Weekend of August 27-29
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:06:28 -0700
Went to a barbq on Friday. Met a few people, some of which have heard a lot of good things about me via Ben. It was sweet :) Went out to dinner at Yamaya after that. The owner was happy to see me and remarked I haven't been in a while. The cook came up and talked with me, I told them I had been doing fieldwork. Friday I ended up hosting game night. I invited Max (landlord) to play with us. I'm still trying to get to know him more. He moved the furniture all around so we could play our games, drink beer, listen to music and snack in the middle of the living room. We were up until 2 a.m. I think. Thought I was winning the game but I came in third out of five. It was fun.
Woke Saturday morning and headed to UAA for a morning lap swim. I set my goal at 30 lengths, but ended up doing 75 lengths, which equates to about 1.2 miles. It was great to be in the pool - emptied my head and just counted laps. Never stopped once I hit the water...not for a drink, rest, anything. It felt great. Even my shower afterward felt good. It was quiet in the locker room and I just stared at the wall and let the water run over me. Too much has been on my mind lately.
When I returned home, Ben and I had french toast. We loaded our guns into the car but it started raining so heavily that it wasn't worth going out. We ended up at REI, a big money pit for me. I bought a bike pump and a few supplies. I made collard greens, cauliflower, and corn for dinner. Ben made strawberry-rhubarb jam. Max's family dropped in for a surprise visit. Ben and I went to "The Expendables." It was entertaining, but not as good as I had hoped.
Sunday morning I woke up and swam again. Only 50 lengths this time b/c I had to lane-share and I find it distracting. Went home and did an ab workout (150 situps with weight, 150 Russian Twists, 25 situps with heavier weight, some other stuff). Had "eggies in a basket" and fruit salad for breakfast. Ben and I did a little online shopping (art prints), then headed to REI again. I bought two new pairs of shorts/capris b/c some of my present clothes are falling off my waist now.
We went to the gun range thereafter. Shot Ben's .40 and .45 handguns. A seasoned gunmen (and apparently, retired arms trainer) gave me tips on my stance. I was hitting my target until my wrist became fatigued. I find most handguns too big for my hands. A couple of people approached me and commented on my position. Turns out, I'm right-handed but am left-eye dominant. It's a weird combination that manifests itself in cocking my head to the side whenever I shoot. We switched to the rifle range after a while and tested out my .300 winmag. Shooting my rifle might seem weird too - wheras handguns I tend to cock my head over b/c of the left-eye dominance, I've been trained to shoot rifles with my right eye and thus have learned to compensate for the subtle difference b/w it and the dominant eye. That .300 kicks like a mule, especially vertically. We blasted our target(s) to hell and had a good time with that gun.
Returned to my place and grilled corn and zucchini on the barbq out on the deck. I sipped wine and made the most of it. Meanwhile, Ben made salmon patties. We ate on the deck b/c it was such a nice evening. Watched a movie therafter and went to bed.
One thing about living with a construction worker is that the house is always under construction! I awoke this morning to Max working on the windows, my bedroom window included. I didn't mind, I'm just amazed by how much he finds to do. Yesterday he re-roofed the shed and before that he had been re-roofing the entire house.
Summer Vacation in Alaska
Fri, 09 Jul 2010 17:54:13 -0700
Usually I fly out of state for vacation. However, this year I spent my vacation at home. My family flew up from Texas to see what my "new" life (with a full-time job, boyfriend and adventurous spirit) has been like since they moved away two years ago. What follows is a photo log of our two-week vacation together.
Thursday, June 10
Chase arrived. I took him to Bear's Tooth with Ben and we threw back a couple of beers. It's rather fun to have a little brother that's legal drinking age now (his birthday was in March).
Friday, June 11
Game night!
Saturday, June 12
Mom arrives :)
Sunday, June 13
I took Mom to church with Ben and I. Afterward, we headed to the Anchorage weekend market and walked Noodle. We had dinner at Moose's Tooth with Ben, Chase, and his friend, Xavier.
Monday, June 14
I took mom to Bell's Nursery, which was one of her favorite shopping destinations when she used to live in Alaska. She used part of her giftcard to buy me one of my favorite flowers, impatients. That evening, Mom, Chase and I went to "Little Italy," a fancy Italian restaurant (and in my opinion, the best Italian food in Anchorage).
Tuesday, June 15
Mom and I took a train ride to Seward. The ride was gorgeous and we saw a tone of wildlife: countless eagles and 1 eaglet, 4 black bears, 1 brown bear, 4 moose, 1 porcupine, lots of migratory birds and dall sheep, 1 beaver, 1 muskrat, 1 sea lion and 1 sea otter. When we arrived in Seward, we visited the Seward Sealife Center and saw even more animals!
