Skyline Trail (October 31, 2009)

Today we hiked the infamous Skyline Trail. Infamous to the Kenai Peninsula anyways. Skyline Trail is a 1 mile hike to the top of a mountain. Although 1 mile may not sound so bad, we had a 1,800 feet gain within that 1 mile. Let's just say it was more of a climb than a hike. In the first picture, you can see the mountain we hiked to in the background, it is the one in the middle. Once above tree line, we were hiking in snow. Although there was snow on the beginning half of the trail, the top half was definitely more abundant. The next three pictures are at the top of the trail. Once you reach the top, there is an orange tool box with a journal inside for those who make it to sign. Not only did we get to sign, but we took in a stunning view which is not visible by road.

Official Alaskan Drivers

Noon Visitor (October 25, 2009)

While standing in the doorway of our house today, a cow moose trotted across our driveway about 25 yards from where we stood. We spotted it a few seconds later on the road near our house.

Kenai River Trail (October 24, 2009)

The Kenai River Trail provided us with many opportunities to view smaller wildlife. There were many birds. We observed two types of chickadees, black-capped and chestnut backed, common mergansers, pine grosbeaks,spruce grouse, bald eagle, and scaups (a water bird that we have never seen or heard of before). We also got a very close look at a red squirrel, who seemed more curious about our presence then concerned. A few people out fishing the river, but otherwise very quiet and peaceful!

Hidden Creek Trail to Skilak Lake (October 17, 2009)

Saturday afternoon we went on a non-strenous hike after both of us continue to recover from our illnesses. It felt great to be out hiking again, especially after both of us missed some school within the past two weeks and spent days laying inside trying to get well. Hidden Creek Trail was a great choice for getting back into the swing of things. The trail is 2.6 miles round trip with a small decline down to Skilak Lake. Skilak Lake is a large lake for the area and is well know for having many hiking trails surrounding its perimeter. Many areas around Skilak are popping up with new vegetation after unplanned burns over the years. We hiked through such an area. There was a lot of bear scat, but no bears. The weather was beautiful. Temperature in the 40s with a lot of sun! Very atypical for an Alaskan fall.

Geocaching in AK! (October 17, 2009)

We sought and found 2 geocaches today, both walking distance from our house. These were our first geocaches in Alaska! For those who are unfamiliar with geocaching, it is basically a treasure hunt. Coordinates can be obtained from the official geocaching website which are then plugged into a GPS device. Geocaches take you to places that you may never go to otherwise. Our second geocache took us to a wooded area with a old Oldsmobile car, which appeared to have been sitting there for many years.

Salmon Egg Take at Bear Creek Near Seward

I (Jon) took my 5th and 6th graders to the Bear Creek Weir on Wed. October 14th. At the Weir, Alaska Fish and Game catch male and female salmon to take eggs and fertilize them so they can hatch safely in a hatchery and so they can show the process to educate the public. One Silver Salmon can produce between 3,000 and 3,500 eggs. Some Salmon do not come back to where they were hatched for 4-5 years. Once a salmon lays or fertilizes the eggs they die and feed many living organisms that rely on the food of the river. Here are some pictures from my classes' field trip.

Fresh Mountain Birthday Snow! (October 3, 2009)

Saturday was Jon's Birthday! To celebrate we went back to Exit Glacier to do a more extensive hike. We recently meet a young couple from South Dakota (they now live in AK too) who joined us on Jon's birthday hike. Our goal for the day was to hike on a trail that traverses up the mountain along side the glacier up to the top which looks over the Harding Ice Field. The name really does explain what it is, a field of ice as far as the eye can see. The weather, unfortunately was not the best. Jon and I were able to hike to the top of the glacier where you should start to see the beginning of the ice field. When we reached that point we meet heavy fog and snow! The mountains looked absolutely beautiful covered in fresh, white snow, but unfortunately the fog covered much of the landscape, making the ice field impossible to see. After debating over what to do, we agreed to turn around, leaving the last 1.6 miles for a hike in the spring when hopefully the weather will grant us a clear day. Despite this set back, we enjoy our rainy (and snowy) hike. We spotted a couple of pine grosbeaks, collecting seeds from some nearby shrubs and a black bear getting its fill of berries for the upcoming winter. The bear went about its business, occasionally looking at us as if curious. The bear in the area should going into hibernation later on this month.

