Sunset; Arctic Valley Intro to the big AK

"Are we there yet, is this even a trail, gosh, its pretty." (-Maggi)

"i can see your house from here" (-Maggi)

Nice.

"yeah; we live here" (-Sam, Gretchen, Jasper, & Jack)

After Church Stroll to Eagle/Symphony Lakes

We decided to show Maggi and Travis the trails just behind our house; so we took a quick drive to the South Fork Eagle River trailhead Moose and two newly born calves drinking some mothers milk, probably less than a week old.

Jasper doing his best golden retriever impression.

Approaching the lakes, view looking north west back towards Eagle River.

Maggi & Travis, Eagle Lake and Cantata Peak in the background.

Jack trying to see if his tongue can touch the ground.

The whole gang, Triangle Peak in the background

Samuel & Gretchen, Eagle Peak towering in the background

Crow Pass Day Hike

If I had a top ten list of great hikes within driving distance of Anchorage, the Crow Pass Trail would be in the top five.

Happy Dogs, Happy Hikers, good day had by all

Just below the pass

Good lookin' dog faces

Jasper

Jack

Lunch at the pass

Infamous Crow Pass sign with Raven Glacier in the background

2x Chamberlain siblings

dogs luvin' life

Paddle Day at Passage Canal

Maggi wanted to do something uniquely Alaska, so I said why not go out for a day of paddling around Passage Canal, Whittier Alaska.
Overcast, temp's in the 50's, and drizzly rain, that's business as usual for the Prince William Sound.

Matt and Meg attempting a rocky beach landing

Maggi rocking Gretchens brand new cordura dry suit, and she asks, why is everyone else shivering, I'm sweating underneath?!

Extra tuff's and Alaskan Amber

Dude, your paddle is upside down, uhm, no its not, uhm, yes it is......

Playing in the rookery waterfalls

Thank you Prince William Sound Kayak Center for the awesome double sea kayaks!!!

Pizza and Beers at the Chair 5 in Girdwood

April 18th - Champagne Brunch!!!

Third weekend of April, time for the Champagne Brunch. Sponsored by the Nordic Ski Patrol Club; folks come from all over, skin about 45 minutes up from the Hatchers Pass parking lot to the large "amphitheater" between the north side of Marmot and the South side of Microdot.

We crafted this fine table out of snow, complete with bench seat all the way around.

In between crushing beers we did a couple laps in the fresh powder.

Matt ripping in his red tuxedo frill shirt!

Marc ripping it up in his ACU vest and bow tie!!!

Back to the party for some snacks and beers!!! Rockin the dress shirt and tie.

Time for round two!!!

Gretchen visualizing her turns!

All in all a great day hanging out in the back country. A quick midday snow storm burned off to more sunshine and blue skies!

Friday, April 17th; Tincan

It's Friday, so why not go skiing at Turnagain Pass?

Gretchen's first time on Tincan!!!
Those tree's look a whole lot bigger up close...

Partly cloudy day with sun shine at first turned to very overcast and dark clouds moving in.

Jack enjoying the panorama of the pass

Gretchen ripping up the sick gnar gnar thru the tree's of tincan!!!

Oh yeah...

Good day, almost come to an end

We finished the day out with some live music, fresh beer, and good food at Maxine's in Girdwood.