Looking out my office window
Longing for the open road

While I had a mostly good 6.5 weeks in Kodiak its very nice to be back home. Too bad the weather this summer wasn't as clear as it was today. I can't remember how many times the mountains actually came out to be looked at.

Don't let the lack of snow and clear skies fool you, its pretty crisp out there. I never did check the temperature today but you definitely didn't want to go outside without a coat.

I've decided its too cold to ride anymore. I fell bad asking the KLR to start in the cold like this and it takes forever for it to warm up. Besides, it doesn't get above freezing and ice is a problem when you rely on friction to keep yourself upright.

Its good that winter is here. We cram a lot into the summers because we know how short they are and its time to rest up. We've only got 7 months until it starts all over again.

Bamboo Room, Haines AK

When I was working in Juneau we spent about six weeks in Haines surveying the road out of town. We would always eat at the Bamboo Room for breakfast.

The reason they call it the Bamboo Room is because there is a bar and the dining room in the same building. Back in the day they were separated by a bamboo curtain. Its the local hangout for old guys who drink coffee in the morning.

One morning I over heard the oldest one talking about Timothy Treadwell, the guy famous for being eaten by a bear. He said "I met that Treadwell guy once. I said your an F'n idiot! One of these days you're going to get eaten by those damn bears! And look what happened."

I had to stop on my way through after Dawson for old times sake. It turned out that my friend Bar Tender Judy was working that day. Since there was a big bike race in town that weekend I gave up my seat in the dinning room for some kids that were under 21 and ate in the bar. The pancakes were still as good as I remember

Ship Creek, Downtown Anchorage

Some friends from work learned me up on fishing for Silvers and we've been out a few times since my last fish post.

Eric and I went to Ship Creek in Downtown Anchorage on Monday night. After we'd been there about two hours Eric decided to leave and I said to him, "You know, as soon as you leave I'm going to catch one."

And sure enough, he walked around the backside of the bridge and I hooked the one in the picture above. I hollard at him and he came down to help me land it and take this picture.

Its not the biggest Silver I've caught but it is pretty tasty! I had some of it for Salmon quesadillas tonight.

Something Fishy

My First Attempt at Filleting a Salmon

Monday night I went fishing with Rich, Eric, and Tanya from work at Bird Creek about 50 miles south of town.

We heard the Silvers were running, and they were. Just not as hard as hard as we thought. Thats OK thought. I haven't been fishing in the river like that so they showed me the ropes and we had a good time hanging out and trying to catch some fish.

Tanya caught the first Silver, then Rich and Eric caught a few Humpy's and Chum. You'll have to ask me in person how I got my fish, because its kind of a funny story.

We're going to hit up Ship Creek down by the Port friday morning. Wish us luck.

Mirror

Alaska State Park in Haines, AK

This is at the end of the road into the state park in Haines. The road runs from the inlet, up a salmon river, to where it starts at this lake. In the Fall you are pretty much guaranteed to see grizzly bears stocking up their fat supplies for winter.

When we were there surveying in '05 we saw a couple large Boars and a Sow with two Cubs.

There isn't really much more to say about this spot besides its a lot more beautiful in person and on a clear day. Even though I had clouds there is still a nice mirror effect on the smooth water.

Open Road

Along the Glenn Hwy, South of Eureka

This was taken along the Glenn Hwy on my way to Dawson City. I left work around 3pm, but didn't get out of town until 5:00. I was afraid that I was going to get stuck behind miles of RV's escaping for the weekend. But that wasn't the case. As soon as I got east of Palmer there was almost nobody on the road.

There is just something about no traffic that makes things significantly more enjoyable. You can set your own pace, stop without worrying about getting run over, and you don't have to worry about busses getting in your picture of the open road.

Its hard to explain the feeling of the scenery passing as cool air transports the smells of your surroundings. Total freedom, you could ride in the other lane if you wanted too. Maybe there is a moose or a Caribou around the next corner. You get the security of a well traveled road with the serenity of the most remote places in the world which allows complete relaxation so you can enjoy the moment.

Beautiful Border

Alaska/British Columbia Border on my way to Skagway

This is the most spectacular border I've ever seen. From Whitehorse you head south and eventually start to climb and climb up the mountains, into the clouds, and past what looks like the surface of a different planet until you come to the unmistakable Alaska sign.

It was amazing as is but I can only imagine what it would be like with a clear sky.

The borders in Alaska are kind of strange. It seems as though there is never a good place to put two compounds, US side and Canada side, right at the border. So if your in Canada you pass their station and continue on, maybe for 30 miles or more until you get to the US station.

Kind of weird but it makes sense if you think about it. I just wonder what happens if you need to turn around in between. Do you have to re-enter the country even though you never left?