This is the view from the train as it snaked through Moose Pass. I saw a beaver in this area.
The tunnels were fun and exciting to photograph.
This one seems as if it is lined with neon lights.
There were three tunnels back to back at one point b/w Portage and Seward.
The lights on the caboose made this tunnel appear red inside.
I love rail bridges, especially the really high ones.
Salmon lazily swim past the glass as people stop to observe them at the Seward Sealife Center.
I delight in photographing unattractive fish. This is a Rock Fish.
Octopus!
Wednesday, June 16
Did a hardcore workout with Chase (my brother).
Thursday, June 17
Took Ben, Mom, Chase and his friend, Drew to Girdwood for a day. We hiked the Winner Creek Trail, they road the tram at the ski resort, and we went to dinner with Ben's family at our favorite restaurant, Maxine's.
We took Noodle with us on the hike. Ben carried him across the gorge in the hand tram.
Chase and Drew ride in a hand tram across Winner Creek gorge.
I think they really enjoyed it, even if they were slightly freaked out ;-)
Chase might be reckless, but it's highly entertaining!
Mom really enjoyed the hike.
Overlook of the Winner Creek tail bridge.
Friday, June 18
Ben, Mom and I spent the day at the Anchorage Museum. Afterward, Ben and I went to Game Night with Adam, Matt, Cheyenne and Peter.
Saturday, June 19
Used my new bike trainer and worked out in the morning. We went to Xavier's wedding in the afternoon. 
Chase with the bride and groom.
I caught the bouquet!
Sunday, June 20
Mom, Ben and I went to Hatcher Pass. We took the trail up to the mine near the top. When we returned to Anchorage, Ben made lamb and vegetables for Mom, Chase and I. Yum!
This landscape reminded me of a creepy movie.
Noodle got cold, so Ben wrapped him in his jacket :)
The view from the top was gorgeous!
When I took this photo, I didn't expect it to come out so well. I love the way the clouds were drifting across the mountains.
My car - clean for once!
Monday, June 21
This is the "official" First Day of Summer! Mom and I took a 14-mile bike-ride down the Coastal Trail between Earthquake Park and Kincaid Park. Later, Chase, Mom and I walked Noodle. Ben and I treated them to dinner at Yamaya.
Mom used Ben's bike.
I took my new bike - full carbon baby!
Tuesday, June 22
Mom and I went for a 2-mile hike at the Eagle River Nature Center. Noodle came along too! On our way back into town, Mom stopped and bought me my birthday gift(s) - nearly $400 in pots and pans. They are fantastic!
There's a huge, hollow Cottonwood tree people can climb inside at the Eagle River Nature Center.
Wednesday, June 23
Ben, Mom and I went to Portage, where we hiked 1.9 miles to Byron Glacier. Afterward, we headed to Whittier for a bit of exploring.
No hike is complete without Noodle and Ben :*
Photo taken along the Byron Glacier Trail.
My favorite part of Whittier is the abandoned Buckner Building. It reminds me of "Silent Hill."
I didn't venture too far inside, it's dark, wet, full of asbestos, and I heard bears often hang out there.
Thursday, June 24
Mom and I took it easy. We went to Middleway Cafe and rented "The Book of Eli." It's a great film.
Friday, June 25
The highlight of my vacation was the kayaking/camping trip at Eklutna Lake.
Saturday, June 26
We stayed overnight on the far end of Eklutna Lake and paddled back the next day.
Ben hoisted our food into a tree far from our camp to avoid bear encounters.
Ben paddles his kayak across Eklutna Lake.
While Ben, Mom and I set up the tents, Chase built a fire-ring and made benches. It was a really great setup.
Ben and I's tent.
This is the view from our campfire seating area.
Mom and Chase rented their kayaks from REI.
Chase and Ben gathered A LOT of firewood!
About a month ago, a forest fire swept through the Eklutna Lake area, scarring the backside of Pioneer Peak. It was eerie to walk through.
Ben and I's kayaks outside of our campsite.
Manly Men Make Fire
Everyone helped by carrying camping gear in their boats.
Everything we needed for camping was packed into dry sacks.
The Camping Cooleys! (I look like a doofus, tehe.)
Sunday, June 27
Mom, Ben and I went to our old church in Palmer. Afterward, we had lunch at Organic Oasis. Jeremy and Shasa visited in the evening. Jeremy is a DJ, and taught Chase a bit about mixing using a program on his computer. Shasa, Ben and I played Super Mario Bros on Wii. Later, Ben and I saw "Clash of the Titans." Chase flew back to Texas around midnight. I will miss him!
