Tustumena 200 (January 23, 2010)

On Saturday morning we went to the Tustumena 200, a 200 mile dogsled race and the only Iditarod qualifier on the Kenai Peninsula. Twenty-eight mushers participated in the race from all over the country and world. There were participants from Belgium, Spain, France, New Zealand, and Australia. Men and women in there early 20s to late 70s took part in the race. The dogs were very eager to start, jumping up and down and barking non-stop. Only until they were actually running did the barking end. It is quite clear when looking at these animals that this is what they are meant to do and they truly love every minute of it. An Alaskan and world known musher, Jeff King, won the race on Sunday.

43 days until Mark and Kelly come to Alaska!

Funky Lichens and Fungi

Waiting On Snow (January 9 - 17, 2010)

We already find ourselves two weeks back into school since Christmas break. During that time we have gotten back into the groove of winter hiking and cross country skiing. I must admit after two weeks off from skiing, my legs were a bit sore after my first day back on them. Jon’s muscles seemed just fine. On January 9 we headed back to one of our favorite spots, Captain Cook State Park near the town of Nikiski. It had been a few months since we were last there and we were curious to see what the inlet looked like this time of year. We observed many large ice chunks, but nothing too massive. It was a brisk day, so after walking on the beach we opted to take the wooded route back. Just as we were about to get on trail, we spotted a ruffed grouse. This was the first ruffed grouse we had seen in Alaska. Although very popular to Minnesota, it is typically the spruce grouse that you see in Alaska. After watching the female grouse for quite sometime, her male counterpart showed up. We decided to stock the two with camera in hand for quite sometime. The snow, although not extremely deep was at that consistency where it held you up for a fraction of a second and just when you though you were light enough for it to hold you, you sank through. I call it tiring snow. By the end of the hike I was completely exhausted.

We had a few nice skis this week which allowed us some wildlife viewing and hearing. On Wednesday night while we were skiing on the Tsalteshi Trails we had a snowshoe hare cross the path right in front of us. Minutes later a Bard Owl made itself know with its classic “Who Cooks for You?” call.

This past Saturday we hiked through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, many funky looking lichen and fungi were to be seen. If it wasn’t for our friend Joe Walewski, we probably wouldn’t take as much interest in these slow growers as we do now. Thanks!

3-4 inches of snow have been in the forecast the past few days but we have seen very little of that. I was able to capture of few flakes with my 8th grade science class on Thursday. We fossilized the snowflakes using acrylic spray, allowing us to look at them under microscopes the following day. But more snow is definitely needed.

Countdown to our next visitors, Mark and Kelly…54 days!

Back In Alaska

On December 17th we walked outside the municipal airport in Kenai and up the stairs of the 19 passenger plain we were flying on from Kenai to Anchorage. The flight was all of 20 minutes. Then we boarded our 6 hour flight back home to Minnesota where we spent almost 2 full weeks visiting and relaxing with our families. We spent time in Minnetonka, Duluth, Cokato and Hinckley. Some of the activities we took in while home were: Holidazzle, Bentlyville light display in Duluth, The Three Musketeers play, snow football, snowmobiling, Christmas Snowstorm, Edgewater Water Park in Duluth, walking the dogs, ice skating, sledding, quinzhee building and card/board games.
When we got home about half the snow pack had disappeared due to mid 30s weather while we were away. Saturday, the 2nd of January, we went for a hike along the Kenai River. Again, the color of the water was breathtaking, and the sunset views from the cliffs above the river made for some beautiful pictures. We also came across a lot of moose tracks, which is not uncommon, but that day we saw the biggest tracks we have seen since moving up here.

Until Next Time,

Rochelle and Jonathan