2013 Year In Review

Once again it seems as though it's been way too long since I've updated.  The reason I thought to do this is not very original at all.  I was on FB and saw a little tab pop up and it said something about reviewing your year and the top moments...something like that.  As I was lured into look at this stuff I noticed that 2013 was packed with all sorts of highs, lows and in betweens.  I'll share some of the most memorable for me with you now.

January 2013
I have been in Alaska since 2011, but it was on this trip back to Texas that I really realized that Alaska was home.  I loved Austin, Texas.  I have some great friends there, discovered triathlon there, started my adult life there.  So many experiences there, both positive and negative.  Don't get me wrong I'm glad I have family and friends there.  If there is any place I would want to go to visit family it would be Austin.  However, on this trip almost as soon as I got there, I realized that it just wasn't home anymore. I had come to love Alaska and couldn't wait to get back. Ever since this trip I can't help but notice how when I go almost anywhere, I'm always ready to come back to my Alaska.

Another absolutely monumental thing that happened in January was that I paid off my school loans!  I think anyone who has ever had school loans understands the burden that you feel when you are paying on these.  It's a nice chunk of change to have back in your wallet.  So glad it's done!  Hope to never have these again!

March 2013 -  Tragedy
In any line of work there will be accidents and mistakes.  In some professions like aviation mistakes and complacency can cost you your life.  The ACE family lost 2 lives in March and the lives of all of the other employees and families were affected greatly as well.  This was a reminder to me to be vigilant in my work and a lesson to everyone involved.  This was truly one of the toughest times and I hope that I never have to experience this again.  This is literally all I can say about this.

April 2013 - Sold the house in Texas
This was a monumental thing on multiple levels.  It was the last thing that I felt was preventing me from fully being in Alaska.  While my heart and soul were definitely here, a significant piece of my checkbook and just the thought of it sitting there over 3,000 miles away was a thought that weighed on my mind often.  In the end, I took a financial loss on the house, but overall selling it was a total gain that can't be measured by dollar signs.  I no longer had to worry about something breaking, or about that mortgage every month.  I had started a life here in Alaska and unloading the house was a great thing.  It was the last thing that allowed me to completely move forward with my life.  Thank you Marcy Urban.  She was a really great real estate agent and I believe made the difference.

Celebratory dinner after house sale

June 2013 - Got Surprised
One normal June day my pilot boyfriend asks if I want to go flying in our friends plane.  We kept talking to our good friend and he always encouraged us to fly the plane to keep it going and put some hours on it.  So I think this is way cool!  Little did I know that I would come home from that plane ride an engaged woman.  I knew that I wanted to be with Todd for the rest of my life, but I definitely wasn't expecting to receive the most beautiful and precious ring that I am wearing today.  Pilots....never a dull moment. :)

Flying back from Seldovia, engaged to a crazy pilot

July 2013 - Amazed
From the beginning Todd's and my relationship has always been honest and real.  We had always talked about how we didn't really want any sort of wedding or big deal.  It's just NOT how we roll!  We were married in an as small as you can get private ceremony at a place where summer and winter we spend a lot of time.  On the shores of that little lake in Kincaid Park I married the man of my dreams and my soul mate.  He showed me that love is a real thing.  It's not a word, but an action.  It's not a feeling, but a choice.  He is the most manly man I know.  He makes me feel beautiful inside and out.  I am a better person for having known him and I am so lucky that I get to spend the rest of my life with him.

Our Wedding

August 2013 - Loss
The loss of our dog Brew was very sad for us.  We love our dogs just as they should be loved....they are part of the family.  God puts these animals in our lives for a reason.  Anyone who has truly loved an animal knows this.  They only know how to fully give love.  There's no 1/2 way for dogs.  They love you completely unconditionally.  Brew was no exception.  He was such a sweet thing.  He had a charmed life.  I'm glad I got to be a part of it.

The amazing Brew Erickson

October 2013 -  Wild Blue
Wild blue came into our lives!  I've always enjoyed aviation.  Since I can remember aviation has been a part of my life.  Enjoyed flying with my dad in a 185 as a kid....when I met Todd it's like aviation came back into my life.  We talked frequently that it would be one of our dreams to have a plane that we could explore Alaska in together.  What can I say...it was the right deal at the right time!  Adventures around Alaska here we come.

Captain Todd and Wild Blue

November 2013 - World Travel
The summer was very busy for both of us so we deferred our honeymoon trip!  The south Island of New Zealand was the destination.  Spending 2 weeks with the love of my life was awesome.  It was everything I could imagine and more.  We enjoyed dragging our mountain bikes all around the island.  Too much fun!  A solid start to a lifetime of adventure together.