Monday, June 28
Mom and I saw "Date Night" - fun movie! We had lunch again at Organic Oasis, then went shopping at REI. Then we visited the Alaska Botanical Garden, walked through the 1.5 mile loop and enjoyed all the beautiful flowers.
I didn't even know about this garden - it's only about 2 miles form where I live!
Dew drops on peony leaves.
Tuesday, June 29
Mom and I went to the Alaska zoo. We really enjoyed the tiger exhibit.
Wednesday, June 30
I had to return to work :( It was mom's last day, so she spent most of it packing. I was sorry to see her go. It was a great vacation though!
Girdwood Forest Fair: July 2-5 2010
Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:32:16 -0700
Each year, Girdwood hosts the Forest Fair, complete with arts, crafts, food, live music and a parade.
Off to Girdwood Again
I have been looking forward to the Forest Fair ever since it ended last year. Like the year before, Ben and I headed to his mom?s cabin in Girdwood, where we planned to stay for three days and enjoy all the festivities. Ben?s brother, Jeremy, and Jeremy?s daughter, Shasa (who I believe is 7 years old now), also joined us. Ben and I arrived late Friday night; Jeremy and Shasa arrived the next morning. Ben?s mom greeted us with my birthday gift ? a Forest Fair t-shirt and yoga pants! I was so happy to receive them, these generally sell out on the first day of the fair.
Group Photos!
From left to right: Bob, Sandy, Ben, Shasa, and Jeremy.
Ben, Shasa, Jeremy and I pose for a photo after the parade.
Bob and Sandy
Shasa and I :)
The Forest Fair Parade
After a delicious cappuccino served with a breakfast of boiled eggs and cinnamon chip bread, Ben and I headed to the Forest Fair Parade, which started at 11 a.m. There, we met up with Jeremy, Shasa, Sandy (Ben?s mom) and Bob (Ben?s stepdad). The parade consisted of the usual fire trucks and a few floats, but the most interesting part of it (in my opinion) were the locals riding all manner of vehicles - from unicycles to 4-wheelers. One man even ?pogo-sticked? the entire parade route! We were near the end of the route when we saw him, and boy did he look beat. (I guess he can be proud, though, for he had hopped at least a mile!) Shasa gathered a lot of attention with her big smile and her waving. Parade participants threw her lots of candy and she ended up giving me everything cherry-flavored. Shasa is quite an interesting little girl ? she favors artichokes and dried squid to cherry-flavored candy! (Which is a good thing, don?t get me wrong.) 
Humpy Man!
I love these costumes.
Yep, he pogo-sticked the entire parade route. Impressive!
An Interesting Car Ride
After the parade, we headed back to Ben?s mom?s cabin, up Crow Creek Mine Road. Her cabin is situated in the mountains five miles up this dirt road, off the grid, and in a paradise of Alaskan beauty! (I love it there.) After playing tag with Shasa, we (Jeremy, Shasa, Ben and I) decided to ride down to the Forest Fair together. This is where our weekend started to get interesting....
We knew parking was going to be a pain, so about half a mile up Crow Creek Mine Road, we stopped and parked my car along the National Forest. We clambered out of the car and began to walk toward the Forest Fair when Jeremy and Ben spotted a better parking spot closer to the fair. Shasa wanted to go for a jog, so I told her she could jog with me if she didn?t mind going back to the car. She didn?t mind at all, and though she had trouble keeping up, it gave me time to rest and look at some of the more interesting things she pointed out along the way (a creek, a big mossy log, some neat looking leaves). We reached the car, hopped back in and drove toward the area where we last saw Ben and Jeremy. However, we only came across Jeremy, walking through the woods as if he had been alone the whole time. I rolled down the window and asked where Ben was, and he joked that he had ?taken care of him.? I laughed, but was still bewildered - Ben was nowhere in sight.
The Off-Roader
Turns out, Ben had climbed into the woods to use the bathroom, but had gone way further than necessary. I finally spotted him up on the hill and deep in the woods. I called out to him, but he just stood there. He didn?t appear to be using the bathroom any longer, so. I climbed into the woods after him. Ben finally came down and met me about half-way. He told me he had found an abandoned lean-to. Despite the excuse, Jeremy dubbed Ben with a new nickname, the ?Off-Roader.? For the remainder of the weekend, every time Ben wandered off (whether for a cookie, some other distraction, or a bathroom break), we eagerly asked what new and exciting places he?s found to pee.
