Trail Running: my "crippling" obsession

(not me)

Since arriving in Denali, I have quite literally fallen head over heels for trail running. What I've come to love about running up here is never dreading lacing up my shoes & instead finding my sometimes burnt out passion newly refreshed. From road to trails, all it took was a change of scenery.

There is something very energizing about running where it makes much more sense to walk. My favorite trail begins just a half mile from the lodge - the Oxbow. It loops & twists through trees, the trail narrowing and then widening again, opening up to gorgeous views of the Nenana river. The trouble with running amdist beautiful scenery is that even just one second of lost concentration can result in a trip and tumble on one of the many roots jutting out of the ground.

I'm certainly not at my most glamorous while trail running - aside from yelling "Hey Bear!" every 20 seconds, I have taken quite a few falls since I started running the trail. (Note to Mom: the "Hey Bear" is just to let bears know I am coming in the rare event that they are back there. I am not greeting the bears along the trail. It's very rare to see wildlife on this particular trail.) Usually my falls result in my laughing out loud at myself (again, I'm sure I would be a sight if anyone saw me) and popping back up to continue my run. On Saturday I didn't exactly pop back up - luckily Justin was there to help me back up. With my head down and my legs covered in mud, some scratches and a bruised up knee, I hobbled back to the lodge. The trail had obviously won that day.

Regardless of the falls, I don't think I'll have any trouble mustering the motivation to get back on the trails - the beauty of the scenery and the captivating quietness are enough to make anyone fall in love with trail running.

La Fuma Sky Race Trail Running Shoes

I ordered some new trail running shoes on www.theclymb.com, an awesome site that sells cheap hiking, camping, and general outdoor gear. Justin and I have grown fond of the "cheap gear" websites and are anticipating the arrival of some much-needed gear for backcountry camping. Another great site we've used is sierratradingpost.com

If you've got any more sites, we'd love to hear about them!

Peace out rainbow trouts,

Jenny

p.s. (our address!)

p.s. here is the address you can send mail to if you like! Just make sure you put either of our names at the top since we're sharing a p.o. box with friends up here.

PO Box 367

Denali Park, AK 99755

(Also, don't forget Denali PARK! Otherwise it might not get to us) I'm on my way to the post office now to drop off some letters myself. Send us your address if we don't already have it!

Love and letters,

Jenny & Justin

Work & play - our Jeep Safari tour

It's my day off here at the lodge - I've spent the day sleeping in, an hour of quality time with my kindle in the hammock, a great phone call catch-up with Katie, and a run along beautiful Oxbow trail, one I think will become part of my daily routine. It's clear, warm and sunny, not much to complain about! My first day of work yesterday was suprisingly very busy, but a lot of fun too! The hospitality industry is a very different world of business and I feel I have a lot to take away from this summer job. Many of the tourists are happy and excited - others just tired and cranky. The goal is to turn their day around while figuring out our all-too complicated computer system. It can be a bit nerve-wracking but when you do make someone's day, it's a really good feeling.

We've had a great balance of work and play up here at the lodge.

Here's a re-cap of our latest adventure: a Jeep Safari further inland into Denali. It is beautiful, spacious, and breathtaking. But what struck me most is how small I felt amongst the towering mountains, vast openness, and the total absence of tall buildings, paved roads and people that are characteristic of a bustling city. It was a foreign and amazing feeling to be surrounded by so much and so little at the same time.

Our stunning Jeep Safari driver

Beautiful scenery all around us

Stopping for pictures

A little cabin out in the distance on 8 mile lake

We took Stampede Road - the road Chris McCandless took in Into the Wild

some rougher terrain - so much fun!

Justin taking pictures from on top of the jeep

a great day :)

some moose friends we saw on our way back! Can you spot them both?

Happy trails to everyone,

Jenny & Justin

Together in Denali

After spending an incredible Memorial Weekend with my family in Anchorage and Wasilla, I headed up Tuesday morning in my Aunt and Uncle's red truck to Denali, Alaska. The trip north was breathtaking and forcing myself to resist every pit stop along the way, I made it up to Mckinley Village Lodge to find a handy landscaper guy to show me around ;)

Here's a few pictures from my weekend before heading up to Denali!

Wendy, me, Sara & Tania on the boat

Prince William Sound - launching out from Whittier!

