Tolovana II

Tolovana II

Here are a few more pictures from our trip to the Tolovana hot springs. 

 

Looking back towards the trail head on the way up The Dome.  If you look close you can see Tommy and Sam on the snowmachine and Mitch riding on the back of the sled.  The nice thing about having the snowmachines is being able tow the sleds with all the food.  Yep, there was a huge prime rib in one of those sleds :-{D

I caught this sunset on my way back down the trail to make sure everyone who was skiing made it to the springs.  The picture doesn't even come close to doing the scene justice.

 

Mitch and Sam at the upper tub.

 

My trusty, borrowed, steed for the weekend, and Skidoo Tundra II.  I couldn't believe this little snowmobile carried me all the way out there and all the way back with little complaint.  I think I see one of these in my future.

Chuck, Mitch, Sam, and myself at the trail head after a great weekend.

Tolovana Hot Springs
2012

Right to the airstrip, left to the hot springs

Last year I was invited to join a really fun group of people on their annual trip to the Tolovana Hot Springs. As could be expected it was a lot of fun so when the call came for the 2012 trip there was no way I would miss it.

The springs are located about 50 miles north of Fairbanks as the crow flies. If you don't have a crow, or an airplane, you can access the springs using an 11 mile trail that starts at mile 93 of the Elliot Highway. There are three cabins. All with wood stoves, propane lights, and propane ranges. The two big cabins have propane stoves. And new this year, was a small wind generator and battery bank powering 4 or 5 LED lights in the Main Cabin.

Both hot and warm water are piped in to three different tubs. Two of them are made from large, plastic, water tanks and one from wood. All three of them have great views, both day and night, and are an amazing way to enjoy a chilly Alaskan winter evening under the stars.

North of Fairbanks on the way to the trail head

I was very fortunate to enjoy this adventure, not only with new friends I made last year, but with old friends from college as well. A good time was had by all and I'm glad its starting to become an annual event for me. What a great way to celebrate the cold, dark, winter.

Stay tuned. Over this week and part of the next I'll post more pictures and share the story of our trip.

Winter is finally here

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's time to get the Blog rolling agsin, so here it goes.

I finally feel like winter has made it to Anchorage. The snowshoe are being prepped and I even went to my first ski-swap this weekend in search of some cross country skis. (it was pretty crowded so I left, but I've never seen so many Subarus in one place!)

Time to buy a shovel.

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Valdez Fly-In

My first trip of the season was to Valdez last weekend for the Valdez Fly in and Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) Competition. I left work early on Friday, was on the road by 2:00 and made it to Valdez around 8:00. Ryan and some other friends had already flown down and gotten a sweet parking spot right on the approach for the STOL competition the next day. It didn't take long for me to find them and get my tent set up.

The ride down was amazing. Definetly in my Top 10 Rides. The sky was blue, I only got rained on a couple short times, and Thompson Pass was clear! Last time I was in Thompson Pass the fog was so thick you could barley see 50 feet in front of you. It just felt good to be back on the bike again after a couple light riding years and a long winter.

Just to compare this weekend with the last time I was down there study the pictures below. As you can see, or can't see, it was much foggier the last time around.

2007

2011

If I remember correctly the shortest takeoff was 36 feet and the shortest landing was an amazing 30 feet ( just about the length of the plane).

I had a great time down in Valdez and am definetly planning to return next year for this event. If you would like to look at the rest of my pictures please follow the link below.

2011 Valdez Fly-In Pictures

Have a good one,
Brian

Curling

The rumors are true. I joined the Anchorage Curling Club this winter.

One of my Co-workers was looking for a fourth person for her Tuesday night team so I signed up. Ever since I had the opportunity to try it one Winter Carnival curling always seemed like it would be a fun thing to do. So far it has been a lot of fun!

The club is full of friendly members of all ages. We have two sheets so two matches can be played at once, and a comfortable club house with big windows to watch what is going on out on the ice.

Some people take up golf when they get old. I think I'll stick with this.

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Fog!

This fog is as thick as peanut butter!

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New Key

My computer keyboard at work had a new key this morning. It is a great key and I don't know how I got along without it for so long. I can assure you I will use it daily.

The real question is why was Qbert in town, and why didn't he call me?

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