Finally! Pictures!

Picture 1: Flying over SE Alaska, taking inventory of a) the spectacle but b) the enormous, frequent bald spots on the tops of mountains. Clear cuts, yikes.

Picture 2: A neat map in the public library. I saw a sign yesterday denoting a building dedicated to 'Tsunami Watch'. Yes, we're close to Japan, yes we're close to Russia. And yet Alaska feels SO much more 'American' than any other part of the States I've visited: everything here is unapologetically bigger - the size of the roads, cars, grocery stores - mountains, distances, daytime.

Picture 3: A snapshot of my house from the front, incuding old bones and me backpack.

Picture 4: A view of Anchorage from about 5 miles from the city center, from the top of the bluffs along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. I'll ride part of the trail every day to get to the city.

Yesterday, given that I had only seen that (very short) distance between my 'hood and downtown so far, on my 'way home' I decided to stay on the trail to explore. I passed through Earthquake Park, which used to be a pretty obvious wreckage scene from the massive earthquake that occured here in the '60s. Everything's healed up pretty well now. Farther along the trail, near to the airport, planes passed precariously near the trail - that's about where this snapshot was taken. For the most part, maybe 5 or so miles, it was flat and I rode at a very moderate cruisin' speed trying to look for moose in the woods - I saw a grand total of 4 moose rear ends, nothing worth taking a photo of (yet). The woods were the kind you could see very far out into, and there were amazing views of Susitna and the Alaska range over the water. The mud flats even seemed to turn into beach at some point, I saw kids running around. Finally, I ended up at Kincaid Park which has an ENORMOUS inner city system of dirt trails. I want to go back there when it's a little drier and mountain bike/run. Anyway, this whole ride was kind of like going home by way of China and next time I'll know to bring H20 and gorp 'cause despite the gorgeous scenery I was cranky toward the end, especially on the massive roads near the airport and back toward my neighborhood.

Picture 5: My particular entry to the Tony Knowles Trail, with a view of Susitna Mt as I cruise down between the playground and ball field. They call this mountain the Sleeping Lady - her feet are said to be on the right; head on the left. I know, I have to squint hard to see it too. But she's a beaut either way.

Pictures 6-10: My guidebook listed a $5 roundtrip shuttle bus between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. The Mat-Su Valley, about 40 minutes north of Anchorage, produces 75% of Alaska's produce and is responsible for such feats as 109 lb cabbage. I couldn't believe $5 could get you 40 miles anywhere, never mind back, so me 'n old bones hopped on the shuttle (which departs from the main transit center in Anchorage same as the public bus system 'the People Mover') yesterday morning and soon found ourselves in Palmer. I rode around for hours exploring the farms, and taking in extreme views. I loved it there.

Picture 11: And finally, for this blog post anyway, a shot from this morning - up the Chester Creek Trail, which is a 6-miler through the middle of the city. Now I'll e-mail Alaska Conservation Voters and get down to the business of my internship, which starts Monday. !!!!