annie wanted to do a 2-3 day hike
that didn't have much elevation gain,
and that had some pretty scenery.
so we picked johnson's pass,
a 23-mile hike on the kenai penninsula
that features two lakes mid-way through.
what the books did NOT tell us
was that during late july,
the trail is completely grown over
with things like 5 ft. tall devil's club (icky, scratchy, yuck)
and that it is inhabited by many hungry bears.
oh my.
we hiked the first 10 miles in record time,
thinking that, somewhere along the way,
it was bound to get better!
but the mosquitoes and overgrown ground-cover
didn't let up,
and we weren't encouraged to stop
until mile 20 or so,
when out of sheer exhaustion,
we threw our food in a tree,
took one last glance at one of the numerous piles of
steaming bear scat, and
planted ourselves in a mushy bog--
great for sleeping, actually. so soft...
(well, i slept, annie didn't, really.
i woke up sometime in the early morning to her
quick, whispered prayer that she wouldn't get eaten by either bugs or bear,
before launching herself into the bog for a speedy pee.).
highlights of the 23 miles were proclaiming
delirious poetry to the wilderness around us
("delirious poem #137: ode to the ptarmigan")
and getting to use the toilet in an open glen
(find wooden box. open lid, and find toilet lid.
open, sit, use while enjoying the scenery around you).
here and now, i am completely, with much verve (as annie would say),
UN-recommending johnson pass trail. just avoid it. really. take my word.
it's such an interesting question, in alaska, how to be a responsible consumer. commodities are often shipped thousands of miles before they end up in our homes and businesses. how to be a responsible eater, especially, remains a fascinating challenge. the average piece of produce travels over 3,000 miles to get to my plate here in anchorage! that's a LOT of energy used, to grow, harvest, transport, cool and store a floret of broccoli...the sitka local foods network, in sitka, ak, is a shining example of one grassroots (broccoli roots?) effort to "promote and encourage the use of locally grown, harvested and produced foods." (and they've got a great-looking recipe for broccoli pesto!) this summer, i'm learning more about our local farmers while growing my own tiny garden plot at the community gardens. and later this summer there will be berry picking and halibut fishing, too-- all in the quest for a more local and personal relationship with my food. :o)
in thanks for:
* hard work that pays off
* work that inspires me to play
* down time
* up time
* the days when life goes swimmingly on
* old friends
* being hugged by the sweetest children
* sunday southern dinner
* real flowers on the table
* things to look forward to
* running 8 miles without passing out
this week I get to sing and draw about trails with 5-12 year olds at goose lake park. it's been interesting, so far, and fun, and a great learning experience (for everyone!). our goal is to get a sound idea of what makes up the trail that we hike every day. toward that end, we do drawing exercises that help us see better; we think about maps and how trails are mapped (today we 'ran into' a parks planner on our hike, who just happened to be out measuring); we take copious notes about flora and fauna along the trail; and we are writing a song about our trail. shew! perhaps i planned a little too much for one week... and it's been tricky because it's a drop-in program and we never know how many or which kids will be there. i am envious of the artist who planned a full week of sand castles (what fun!! and so smart). tune in later to hear the great song that we are writing and will record on friday. i'll post it on my myspace when i can! 
natalie made granola
from a recipe that
she found in the ny times.
so, so good!
click HERE for the recipe.
i'm not big on things.
would rather expend time and energy
on music, friends, food and fun outdoor activities.
but, there are a few material goods
that make my life easier, healthier,
more comfortable
or more fun:
1. my new non-stick Green Pan: no crazy chemicals released into perfectly browned tofu = perfect :o)
2. high thread-count organic cotton sheets: so soft, last forever
3. chantal tea kettle that whistles cheerily
4. gap body black yoga pants, which i've worn about 3 times a week for the past year...
5. maybelline full 'n soft mascara: laura told me about this years ago (it's not the pink kind)
6. matrix sleek shampoo: natalie told me about this one. my little sisters are very product-savvy!
7. aveeno active moisturizing lotion with spf 15 for every day use: sunscreen! important, people.
8. old toyota cars and trucks, preferably stick shift: so stinking dependable, good gas mileage, fun to drive
9. this macbook: ah, my laptop... never crashes, extremely cool-looking
10. the handmade, beautiful art i've collected from friends and from travels
what material things add to your quality of life, and why?
arthur and i
biked and hiked
up to hidden lake
on wednesday.
everything's a bit hazy
from all the forest fires,
but still so, so very beautiful!
in thanks for...
1. long, sunny ferry rides
2. road trip dance breaks
3. crepes for dinner
4. happy sisters
5. being read aloud to
6. surviving the (7.93 mile) valdez "10K"
7. sleeping and waking up in a tent
8. scrabble games and french fries9. a new song
10. the huge generosity of friends
sister laura walked
the catwalk
at the berlin fashion week
last tuesday.
SO gorgeous,
as usual.
why don't we wear
flowers in our hair
more often?!
click pic to see more
(with text in german...).
baby sister natalie
just got accepted into U of L's
graduate school of education.
she's going to be
a special education teacher.
i am so, so proud!!
