Dale Caston's American Discovery Trail Hike

The American Discovery Trail spans the continental United States. It's an undertaking of huge proportions, especially if you intend to thru hike it as Dale Caston does. He'll begin end of March.
Check out his facebook page :


https://www.facebook.com/cyclopsdvc

This is the first time Dale is doing anything of this magnitude. After chatting with him for awhile, I'm impressed with desire to help humanity. The Page starts out, "Walking the Trail to get People Thru Hell."
I like that.
you can read more here:

https://secure.commonground.convio.com/allhands/social/project.html?personalFundraisingProjectId=a0kG0000003OiDMIA0


His thru hike will benefit a worthy cause.

What About 2014?

Getting some goals and ideas for the New Year is like planning a party.
Who do you want to invite, how much money can you spend, what do you want to eat?

I'm looking at transitioning to an RV lifestyle, becoming a campground hostess. Some have told me there are no jobs for us newbies. They're all taken.  But, I say, dream it, live it, let it happen. 

After some research, I put in my application with Recreation resource Management. I got an email with this place listed.

http://camprrm.com/2009/07/kaibab-campgrounds-near-grand-canyon-north-rim/

I'm still section hiking the CDT. I'm thinking this spring I'll head down to the Gila Wilderness, near Silver City, New Mexico. I've heard good things about the Gila, all the river crossings and fabulous canyons. This link takes you to a huge website where you can actually search for maps, read trail reviews, etc.
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGS327-045


Staying healthy is paramount to a successful life. Eating right, exercising, a positive outlook, a couple good friends, some decent hobbies all play a part in good health.

Experts say if we don't write our goals down, we're much less likely to accomplish them. I think its true.

One thing for sure, my little Geo will still be part of the dream.

Clyde Park, Montana

 

Here's a short video taken of the tiny town near Bozeman Montana.

 

Its very beautiful here with high mountains and clear skies. Cattle and deer dot snow dusted fields. I asked about a place to hike. The store clerk looked at me weirdly and said, Well, not anything near here, guess the closest is near Bozeman. I'm about 100 miles from Yellowstone National Park, so that is always an exciting option.

 

Roads are somewhat clear. I drove towards a trailhead but turned around when the roads became impassable. Plows hadn't been down that far.

 

I'm testing some Sierra Designs outer wear. Performance is excellent. The light zippers however sometimes stick.

 

I'm also testing a boot traction system called "yak Tracks" these are metal and rubber removable aids that are worn on the bottom of the boots.

Shipping A Car From Alaska

I'm back in Montana working for a private guest ranch. Its cold here and I haven't taken many photos yet, so stay tuned for hiking in 20 below weather.

Seriously, the Geo has started every morning and I'll loving the sunshine.

If you ever need to ship a car back from Alaska, simply go straight to the port in Anchorage and check in in with Writeway Auto Carriers, 907-277-4549. They are on 101 West Whitney Road. They want cash payment, so call them to find out what your vehicle will cost.

Then, fly to Seattle and take a shuttle to the Tacoma port where you'll pick up your vehicle 10 days later at Horizon Lines, on 1675 Lincoln Avenue.
Their phone number is 877-678-7447

Several shuttles or cabs are available. The one I used was Capitol Aeroporter.  206-244-0011 They charged me 31 bucks, helped me with my luggage, and took me right to the office in Tacoma, very much appreciated after a red eye flight.

Immediately after getting my car, I took off for Bozeman Montana. It should have been a 10 hour drive, but the weather was very snowy through the passes. I loved getting back in my car, though, so even with the challenging conditions, it was good. I arrived in Bozeman after midnight, then got a motel and was up by 7 to go for a physical before checking into  my new job.

I'm very glad I made the move back to the lower 48. Following intuitions is hard and painful sometimes, but in the long run, its worth it. Some people tell me I'm living the dream. I reply it feels like a nightmare at times, getting all the logistics in place to start a new seasonal job in an awesome place.

Hiking in Eight Below

 

There's a trail that leads down past the church to the Airport Road, here at Alyeska Resort. I hiked with a friend, heading to Girdwood, for a few last views in Alaska.

 

This husky is enormous and hangs out at Thriftwood, the local second hand store in Girdwood. I can't go to "town" without stopping by. Its warm and friends. They buy and sell gear, clothes, incense, spices, hardware, kitchen stuff, you name it.

 

In the summer they have an outdoor flea market on Saturdays. But alas, summer is over and its frickin cold! Eight below while walking to work, walking fast. A person has to layer up if you're out to play, but the kitchen is very warm, all the ovens going, so, we basically put on the uniform, a warm coat and gloves and go like nuts.

While cutting through a back trail behind the resort, I heard laughter. Just to the side a bride and groom, in just a dress and tuxedo, were getting wedding photos done.

Here flowers littered the path, her bouquet was abandoned nearby.

 

Christmas lights are up. We just finished Thanksgiving and they're hoping for a good season. Meanwhile, I'm flying back to Montana to work in the pastry department of a guest ranch.

A lot of things came into play as I made the decision to ship my car and fly back. I might return in the summer next year, to play and explore. Just a note to anyone considering moving or working in Alaska. Its expensive, very expensive and getting back to the lower 48 is hard in the winter. We currently have about 7 hours of daylight. The snow is beautiful and the distant mountains rugged.

