My First 5k!!

Yes, it is true. I actually ran a 5K! The event is called Only Fools Run at Midnight and is sponsored through Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. It started at 12 am on June 27. It is a fundraiser supporting mobility and independent living for people with disabilities. There was so much excitement and tons of people came to join in the fun. I ran it with Justin and our time ended up being 35 minutes, but we actually ran for 30. I had to take a bathroom break in the middle. Hannah knows very well how I always run into that kind of trouble on a run :) I have to say, I almost gave up. 3.1 miles is hard stuff when you haven't run in three months. But Justin was a good sport and helped me make it in. I full on almost passed out and vomited at the same time, but I managed to keep my head on my shoulders. I feel much more motivated about running now that I've finished this important stepping point, but I'll have to do a few more 5Ks before I'm even close to ready for a half marathon. All in due time.

The Bike Incident

Once upon a time Uncle D let us borrow his bike. It was a nice yellow Raleigh. Curt, being the gentleman he is, insisted I rode the nice bike while he endured the crappy purple one. On a Saturday night, we left the bikes at work, tucked away in a little alley. Of course, the yellow was hidden by the purple so we thought it would be fine. It wasn't. Some turd removed the purple bike to steal the yellow one. Seriously people? I've been praying for about two weeks that we would find this bike. I was about to give up when Curt called me saying that he had talked to the police and we were in luck. They had a yellow Raleigh. WE FOUND THE BIKE!!! Unfortunately, the person who stole it took the bike seat and broke three spokes. I was ok with that however, because that took the cost from paying $500 for a new bike, to $100 in repairs, which Curt split with me. Thank goodness that bike was found! I'm so grateful to Curt for taking the initiative and calling the police. The lesson I learned is that no matter how small a town might be, you can never be too careful.

Not Your Average Dinner and a Movie

It was a typical Friday. Work, cloudy skies, young women's activity, an "undate" planned... No worries. The day stopped being typical when Josh and I went to Ludvig's Bistro. The restaurant only has ten or so tables which are close enough together that you could lean over to take a bite off your neighbor's plate and it would hardly be noticed. The atmosphere is a mix between Turkish, and the 70s. They actually had rugs draped along the ceiling. It's a great little place and the food is DELICIOUS! I had my first real experience with crab, and I must say, I have been missing out my entire life. It was pricey, but worth it.

After dinner we had some time to kill before our movie so we decided to go walk on the beach. As we started making our way towards the sand, i saw a fish plant that I wanted to check out. The fact that it was closed for the night and the gate was locked only made it more of an adventure. My excuse was that my grandma had broken into a cemetery the same way so it was ok. (I do recognize that it's not actually the same at all and I really was breaking the law). We had seen most of everything when I heard something behind us. There, emerging for the building was a woman and two rather vicious looking dogs. After demanding to know what we were doing, she called the cops. We were hauled off and ended up spending the night in jail. It was cold and the food was horrible! But my cell mate was pretty nice, if you consider a crazy lady with tatoos of sharks and bears nice. Come now, did you actually believe me? The lady who discovered us in the fish plant was really nice and asked us to leave for liability reasons, which we did peacefully.

Josh was shocked by my brazen and daring ways. He exclaimed that he had never done anything so illegal in his life, and what would his mother say? I know that deep down (or not so deep down) he enjoyed it.

Next on the agenda was starfishing. Again, this was my idea. I led the way to a rocky outcropping where I proceeded to roll up my pant legs while standing on a precarious ledge. Josh just stared at me with wide eyes and told me that he would try to save me when I fell in. If he could stop laughing of course. I told him he was free to laugh as long as I didn't drown. Eventually he took pity on me as I waded in up to my ankles while trying to hold on to any small hand holds I could find. He grabbed my hand and lowered me to the water. I had a grip on a large, purple starfish, but he was to much of a fatty (the star, not Josh) and I could not pry it off the rock. We left it for another day and went to the movie instead.

Prince of Persia was produced by Disney and I was expecting it to be lame, regardless how everyone had raved about it. However, I really enjoyed it and thought it was done well.

So that was my Friday. it was fun to be myself and really let go. I still love Sitka and I'm still determined to make every day an adventure.

New Address

My new mailing address is 720 B Sirstad, Sitka AK 99835

Russian Dancers

Sitka has a lot of Russian influence because it was the capitol of Russia-America. One really fun thing to see is the Russian Dancers. They perform cultural dances that tell a story from the old country. I'm glad I got to see them perform this summer, and I am kind of disappointed that I won't be staying in Sitka longer so I can't be part of it. But it was fun to watch regardless. The entire company consists of women, four of which are in my ward. It was like a ward party to see them dancing on the stage.

Moving, Oh Boy

After hiking Verstovia we came home to a frantic household. The Albee were moving to Anchorage and needed to finish getting everything out of their house. So we helped. And then I moved into my new place and started unpacking. And it was crazy busy. Five minutes after I got everything in my new apartment I was picked up to go to dinner with some friends from church. The funny story is: Annette and Jeremy were set up by a mutual friend, Kim Call. Her younger brother Tom Call is one of my friends from school and life guarding. Skipper Call is also a friend through the pool. Guess who is up here? Their aunt, Camielle Call. Funny? I think so. Because Camielle and I have the same name, we obviously became fast friends. Anyway, we went to her house for dinner and some games. Afterwords I had a work meeting, then I came home to more dinner and family home evening. I didn't get to shower after my disgusting day until almost midnight. Gross!! This was probably the most eventful day of my stay.

Verstovia

SNOW! I must be in Alaska!

Again with the hiking. Verstovia is a trail that takes about an hour and a half and is only 2550 feet in elevation. However, it is technical and you are basically climbing stairs made of logs, rocks and tree roots the entire time. This trail is not for the weak in heart. Neeley, Curt, Justin and I decided this would be a fun journey. And it was. It was also death on a stick.

Fortunately, Neeley brought bagels, peanut butter and jelly to make sandwiches when we got to the top. All I can say is that the view is worth the trip and it is an incredible hike.

This is the entire town of Sitka

This is also the trail that leads up Arrowhead, which is another hour and a half beyond where Verstovia ends. We didn't do Arrowhead due to the facts that a) there is still snow on the ground and b) I'm ridiculously out of hiking shape. That is our goal hike for later in the summer.

Life With the Albees

This is not the first time I was covered with frosting. They love to play. Enough said.

Mosquito Cove Trail

Here in "The Last Frontier", we have many hiking options. Last Saturday Justin and I decided to do the Mosquito Cove Trail. It's only about a mile and a half and super easy. We walked it with his dog Bob, who is part German Shepard and part Rottweiler, but you'd never know by the way he acts.

It was a really nice adventure and I learned a lot about the local botany. One plant I learned about is called Devil's Club. It is spiny and the thorns actually cause your muscles and joints to stiffen up. The interesting thing is the inside of the plant is a muscle relaxant and people use it all the time in place of the icy-hot gel.


I also learned about Indian Celery which makes white people break out in a gnarly rash that itches near unbearably (I do not know this from personal experience). We didn't see any bears, which is a good thing, but we did see crab shells. Crabs shed their shells, leaving behind their lungs as they grow into a new and larger shell.

After Mosquito Cove we started another jaunt. This one is called the Starrigavin Trail and surrounds an estuary where bears are frequently spotted. Again, no bears. There is a campground right by this trail where a fresh water "well" is located. You can literally drink from this faucet with no worries. The water isn't purified because it is already so clean up here.