Mountain Biking New Zealand

Here's to 2014!  Bring it!

Changing Seasons

The crisp green is gone and the colors are beginning to change.  I went for a run today and there are leaves on the ground.  The temps are starting to get cooler and the windows are closed.  This summer was amazingly beautiful and we did as many fun things as we could.  We had some very great moments and also some heart breaking ones.  I guess it's always good when your happy moments outnumber your sad ones.  We had many great moments, but our saddest was the loss of our Brew.  Brew was such an amazing dog!  He was ultimately sweet and the best snuggler.  He could run all day or just lay with you on the couch all day if that's what you needed.  He played with Bree and even let her lay on him all the time.  So many times she'd lay close, then he'd get up and move (repeat).  He eventually just accepted that she loved him and had to be touching him.  I think he knew he was loved by all of us.  He got ill very suddenly and was waggling his tail up until the very end.  He most definitely was trying to love and comfort us even while we were trying to comfort him.  We have a million pictures and videos of Brew and when look at them only good memories come.  He brought every one around him nothing but joy.  I thank Brew for taking care of Todd for me till I could find him.  He's the best example of unconditional, selfless love that anyone could have.  We miss him very much and smile when we think of him.  I could go on theres so much to say about this awesome dog....but at last a picture.  His favorite place was always by Todd....no matter where Todd was.

Brew in his favorite place....right next to Todd.  This was the day after we got married and our last little trip all together.  Great times.

The seasons are changing and the fall colors are out.  It has rained almost every day the entire month of August.  Pretty yucky.  Hard to complain though because I bet almost all of July was perfectly clear and beautiful.  The couple beautiful days that we've had I was able to get out.  Todd was away so my friend Mary and I took the dogs on a nice hike.  It was a great time.  A perfect day!  Here are some pics from that day.

Tonight I'm waiting for my husband to come home from the lower 48.  He has been there working for a few days and boy do I miss him.  I'm so used to having him around.  I guess a little distance is good sometimes because it makes me appreciate all that I love about him.  I think that's enough distance for a while, thank you!  I hope this finds all my friends in a good place.  Wishing everyone the best!  Bring on the snow!!!!

Hammerman 2013

A few days before this years hammerman triathlon I was feeling pretty good.  My swimming was coming along quite well and the weather was supposed to be awesome.  Race morning we get there and it starts raining and is cloudy.  So much for those good trail conditions.  The lake was still like glass though.  Got in a few minutes before the start to do a little swim warm up.  Still felt good! 

At the start I got way to the outside away from all the crazy swimmers and just took off.  I was feeling really good.  After I rounded the buoy I briefly glanced at my watch and saw that I was definitely on swim PR pace.  I got a little excited.  I was calm and controlled throughout the entire swim.  When I exited the water and saw I was at 15 or 16 minutes I was really pumped.  In fact, as I was in transition trying to get my wetsuit off, and get on the bike I was just so excited about my good swim.  I almost had to slap myself and say "ok, bike time". 

Starting the bike at the hammerman is always interesting.  You exit transition and mount your bike and immediately start climbing a crazy up hill.  Surely humbles you if you were feeling good.  The course was incredibly slick and super muddy.  Anyone you passed by was totally covered in mud.  And you just knew you were too.  It was quite difficult staying upright at times.  The roots were very slick and your tires would just slide all over them.  On some of the up hills you had to get off your bike and really kick your feet into the mud to drag your bike up to avoid slipping...which you still did a lot.  As I was coming around a corner there was momma and baby moose right there on the trail.  I of course stopped and gave them a little distance.  A couple guys came up behind me and sort of yelled at her a bit and she and baby just moved so we could pass.  Thanks momma!  Since the babies are a little more mobile now I think the moms are a little less anxious and protective.  She honestly didn't look concerned about us at all.  Ears up the whole time, just grazing.  After than obstacle the bike finished up ok.  Not my best time with all the mud.

