Bob Seger

One of Bob Seger`s songs could have been written as my theme song – “Against the Wind” as much of my life has been spent not going with the flow. Hmmm. Maybe I should get a tattoo of a salmon swimming upstream because that was exactly how it felt yesterday as I pedaled 5-7mph against the wind. Today, being the 26th of July (my son Jonathon’s birthday 🙂 ) leaves me four days until my departure from the Whittier, AK port. I had to face the fact that there is no physical way I could go another 225 miles to Soldatna and back up to Whitter in 4 days. There went my plan of catching some sockeye salmon, having it smoked, enjoying it on my journey and sending some back to my kids.

But with every door that closes, another opens. How many times have you heard that phrase? Well, it’s true. I made it to a little town named Girdwood where I enjoyed an amazing gas station Subway sandwich. Yes, when you are hungry and the smell of your own armpits are starting to offend you, everything is delicious, even the pre-packaged pastries that have a 100 year shelf life.

Speaking of armpits, at that point I thought it would be a good idea to take a shower. Having cell phone reception, I was able to see what my options were in this town. As I discovered, this town is at the base of Alyeska Mountain, a small ski resort. What a wonderful discovery! … if I was on a snowboarding excursion. Ski resorts also mean expensive lodging. But wait! A hostel? That sounded like a place I would have the opportunity to meet fellow travelers from all over the world and actually interact with them, not just isolate myself in a hotel room as I always had in the past.

The hostel is a couple of miles up the road from the gas station and looks like a typical mountain cabin. The layout is perfect. There is a room with bunks and another with bunks that is rented as a complete room for families. There is a separate self-contained small cabin, but that was taken already. My option was… which bunk should I pick?! The grounds are nice with flowers blooming and some growing on top of the separate cabin. There are two shared full bathrooms and a common area with couches and large windows which give me a view of snowcapped mountains. Not too bad for $25 per night! Tomorrow I will write more about my fellow hostel occupants. Today, I will explore this town and go gold mining!

I have to share some beautiful artwork I came upon yesterday at the Turnagain Gallery and Gift Shop along the highway. This shop is owned by the Anderson family, the beautiful cabin built by Greg Anderson and the amazing wood carvings and craftsmanship done by his son Jordan (www.jordancarving.com).

I’m not sure who took the magnificent photos printed on metal, but they are spectacular shots!

And so I’m off to pan for gold, explore Girdwood, read, write and photograph the beauty around me! Once again, thank you for following me on my adventure. 🙂