Checking out Mt. Rainier on my way to Alaska
This is what I got to wake up to! The view from Caitlyn's place is amazing! The cruise ships come in early each morning.
Cailtyn and I biked to her work from Douglas Island to the "yard" in Juneau. I spent the day going on Caitlyn's tours. First up, The Salmon Hatchery. I didn't take many pictures from her tour, because I have a bunch from last time I was there.
After the Salmon Hatchery, it was off to the Mendenhall Glacier. I love that place! I can't believe how much the glacier has receded since we were there 2 years ago.
From the Glacier we went to Glacier Gardens. Once again, I didn't take very many pictures here, because I have a bunch from last time I was up here. (you can click old Juneau post to see pictures from my last trip to Juneau)
I still love the views from up top, and can't resist taking pictures....again!
Friday, July 24
I wanted to go exploring around where Caitlyn lives on Douglas Island. I was trying to take it easy because I had the marathon the next morning.
This is from Caitlyn's backyard, looking south down the Gastinaeu Channel.
This is looking up the channel to the North. You can see Juneau on the right side of the picture.
And this is looking across the channel to where the cruise ships dock. The mountains are Mount Juneau, and Mount Roberts.
I met up with Caitlyn in the afternoon to go to lunch, and hang out with her as she drove the shuttle from the ship to downtown Juneau.
That is the Mendenhall Glacier just over my shoulder.
Saturday, July 25
Marathon day! Caitlyn was kind enough to get up early and take me to the marathon start line.
This is at about 5:30 a.m. Yep, it's very light outside, and yep, it's a little chilly!
This is the start line of the Juneau marathon (Frank Maier Marathon).
The sights along the way were amazing! This is "the bridge" that connects Douglas Island with Juneau.
Don't laugh, this is really what the mile markers looked like! It was unclear to me which side of the road I was supposed to run on, so I would just switch over each time I saw an aid station. I missed most of the mile markers....or else they weren't marked.
I loved this sign! Someone was cheering for me!
13.1 at this point, and I'm feeling great, and have met some amazing people running this race.
I swiped this picture from an article in the local paper. These people were a blast to run with.
Yep, this is what the scenery was like along this marathon. I just kept saying to my self, "I can't believe I'm running a marathon in Alaska, and I'm getting to see all this!"
...and then Caitlyn did a couple "drive-bys" honking and waving! It was so fun to see her.
Yep, a selfie with Caitlyn at about mile 20!
Done! Now that was awesome! Running at sea level is a good thing. I did much better than I had expected, and felt amazingly good at the end. That was a good thing, since I had to walk home to Caitlyn's house after the race, since she and all her roommates were working.
Meanwhile, back in Burley, Idaho, at the same time I was running the marathon, Dean was competing in the "Spudman" Triathlon.
He camped on the shores of the Snake River,
got a free pre-race dinner,
racked his bike along with 2000 others,
and finished well ahead of his goal time. We were able to communicate before and after our races, we both a great day!
This was taken after I got home. Of course we need a pictures with our race shirts and our finishers medals!
July 26
Caitlyn decided a good way to recover from the marathon was to go on a 10 hour cruise. We went to the very back of Tracy Arm. Unbelievable the things we saw there!
Yep, saw all that stuff and much more!
July 27
Decided to go on one of Caitlyn's tours again. Back to the Mendenhall Glacier, but this time I did the hike out to Nugget Falls. It was raining, after all, Juneau is a rain forest. I didn't have much company on the hike out there.
Don't worry, I had all my waterproof clothing, and my Xtratufs. Loved walking in the rain!
Next up, a new garden tour...Rainforest Gardens.
Then the tram ride up Mount Roberts. I love riding this tram. The views are amazing, even on a rainy day!
Caityn had to work late, so I decided for my last day in Juneau, I would walk home, and just enjoy the sights.
Amazing week! Thanks Caitlyn for living in such an awesome place, and taking such good care of your momma!
