Lost Lake Cabin (Dale Clemens Cabin)

Ron, the dogs, and I spent our extended Veterans' Day weekend at the Lost Lake/Dale Clemens Cabin. The trailhead is about 5 miles north of my favorite-so-far Alaskan city, Seward. We got off to a late start on Friday, which was my fault. The weekend destination was a surprise to Ron, so he didn't realize how long it would take to get to wherever it was I was taking him. We arrived at the trailhead at about 5 o'clock. November in Alaska is unforgiving - it was getting dark quickly! We started our short hike (about 2.5 miles) up the mountain towards the cabin with enough light to see the snow-covered trail. But about halfway up we both donned our headlamps. And then the trail disappeared. Whoops. We just kept going up and up and somehow stumbled almost directly into the cabin! In case you're ever in the same predicament, look for this:


The weather was spectacular. We hiked up a ways to get a better view of Resurrection Bay and Seward. Check out the views!!


A post-hike nap:

Meese!!

Allow me to introduce you to Meese nos. 81 and 82. This photo was taken right around the corner from my house this morning as I was on my way to the voting booth. By the way, you can double click the photo to bring up a larger version.

The eagle has landed...

How many people get to look out their office window to see a bald eagle perched on top of a tree? This guy is massive - when he flew away the few of us watching him stood there with our mouths open in awe. You wouldn't want to see this guy swooping down toward you!

Halloween Hullabaloo

Last Tuesday Jen and I decided to host a Halloween party at my house on Friday. With only 4 days notice Wrigley started to panic over his costume selection. He went through a gypsy phase, but once he realized that he actually resembled an old lady without teeth, he opted for the ever-popular male ballerina in a tu-tu.















Honestly, Wrigs often stands like a ballerina with his two front paws, so when I saw the skirt while shopping for my costume I couldn't pass it up. Once I put the skirt on Wrigley he seemed a little concerned that he'd be ridiculed by the other dogs (see the furrowed brow?), i.e. Dakota. Dakota had a cool vampire costume and would NEVER wear a tu-tu.






But, as you can see, Wrigley finally became comfortable in his costume and even took a liking to his new skirt and put on a little dancing show by the end of the night.

80 Meese + snow = Winter in Alaska

I took Wrigley for a run yesterday along the Chester Creek Trail. About 10 minutes into his run and my being pulled along behind him we rounded a corner and BAM! there was a bull moose (no. 80) blocking our path! He'd already lost the rack off his right side (so I didn't feel like I could tell him he has a nice rack, something I've been waiting to do for a long time), but still looked intimidating! Wrigley didn't notice Bullwinkle right away, but as soon as he did he clearly didn't know what to make of him. This was his first moose sighting - he's got a lot of catching up to do! Wrigs half growled and barked, and then started to pull on the leash as though he was going to show this moose who's boss, but then he decided he'd better sniff the leaves and behave like a dog instead. Eventually Bullwinkle moved out of our way and we were able to continue our little trot. Then today Wrigley experienced another first: snow. He seems to dig the snow and likes slipping around on icy patches while chasing a tennis ball. Wonder what tomorrow will bring...