Go where there is no trail, and (attempt to) make your own...

My sister moved back to Alaska in June which has been amazing.  She is probably the most hard-core trail runner and talented athlete I know!  We just started running together because I hadn't been physically ready her 4 hour adventures in the mountains until lately.  I take that back.  I thought I was ready for an adventure with her, but this morning I realized very quickly this was not going to be your average trail run.

After dropping Gavin off with his grandparents, my sister and I drove up to Glen Alps trailhead and started our trek into a dark,  winter wonderland toward Williwaw Lakes.  The temperature was perfect, the city lights twinkled in the distance, and I was feeling great.

Anchorage in the distance

After a couple of miles on a snowy, but well-packed, trail, we steered off to a single-footprint led "trail" (not even). The snow was deep and covered roots, rocks, and streams.  I may or may not have stepped mid-calf deep into an icy-cold stream just 3 miles into our trek.  My toes were numb, my ankles chafed from snow scraping them as I plunged into the snow, but my fearless leader trudged forward!

Not even kidding.  Just another day in AK.

Luckily the views were incredible with tall mountains surrounding us, light snow falling, and a pink, glowing sunrise!

We're not alone... Lynx tracks guide us forward...

1 hour and 37 minutes into the run (uhhhh but who's counting?), we decided to turn around. My legs were cold, my stomach was growling, and I was mentally done.  Have you ever had one of those days?  Where you love being out and running but you're just over it? Yeah. That was me.  I've also decided trail running involves a lot more brain power than your average run.  Avoid that rock, don't trip on that stump, don't fall in the hole/stream/bushes... (all of which happened today at one point!) Gracefulness is not my strongest quality.  Then there's watching out for animals.  We saw just one moose in the distance and Lynx tracks, so that was good!

Winter bliss. Or torture. It's a tough call :)

We made it back to the car with a lot of mental cheerleading/convincing/bribery and I was pretty excited to take my frozen toes out of my frozen shoes.  All in all, 2 hours & 45 minutes that made me a stronger person!  And it also made me appreciate my amazing sister even more than I already do for pushing to go where there is no trail and trudge forward when you're mentally wiped! Oh and I might add, she barely looked tired after the entire day.  Seriously, she's a pro.

We got home and this little wiggleworm was pretty excited to see me.  

Upside-down cutie.

There's nothing better than this smile :)

Saturdays Are My Favorite

Yesterday was what feels like Jake's first day off in months! He has been working like a dog since we decided to move (and since hunting season is coming up!), so it was the first 24 hours we got to spend together in a long time!

Our day together started as it should: a nice 8-mile run. It was cloudy which meant it was the best run I've had in weeks. This week, Alaska officially broke the record for most consecutive days over 70 (and many days above 80!). It has been the hottest summer I can remember!  

This weather makes me realize am definitely an Alaskan girl. I can no longer run when the thermometer is above 65 degrees.  How did I ever run in San Diego?! 

After our run, we both scarfed down a big breakfast and proceeded to take a nap. Rough life we live, I know. :)

We showed the house in the afternoon (Wahoo! Wish us luck!) and went to an early dinner with my parents.  They are leaving in just a few short days to go back to their house in southern Utah. I am not happy about this. Luckily I get to see them in October & November!

We ate at my all-time favorite restaurant, Moose's Tooth. If you come to Alaska, don't leave without eating here. Actually, just come to Alaska to eat here. Best. Food. Ever. Don't just take my word for it, look at this menu.

We ended up getting the Greek Gyro & Amazing Apricot pizzas and one of my all time favorite salads, the buffalo chicken salad. 

We have leftovers in the fridge and I may have to sneak and eat it for breakfast before Jake wakes up. 

Our day finished with reruns of Friends on the couch. The perfect day. 

Always Zip Your Pockets.

One of my favorite running buddies in Alaska is my friend Riley.  She is up for anything and is a die-hard workout-aholic like someone else you might know...

Yesterday we decided to go on a trail run at a place called Powerline Pass.  360 degrees of mountains, blue skies, and beautiful summer sun. Once started along the path, we quickly realized that it was going to be a HOT run.  No shade + not even a touch of breeze + 75 degrees = sticky, sweaty mess. Apparently my "California-acclimatization" didn't last long.  That's okay though, we decided to cut the run a little bit short and turn back at 3 miles for a 6 mile loop.

Beautiful Alaska.

Fast forward to mile 4.5, I had to pee.  Thank goodness for small bladders because I also realized at that time that my car key was no longer in my pocket...

So, you can imagine the rest of the story.  We retraced last 1.5 mile, and of course, it was all the way back at the turn-around point.  How's that for an extra 3 mile motivation?  It worked out and we were both secretly glad I dropped the key for an extra workout.  And even more glad I found it :)

Home Sweet Alaska

Where have I been?

