger cities deem in only money and no trust in a person’s word.  I firmly believe in the barter system and believe in being rewarded for those who earnestly seek rewards for hard work.  It seems like I am finnally getting paid for all of the time I spent giving to people in the last twenty years.

I keep saying I want to move to Homer, this has proven to me that Homer could indeed be the place for me to live.  I have old fashioned values and Homer loves those kind of people who are willing to give in receipt for something other than money.   I have found the people there appreciative of anyone willing to help and lend a hand. That is something hard to find today.

Anchorage has taught me that many single people are single because of how they choose to live and act towards those they get close to.

Although Homer has a lot of bars, there are other things to do besides go to the bars.  Fortunatley for me, I have met  crafters and bakers that are always wanting to get to gether for one reason or another.  Bars, going to them constantly, are a waste of time and money.  I did that after  high school and have grown out of the need to make an ass of myself.

I did not come to Alaska in order to run away from something,  I came to experince life in a whole new way!!  And that I have been!!

One thing that I will say, the odds are good, but the goods are odd.

As you can see, I am still single!!   ( but loving it)!!

Life in Alaska this winter has certainly been an unusual one!! 

First of all, we were blanketed by so much snow, then it turned frigid subzero temperatures and then, the snow all turned to ice, thus making this one month of  amazing photos to take.  I was so happy to have my camera with me!!

The snow season really began around Thanksgiving when we got a large amount of snow.  (  See my first blog).  It was a great beginning to a great season of skiing. I was deterined to learn to be a better skiier this year.

Then, all hell broke loose!! 

Teh weather patterns became unstable, one could not look at the Satellite  weather map to determine what might happen that day becasue things changed so fast for a few days anything went.  Sheesh!!

It all began again, right around Christmas day when the snow fell.  I was housesitting in Eagle River for the chicken lady ( LOL) and loving every minute of it!!   the snow fell fast and furiously so that when I went to her house, I got stuck in the driveway but with the help of ice melt, was able to whittle myself out of the snowy situation and check in on those lovely chickens.  Organic eggs are so wonderful and I had no idea she was selling them to peeps at the university so now I am on her list to receive organic eggs.  There is nothing like eating right from the chicken nest!! 

New years Eve came and I was determined to make it a happy one.  Fortunately for me, I met some great people who invited me to this dance and I met some more great people.  I explained to them that I was doing a lot of research on a planned trip to Australia.  One of the ladies told me to talk to her sister who was sitting right next to her.  ” She lives in Australia” !!  I was so happy, she began to give me all sorts of info.  It was like the meeting was meant to be!!  The one lady’s husband was so sweet, he kept asking me to dance, he was a perfect gentleman.  No wonder I have such a great connection with older people.  Guess it goes to say that I got along better with my older brothers and sisters growing up than those my own age.  So, I adopted them as my new parents and my new aunt!! 

They helped to make my New Years Eve party great fun!!

I had met a grat guy just days before and I got the surprise of my night when he showed up.  It was so nice to see a good friend.  I had met another guy and we danced quite a few times.  However, neither one of them could be more than just friends.

My resolution for the new year was to make chnages in my life.  I wanted to get out more and meet new people and just enjoy life. I was not going to let anyone or anything hold me back. Not even the weather. 

With the new year came frigid cold temperatures. I was dressing in triple layers for work ( and my job is an indoor job).  The thermometer had dipped as low as -30 here in Anchorage.  Many places had lost heat during that time.  It was not really because the heaters or water piped busted, it was becasuse the frigid temperatures made it impossible to keep warm especially for those that sat all day.  Thankfully, my job is not a sit down job.  

While the temperature in the waiting area behind me measures 52 degrees and everyone else was complaining that it was cold, I was loving the nice change.  It was refreshing.  Everyone kept telling me how cold it was in my office, I loved it!!  There is no ventilation in my office so I open the back door which empties out into a waiting area.   The air and cooler temps make my work easy to enjoy.  I loved it.