Beautiful (and sunny!) Whittier

Hiking Hatcher's Pass in Wasilla

My uncles taking a break after our hike up Hatcher's Pass

Since being up at the lodge, Justin has been able to show me around, introduce me to fellow employees, and take me out on my first hike here, on a trail called Triple Lakes. There are three lakes: 1, 2, & 3 - pretty original, huh? Regardless of the name, the trail is gorgeous, stretching over 7 miles one way.

I began my training today with the front desk - there's so much to remember, but I can't wait to get started. I'm sure bizarre stories will come from all the time I'll have with tourists. We've been prepped to answer questions such as "Where exactly in the park can I see a bear?" and "When and where can I see the northern lights?" I'm sure they'll be more to come.

In addition to landscaping at the lodge, Justin will now be working a couple of days a week at the Mckinely Chalet, our sister-lodge a few miles down the road. After discovering Justin had just graduated with an environmental studies degree, the head of maintenance asked him to help him out with a waste stream management project.

One of the best perks of my job so far at the front desk is that they want us to be well acquainted with the various adventure trips that we'll be selling to guests in just a few days. That means lots of free and amazing bus tours, helicopter rides, scenic flights around Mt. Mckinley, white water rafting and more. Justin & I went for a flight tour of Mt. Mckinley yesterday and cruised down the Nenana River today in class 3 and 4 rapids! We're so lucky to have the chance to go on these incredible and breathtaking trips for free that many guests pay the big bucks to go on.

Justin is in charge of posting pictures of the flight tours - more to come soon!

Meanwhile, it's 11:30 pm here in Denali, perfectly light out, and yet we are wiped out. Sleep should come easy, even with the sun still high in the sky.

Love from Denali,

Jenny & Justin

An update from Justin

It's been a busy week at McKinley Village Lodge. All the hotel rooms and grounds needed a lot of work so myself and the other three maintenance guys have been hard at work to get everything ready for the opening on May 24th.

Jenny has not arrived yet, unfortunately. She will be coming to the lodge on May 31st when full booking sets in for the lodge. Luckily I've been busy with little free time, so when she does arrive when can jump right into all the activities in the Denali area.

All the employees at the lodge have been great to get to know. People from all over the US and a big Bulgarian group make up the staff. More and more employees are arriving every day, just waiting on one important one to show up...

The other night I went to "Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre" an all you can eat dinner and show. The food was great, and watching the tourists at the show made for great entertainment.

Today, I made my first short hike into Denali to do some fishing. The trailhead for "Triple Lakes" is right by the lodge and just a 45 minute walk takes you to three beautiful lakes surrounded by mountains and spruce. I found a nice little spot out of the wind and spotted an Arctic Greyling in the water and after a few casts towards him, I hooked it. Turns out, the greyling was only about 8 inches long but it was still a great first catch. A couple casts later, I hooked about a 13 inch greyling, which is a pretty good sized one. They have a crazy looking dorsal fin, and since I forgot my camera, the next one I catch will be photographed and posted here...sorry.

The weather has been great, just waiting eagerly for Jennifer to arrive.

Thanks for checking in!

Justin

P.S. Thank you so much to Mr. Frank and Mrs. Sara Wesser for picking me up and hosting me in their home upon my arrival. It was so nice to meet and chat with each of you, hope to see you again soon.

Justin leaves for Alaska!

As new college graduates, we are about to begin our Alaskan summer adventure, working in Denali, Alaska for the next four months at McKinley Village Lodge. Justin will be the head landscaper at the park and I'll be working at the front desk. The long days of sunshine unique to Alaska will give us plenty of time for both work and play. We can't wait to get started and we promise to do our best to keep you updated with pictures and quick blog posts.

Just two short days ago we both walked acoss the stage in cap & gown, and now Justin is flying out to Anchorage tonight! He'll get in late around 12:30 a.m., and hop on the shuttle up to Denali at 6 a.m.

Unfortunately we don't get to leave together. I'll be heading out in ten days on May 27th to join Justin up at the lodge and start work after spending a weekend in Anchorage and Wasilla with my Aunts, Uncles, and Grandpa!

Thank-you to all of our family and friends for supporting us as we embark on this next adventure!

Love,

Jenny & Justin

Denali, Alaska

McKinley Village Lodge

our own photos soon to come :)