When I started the run my legs felt like cement.  I usually feel pretty good coming off the bike, but this year I think the bike was just so much tougher with all the slipping around so more energy output.  It probably would have helped to at least do one brick before the race.  Yea, I'm smart.  My whole thought on the run was "just keep moving".  Walked up a few of the steep hills, but walked less than I did last year for sure.  I ran into Todd about a mile in and he was having a crazy quad cramp so he wished me well and told me to go on.  I was feeling a lot better when I knew I had about a mile left to go.  At this point I was looking at my watch thinking I could beat my overall time for last year.  About 1/2 a mile left to go I hear this bird making a god awful sound.  Suddenly there's this bird in front of me coming straight at my head doing it's war yell!  So I waited till the last second then ducked!  Ahh, it missed me.  It's the same bird that chased Todd on the trail for a few miles last week.  I think it was a hawk and she built her nest right along the trail and it was known that she's been dive bombing people.  She drew blood from some, but thank goodness not from me on that day.

I finished the run strong with a total time of 2:54:23.  I believe last year I was 2:58 ish.  So overall I was pretty happy.  I don't have the splits yet, but no matter I'm very pleased with my swim.  I must say another thing about Todd.  I was sad when I saw him walking in front of me on the run.  When I caught up with him and he was cramping I was just bummed, because I know how frustrating something like that can be.  It's so nice that he's so supportive of me and an amazing man that pushes me to go on ahead of him.  Instead of him being upset that he got "chicked" that night he just told me how he was so proud of how well I did.  What a man!  Todd's accomplished so much in triathlon.  His accomplishments are such a motivation to me.  I think he knows that no matter how we finish in races that he will always be my triathlon hero. 

Here's a pic of Todd and I after the race.  We are both super tired, dirty and smiling from ear to ear!

Me and my Tri man

Life and Love

 Engagement

 I've been a very bad at not keeping up with the blogging again.  So I'm going to just do this all in one big post.

The weekend of June 9th was a very special one.  It started out very normal, which is usually good, then it became even more special and awesome.  On Sunday June 9th, Todd asked me to be his wife.  For those of you that don't know Todd is a pilot.  One of our friends has a small airplane that we have the key to.  Things have been so busy for us especially in the summers...that we just haven't taken the time to use it.  It's been so beautiful this summer and Sunday was another one of those beautiful days.  We got up and had nice Saturday morning run through Kincaid park with the puppies as usual.  On the way home Todd mentions that it's such a nice day we should go flying somewhere.  I agree!  So we end up deciding on Seldovia because neither of us has been there before.  It is a great sleepy little town with beautiful views.  Otters playing in the water, houses up on stilts.  Just cool and laid back like we like.  So we fly in and walk around and have a bite to eat.  After having a little food and some ice cream we walked back to the plane admiring the homes and their interesting colors and funky little features.  We get back in the plane and are getting ready to start up the engine.  Todd turns to me and comments how long I had to wait to go flying with him.  I come back with a little comment like "yep, that's it...we're done now"  Little did I know....right after that he says "I was just wondering if you'd like to be my wife?"  He said it much better than I can type it.  I said of course I want to be your wife Todd.  (At this point I didn't realize that he was actually asking!) yes, sometimes I'm slow.  But, I did answer truthfully that I want to be his wife.  He then takes out a beautiful ring that belonged to his grandmother Erickson.  (yes, now I realize he's actually asking)  Of course, I said yes again and the rest is just history.  Here's a picture of us that we took right after he asked me.  My head was and still is completely spinning.  He totally caught me by surprise, but then that's the story of our whole relationship.....When I moved to Alaska in the Fall of 2011 I was planning on adventure, but meeting the love of my life was no where on the radar.  I had been married before and was pretty down on love and marriage.  I was closed off and not trusting.  When I met and got to know Todd all that changed.  Because of the man he is he completely changed my life. All the bitterness and heartache of the past was just gone.  It was replaced by true joy and true love.  I have found a man of strength and character.  The man I've always longed for.  Sometimes I wonder why I felt so called to Alaska.  Now I know beyond any doubt it was to meet this man.  My partner for the rest of my life.  It's so nice to feel so secure in knowing that you're in a relationship with someone who believes in the same things you do.  Honors relationships and marriage as they should be.  I must say it's nice to know that this is it.

 Wedding Day

We decided to get married on July 5th.  Quite a short engagement by today's standards, but why wait?  I think most people have these long engagements in order to plan a big wedding, give guests time to request time off of work if necessary, etc.  No need for that here!  We are so similar when it comes to this kind of stuff.  We wanted something small and intimate....just for us.  I think so many times wedding planning gets out of hand and ends up becoming so much of what others want and expect instead of what you and your spouse want.  We decided from the beginning not to let that happen.  So here's what happened.....