The Forest Fair
We finally got down the Forest Fair, where we were greeted by hippies galore. There were dreadlocks, potheads, happy folks, people on stilts, people in crazy costumes, cool hats, and some ?normal? people too. Everyone was friendly and everyone was having fun. We entered the fair and observed a number of tents filled with pottery, jewelry, honeybees, snacks, and all kinds of interesting things. (Shasa and Jeremy even bought me a ginger-flavored honey stick from the honey booth.) About half-way through the fair, Ben and I decided we would start a misfit pottery collection. We made it our goal to locate the weirdest (yet still functional) bowls in the fair to start our collection. We finally located the best of the weird pottery at a UAA pottery tent. Here we found experimental pots and glazes and purchased two. Ben bought a pot dipped in green glaze, with two edges pinched somewhat asymmetrically. I found a bowl with its sides rolled in that looked wacky, with an equally haphazard experimental glaze job. Our goal is to have an array of bowls, cups, plates and mugs that are all unique and unlike anything anyone would ever own or duplicate.
Hula-Hoops
Next, we bought snacks and sat by one of the stages where lots of people were hula-hooping. Many hand-made, big and small hula-hoops were lying on the ground, so Shasa and I decided to give them a go. Shasa was entertaining; she kept going for the bigger hula hoops that were too much for her to handle. I tried some as well and wasn?t much better! After our hula-hooping, Ben and I bought giant cookies, watched a belly-dancing performance, and browsed more of the craft tents with Jeremy and Shasa. 
I tried my hand at hula-hooping, but I wasn't very good at it :/ 
Here's that giant hula-hoop Shasa found!
Once we found smaller hula-hoops, we had some fun.
After hula-hooping, Jeremy took Shasa to get her face painted.
Delicious Dinner #1
As we hiked up toward our car after the Fair, Shasa?s mom stopped to pick her up for the weekend. I had hoped to spend more time with Shasa, but she was really excited to see her brothers. Plus, it allowed the rest of us to go out later in the evening without worrying about her. We headed toward the cabin, where Ben?s mom was preparing grilled salmon, salad, rice and corn on the cob. (Delicious!) We watched ?Land of the Lost,? and sipped wine while we waited for dinner.
The Tiki Parade
Jeremy and I were eager to go back down the hill to see what festivities the night would bring. I wanted Ben to come along too, but he was tired after a long week of work. He stayed behind while Jeremy and I went looking for trouble. At first we were dismayed, the two places Jeremy and I expected the most from were not exciting at all We were about to give up when I suggested we check out the ?Chair Five? restaurant. As soon as we walked up, the bouncer stamped our hands and told us to come back in ½ an hour for a DJ and dancing (until 3 a.m.), with no cover charge. Perfect! Now all we needed was a drink, or two, or three?.
Jeremy went to the liquor store and purchased three mudslides, and I purchased little mini wine bottles. We drove back to Chair Five, parked out front and proceeded to enjoy our drinks. All around us were people walking, sipping drinks, and in great spirits. After finishing a couple of my wines I pointed to a strange array of people marching down the street carrying torches. ?Look ? tiki torches!? I said, and went to see what it was all about. By the time I reached this impromptu tiki parade, a girl waved and said ?Join us!? Jeremy and I did as we were told and at the back of the parade was Mike ? a friend of Jeremy?s and someone I had met about a month ago. Mike was all giggles as we followed the parade to a large and growing party behind the ?World Cup? ski shop. A big tent had been erected, a stage was set with a live band, and fire-dancers were performing to the right of the stage! Jeremy and I continued to sip our drinks as we watched the fire dancers perform with fiery hula hoops, fire sticks, fiery nunchucks, and more! I?m sure some of these fire dancers were high as kites, but it was extremely entertaining to watch. Nearby, people started to climb on their cars and dance on the roof(s).
The Doctor and the Tiger
Jeremy and I settled on the wall of a parked bus to watch the band and finish our drinks. It wasn?t long before people struck up conversations with us as they passed. Jeremy began to tell me an animated tale, acting it out as he went. It was about the time he had his imaginary gun turned for the ?kill shot? when a man walked by and jumped back as if Jeremy actually had a gun pointed to his head. Jeremy said something about almost accidently shooting him with his imaginary gun, when I noticed the guy?s shirt said ?Don?t Worry, I?m a Doctor.? We all laughed, ?Look,? I said ?He?s a doctor, even if there was a kill shot!? Ok, we were rather inebriated at this point?it was hilarious.
And it continued to be hilarious, until the tiger on stilts showed up. Yes, this was a man with a yellow spandex suit on, fishnet stockings, a black tutu, and a tiger tail, walking around on stilts drinking a big bottle of who-knows-what. Unfortunately, for Jeremy, the tiger?s crotch was about face-level and he nearly fell forward onto Jeremy as he tried to pass over us. I think that?s about the time we headed to Chair Five.