I apologize for neglecting the blog.  Isn't it funny how I found time to write daily when I was the busiest and most stressed I've ever been? Since I've been home, I feel like I needed to take the time to reestablish myself in my forever home!

Diego is adjusting to Alaska like a champ.

Even when it snowed.

Yes, it is almost June.  Yes, we did get over 4 inches of snow.  And yes... I did want to leave on the first flight back to Cali.  :)

I am also adjusting to being back in Alaska.  I'm not going to lie, it's been a challenge getting back into the groove, but I'm finally starting to feel a little bit more settled!

And Alaska finally decided to turn into Summer.  The trees have little buds on them, the sun is shining, and my thermometer hit 71! It's good to be home.

Time Flies...

I promise I didn't forget about you.  As it turns out... traveling, moving, and getting a new puppy keep one very busy!

The good news is that I am home in Alaska, Diego is doing GREAT, and it's supposed to snow today. Okay, that last part isn't good news, but I guess you can't have it all!  (P.S. Is it time to go back to Cali yet?) :)

I promise to do a full recap of my trip to Sonoma and the move later today!  Hope you're doing well!

Raindrops Falling On My Head...

Does anyone else LOVE the rain?  I don't know what it is, but the second I see raindrops on the ground  I can't help but smile!

Maybe it's the fact that if you live in Alaska, you have to learn to love it otherwise you'll be one unhappy person.  The summers in Alaska are usually either amazingly sunny and beautiful... or cloudy, rainy, and cold.  I guess I should edit my statement above... that is the one situation where I don't love rain.  Rain for 3 months straight is not my favorite.  Alaska Weather Man? If you're listening, please forget I said that and bring on the SUN!  I have some serious camping/hiking/fishing/running/BBQ-ing to do this summer.

Backpacking adventures...

Fishing on the Kenai River with my bestie 3 years ago!

I took yesterday off from running, so this morning I woke up ready to hit the pavement.  I looked out my window and saw soaked trees and puddles on the pavement -  the PERFECT running weather!  You may think I'm kidding, but running in the rain is my absolute favorite.  I like to think it washes away all the "yuck" from your life (and by "yuck" I mean studying for board exams!). Amazing.

The rest of my day was spent at Starbucks doing what I do best... drinking decaf coffee and studying. I had a tough time staying focused today for some reason. I kept getting distracted from dogs passing by the window, people laughing and enjoying a friendly conversation, and free samples of cranberry muffins/frappucinos/FULL SIZE chocolate chip cookies.

And if you want me to tell you which Starbucks gives away all the freebies, the answer is no.  I love to share, but all this studying requires sustenance and I love free food!  :)  The longer this studying routine goes on, the crazier I am going to get.  Luckily I can see the light at the end of this long tunnel!

On a side note, ONE week from tomorrow, I will be seeing my HUBBY!  It has been 13 weeks, 4 days since I saw his cute face!  I can't believe we did it.  Longest 2 years apart in history.

The last time we were together in Mexico!

I'm also getting very excited to go to Boston and see all of my relatives that I haven't seen in over 4 years.  Should be a great trip!  To all of you who are running Boston, I hope to see you there! Just look for the 20-something year old female runner, you should have no trouble finding me... ;)

Last random note of the day... in ONE MONTH from today, yours truly will be walking across the stage at Stanford to receive her diploma!  YIPPEE!

Home for the Holidays

A few weeks late, but better late than never!

There is no place like home.  Especially if your home is in a place with 4 hours of daylight and temperatures that don't go above zero.  Nahh... it wasn't so bad.  Although I definitely forgot how much of a production it is when you leave the house:

Warm up the car for 20 minutes, check!
Long underwear, check!
Down coat, check!
Down skirt, check!
Wool socks, check!
Hat, gloves, scarf... check, check, check!

Although I was horrendously sick while I was home, we were still able to fit in many dinners, drinks, and parties with friends and family.  I don't think I had a spare minute to relax the entire 10 days I was home.  It was well worth it to see many of the friends that I haven't seen in over 9 months!  Did I mention I'm excited to graduate yet?

Dinner with Riley and Max!

Best sweaters ever.

Cheesy smiles!

Such great friends!

Jake had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day :(, but I was lucky enough to have his family to celebrate with.  I even got a surprise visitor at Jake's parents house on Christmas Eve!

My Christmas Eve visitor!

It's a Christmas Miracle! :)

On Christmas day, I made homemade Cinnamon rolls for Jake's station and brought them over.  I spent the morning there with Jake and got to experience the "tough" working conditions that firefighters have. (Fully stocked kitchen with free food, fully equipped gym, TV room, movie room (with theatre seating & popcorn machine), and best of all, a pole to slide down!) I think I chose the wrong line of work.