As I was driving toward home one day, I looked over at the sunsetting and was shocked to see what seemed like a mountain range on fire!!

The mix of the frigid temeperture and sunset make it look like a fire.

From subzero one week to record breaking temperatures in Jan of 50 degrees, Anchorage had an Eighty degree temperature change in a matter of less than a week!!  Schools closed down becasue of icy road conditions, public bus service was dismantled and somewhat tweaked when it did run.

But as people were warned to not be outside for very long and the ski team cancelled races, I felt compelled to share the fact that each one of us that were alive and in Alaska were all a part of history.   Not many people can say they lived through this amazing winter.  The snow was not a factor, it was the cold.  And then, yikes. like the cold was not warm enough, a heat wave hit us!I was not going to let the cold deter me from doing anything.  while most people I know were huddled up at home, I got out and about and met more people.  At one time, I headed over to the public library to see if  my books for classes would be availble for me to borrow.  I was bummed when I did not find them there.  Oh well!! I went outside and found the waterfountain frozen in time.  One could tell and see it was cold, it made for some very nice photo shots.The ice had formed on here so amazingly.

Who says subzero has to be ugly?

One bus had to stop on a hill because of a six car pile up up ahead and as it stopped, the bus began to slide backwards down the hill with its passengers in tow.  That area of town and other areas, were closed by the city because of icy road conditions.  Craziness!!!

As  Anchorage thaws out its streets, we all hope to slowly return to work and school after the MLK holiday on Monday.

This last month has been hell here in Anchorage as far as the weather goes.

Two weeks ago, we were in zubzero temperatures,wearing triple layers of clothing to stay warm and buying space heaters for places that could not stay heated very long.

The Nordic Ski Team here in Alaska had official races scheduled two weeks ago and had to cancel the races for three days before doing only a couple qualifying races to get the racers placed for the next set of races.   For the Ski Association to cancel races, that is a huge step.   Skiiers were so cold when they came back they had to run to the showers to warm up.

Experiencing these temperatures in Anchorage was a thing that had not happened in like fifty years!! It was a shock to many!!  Residents were all warned to not expose themselves in the frigid air for too long of a time. The skiiers were in danger of injuring their lungs if they raced, residents were in danger of frostbite or something more dangerous.  This winter has been wacky.  Anchorage was colder than Barrow, AK, the more northern tip of Alaska!!

We were so relived the day the thermometer got above Zero degrees.  But little did we all know what was about to happen!!  The winds came up, the rain began to fall and then.. we could hardly drive much less walk on the streets or sidewalks.

I live at the bottom of a hill and it appeared to me that the mositure all ran downhill ( makes sense huh)!!  and it was like a skating rink without the wetmop effect.

I tried to get going but my car kept sliding backwards and downhill.  There was a car parked on the side of the road and I knew if I kept trying to go up I would eventually hit the car.  Each time I would attempt uphill battle, my car would do a 360 180 or a 90 degree  turn.

I then  chose to park my car and walk to my destination. This was a good choice since I had not been doing much exercising lately anyhow.

I got out of my car and whop!!  I fell into a puddle of water and fell straight to my knees.  My neighbors who had just slid down the hill in their car into a snowbank saw me fall.  They were trying to get out of their car and came to help me up.  That was so sweet of them.  The one found a large cardboard box at which time we sat on the box with our knees and used our hands to transport ourselves across the street the the evermore icy parking lot.   My pants were soaked up to their knees so I went to change out of them.

When I came back, they had pulled the chains out of their trunk ans were trying to get them on but did not know how.  Since I was no help, I told them I was going to walk to my destination.  One of them had an extra pair of Yak Trax and gave them to me to use.

So I walked for about an hour, it was slow, but I made it and only fell on the ice twice.

The forecast is for high winds and freezing rain overnight.  I cannot help but wonder if the city will be shut down for a third day.

First big snowfall of the season made for great cross country skiing.

