Two Birds wait for an #alaskaferry

Yes, your read that right, no ferry service to Cordova and other communities in Alaska this winter.  On the State of Alaska website it shows the history of the Alaska Marine Highway.  The highway system that has provided necessary transportation to many parts of Alaska for people who live in Alaska, people who work seasonally in Alaska and people who choose to visit our beautiful state.   The Alaska Marine Highway System has worked since 1963, how is is possible that visionless leaders could ruin it?

The Alaska Marine Highway is a road that has received systematic funding cuts with the apparent purpose of ruining the entire system.  For many communities it has ruined the water road Alaskans have relied on to build businesses, fisheries, lives, families, communities and Alaska history.

Cordova and other communities in Alaska have not had 1 ferry since early fall.  Empty shelves at grocery stores, vehicles that need work at certified dealerships, people who cannot fly are all stranded in outlying communities.  Citizen safety, commerce, and whole communities are in peril.  The ferry system has always been a highway used by all Alaskans, not just the members of communities it connects, now it is broken.

It is shocking that the Alaska Marine Highway, a road system that has worked since 1963 could be sent to such ruin so quickly,  People who are short sighted, budget blunderers don't belong at the helm of our Alaskan Ship.  It is such a disappointment that our leaders have chosen to dismantle our water roadway and leave so many Alaskans without transportation, while proposing a state lottery and loans to pay billions in tax credits that do nothing to support citizens of Alaska. 

It would be nice if our state government would quit wasting time on short sighted silly projects like a lottery and got to work supporting the communities and people of the state of Alaska instead.

With the temps starting to drop below freezing at night, a whole new (literal) layer is added to hikes. If you get out before the sun melts off the evidence, the landscape is now covered in a beautiful coat of frost for at least part of the visible day. It is a gorgeous transitional time when leaves are still colorful and mushrooms are still dotting the landscape, still standing and frozen solid. The Reservoir Trail just down the head of Whitshed Road is a great place to see all of this firsthand. While not the original intention of my day's walk down the highway, I ended up wandering off-track into the meadows off the trail. While my Brooks running shoes were the perfect footwear for the road, they were pretty much immediately soaking wet after I waded into the muskeg. Had I mapped out a clearer plan for the day (as is advisable, especially if you aren't close to home) I would have opted for more waterproof footwear. I also thought at the time of wet feet about another option that is now carried by Cordova Gear, this being neoprene socks. While not completely waterproof, they are designed to keep your feet warm and comfortable even if you do submerge them. And as a thick extra layer, should you only accidentally submerge for a nano-second before yanking them out, they would likely up your chances of staying dry overall.

On the first day of spring, the conditions on Mt. Eyak are of the "choose your own adventure" type. Different conditions dictate different types of footwear depending on your personal adventure preferences. Assuming nobody really loves cold wet feet, waterproof footwear would be the one recommended constant. There is snow from base to summit, and that snow is saturated and soggy from recent rains. This also leads to shallow post-holing even on the normally hard-packed trail. So even if your footwear is waterproof, it won't be dry for long if you're getting snow packed down over the tops. Three ways to combat this: gaiters, higher boots, snowshoes. On some sections of the trail the snow has been washed off, leaving ice and slick sections of rock. If you prefer more of a controlled hiking experience to a slip-n-slide, this is a good time to try out different types of footwear traction. Microspikes are great for steep serious climbs, while Icebugs are a good all-around option that easily transition from the slopes to the streets below. Icebugs are also on sale now for end-of-the-season upgrades and next-season  pre-gaming. Stop by Cordova Gear to get squared away for your spring hiking needs. www.cordovagear.com

One of the best things about Spring in Alaska is the longer daylight hours.  It is a good priority to get outside everyday as the light and air and body movement make for a much better outlook both mentally and physically!  Tromping around on snow shoes is easy and the views around Cordova are exceptional.  This is one we love!

It didn't take long for our core temperatures to rise as we left the trailhead off Whitshed Rd. The late morning was gorgeous and sunny in the distance and far overhead, although most of the trail was still carpeted in morning chill and dampness. Near the top of the first ascent we came upon a spruce grouse in the middle of the trail who was happily loading up on calories, and in no hurry to get out of our way. After a brief standoff it eventually flew up into a neighboring tree and we continued past.  Once out of the trees the meadows were lit up with light and warmth and the sun sparkled glaringly bright off of the lake below. Not being avid frolfers (frisbee golfers?) we had our first look at the new course they have installed up there for that purpose. Seeming a little out of place, we spotted several of the apparatuses here and there, dotting the hillside at random intervals. The wilderness was still intact around them, and it seems like more than a good recommendation to wear waterproof footwear if tracking them all down. The moon was still large and high in the sky even though the day was progressing right along. We passed a fellow hiker coming up the trail with her dogs as we were leaving, and capped off the fun hike with a visit to Cordova's Little Bakery for brownies and maple bars. Sooooo good :)

Have you ever thought you needed a break?  Vacations come to mind......?  Mini vacations are as close as a short walk near you.  Just go, put on your shoes and your rain jacket if needed and get outside.  Find a quiet spot to walk for awhile, then stop, listen and look, then repeat!  Voila mini vacation recharge!  No travel required.  That is one of the reasons we all choose to live in or visit Cordova!  Our area offers FREE recharging for you, your body, your brain AND your electric car!

There is so much to do in beautiful Cordova, Alaska.  In fact there is so much to do it is hard to decide what to do next.  How about running a marathon?  Or maybe a half, 10 or 5K?  Or take a hike to Crater Lake.  Rent an ebike like one of our friends and his daughter, when he returned he said "It was the best day of my life!"  They rode over 20 miles exploring Cordova!

Once you have completed an outing, head over to the Salmon Jam and grab some chowder, check out the amazing arts and crafts and listen to some amazing music and at the same time support Cordova Arts the non profit that brings wonderful musical events, movies and more to Cordova.  Then if you are not already signed up 4H Music Camp will begin and there is still room to sign up!  Whatever you decide to do this week, have a wonderful time and start planning to join us again next year ..........  same time same place!

The Cordova Historical Society just published a new Copper River Highway Historical tour, you can get the brochure at the Museum inside the Cordova Center.  A great way to follow the tour is on a bike!    Call Cordova Gear at 907-424-5590 and reserve an e-bike, hybrid, mountain or fat bike.  Stop by the museum and pick up the tour brochure, then ride out the road while learning about the history!  Take a picnic and make a day of it!

Spring is taking it's time in coming this year.  The snow at higher elevations keeps adding up then dwindling again and again.  After a day or two of rain the mountains up higher look nicely coated, then the rain creates beautiful curvy rivulets in the white canvas the snow just created during the last downpour experienced at the harbor. 

The energy level is slowly ramping up and the feeling of anxiousness that fishermen are feeling must be very similar to what the fish are feeling as they begin to school up and prepare to shoot upstream as quickly as they can. 

This fish label below was designed by Susan Ogle a Cordova, Alaska artist. The beautiful salmon with the northern lights and stars create the perfect visual for the Northern Bright Wild Alaska Salmon brand.

If you have not checked out Ryan's blog at gomeansgo.org you should.  He offers his observations about gear, riding and some routes you might want to ride yourself soon.  Since Ryan first showed up in Cordova he has been all about bikes and biking.  His wealth of knowledge, great attitude and willingness to share is amazing!
http://gomeansgo.org/