Day 9, July 7th, Living in Girdwood, AK

Operation Fitness for Fear: Today we extended our run to almost 40 minutes. Admittedly some of that additional time was added on when we stopped at a port-a-potty mid-run for a quick pee break. I know, I know, that is too much information. But I mention it because it’s a prime example of how quirky Tess is. Due to her timid nature, she *will not* let me leave her outside in a scary new place. She had a wild panic attack the first time that I ever had to use a bathroom on a run and I left her outside. (This panic attack included barking and yelping so much that people thought I was beating her). I find this behavior a little odd since most people would certainly prefer to be left outside a port-a-potty rather than accompany me into it. However, Tess is unique; so today, like any other day, she had no issue jamming right into that thing with me. In a handicap port-a-potty, this isn’t really that annoying. However, in a standard size port-a-potty, it’s a little insane. But then again, that is Tess, a little crazy. She just sits there, squished up against the door, intently listening for any noises that might be coming from outside, while I precariously balance and try to pee while simultaneously trying to avoid touching anything in that place. I am sure it’s quite a sight.

We were also able to extend the length of our run a bit because, let’s face it: I am living at sea level. After living in CO for the past three years, running at sea level is making me feel invincible.

One other note on Operation FFF, today, while we were running, we smelled why Girdwood is fondly called Girdweed by some people. Yes. Today we caught a strong whiff of marijuana. Tess wanted to investigate it further. I indicated that there would be no stopping for ganja!

Random Observations and Thoughts: I can officially report that you should not spend your money on XM radio while living in Alaska. As I said before, I am glad that I had it installed for the drive, since it was incredibly reliable until I hit the Yukon Territory. However, I would say that it comes in about 15-25% of the time in the parts of Alaska that I have travelled in so far. Make a note of that, for next summer, when you are all packing up your cars to drive to Alaska!

A friend of mine just had an encounter with a black bear on the east coast. She was apparently bluff charged by the bear, and managed to remain calm, call the bear’s bluff, and avoid peeing in her pants during the encounter. I keep wondering how Tess will react if/when we run into a bear or moose. I figure she will either embrace her heritage, (Tess is a Plott hound and they are bred to be bear hunters) or she will embrace her true nature, and bark ferociously while simultaneously peeing and hiding behind my legs. Here’s hoping we never find out the answer to this question.

Today I went to work in the library like I normally do. Within about five minutes of my arrival, a woman came in and she was wearing some very nice smelling perfume. As soon as I realized how *aware* I was of her presence, I began to think that my current hermit lifestyle may not last. What can I say? I like nice smelling women, and I have certainly made lifestyle changes for them in the past!

The Anchorage Public Library still continues to amaze me with their non-standard library behavior. People eat in there all the time, and no one seems to have a problem with someone making excessive amounts of noise. Case in point, today a guy was asleep in a chair, head tilted all the way back, snoring as loudly as I have ever heard anyone snore, for over 30 minutes. All I can say is, thank goodness for my iPod.

I read a hysterical (to me) quote today. Lady Gaga (a pop singer) said it, and I will paraphrase it: “I make soulless electric pop, but when you are high on ecstasy, in a club at 2am, with a guy grinding up against you to my music, it feels like it has soul.”

The view on the drive home today was quite beautiful. The sky is actually pretty hazy due to some forest fires that are burning in the north, but that makes the light do interesting things. In addition to that, I drove home as the tide was almost completely out, so the entire bay looked more like a desert than a bay. I’m continually impressed by how much water comes in and out of the Turnagain Arm with the tides on a daily basis. At points, the water can be deep enough for beluga whales to swim in, and then just a few hours later, when the tide has receded, you can see birds, in the exact same spot, standing on thick, almost black, mud flats, searching for food. The black mud also takes on a glistening sheen when the sun hits it just right. I find it mesmerizing.

Wildlife/Unique to Alaska Sightings:
Special truck driving on train tracks: 1 (I always thought the truck on the train tracks was the best part of the train set)
Float Plane: 1
Wrecked Plane: 1 (Seriously, this thing was in pieces on a truck bed. Kind of creepy)
Para-surfers: 3

Our Adventure for the Day: Since I was really enjoying the view of the mudflats today, I opted to take Tess for a walk down by 20 mile river, which empties in to the bay. I tend to play it safe and avoid walking on the black mud whenever possible because it can be deadly. It is said that people have lost their lives wandering out onto that black mud, which can be like quicksand in places, getting stuck in it, and then drowning when the tide swept back in. So, for this obvious reason, we chose to walk on the drier, firmer ground to the right of the mud flats. This area was covered with tall grass and flowers. It still feels a little marshy, but the ground is much firmer and less likely to be covered by the tides. Ever since I hiked with friends in Denali a few years back, I have developed a love for hiking “off trail.” Today’s walk, although short, was off trail, and it was great. I just love stepping through tall grass, feeling it brush against your thighs, as you pick and choose the next spot to place your foot. After a while you find out with type of plant is more apt to be abrasive or cushioning, which color dirt is going to give way to a bog, or support you firmly. Of course, Tess loves this “off trail” time as much as I do. She tends to alternate between obsessively smelling everything, like a crazy vacuum cleaner running on its own, and bounding through the foliage, ecstatic about the new environment, too excited to even smell.

We found a few moose tracks; one was as big as my foot. Tess was not incredibly impressed by the moose tracks. Maybe it’s an acquired taste.

In addition, we encountered a few renegade mosquitoes. I did not have any OFF or Cutter on, just that Shoo Tag in my back pocket. I got 5 bites in about 20 minutes. My ruling on the Shoo Tag is still, “eh. It’s better than nothing, but it may also be nothing.”

At the halfway point in our walk, we stopped and took a series of pictures of the view around us, in a 360 degree format. Every time I turned a few degrees, there was another range of ridges, speckled with snow and brush. Some of the ridges were close by, and others were across the bay, with gleaming black mudflats between us. It was spectacular.

On our way back to the car, we saw two people, walking hand in hand in the tall grass. As I was pulling out of my parking spot, I saw them throw down a blanket, and a few moments later they were gone, completely hidden by the grass. I thought two things when I could no longer see them:
1) Aw, that is so romantic.
2) I hope they have more than a Shoo tag to protect them out there!