AK 2010: Coming Around The Bend

I think there is a primal need in many of us to explore, at least in my case, I know there is. A need to see what's around the next bend, and maybe more importantly, embracing not knowing what's around the next bend, because there will always be, a 'next bend'.

Alaska was a place that I embraced from the moment I felt the gravel move under my boot years ago . I just can't seem to get enough of it, the rivers, and the true wilderness and wildlife that call it home. Plans came together for me once again, and another incredible trip to Alaska unfolded during August and early September. It was time to see some bends.

Over the coming months I'll be doing various updates and telling stories from the trip. There are just too many to try and fit into a couple posts, but a few general photos are included here. I had time alone, time with friends, time with Dad, and for the first time, time with my brother, sharing some of the special places I have come to love. I still have yet to get Ash up there, but, I'm working on it, and it's just a matter if time. There were lots of new rivers, lots of rain drops, lots of fish, lots of mystery tugs on the end of the line that will forever remain unknown, lots of bears, lots of knots tied, lots of knots broken, and lots of footsteps and nights under the stars engrained into memory. I floated around countless bends, hiked around them, wondered what was around the next one, and turned and contently walked away from them, as it should be.

It was a very wet year, setting a new record of 31 consecutive days of measurable rain in Anchorage. That cut down the number of starry nights for sure, and this meant high water conditions were the norm, water was colder than normal, salmon runs were off and less predictable, and life in general was soggy. Luckily we live in a time where good gear really can make the weather a non-factor, and this was a year that definitely put it to an ultimate test.

I don't yet know when I'll go back again, but I'll do my best. I know there are a few more bends waiting to be turned.

Stay tuned.

D

Kingdom Trails

After getting back home to VT, we wanted to keep the wheels rollin' and take advantage of nice weather and the world class mountain biking available here. The 'Kingdom Trails', up in the Northeast corner of VT are a very well developed trail network, complete with B&B's right on the trail. Ash and I set out to finish the Fourth of July weekend at the Inn at Mountain View farm to see what the hype was all about.

It ended up being a scorching weekend, but with a nice evening breeze on the mountain tops, and views that went on for miles, we weren't complaining.

As we had heard, the trails were very well marked and maintained. We got in a little over our heads a couple of times with the bruises to show for it, but that's gravity for you.