Alyeska Ski Resort

Saturday March 14, 2009 (posted 03-26-09)

Today I bit the bullet and got my Alaska driver licence and vehicle plates. I really wasn't ready to do either of these things because it felt like I was cutting the Seattle apron strings before I was ready. I went ahead with it because I thought it might be necessary to prove residency when I register to rent a community garden. I will be able to register on April 1.

After making the above mentioned changes I headed out to the town of Girdwood, about 30 miles southeast of Anchorage. Girdwood is home of the Alyska Ski Resort. My plan was to ride the tram up to the restaurant area, sit in a sunny spot in the cafe sipping coffee as I watched people and did a little writing.

I did the tram part but up at the top there is really not a good place to sit around and it was so cloudy that it was very difficult to actually see people through the cloud cover. At the resort, the tram is used by skiers and snowboarders and I was the only one without some sort of transport to strap to my feet so I could get back down the mountain. Needless to say, I felt out of place (hmm...par for the course for me!) but enjoyed the ride up. I'd hoped for some great pictures but conditions were not favorable.

Before riding the tram back down the mountain, I visited the Round House Museum and learned a bit about the history of the resort and the area where Girdwood is located. I also ate a very good lunch at the Seven Glaciers restaurant. When the bill came I'd been reimbursed my tram fare so my lunch of salmon bisque and pear, cranberry, endive salad was only $5 and that included a very good tip!

The road to Girdwood is along part of Cook Inlet called Turnagain Arm. Weather along that stretch is usually colder and much more windy than in Anchorage and the tides that occur in the area are extreme. They're called bore tides. I'll do some more research and tell you what I learn when I actually witness one and get some good video footage.

Until that time you'll have to do with this picture of the ice that forms in the mudflats of Turnagain Arm. There has been a bit of melting so the ice is not as thick as it can get. Even without a bore tide, the current is pretty fast. I think I might head out that way to go cross country skiing this weekend so hope to catch some good viewing.