Alaska Railroad: Fairbanks to Anchorage

Last weekend I rode the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage. It was a a spectacular way to see Alaska in the fall, as the colors are turning. One of the cooler things I've done. The weather was good, and the views were long. I'm told such clear views of Denali are rare, but we were viewing this massive mountain from different angles all day.

The train ride takes 12 hours, and has two stops. I paid the premium for the Gold Star service, just short of $200 extra, and I think it was worth it. They had a tour guides talking throughout the day, explaining what we were seeing, and warning us of upcoming views. The Gold Star service has an open air platform you can go out on to, and is in an elevated car with a dome roof. You also get three meals in the dining cart, which were very good (e.g. eggs and reindeer sausage; salmon chowder, arctic cod, et al.)

But the views were the thing. The colors of the Alaska are turning yellow--and its a very short season for this--before winter comes on hard.  We went through open flats, narrow river canyons, 10 people towns, mines, along rivers and lakes. the whole bit. A good portion of the trip was through Denali National Park.  I saw a few moose, some captive reindeer, a couple beavers, a few different types of salmon.

I was on the very last train of the season. The Alaska Railroad runs a winter train, on this route, but it less frequent and doesn't have the dome car. It would be fun to try out, though, at least when there are  a reasonable number of daylight hours.

Equinox Marathon

I had the good fortune to run the 55th annual Equinox Marathon in Fairbanks, Alaska last weekend. It was absolutely gorgeous, due to the fall colors. Birches--white bark, yellow leaves. Aspens. Pines. Yellow everywhere, with long views across interior Alaska.

The race is a community treasure for Fairbanks and Alaska. The race has a 10 hour time limit, which is long for 26.2 miles. This is because when it started--and today--the race has always been for "Runners, Joggers, Hikers and Walkers." Matias Saari, a former winner, recently published a book on the event, which looks terrific: "The Equinox: Alaska's Trailblazing Marathon." Once upon a time, aka the '60s, the marathon was the largest in the world for three years.

The event has a little bit of everything: trail, road, hills, flats. I think it has about 3000 feet of elevation gain. Temps started at 35, and climbed to 60 or so, but always with a brisk breeze. It is Alaska, after all. Find me another place where they nail thermometers to trees on the course. Probably for colder times, but it made me laugh.

Every mile of the course is marked by a permanent sign, sponsored by listed individuals/family.  Aid stations every couple miles. About a 1000 runners, when counting the three part relay, which is run simultaneously. A way cool patch at the finish line. A banquet in the evening.

My friend Tony ran the relay. It was great to meet up with him briefly beforehand. Running strong, as ever. Me, not so much. But I ran, I jogged, I hiked, and I walked. The combo. 26.2 is a little bit more than I should be doing, but give me enough time, and I'll find the finish line, which I did. Despite the blisters, I'm happy about it.

The first half is more challenging than the second half, with most of the climbing happening between miles 8 and 12. A fair number of beer aid stations on the course. I saw a six pack sitting in the woods at one point. Mt. McKinley aka Denali was visible from the high point on the course--a pic below as it, but it's hard to pick out. There is one gnarly, steep power line drop, called The Chute, at mile 18, which I loved. The pic above is a view from the chute, as you go down. Love those colors.

I threw a few other pics below of my visit to Fairbanks. The Museum of the North at University of Alaska-Fairbanks is worth the visit. It has some really good patrons, including the Gates Foundation. I was taken by the art, which mixed elements of traditional native art with modern day themes, sometimes edgy. I also found time to visit the Alaskan pipeline.

After the race, I took the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage. I'll put a few pics of that incredible 12 hour ride up in a separate post.

I'd run the Equinox again. Fairbanks in September is spectacular.

Skagit Flats Half

Today, during the Skagit Flats Half, I saw:

Cows

Horses

Barns

Corn fields

Berry fields

Pumpkin fields

Burlington-Edison High School

Skagit Cross-country teams volunteering at aid stations

Friends volunteering

A church

A big dog at the end of a driveway (barking)
Birds

North Cascades mountains

San Juan Island mountains

Local police and search and rescue

Thirteen mile markers

This is one of the Skagit Runners Club's key races. I think the first time I did the half was in 2001. My friend Stanley first did it in 1979.  It's a simple out and back, with an option of a full or a half. There were about 400 runners, I'm guessing, and plenty of space on quiet country roads on the return side of things. I was slow, but I was happy. Afterwards, the first week of the NFL season. A good way to kick off the fall.

Cascade Crest

This is a bit of a catch-up post, but I made it out to the Cascade Crest 100 a couple weeks ago. My intention was to volunteer with BJ, Erica, Mike, and Killer at Little Bear. