Skiing for a Great Cause!

Moose, bears, and skis, oh my! I am about to experience my third winter in Alaska and I have a feeling it is going a snowy one! One sport that I always wanted to learn is cross-country skiing. I finally have my chance to learn while helping a great cause! I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as a participant in their Team In Training program. It should be a lot of fun! I have to raise $1,600. Maybe the funds raised from the event will save a life.

Lessons begin on 4 Nov! I can't wait!

10 Things to Do this Winter in Alaska

10. Learn to swim.

9. Take cross-country ski lessons and sign up for the Tour of Anchorage cross-country ski tournament.

8. Go on my second ice-fishing trip.

7. Take a trip to Fairbanks and see the ice sculptures.

6. Snoeshow on Kincaid Park's beach.

5. Get a yellow belt in hapkido.

4. Take a class on Alaskan culture and languages.

3. Make a traditional Alaskan dish.

2. Hike to the top of a snowy mountaintop!

1. Finish 3/4 portion of my dissertation!

For right now, I think I will settle for a trip to Target! We finally have one!

Terminal dust?

The snow is coming! The snow is coming! I cannot believe that our fall lasted about 30 days. Terminal dust (first sign of winter) covers almost all the mountaintops, the hours of daylight are become less, and the temperature is slowing dropping to the low 30s. Since the summertime was short, I believe we have a rough winter ahead of us.

My goal for this winter is learning how to cross-country ski and to participate in my first cross-country ski event, Tour of Anchorage in March 2009.