Video of Black Wolf

Here's a short clip of a black wolf running. I shot this from my Geo while driving up to Fairbanks.




Here in Girdwood we've got tons of snow. I went skiing the other day. The bright snow helps keep the long nights from taking their toll in the way of depressing darkness.

The Night Comes Early in Alaska

 

I walked to town to meet a friend for coffee yesterday morning. It was 8:30 a.m, just getting light. The snow and fog is on the mountains. All prayers are for snow.

 

Today after work, we headed to Girdwood Park to play some Frisbee gulf. Its an awesome place with ramps for skate boarders and people refining their moves for the slopes.

 

After a few tries, I learned my skills lie elsewhere. I watch, cheer, walk the paths.

 

Normally the playground is filled with kids. Its pretty brisk today and in spite of the perfect blue skies, the kids aren't here. I've crawled all through these forts and tunnels. Amazing construction.

 

As the sun set, I made my way home. The street lights are coming on. Its 4 p.m.

 

 

This is frost, not snow. The field is now navigable. An open invitation to cross country travel, the place is now solid ground.

Camera Based Tollway Rant-Caution!

Last summer my friend was flying into the Denver Airport. As is my custom, I googled driving directions. A tiny portion involved taking a toll road as you neared the busy airport. Fine, I thought, and put some extra ones in the passenger's seat. I put some quarters, dimes and nickels in a change jar, just in case.

 

Well, I got on the tollroad, never saw a booth. I wondered where the pay station was as I took an exit to get a burger and fries. I asked the clerk. She said, "there are no booths. they take a photo of your licence plates and send you the bill."

"You're kidding me, right?" I asked, stunned. "I'm from Idaho."

"Oh, they'll send you one all right," she assured me. "No one uses that road."

"How else do you get to the airport?" I asked.

She told me which frontage road to take and said it was easy. I followed her suggestion and never got back on the tollway.

 

Months passed. I didn't get anything from Colorado. I figured it was so little, maybe they just didn't persue out of staters. Wrong. I forgot all about it until a week ago.

 

I got a bill plus a $5 fine for not paying. I tried calling them. As you know, I'm living in Alaska now. They are closed when I get off work.

 

I thought about ignoring the whole thing.

What right do they have to assess me a fine when this was the first bill I ever saw. I know its been 3 months.....!

 

 

 

 

 

All sorts of fines mounting up to 65 additional bucks and criminal penalties were threatened on this same bill, eventually cumulating in not being able to renew my license. I ranted and raved to my patient housemate. She said, 'you're going to have to pay it." I knew she was right.

Check out this friendly website promoting that little stretch of toll way. I write this to warn you.....don't DO IT....take an alternate route, of which there are several.

https://www.expresstoll.com/Pages/Home.aspx

I paid my fine via credit card and vowed to do a public service by warning you all. Its not the toll. I was prepared to pay it. Its all the added fines and threats, the head ache and hassel because these people decided to install cameras and send bills rather than install little machines we could pay as we went, like other tollbooths.

I know, I know, times are changing. Big brother wants us all tied to virtual banking. Makes me sick.

There, rant done, thanks for listening.

Video of Intersting Houses in Alaska

Just thought these creative housing variations would make a good video. Hope you like it.

Blue Skies Call For a Serious Hike in Alaska

With periods of blue skies on a day off, I just had to get some real hiking done.

Not that I planned on it. I had to mail a letter at the Post Office in Girdwood. Didn't take a pack or bear spray, just headed out on the bike trail.

 

It was so pretty, I soon found myself heading up Crow Creek Road. I knew three miles down, it intersected with several possibilities. There's very little foot traffic now. We're between Bike season and Ski season. The color is petering out, but there's still brilliant red berries all along the paths.

This bridge crosses Glacier Creek. You can access Crow Creek road from a block past the post office via the bridge instead of going down to the Highway. Much nicer.

 

The snow is coming....easing its way down our mountains. The skiing is paramount here and a huge ski swap is planned for this Saturday from noon to five at the day lodge.  Good way to get quality gear and recycle too.

I'm enthralled with the various living quarters here in Girdwood. Two busses provide housing as well. Notice the stove pipes coming from the roofs. These were busses were parked along the road I hiked.

Norm's Falls, right off the Iditarod Historic Trail. Various side trails beckoned. I started down a few, turned back when they got sketchy. There's a lot of moss and few footprint. I decided to come back another day because today I wasn't equipped for getting lost or meeting any wild creatures. In fact, I hadn't even brought my hiking poles!


I'm layered up: base tights, North Face pants with plenty of pockets. On top is a pull over turtle neck, a North face hoodie with pocket and a Campmoor jacket. I wore gloves and thermo socks, with high-top Gortex boots.

I've learned, spend money on good gear. It won't let you down and over the course of several years, you save money in the long run.
Still, I do like  my stuff to "match". Most of my stuff is basic black with bright colors as accents. This helps me look reasonable, no matter if I'm in town or on the trail, cause sometimes I just do both spontaneously without preplanning.

I saw two moose as I was hiking. The photo is sort of obscure. But, they gave me the evil eye, so the best I could get was this shot:

 

I know. I can't see him either!