We decided to meet with the photographer, Brenda Crim (who married us), and our 2 witnesses (our good friends Jeff and Robin) at kincaid park chalet.  We were going to walk down to this great beach area with a view of the inlet and the mountains.  However, on this day the wind was really blowing and you could tell the rain was coming.  So we decided on plan B....which ended up being perfect for us anyway.  We went to little campbell lake where we always park in the summer to swim and bike and run and let the puppies play in the lake.  So we are there several times a week in the summer.  It's a special place to us.  Brings us lots of joy!  So, it ended up being what we really wanted.  It was still a little rainy and windy, but we found a nice little place under the trees and said our vows.  We stuck around to snap a few pictures and that was it.  It was perfect.

Pictures to come soon.

Spring Fever

It's been way too long since I've updated so here goes....

This winter started out a little lacking....in snow that is.  After last year's record snow fall it's easy to complain I guess.  So for a while there it's sort of confusing...do I keep running, or do I try to ski?  Don't want to mess up your skis, but you're so ready to do it by the time November rolls around.  So since the snow was light the first thing we did was take a trip to Rabbit Lake to ice skate before snow covered the lake.  It was so cool to be skating and look down and see 20 feet under the water.   It was  like being in a glass bottom boat.  The dogs were quite unsure of things.  The depth perception was pretty freaky.  Here's a few pictures from that trip.

Brew and His snow nose

cloudy

Todd and I on the lake.  That fine powder snow just blew right off and the lake was so awesome underneath.  Could see forever

December rolled around and Finally we were getting enough snow to get out and play.  If you asked me 10 years ago if I'd be skiing I'd have probably said no, but I have really come to enjoy and crave getting out on the cross country skis.  Skate skiing on a perfectly groomed area is so great.  But getting out the classic skis and heading out into the back country is so satisfying.  Love being able to ski over lakes, rivers, and other things that you just can't get to in the summer time.

Skiing in Far North Bicentennial Park.  One of my favorite places in town

Another milestone was in December as well.  My 2nd ACE Christmas party.  A year went by so quickly.  It's been great to be with Todd and to meet all the wonderful people in the ACE family.  I've really enjoyed getting to know them all. 

ACE Christmas Party 2012

So many little things starting in January.  Todd came to Austin with me for the first time which was cool.  We got to hang out with my family and Todd got to meet some of my good friends.  This picture was in the airport.  We had a beer and listened to some live music before heading back home.  It was a good time. 

The rest of winter up till now has been a blur.  It's been very busy for Todd taking on a new position at work and I've been working too.  So here's some pictures with descriptions of events. Enjoy

Alaska Outdoor Council fund raiser with some great friends

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above picture and 2 below are from a trip to Juneau.  Was only there for a day or so, but was able to get a run in.  Lots of wooden artwork and totems around.  My favorite Alaskan stuff I must say.  It was neat to visit for a day but I really wouldn't want to live there.  Mostly cloudy and rainy like Seattle most of the time.  When it's clear I hear it's so beautiful, but I definitely like more sunny days. 

The 2 pictures below are from "Running with the Reindeer".  At least I didn't get hooked by a horn!  It was a good experience...we had a good group!

What we brought brew from the run...I think he was hoping for a reindeer dog instead!

Me and the dogs on the Eagle river....yes, on the river

The next several pictures are from a trip to Hope, AK.  It's not far away, but so very beautiful.  We stay in the little cabin below and just love it.  It's so cozy.  The scenery was just great.  We skied a little of the resurrection trail.  Looking forward to seeing more of it this summer on the mountain bike.  The dogs love these trips more than us.  They just run and check things out the whole way. 

This next picture is one of my favorites.  Taken on one of our normal afternoon ski's with the doggies on the coastal trail.  This is what life and love is all about.  I've found something very special in Alaska and I'm not talking about all the beautiful things here even.  Thank you Todd for being that special someone who shows me what life is supposed to be all about every day.  I've found my place here in Alaska and it's by his side.

Well, that's it.  There are some more pictures from Alyeska and my first year snow boarding.  I will post those eventually.  Went for my first run of the break up season today.  For those of you that don't know "break up" in Alaska is when things start to melt up here.  Hoping to maybe get one more ski in this week, but we'll see.  I'm ready to change over to running attire and mountain bike gear! 

Hoping that this update finds everyone doing well.  I'm enjoying life as much as ever!  Trying to take things one day at a time and enjoy the moments that I'm in.  This month I officially sold the house in Texas so I'm all Alaskan now.  Can't even picture living anywhere else at this time.  Alaska definitely has my heart in more ways than one.