THIS STATE REALLY CAN’T BE DESCRIBED- TO CAPTURE EVEN PART OF ANY VIEW IT TAKES A COUPLE PANORAMIC PHOTOS. AMAZING VIEWS ALL AROUND ALL THE TIME. FLYING IN WE CAME OVER A MAGNIFICENT GLACIAL MOUNTAIN RANGE. THE GOAL OF THE TRIP OTHER THAN TO RUN A MARATHON WAS TO WALK ON A GLACIER.
THE FIRST DAY I LEARNED QUICKLY THAT EVERYONE WEARS PANTS IN ALASKA- EXCEPT THE PEOPLE WHO JUST GOT OFF THE PLANE. HAD TO RUN THE HEATER IN THE CAR TO WARM UP AND DRY OUT, BUT STILL ENJOYED EVERY VIEW AND EVERY SIGHT. A HIGHLIGHT WAS THE PORTAGE VALLEY GLACIER LAKE WITH FLOATING ICE BERGS. (IF YOU GO WEAR PANTS)
THE NEXT DAY I DROVE 2 HOURS NORTH INTO THE WILDERNESS TO DO A GUIDED RIP ON THE MATANUSKA GLACIER. CRAMPONS, HELMETS BLUE ICE- HEAVEN. OF COURSE THAT IS AN ENTIRE CLIFF BAR IN THE SIDE OF MY CHEEK. IT WAS THE PERFECT SNACK. IT WAS FASCINATING. THE GUIDE IS A GOOD IDEA AS THERE ARE CRACKS, HOLES, PUDDLES THAT ARE REALLY BIG HOLES AND THE PART THAT LOOKS LIKE MUD IS LIKE QUICK SAND. IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL EVERY MOMENT.
BACK IN TOWN I EXPERIENCED THE FAMOUS RUNNER’S BAR CALLED HUMPY’S. 70 TAPS AND REALLY GOOD FOOD. THIS IS TOM WHO WAS GOING OUT ON A 10 DAY WILDERNESS TRIP AND AN ILLINI LAWYER WHO IS PAYING IT FORWARD WITH A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP TO HIS HIGH SCHOOL. TOM I HOPE YOU CAUGHT LOTS OF FISH AND RETIREMENT IS SWEET FOR YOU.
ON SATURDAY I WENT THRU THE WHITTIER TUNNEL-LONGEST IN THE WORLD AND HIKE UP THAT MOUNTAIN TO LOOK AT PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND AND THE PORTAGE GLACIER
OH YES THERE WAS A MARATHON AND I CONNECTED WITH THE MANIACS PRE RACE AS ALWAYS A VERY ENTHUSIASTIC AND KIND GROUP. GUESS WHO CAME ALONG ANDERS THE BIKING VIKING FROM SWEDEN. HE DID NOT RIDE HIS BIKE TO ALASKA AND IS AT STATE NUMBER 39- HE WILL FINISH IN DES MOINES IN OCTOBER. HE RAN AN OUTSTANDING 3:31.
THE ROUTE WENT ON A BIKE TRAIL ALONG THE TURNAGAIN ARM WHICH IS WHAT THEY CALL A SOUND. IT LOOKED LIKE THE OCEAN WITH A VERY HUGE TIDE. THE ROUTE WENT MOSTLY THRU BEAUTIFUL RAIN FOREST WITH A FEW MOUNTAIN VIEWS AND WARNINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR MOOSE ON THE LOOSE.
THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT -50’S AND OVERCAST. IT WAS SO DELIGHTFUL TO HAVE A BREAK FROM THE VERY WARM TEMPS.
I FELT GREAT AND RAN THE SECOND HALF A LITTLE FASTER THAN THE FIRST AND ENJOYED EVERY MILE. AFTER A LITTLE FRESHEN UP IT WAS OFF TO THE AIRPORT FOR THE OVERNIGHT FLIGHT BACK TO CHICAGO.
FROM OBSERVING THE FOLKS THAT WAITED TIL “LATER” TO GO TO ALASKA AND WERE A LITTLE TOO OLD TO EMBRACE ALL THAT IS THERE- BE LIKE NIKE JUST DO IT- DIVINE -MAGNIFICENT AND BIGGER THAN THE MIND CAN IMAGINE.
GO BIG – GET OUTSIDE AND PLAY
BE KIND TO ALL INCLUDING THE EARTH.
HAPPY TRAILS
NW
Nanadventure 