I just thought that I would post once more before leaving Alaska. It has been three months since I've posted, but not for lack of material to talk about. We have had minimal internet service since moving out of Clover Pass Resort and into the woods. We have been staying in a beautiful spot, but it is in among dense forest, limiting our cell and internet. Oh well, better late than never.
I have had a bomber time here in Ketchikan. I got nearly my fill of fishing, biking and running. All have been great! I continued fishing throughout the summer and hooked up with several Cohos as well as more humpies than I think I could have counted. I even hooked a King Salmon in Ward Creek that proceeded to rip line off of my reel. I was fortunate to only lose my leader as my 5 weight rod strained from its weight. I'll have to say that he was the biggest adrenaline rush of the summer. Here is a nice Coho to whet your whistle. The king was easily twice this size!
I returned to swimming (and actually have progressed a lot) to get me prepped for my 2010 goal of racing triathlons. Triathlons were originally a goal for '09, but the lack of access to a pool and the abundance of fishing have kept my focus elsewhere. September's fishing slowed and the 30+ inches of rain were motivation enough to get into the pool. I'm up to a solid mile now and feeling much better about my stroke...yes!
The rain limited my cycling to the 3 days that it didn't pour, so I began upping the running mileage. I had been struggling to get two days per week in, but now I average 4 days. I posted an email with the local running club and have met some great people. Local runners Joel, Sue, Max, Greg and Bob made me feel welcome and even humored me and ran in Nowhere, AK 99901. Look at Bob's press release on an Anchorage Political Blog after our unofficial, Inaugural 10K run.
http://www.themudflats.net/2009/10/11/sarah-palin-makes-surprise-appearance-at-the-road-to-nowhere-run/
I have to especially thank Joel for being a great running partner. Joel was raised in Ketchikan, but has ties to Montana. He ran track and cross country with his older brother, is about the same age and physique and runs the same pace. He's an outdoorsman and father of three, and an all around great guy. He came out to run with me every Sunday and we had some epic trail runs here. Thanks Joel.
Susan and I did some awesome kayaking. We paddled out to small islands and beach combed for cool stuff. This summer's weather was awesome, while it lasted. We also went out some and found some great art to remind us of our time in Ketchikan.
So now we are off for California and I am so excited as the weather will be great, there are triathlon clubs, aquatic centers and weekly group rides. There are awesome restaurants and plenty of sights to see. I can see myself getting a golden tan and maybe even get back into racing form!
So thanks for reading and be on the lookout for some great posts!
E
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