Mountains, Ski Train, and Volcanoes

We have had an adventurous couple weeks here with lots of skiing, skijouring, and train riding. Here is a picture of me on my first splitboarding trip on top of Mt Gordon-Lyon. You can see the mountains above our house to the far left way in the background.

I also had the opportunity to get on board the annual ski train. It's an event put on by the Anchorage nordic ski club. About 500 skiers climb on a train, travel 130 miles to a spot off the road system, ski for 3 hours, and then get back on and go home. To top it all off they have a live polka band.

The car I was seated on was a bit of a wild one. Here are some happy passengers at 10:00 am.

Thankfully, the ride back was a little more subdue. Between the party on the way up and skiing, I think some of them were a bit worn out. Here is a picture of the unloading of the train and people getting ready to ski.

Here is the engine with people enjoying a bonfire (behind the mound of snow.)

As many of you have probably heard Mt Redoubt has been causing some commotion around here. I was able to take a picture of it from South Anchorage just after sunset. The picture is of a steam plume erupting a few days before the bigger eruption.

All for now.

Ididarod and Puzzles

Nicki had her life long dream come true this past weekend. She got to go to the Iditarod. We were greeted with sunny skies and and a windless day out on Willow lake. Here is Nicki beside herself with excitement.

Here is a picture of one of the mushers with his team.

We went with 3 other families who all had kids under 6 years old. We built a fire, pitched a tent, made snow couches, and had an all around good time. Here is Leo after a lot of excitement and one too many marshmallows

I've been exploring a new hobby over the last few months. Wooden puzzle making has been a great creative outlet and way to spend down time. Not to mention, a great way to make Leo cheap new toys. Here is a school bus.

And here is what I'm calling a landscape puzzle.

We're shaking off the winter blues around here with lots of sunshine and 40 degree days. It's a welcome change.

Ram Valley

Nicki and I dumped the kid at childcare last week and completed a trip that we have wanted to do for a very long time. Looking up the hillside our yurt sits on you can see a snowy point. Here is a photo of it marked with a blue "A". Raina Peak is behind it.

I went up here in December with Nicki's parents but it was really snowy and visibility was bad. This time, however, it was a brilliantly sunny and windless day. Here is a photo of Nicki making her way to A point (not seen off to the right).

From the top we could look back down at the yurt. Many people have asked me if we have any neighbors. Well here is a photo of the yurt (centerish) and our neighborhood taken from A point.

While up there, Nicki got this fabulous shot of ranger jumping. Click on it and see if you can spot the cookie he is going for.

This is the view looking down river towards the town of Eagle River with the Knik Arm (water) and the Alaska range in the background.

And this is what it looks like looking up river. Raina Peak is on the left, Ram Valley further to the right, Cumulus mountain in the middle, and Eagle River Valley is on the right. Click o it to get a better view.

As the crow flies, a point is about a mile from our house. Nicki and I were driving in the car the other day and we made the astute observation, "We live in a yurt in Alaska." Sometimes it still feels strange and unbelievable. I hope you all get to visit some time and share this with us.