The Glaciers in Nevada - who knew?

I didn't know there were glaciers in NV.

These bristlecone pines are apparently 1500-2500 years old! The climate above 10,000' elevation is pretty harsh. After a bristlecone dies, it still takes hundreds of years to rot away. My kind of tree.

Sand dunes of Idaho

I think Idaho, I think western mountains and vanilla scented ponderosa pine forests. I managed to find sand dunes.

Yuppie bike ride in NV

Driving my little Honda for 10 or 12 hours a day (that's 9-13 in metric) is not conducive to getting in good bike rides or much running. However, when I see a sign at 6800' elevation that says "8% grade next 10 miles", I pull my car over, take the bike off the roof and suffer. Beautiful views, tough climbing at elevation after being at sea level for most of the summer.

If you are on a road and it has a steady 6% grade, you will see truck warnings and maybe brake failure bailouts. 8% is steeper and it kicked my ass.

Glacier Hwy, BC

Exit Alaska. Take a right and head south.

These pics are from the east side of the mountain chain that runs by Valdez. This is when you start to question driving thousands of miles to the desert for a job.

I love BC

BC has a lot to like. This summer they even had an abundance of sun.

I found lakes and ponds to camp near - all to myself, no traffic, no people, just me and the moose.

Long Way to Phoenix...Back Online

My contract in Alaska was ending...I got a full time job offer doing solar work in Phoenix and decided I should take the opportunity. (Beautiful state, not a big fan of Phoenix - we'll see how it works) 4100 miles I arrive to > 100F (~38C). Holy cow - it is hot every day and all night long. No cool down in Sprawl-o-topia. The heat and the sun are completely kicking my ass.

More on Phoenix later, let's get caught up. It is a loooong drive from Anchorage to Phoenix.

Yukon Territories in August....

Oncoming Winter

Having grown up in the lower 48, when I think of life in the Arctic, I wonder whether I could survive and thrive in winter that cold and dark. When I was talking to people in Anaktuvuk Pass, especially the younger people, they feel cooped up in town in the summer. The terrain is too rugged to get way out on a 4 wheeler and live large. It's small and remote and feels isolated in the summer.

But you see their eyes light up when they talk about getting through the summer and looking forward to the oncoming winter. The cold opens up the world to them, and travel is easier on the snow and frozen rivers. Winter is the time when world blossoms here. Time to play and explore and hunt.

Winter is the time when you get to travel and see relatives.

I have read similar accounts of Arctic life. Summer is something you get through. Winter is when you come alive. Unfortunately my contract here ends soon, and I won’t likely be seeing winter here this year. But maybe next year.

I was talking to the students in Anaktuvuk Pass about cold temperature impact on solar panels. Cold, sunny days improve the amount of electricity you generate. I mentioned -20C because it is a common number for manufacturers to use.

Ben, one of the students chimed in, "-20 is nothing here. You bundle up for -40 or -50 though."