After our hike to the top, the four of us spent some time exploring the bottom of the glacier. It was fun watching the water flow out of the glacier into the valley below. The sand at the bottom is very black, like silt. There were also many interesting colored rocks below the glacier, some that were so white that they looked like ice.

In honor of the Twins, Jon wore his baseball hat all day, his way of cheering them on. It seemed to have worked. Go Twinkies! Good luck on Tuesday!

Running with Moose (October 2, 2009)

Out running tonight we experienced two moose encounters, both a block or two away from our house. We have never been so close to moose before. Both moose were females. The first one didn't not seem to mind the fact that we were out for our run, she watched us for awhile then continued on with her eating. The second cow we encountered was much more skiddish, watching us for a short period of time before running into the woods. Although we have both seen moose going to and coming from work, this is the first time we've seen them in our neighborhood, literally on residential streets. While Jon was eager to get closer, I was looking for the largest tree!

Peninsula Beaches (September 26-27, 2009)

We spent the weekend exploring the beaches of the peninsula. The Kenai Beach, near the Cook Inlet, is a very sandy beach full of many shorebirds and raptors. The Nikiski Beach in the Captain Cook State Rec Area is quite the opposite, full of rocks both large and small. From the beach you can see many oil rigs. We also discovered some small, pink clam shells washed up on shore that look very much like tiny lungs.

"Baby Beluga" (September 12, 2009)

We headed up to Anchorage to get some things before the winter hits. On our way we stopped at Bird Point, just south of Anchorage. Bird Point looks out over the Turnagain Arm, a long and narrow inlet off the Pacific Ocean. Turnagain Arm is well known for displays of beluga whales. Beluga whales can frequently be spotted in the Turnagain Arm, as well as the Kenai River, going after spawning salmon. Unfortunately, on this rain day, all we saw was a stationary one made out of cement. Real beluga whales will have to be for another time. But any occasion that gives us an opportunity to sing "Baby Beluga" by Raffi is a good day!

Fuller Lakes Trail- Labor Day (September 7, 2009)

After spending Sunday afternoon doing a leisurely hike on the North Peninsula Rec Area Trails, we decided to kick it up a couple notches for Labor Day. Fuller Lakes is a rugged trail that inclines heavy all the way to the top where the lakes sit among the mountains. From the bottom to the top, we experienced a 1,500 foot difference in altitude in an hour and a half! There were a number of older bear signs along the trail; dried scat and many areas in which the high grasses had been thrashed through, but nothing fresh. The fireweed was past its bloom and was going to seed and we saw a huge flock of birds migrating south. The winter is definitely coming. Fuller Lakes Trail is well known for its population of black bears, in fact many hunters come to this trail for bear hunting season. There are three lakes along the trail. We ventured up to the upper most lake before turning back.

Exit Glacier (September 5, 2009)

Saturday day of Labor Day weekend, we took a day trip to Seward to see our first glacier up close. Exit Glacier, located in the Kenai Fjords National Park is a receding glacier just below the Harding Ice Field. After taking in the sight of this massive chunk of ice, we headed into the town of Seward where we explored Resurrection Bay. We spotted many sea otters lounging on their backs in the water and spent a good amount of time absorbing all the details of our winged friend, the dragonfly, who seemed very comfortable with us being so close.

The Salmon Run (August 30, 2009)

Yay, Minnesotans! We were so excited to meet up with some Minnesota friends this week! Erin Schwartz (a co-worker of Rochelle's from North Community School in Duluth) and her boyfriend, Greg Petry having been working as kayaking guides this summer in Seward, AK. We were able to meet up with both of them as well as Erin's dad and sister. They are now back in the lower 48, on to their next adventure. Great to see you guys again!

After our first week with students and for our last weekend in August, we decided to get ourselves a bit more comfortable in bear country. After purchasing our first bear bells we headed off to Russian River Falls. The Russian River is a beautiful river with a blue-green color to it. It eventually meets up with the Kenai River which then flows into the Cook Inlet. The Russian River is full of salmon every summer hurrying to get up stream to spawn. With spawning salmon come enthused brown bears. With our bear spray hanging on our belts and bells jingling from our bags, we were ready for a true Alaskan hike. There was also a lot of singing (from Rochelle) who was a bit uncomfortable with the prospect of seeing a bear. After an hour and a half of singing and jingling we made it to the river where we watched silver salmon make attempts to jump the vicious rapids. One right after another they made their attempts, many of them failing. What a journey. No bears on this adventure, but many salmon and even a couple of spruce grouse.