evening ride

Downtown Anchorage with the clouds stacked up against the mountains.

I set off after work for a little road ride - road and some greenbelt trail. But just four miles from the shop, almost too quickly to detect, I was stung by a bee. The sharp pain in my thigh marked every pedal stroke so I pulled over to check it out. Didn't look so bad, so I continued. One block later I turned around.

I'd just passed the fire station before the bee stung, so headed back to #15 for a bit of help. The guys - Tim and Mike asked if I was allergic, checked for the stinger and gave me ice. We sat around talking bikes and trails for awhile as we made sure it didn't swell much. A little pain killing ointment & bandage and I was on my way. Thanks guys...

I almost cut the ride short, but as the pain subsided, I decided I could do the loop out to the Coastal Trail, then Chester Creek back to the east side. Lots of people were out this sunny evening but I was happy to be away from traffic and enjoying the woods with views of the inlet.

Here it is, August, and I've finally started getting into the road biking groove. Even though I'm much more of a mountain biker, it's nice to go fast and light too. There are so many great ways to enjoy biking; it's a wonder not everyone does it.

never thought i'd say this

I'm watching the Olympics opening ceremonies this evening, but I'm thinking about my ride home.
The usual route on an unusually (for this summer) sunny evening. Into the park on my road bike down the Moose Track Trail, then the Tour trail over the Airstrip Trailhead. I stopped for a moment at the bridge, then headed to the parking lot. That's where the police tape was.

Three Anchorage police cars, a state trooper truck. I asked the trooper what was going on. Of course, I had an idea. And it was another bear attack, just a ways up the trail. I hadn't encountered any signs on the way into the park. The trooper told me officers were combing the woods looking for the bear. Then he collected his gun and other gear and headed for the trails.

This trailhead is two miles from my house. It's part of my commute.
The bridge in the background crosses the salmon stream where the bears catch the fish.

I miss mountain biking by myself on my favorite trails. I don't want to be this nervous making my way through the woods on my commute. I don't know what the solution is to this bear issue but hundreds of Anchoragites are staying away from our favorite park. Meanwhile, this brown bear has taken up residence and is defending her turf and cubs. I have a feeling that if they find her in the woods, she'll be shot. I wasn't thinking this a month ago, but a bear rug is sounding kind of nice right now.

Note: I delayed posting this on Friday evening because I was so darn tired. That's why the link to the local paper is for August 9. I hope that I never face such a situation, but if I do, I hope I can approach it with courage.

Friday night I had three different dreams about bears coming after me on various trails. Hackles up, cubs in tow, me with just a short club to fend one off. In one, I kicked the bear. My only means of escape was a BMX bicycle! Stay tuned...

ship creek trail

I knew the Ship Creek Trail grand opening was coming up. I just didn't save the date. So, today I thought I'd take a little road ride - well, mostly a paved trail ride - to check out the new trail.

heading downstream

I'd been on parts of it before, but now the bridges are in and it's mostly done. Just some landscaping and a few more benches to add.

I rode over to Mountain View, one of Anchorage's oldest and most diverse neighborhoods. Rode past the street where I used to live - my first apartment in Anchorage. Then down the hill to get on the trail at Tyson Elementary School.

under Post Road

The trail follows Ship Creek through the industrial valley until it reaches a hotel and popular urban salmon fishing spot. I ran into a cameraman from one of the tv stations who told me that the trail had just been dedicated but he thought they should have staged it at a cool bridge he was shooting. I'd agree, it was the nicest (and highest) bridge on the route. It's simple and after crossing it, the trail curves and goes under the bridge. (The largest expense on a trail project like this is bridges. Anchorage loves building trails along its creeks so I think our trails are pretty expensive. I'm okay with that.)

success!

Soon I was in the salmon fishing zone where tourists were milling about. I left the trail at C Street and headed past the railroad to reach the Coastal Trail, then Chester Creek. Another cool day outside but it was nice to be on my road bike and in no particular hurry.

chugach peaks climbers

Here are a few shots of the climbers mentioned in the rabbit lakes post from last week. They shot a video, while I shot them.

They arrived as we were eating breakfast.
We thought they were going fishing.

They stashed the bikes & headed off to the snowfield.

And they kept going.

This was where we last saw them as we headed over the saddle to McHugh. Looks like a fun trip... if you're into climbing.

mushrooms, continued

Part of Jon's Monday haul.

We got together with Corinne and Paul on Sunday night for a mushroom-picking excursion, then dinner. We headed to Bicentennial Park, to a spot just a few miles from the house. Into the woods we stepped with our market totes and pocket knives as Jon pointed out the various fungi pushing through last year's dried leaves.

We didn't know what we'd find because it hadn't rained in a couple days. Many of the mushrooms were filled with bugs or otherwise past their prime. We found a few boletes that were worth keeping and putting into the dehydrator to enjoy in the dark of winter.

We didn't see any wildlife, but were again reminded of the other park users.Corinne checks out the prints - look how far apart the feet are!

At the house Jon grilled some salmon and made a mushroom sauce to serve with homemade pasta. Corinne's fresh green salad and some produce from the farmer's market rounded it out. A little wine; a little food source talk. Someone pointed out we were having our own dinner party ala Omnivore's Dilemma. Living the good life in Alaska has to include enjoying the local food, some of it wild, some cultivated. We're pretty fortunate to have some of it right here in the woods and slopes of Anchorage, free for the picking.

rabbit lake trail - part 2

Looking back toward S. Anchorage at around 9pm

On the 30th of July we took a one night camping trip to Rabbit Lake. It's a short hike (as you may recall from July 10) we could accomplish after work, set up the tent and be away from the city, though perched almost within view.

I woke at 7am to rain on the tent. Awaking again at 8, it had stopped. Later, the sound of small boulders knocking against each other turned out to be sheep high on a slope on the opposite side of the lake. I watched them for awhile as they made their way along the slope.

We spent the day hiking, first toward the base of the Suicide Peaks, where we watched three climbers working their way up snow patches and scree fields. We then made our way toward the McHugh trail - the approach to Rabbit Lake that comes from the Seward Highway trailhead. We hiked past tarns of different sizes, some with snow still on the water. After reaching a saddle overlooking Turnagain Arm, we headed back uphill toward our tent.

As we were hiking out, we left the cloudy front range mountains and emerged into the bright evening sunshine. Destination: Arigato for sushi. After a day of sparse eating and a few miles of hiking it was great to sit down and be served at our favorite sushi place.

Speaking of favorite places in Spenard, after splashing through dozens of puddles and navigating a couple creek crossings, I must say I love the Aku hiking boots I bought at AMH. My feet stayed dry even when I was walking in a few inches of water and they were stable on the side slopes. Exactly what I set out to find this spring. Thanks.

mushrooms

Jon spotted this one on the way home on Tuesday evening. Look how happy he is to find this gem right near the path. Of course, he's hoping it's new enough to not be filled with maggots.