Winter has arrived

Recently we've gotten a lot of snow, followed by cold, sunny days with enormous winds.  This entire week we have a High Wing Warning with gusts up to 90 mph downtown!  Some ferries have had to cancel trips and the Port of Valdez has been closed for days.  We made a trip back to the east coast for a week to go to Brooke's wedding and visit Hillary's family in Maine.  Stout was in good hands with Pat, Jackie, and their own dog Barley.

Wind gusts (knots) at the Douglas boat harbor the past 5 days

Windy cloudy snowy day on North Douglas

Taking off from Juneau on the way back east

Looking back towards the valley from the plane.  It was clear but the winds were so high the blowing snow made the mtns difficult to see

Tracy Arm

Doty Cove (Admiralty Island), Stephens Passage, Gastineau Channel, and Taku Inlet with the Juneau Icefield in the distance

Preparing to knock out some k's on the country skis at Sugarloaf

Outside the lodge at Sugarloaf

Picture break

Skate skiing at Rangeley (Saddleback Mtn)

Sunset over Rangeley Lake, Maine

Dog sitting back in Douglas.  Stout watches the wind from his luxurious perch.

On the Treadwell Trail.  Last weekend we decided it would be a good idea to nordic ski from Eaglecrest back to the house on the Treadwell ditch trail.  Probably about 9 miles or so.  The trail is filled with washed out bridges over big ravines, downed trees, and deep snow that hasn't been traveled on for a long while.  Also, 50 mph winds in places and a high temp around 15F.  So it was slow going.  After lots of food and trail breaking we made it home (6-7 hours later).

One of the many log crossings

A lookout in one of the muskegs

He was pretty tired after his long day.  Speaking of long days we are getting 5-6 mins back a day now!  I've been skiing after work and it is still light out past 6p already!  The King salmon will be here in no time.