The Jordans- Cherish, Sean, Autumn and Emelia

Sean's cousin, Adam, invited Sean to participate in a kayak "race." The plan was to meet a Jim Creek and run the Knik River down to Reflections Lake bridge. Emelia and I played shuttle, Sean raced and Autumn went to a friends birthday/going away party. We weren't really sure about the weather, but when we arrived at Jim Creek, it was beautiful. This is pioneer ridge, which I have been itching, itching to hike. I am hoping to cross it off my wish list this summer. There were 15 participants by my count. Sean's touring boat. The water didn't look like it was moving too swiftly. Lots of families down there. Finally, off they go. Adam is in the canoe, Sean in the kayak. That guy to the right of Sean came in about the same time as Sean. Hard to say which one of them finished first. I was impressed by the stand up paddle boarders. There was also a guy with a drone down there. I'm not sure if there will be access to some of ...

Arctic Valley is so close to home. I have been here many times, but I have never gone to the top of Mt Gordon Lyon. There was an ulterior motive; we wanted to check Highland mountain from the side we don't usually see. Our states park pass doesn't work here, but $5 isn't bad. We pick our route assuming going this particular way would be the least muddy. We were right! It wasn't always easy to tell if we were on the right side of these signs. We made it to the road that goes to the Nike site and really, I have no idea if that is off limits or not. 0.8 miles to the road and 844 feet of elevation gain. Even from here, the views are already really good. We left the road not far from here and I asked Sean if the Nike site was still maintained. Sean said he wasn't sure and no sooner than we left the road did we see two trucks coming down the road. I guess that answers that. It must still be maintained. I am hoping they aren't coming a...