Even Elvis Does It

THE place to be in Alaska for the 4th of July Holiday is Seward for the annual Mt. Marathon race. It is wildly popular for racers and fans. Some people dress up in crazy costumes for it. Every year they hold a lottery for the few open spots. I want to be in this race badly. I'm usually hitting peak fitness about then in preparation for sheep season. I just submitted my application so wish me luck! Here's a link to read more about it:

Practice Makes Perfect

"Now then, get your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me" - Genesis 27:3

Well if it's a command from God then it must not be ignored. I've been trying my best to honor him in this way. Here's a picture of my most recent worship session from 30 yards.

Easter

Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he does for his people! -Psalm 66:5

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of men, be crucified and on the third day raised again."- Luke 24:5-7

I don't know if there was anybody on top of Flattop (a popular day hike near Anchorage) that day 2000 years ago when Jesus defeated death, but if so I think this is what they might have seen.

Countdown to Opening Day

It's only 148 days until Sheep season officially opens here in Alaska. The only thing more fun than being on a sheep hunt is planning a sheep hunt. It takes a lot of work to narrow down a productive place to go. Every set of horns in the house is not only a testament to a lot of hard work in the field but also to hours of map study, phone calls, meetings, physical conditioning and other prep work. In reality it's a year-long process. After completing a successful hunt, it's only a few days before I'm thinking of next season. In this picture I'm on the phone with one of several hunting guides who work in an area I'm considering for this fall. Sheep hunters are typically very tight lipped with info, but if you keep on it, eventually you might get some clue. Gather enough clues and you can put the puzzle together. Not all hunters are as diligent as me and my partner are, but the ones who are routinely successful are.

Brushes with Fame #2 "Rosey"

Rosey Fletcher is a 3 time Olympic snowboarder from Girdwood, a sleepy little ski town about 45 minutes south of Anchorage which is home to more dogs than people. Crashes at both the '98 and '02 Games kept her from the podium, but she bounced back at the 2006 Games with a bronze medal, just narrowly missing out on gold. In 2001 she won both national and world championships. She's a very popular athlete here in Alaska.

Every day I go to work I park in the municipal parking garage a few blocks from the office. The traffic flow is counter intuitive at best. I was leaving the garage a week or so ago doing the normal continuous left turns when I came around the corner to meet Rosey pulling out of her spot to begin her own series of continuous left turns. We both came to an awkward stop. Who had right of way? This situation happens from time to time and a disproportionate number results in the other driver exhibiting some sort of displeasure toward me. Rosey gave me about the biggest smile I think she could muster and cheerfully waved me on. In that brief moment of encounter I sensed a sincere "niceness" about her and I instantly really liked her. Amazing how important those first impressions can be and the power of a genuine smile.

Brushes with Fame #1 "Sarah"

Alaska is all abuzz about its governor Sarah Palin. In her second year in office the 44 year old former Mayor of Wasilla and wildly popular politician recently announced she is over 7 months pregnant. Yes she had to tell us. Coupled with rumors of her potential (though unlikely) selection as John McCain's VP running mate have made her the number one water cooler topic in the state. Palin (or just Sarah as she is affectionately referred) is widely regarded as the "hottest" governor in the US. The San Fransisco Chronicle referred to her as "Alaska's young, hot, vogue-posing (yep, she posed for Vogue)female republican governor." Rush Limbaugh has referred to her on his radio show as a "babe." She's a former Miss Alaska. She's also a home-grown local girl who led Wasilla High to a state basketball championship many years ago. Her husband Todd, also known as Alaska's "first dude" races snowmachines for fun and recently came in 4th in the Iron dog, a 1000 mile race where speeds average over 100 MPH. He probably would have won if he hadn't crashed and had to finish the race with a broken arm.

Around the holidays I stepped into the elevator at my downtown office building and found myself with Sarah and one of her aides. She gave me a smile and a hello. She then resumed her in depth conversation with her aide about what?:
A) The Alaska gas-pipeline
B) Aerial predator control
C) The 5 billion dollar budget surplus
D) Baking pies

That's right. Ironic since she literally had one in the oven at that point.