Chair Five
Mike met us on our walk to Chair Five and gave us glow sticks. He is crazy like that ? everywhere at once and always with something cool to share. Chair Five was hopping by the time we walked over to it. The dance floor was packed and the music sounded pretty good. The DJ?s transitions were not so great, but his music choices were fun and had everyone dancing. I?ll be straight with my readers ? I?m no dancer. Fortunately for me, Jeremy is an awesome dancer and for the night, I appeared as his ?date.? In this way, no one hit on us (neither of us like being approached at a bar), and my ?date? was the best dancer on the dance-floor. Jeremy gave me lots of tips about dancing and showed me some of his moves. We danced on and off until about 3 a.m., and then headed back to the cabin. I found Ben wiped out, spooning with Noodle (our dachshund). It was so sweet.
Back to the Forest Fair
The next day, Sandy served up another awesome cappuccino, along with home-made blueberry waffles and bacon. We relaxed most of the morning and didn?t head back to the Forest Fair until that afternoon. Bob was working with a large dump truck down the street and let me climb in and toot the horn. It was nice of him to let me do that, and it reminded me of the big trucks my grandpa used to have. Afteward, Ben, Jeremy, Bob, Sandy and I went back to the Forest Fair. Sandy bought a giant bag of kettle corn to share with all of us. Ben and I browsed through more pottery and found a cute little artichoke bowl, created by another UAA student. Sandy bought it for Shasa to use when she visits. 
Each day at the fair, volunteers gathered at the garbage cans and cheered "YAY!" whenever someone threw something away, hehe.
Delicious Dinner #2
Ben, Jeremy and I lost track of time and didn?t return to the cabin until that evening. We were met with ribs and bean salad. I shared my Growler of Porter from Glacier Brewhouse.
Down the street in ?The Hole,? the neighbors were having a kegger. We hiked down to it and talked with some of the people we knew, and introduced ourselves to the people we didn?t. They were eager to serve us beer, for the keg was due back at Moose?s Tooth the next day. We drank as much as we could bear, before heading back to the cabin and prepping for another night on the town. Only in Girdwood, would you find random people with a keg in a muddy hole, sitting around with their dogs and having a great time. It was fun! 
Noodle rolled in bear poop he found in the street. Stinky Wet Noodle!
More Dancing
Ben was awake and ready to party with Jeremy and I this evening. We headed back down to the liquor store. I bought a beer for Ben and I to share, this time Jeremy bought canned margaritas which I can tell you right now was a mistake. We sipped our drinks in the rain, then headed to Chair Five for more dancing.
The DJ was the same, but the music was different. There were more locals in the bar that night, but less people overall. Ben broke out some of his dance moves, which reminded me of why I enjoy dancing with him so much. He?s a great dancer and seeing both he and Jeremy tearing up the dance floor was awesome. I danced with Ben and delighted in seeing my boyfriend move the way he moves. We did a couple of slow dances together, then called it a night. It wasn?t as crazy of a night, but we still didn?t get home until about 2:30 a.m.
Climbing Alyeska
By the time Ben and woke up the next morning, Jeremy was gone. I had yet another great cappuccino, more boiled eggs and cinnamon chip bread. The Forest Fair was over, so Ben and I opted for a hike, which I think will become a Forest Fair tradition. Last year, we hiked up toward Crow Pass. This year, we hiked up Alyeska Mountain (which is a ski resort by winter).
It was rainy and windy, but it kept us cool on this strenuous hike. We climbed well over 1000 feet, stopped to pick fiddle-head ferns (which Sandy cooked for dinner), take photos of each other, crack jokes and enjoy the view. We reached the Roundhouse within a couple of hours and walked around the museum there. We took the tram down, which was free since we climbed up the mountain. The tram is always fun, and it was interesting to ride it during the summer where we could enjoy the view in a different season (we usually ride it in winter, with skis and snowboards in hand). 
What hike is complete without pausing for faux sexy poses? :D
Tasty.
This photo goes with a similar kissy photo from our weekends spent skiing on this mountain.
It was interesting to see my favorite ski resort in the summer.
Down the tram we go!
Delicious Dinner #3
Sandy and Bob invited us for dinner and served up hamburgers, bean salad and the rest of the Porter. We had a late dinner and enjoyed the last of each other?s company. Ben and I reluctantly packed our things and headed back to Anchorage for the night. I wish I could spend more time in Girdwood?and it will be another year before the Forest Fair. It sure was a fun and rewarding weekend!