Beautiful Christmas morning 

Merry Christmas at the Fire Station!

Yes, there is a fire pole!

What to do on Christmas at a fire station? Play pictionary, of course! 

I don't think they have enough sweets.

Clearly, they don't think so either.

Snowy, white Christmas!

All in all, it was a great vacation home!  I am counting down the days until I am home for GOOD!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Happy (Belated) Holidays!

Cold, Dark and Snowy Alaska!

Has it really been two weeks since I've written?  It feels like just yesterday!  So much to update.

1.) Finals week - In two words? No fun. The week started off with a BANG with a wonderful 4 hour practice board exam. It made me realize just how much more I need to learn before taking the real thing in 5 months.  Luckily I didn't do too horribly, so in 5 months I should be ready to ROCK!

Aside from the classes and testing, I had a great time with my classmates.  It is so nice to be able to vent talk about all of the good, bad, and ugly that make going to PA school such a wild ride.  No one will ever understand it quite like my fellow PCAP'ers!  After our last final on Thursday, we had our second annual (and final :( ) Christmas Party.  Last year was "Ugly Christmas Sweater" theme, and this year was "Your Favorite Holiday" theme.  Unless there is a nation jeans & sweater day, I didn't quite get as creative this year.  But regardless, a great time (with Champagne!) was had by all :)

Cheers to officially being in our LAST quarter of PA School! 

Love my class!

Costume Contest Winners

Early morning hike in the San Carlos Hills!

Deer!

2.) HOME - I arrived home on Friday night into a cold, dark wintery wonderland.  12 days of negative degree weather, 4 hours of daylight, frosty trees, snowy roads, down coats, big fluffy scarves, and excuses to have hot cocoa every day. What's not to look forward to!!  Well... the negative degree weather and lack of daylight I could do without, but it truly does feel like Christmas now. As much as I love Palm Trees, they were not made to be decorated with Christmas lights.  :)

Baby, it's FREEZING outside.

Jake and I have been busy since the second I got home, but you'll be happy to know that I haven't opened a single textbook in 4 days.  Probably a record.  Instead, it's been Kaladi Brothers coffee stops 4x daily, dinner and drinks with friends, awesome workouts at the Alaska Club (local Gym), Christmas shopping, and doing my best to stay as warm as possible (although I feel like an Ice Cube all day every day).  Oh Alaska, how you never fail to freeze me. Jake had to work Saturday and yesterday, and will have to work quite a bit while I'm home, but it has given me time to catch up on girlfriend time and somehow finding Christmas presents for the man who is impossible to buy for. (Unless it's a lifetime supply of Tacos, guns, or fancy tools. All of which are not in a Grad Students budget.) Luckily in 9 days from now, Jake and I will be sitting on a plane heading to Mexico for a much needed vacation together!  Cannot wait.

Christmas Concert!

 Jake must like me or something. I think I have my work cut out for me.  

3.) Grandma Update - To fill you in if you weren't aware... My Grandma fell and fractured her hip when she was visiting me in San Diego last month.  She had a hip replacement and is staying in a care facility until she is strong enough to fly to Utah.  She was doing extremely well and progressing each day, but on Friday she was starting to have more pain and difficulty weightbearing. They took an x-ray and discovered she has a stress fracture below the new metal joint.  :(  So... prayers are needed once again! It looks like she probably won't be going home tomorrow, but they are going to see the Ortho Surgeon today so hopefully he will have some good news.  I know both she and my Dad are ready to go back to Utah!  My Mom will be flying back out there if they don't go home tomorrow.  I wish I could be there to relieve my Dad and support my Grandma!  Hopefully she will heal quickly and be back on the road to recovery in no time.

4.) Strep Throat Update - Wait, what?  So one thing you may not know about me is that I never get sick.  It has literally been 4.5 years since the last time I had a sore throat or cough.  I feel lucky that my immune system takes such good care of me. Apparently... I've been a little overworked and under-rested the past few weeks because my body decided to quit on me.  I find it amazing that could see 10+ sick patients a day with the flu, rhinovirus (common cold), strep, mono, scarlet fever, and every other imaginable sickness - all without ever getting sick.  But flying for 6 hours to AK and I come down with the worst case of strep I've ever had.  I can't understand it either.  So my throat feels like it's coated in broken glass, my ears feel as if they are going to explode, and if anyone gets near my lymph nodes in my neck... they will likely get high-fived in the face.  It's pretty awesome.  Hopefully I get better quickly, because every minute of the next 9 days are mapped out with fun Alaskan adventures that do not include lying in a bed and eating jello/ice chips.

Moose and Strep are not related,
except that he made me get off the cozy couch to see who was banging on the house! 

Hope all is well! I promise to not take 2 more weeks to write :)