It was an interesting ride home.

 Welcome to Alaska!!  More like, Welcome Winter!!

As Alaska  embarks upon the 20th of December, we also embark upon Solstice.   The time of year we love to celebrate, not because it’s Christmas, but because its the shortest day of the year which means we begin to gain light again.

Sure, its only a few seconds a day that we gain at first, but then those seconds turn to minutes and by May we are gaining almost five minutes of daylight a day.

We have much to be happy for!  The light makes for longer ski days without having to use a headlamp to make sure you are going down the right trail and not into a tree.  Or, a headlamp works the same way as in for biking in the snow.   But some of us do not let that get us down.  Its wisdom to use a headlamp and studded tires in the snow on a bike just as it is wise to use the right kind of wax on our skis for the right snow conditions.

Snow conditions..  rapidly changing  snow can make a person snowblind and we are not careful, can get lost in the snow.  Its always a good idea to be prepared for whatever conditions one may encounter.  Usually if one looks to the clouds they can tell if  the weather is going to turn.  But, that takes some time to learn but usuall anone knows that a massive storm is heading their way if a mass of clouds is in the area.  It just takes time to watch which direction they are going, how fast they are moving and, if they are moisture ridden or not.   Common sense will tell a person to get out of the area if they are not prepared for what lies ahead. 

 However, biking in the winter is a wonderful way to experince the backcountry if one has either studded or fat tires.   It has been recommended to me to let some air out of my regular tires in order to ride on the snow without having the expense of a new set of tires.   My defense to this was ” what if I slip around and fall?”.  Then I recalled last year how I slid on the ice with my studded tires and was bruised and had a few cuts.  Guess that theory just got  shot down.

The part of cycling in the winter that makes life bearable is the amazing beauty that one can encounter and get up close and personal to.  Its nothing like being in a car and looking though the front window in order to get a great view.  Feeling the cold, crisp air and letting it rip through your face thats uncovered is like a cold shower that wakes one senses up and allows all the feelings of  nature become real to you.  Sometimes, the part that really gets your adrenaline going is when unexpectedly, you have a moose encounter!!

Moose are usually very big, unless they are newborn, but that is unlikely in the winter time.   Moose will usually ignore the person they are close to unless something startles them or appears to be a threat.   The best thing is to stay at least fift feet away from the animal. 

I have several times, been up close and personal with a moose. Not by accident, however, sometimes, it just cant be avoided like when I was walking on the sidewalk of a busy street.   The moose was on the same side of the sidewalk as me, I had no choice but to step close to it.  The moose was eating and, if he did notice me, did not even flinch.  He was too interested in eating.  This is a good thing, when a moose is eating, they are usually not interested in anything else.

The other day I came out of my work office and was surprised to see two moose galavanting across the yard.  One was a baby, perhaps the same one born on the lawn earlier that summer.  The mother saw me, I grabbed my camera to take photos, the mother watched to see how close I was getting, since I did not venture anyy further or even towards the baby, she left me alone and they ventured off into the woods together.

One day I was walking at a normal pace on a trail when I saw a young moose laying in the woods.  All of a sudden the moose jumped up and trotted quite fast towards me.  I looked that moose right in the eye and thought I was going to get trampled.  He stopped just inches away from me, let me further down the trail before he crossed the trail I was on and took off to wherever.   I was shaken up, thought I was going to have some serious injuries that day.  It was crazy!!

Moose are a beautiful aspect of Alaska, but one must err on the side of caution with these amazing animals.  They are wonderful and amazing to look at. however, they can and will stomp a person to death if they feel there is any fear.  Luckily, these events are far and few between in this land of Alaska.  It does help when we can see where we are going. And having more natural light helps out a whole lot.

Now that Solstice has passed, we are not only celebrating Christmas and New Years but also the return of light.  So you see, this time of year gives people in the Northern Hemisphere a lot to be happy about. 

Take time to celbrate those little things in life!