We’ve been having incredible weather here. Days and days of sunshine (rare in Alaska), warm temps (again, rare in Alaska) and daylight stretching toward midnight.
How can a person possibly stay indoors and write?
Well, this person can’t.
I’ve had four days off from work and crammed in so much outdoor time that I’m almost giddy from it all.
Friday, we hung out at the beach, which was empty; we practically had the place to ourselves. We sat in the sand, soaked up the sun, and we talked and read and dozed and really, I don’t know where the time went but when we looked up, three and a half hours had passed.
Saturday was my birthday and I had signed up to run a half-marathon. How cool is it that there was a race on my birthday, eh? I woke to a hideous headache and almost didn’t run. I decided at the last minute to go for it, threw on my clothes and got to that start five minutes before the gun went off.
My partner, who is faster, stayed with me the whole race, which almost made me cry, that he gave up his race for me. My time wasn’t as awful as expected, I won third in my age group and if I hadn’t of had to stop for over a minute for a moose in the trail, I would have had a course PR.
The cool thing, though, is that as I passed one woman she asked my name and then said, “Oh, you’re the author. I read your book. I loved it.”
That totally made the race, I swear. What are the chances, eh?
After the race, we took the dog to the lake and then stopped and bought this:
Our own personal wading pool. It is SO neat. We can sit and read our books in the sun, dunk our feet and stay cool. We actually bought it for the dog but she refuses to go in, though she’ll jump in any type of smelly water we pass while running or hiking. (I know, I know: Those of you who live in the Lower 48 and are used to normal and hot summers, having a wading or swimming pool is no big deal. Here in Alaska, it’s kind of a blessing.)
And talking of hiking, last night we hit the Middle Fork Trail, one of my favorites. My partner and I both agreed (and Seriously, too) that even though Alaska can be a hard place, an obstinate place, a cold and ornery place, we are damned lucky, and grateful, to live here.
Cinthia Ritchie 
Looks pretty. I was expecting a bunch of snowy pictures.
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Ha, ha, I keep low on the trails to avoid the snow-that-refuses-to-melt-even-in-early-summer. Thanks for stopping by, and hope you’re having an equally awesome summer.
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I am. Cheers. It looks like good camping sites up there.
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Congratulations! You are a rockstar runner, as well as a writer!!! So, what was the temperature at the beach? The air, not the water.
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I’m kind of a running junkie, Luanne. Some days it’s all I want to talk about. My partner is also a runner but isn’t obsessed, and I kind of drive him crazy. Anyway, air temp at the beach was probably in the mid-60s. It hit the 70s in areas away from the water. It was quite glorious. Hope you had a great holiday weekend. I’ll bet it’s getting hot down there. P.S. Did I tell you that we’ve rented a place in Tucson for three months next winter? Hope we can get together for a nice walk sometime. You can identify all of the spindly plants for me. Cheers,
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Woot! You can come to Phoenix and visit me :)! You’re right that it’s getting hot, but still very comfortable. I am trying to prepare myself mentally for what is coming. No way to prepare myself physically heh.
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A birthday race and someone knowing your book — all in one day! Priceless… Happy B’Day!
We bought a wading pool for our dog too, and he won’t get in either. He’ll cool his belly in algae-caked ditch water, but he won’t use his nice kiddie pool. What’s with these guys?
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Thanks, Kev! It’s so odd that our dogs don’t like wading pools, isn’t it? Seriously acts downright offended when we try to urge her to get in. I’m wondering if she sees it as a large water dish and thinks: “What? They want me to step inside my water bowl? Stupid humans.”
P.S. I owe you a blog post but, you know, sunshine, nice weather–it’s difficult to stay inside. But don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten.
P.S.S. Hope you’re having a smashing good week.
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No worries on the post, Cin. Take your time and enjoy Alaskan summer. Or write about that for What The Hell!
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Happy Global Running Day! Congrats on the race. I started running again recently and there are no half marathons (or races of any kind!) in my future!
Great photos. Glad your weather is so good. I’d be making the most of it too! It’s been chilly (for us) and gray here – and I love it! I know it will be hot hot hot soon enough, so enjoying the cool weather while we have it!
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Hee, hee, it’s funny how we value the weather we don’t usually get, isn’t it? Enjoy the clouds and the chill. And it’s great that you’re running again. It’s pretty addictive, isn’t it? Do you run with Rita? I take Seriously on cloudy and chilly days (lol) but on warmer days the poor dear lags after about five miles. Plus she keeps rolling in poop, don’t know why. It makes for a very stinky drive home. Cheers and have an awesome week.
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I do take Rita sometimes, but like Seriously she doesn’t like the hot weather. She’s not the greatest runner anyway! I’m constantly turning back to her saying “come on! Let’s go! Run!” She trots along at a little behind me going “I preferred it when we just walked.”
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What a great day, Cinthia! Seriously enjoyed it too. Thanks for the great photos.
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Oops, forgot to say Happy Birthday!
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Thanks, Carla! I tried to ignore my birthday but it crept up on me nevertheless, lol. It’s scary how fast time passes as I get older. When I was a kid a day took forever. Now weeks fly by without barely a glance. Still, it’s all good. Hope you’re feeling better and looking forward to a great weekend. Cheers and hugs.
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