Now I'm Feeelin' it!

The official weather records state that Fairbanks hit 80 degrees for the first time this past Tuesday. Halleluiah! To celebrate, I bought myself a kayak! I've been missing my boat terribly and it rips my heart in two to drive past lakes and rivers not being able to paddle them. So, rather than send the summer in despondency and on anti-depressants, I threw some money at the problem and bought a boat. Isn't she purdy? There's nothing I love more than seeing a boat on my car.

My new to me, Necky Eskia

Endless Summer

"Summer in Alaska is the best!" That's what I've been told for over a year now. When I returned to California last June and July I was met with shock and dismay. "How can you leave now? Summer is the best part!" I hate to break it to you, Alaskans, but your summer isn't all that. Sure, sure there's 24 hours of daylight, and that's fun if you're able to stay up and make use of it. I have to admit, it is nice seeing lush green everywhere instead of white.

Tanana Valley from Ester Dome

Ruckus in the Muckus

Summer has at last arrived in Fairbanks. The trees are fully leafed out. Nightly temps don't dip below 40 and during the day it has occasionally reached 70 degrees. What a luxury to leave the windows open at night! We are officially in Civil Twilight, which means there is 24 hours of light. There is an actual sunset and sunrise but it never gets dark enough in between that artificial light is required to see.

I ran a mud obstacle race yesterday, called Ruckus in the Muckus: a hilly 5k with sporadic mud obstacles thrown in. We had to crawl through mud, run through a 4 feet deep mud pit and climb a short hill while being sprayed with water. It wasn't as as drastic as it sounds. Aside from the mud pit I didn't get dirty at all.

I ran with a group from Crossfit. It was a fun time although a bit surreal. I only had five hours of sleep before the race (yes, a ruckus at Kodiak Jack's had taken place the previous evening!) And while waiting for the race to start I ran into a guy I'd been on a date with, only to have him tell me he's getting back together with his ex-girlfriend. I wanted to push him into the mud pit.

Crossfit crew

The *Real* Sign of Spring

Around town the drip, drip of snow melting is the best sound. The snow is gone from my back yard, and the cats are going outside once again. Last weekend there was even a bonfire party. It was 34 degrees but it was light until 10:30, so why wouldn't we be outside? It was glorious. 

Signs of Spring

The first geese have been spotted at Creamer's Field.

Parking lot lines are visible again.

My front door lock isn't frozen.

I packed my down parka away.

I haven't has to wear SmartWool socks in a week.

And today at the airport, instead of plugging in my car I put up the sunshade.

Reason #789 to love Crossfit

After today's WOD, while working on my double unders, one of the guys dashed out of the bathroom into the main gym, wearing only a towel. He grabbed something from behind the bench and ran back into the bathroom.

After that I lost all focus on my double unders.

Running of the Reindeer

I came *this* close to gaining a new name this weekend. But alas, my Native American moniker is not to be, "runs with antler in ass". 

*Picture by official Fur Rondy photographer, not yours truly.*