Couloir to Stew

The weekend started out with a bang when we found some serious wind at Portage Lake. We spend the frigid afternoon bolting back and forth across the lake insulated in all the down we owned and ice forming to our cheeks. Our campers gave us refuge from the temps and a great place for pizza and beers but because not all furnaces were functional and it was negative 16 we packed up and headed homeward.

 Once back to  the valley we found ourselves in -26 and not looking forwards to the potential of making turns in Hatcher Pass but with the rise of the sun we found the Marmot weather station telling us to skin up our skis and head up to the mountain tops where the temp was approaching 10 ABOVE. We found ourselves on the skin track with 7 tele skiers and only 2 alpine skiers. Even though we have pack of skiers we found fresh powder. As we skied back to our cars and the colder temperatures the figure 8s we made laid pink on the hillside and snuggled in between the ridges of a couloir as the sun set. Yet another successful day in the backcountry and to top it off Moose Stew waiting in the croc pot at home.

Beef  Barley Stew - Croc Pot Style (aka throw it all in)

1 lb beef round, cubed and cooked

5 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground pepper

3 ribs celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 zucchini, coarsely grated

3/4 cup barley

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp oregano

2 qt beef broth

1 can tomato soup

             Cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 4 hours

Sand to Snow

 Over the Holiday break Jeff and I managed to experience the beach at 78 degrees and the snow at -12. There's nothing like 100 degree change in under 6 hours. The family, friends, kiting, skiing and good food made it all worth it.



















Holiday Meal Highlights
Christmas Eve dinner on the patio with the fireplace blazing surrounded by family. We shipped down Alaskan moose, halibut, and cod. We feasted on grilled vegetables, moose sliders, and fish. Nothing like an Alaskan feast in the warmth of the San Diego breeze. Christmas on the sand and  the New Year in the snow.

The Top Five of Fall

5. Leaves on the trail during an afternoon run

4. Pink socks that are half brown from riding a cross race with many deep mud puddles

3. Moose Chili feed at the farm with friends and family - Mom's recipe (check the  recipe link to the right)

2. Pre-work hot tub feeling better than you remember

1. Termination dust creeping down to the valley

Mom's Chili Recipe

2-4 1 lb cans of beans

1 onion chopped

1 lb ground meat (moose)

16 oz. tomato sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup chili sauce

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne

2 Tbsp chili powder

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

(optional - add a squirt of Rooster sauce for extra heat)

- cook meat and onion

-add other ingredients and heat on stovetop

To Kite or Not to Kite

Labor Day Weather Forcast

Friday Night @ Bertha Creek = misting, dark, not windy, not good fishing
Saturday Morning @ Summit Lake = overcast, kinda windy
Saturday Afternoon @ Seward = socked in big time, pouring rain, not windy
Saturday Late Afternoon @ Trails End Lake = overcast, windy...oh nope just windy enough to get your kite up and then crash because the wind drops off
Saturday Evening @ Eklutna Lake = SUNNY and WINDY Time to KITE. Thought it would never happen.

What I learned: The wind does blow in Alaska but sometimes it is hard to find it but when you do it is worth it. The kiting at Eklutna Lake in the sun followed by black bean lasagna in the campground made it easy to forget all of the false alerts earlier in the weekend. Ready to pack the camper up again to do a re-run ASAP.

Black Bean Lasagna
9 lasagna noodles (8 oz)

2 15 oz cans black beans
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 garlic cloves
2 15 oz cans tomatoe sauce
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
12 oz cottage cheese
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Mix the first six ingredients (not including the noodles)
Mix the last three ingredients
Layer: noodles - veggie mix - cheese mix
(I like to then grate some cheese onto the top layer if I run out of cheese mix)

Cook @ 350 degrees for about 45 minutes

Why I Love the Farm

7:00 am Rise and Shine Hot Tub
8:27 Ski Trail Run with the Doggies and a visit with Fred the wild-ish horse in the field



























9:48 Hot Tub #2 with a smoothie
11:23 Raspberry Hunting
12:16 Lunch
1:03 Afternoon Cook Session
3:33 Family Hike to the canyon
5:25 Boys: Four Wheelin'    Girls: Green House Picking

6: 37 Halibut, Salad, Zuchini, Picnic Perfect Chocolate cake

Check for recipe



9:28 Evening Tub and crashing

Playing Hard with the Family.

Healthy Travels

Sometimes I find it difficult to stay healthy while traveling. There are some many temptations on the road; the smell of grease, soda to make it through the long drive, or campfire treats. I also can not fit my bike or skis in my carry-on so I have learned to rely on my trusty running shoes.

While in Juneau I have found myself snacking on cereal and bananas while in class and looking for local restaurants in the evening. Last night after a run around Auk Lake and sea kayaking in Auk Bay we finished our day off at an outstanding Thai restaurant.

Auk Lake looking towards Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier in the background

The menu made us want to stay for a month longer in order to try everything but I settled on Red Curry. Life is good!

Red Curry from Chan's Thai Restaurant

Just the Beginning

Apparently it is time to join the blogging craze. Let's see how this goes. Let's focus on what everyone enjoys the most in life - family, friends, food, and playing 'till your heart is content. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about how to best spend my free time; biking, skiing, running, kiting. Oh so many options. And always waiting at home a healthy home cooked meal with the people I love. Yes life is good.