Spring is in the Air

It reached 40 on Sunday. It was hot.
Sure it gets to the teens at night.
But every day it has reached above freezing.
So what's a person to do...
get out the studded tire bike and get ready to ride.

Sure, you'll need your special equipment:

1. Snowboarding helmet: it is more solid so rain doesn't seep in as much. AND it has ear muffs to keep out the cold.

2. Face cover: to keep the snow/sleet/rain combination from making your face cold.

3. Reflective waterproof worker's jacket: to let drivers see the crazy folks riding in the snow and rain.

4. Waterproof pants: there are few things worse than getting your legs soaked as you pedal to work.

5. Extra Tuff waterproof boots ( sometimes called " Kodiak Sandals"): because worse than wet pants is dripping ice water into you shoes.

6. And don't forget your waterproof bag to carry your stuff in the bike basket.

Now we are ready. Let's pedal!

What to do in Kodiak during a March week?

I got a message questioning if counting eagle whiskers was because there was little to do in the winter.

No, that is not right.

Here are 2 pics form Wednesday's Kodiak Daily Mirror of what to do that day.

How about climbing Pillar Mountain and skiing down? (There are no lifts here. So if you want to ski down, you have to climb up.)

After that run, why not go inside and listen to Tito Puente Jr. give a presentation form Mambo to Jazz? Yes, the famous Mambolero's son is right here,bringing both styles for the locals to compare!

If you are a thespian instead, how about participating in this weekend's play?

Or you could go to any of the various lectures or presentations during Bear Week at the National Wildlife Refuge. Whether an adult or a kid, there is stuff for you there to learn.

But if doing is more your style, you should have signed at Kodak College for classes leading to becoming a bear guide. Just you, taking a small group into the wilderness to see the biggest bears in the world.

Alas, there are some things that are coming to a close. The ice rink for hockey tournaments is being dismantled next week, making room for covered basketball and tennis practice.

All this week. And all within 2 miles form the house.

No, this is NOT a boring place to be, even when winter is still around.

Eagle hairs.

Did you know that eagles have hair? I never did till a few days ago.

I was taking pictures by St Paul Harbor when I noticed an eagle just sitting on the snow. As they often do, he turned his head completely around and looked at me.

Then he turned back to stare at the water...perhaps longing for the the sunner's salmon.

I continued to zoom in since I did not seem to be bothering him at all.

When I got home I loaded the pics to the computer and looked at a few.
It looked like there were hairs from the side of its face!

So I looked at a few more when he was turning his head back at me.
It sure looked like whiskers on his face. What do you think?
Around it's beak...aren't those hairs?



I wonder if they help him fly?

Anyway, when my cold fingers could no longer put him in focus,
I decided it was time to head towards home.

Near Island walk

Near Island is just over one of the Million Dollar Alaskan bridges to a little isle where there is one of our 2 marinas and the sea plane community airport. It has a nice, easy trail for a hike under any condition. Trees protect you form rain and snow. And great views are just around every corner. It's a great place to get away form the "hustle and bustle" of civilization. So take Saturday's walk with us.

Looks like they cleared the trail for us.

Sleepy eagle.

No, this is not South Texas after a freak snow storm!

Good views and over 20 degrees!

And happy hikers.

What more could you ask for?

Fur Rondy & The Iditarod

The Iditarod is quite popular in Alaska. And these races seems to be popular with you, in the Lower 48 as well.

In fact, I read that the National Geographic Traveller magazine declared the Fur Rondy in Anchorage as the "event" to attend this year. Fur Rondy is the week before the start of the Iditarod. They have all sort of events, competitions, and auctions of furs by the State of illegally hunted animals.

And..... on the afternoon after the ceremonial start of the Iditarod in downtown Anchorage, they have the Running of the Reindeer. See, you don't have to go to Pamplona, Spain to run down the street like a crazy man and try to stay alive ahead of charging animals. You can do it right here in Anchorage. Admittedly, a reindeer is not as large as a a Spanish bull, but those Spaniards aren't running on ice and snow covered streets while being chased.

On the other habd, if you are not taking exogenous testosterone, you can just watch the start of the Iditarod.

In what other sporting event can you get so close to the stars and have a short talk with each of your heroes?

Dee Dee Jonrowe

The Berington twins


Lance Mackey


Get to see the equipment and dogs up-close-and-personal




And get a front row view, without an admission fee???



Just think, these people are racing over 1,000 miles of wilderness for a grand prize of $ 50,000. I don't think some baseball players would even swing a bat for that amount of money.

For the "inside" information ....go to:

http://iditarod.com/

So, tell your boss you want your next vacation in early March, and get yourself up here to see the Fur Rondy and real "The Last Great Race" in the world!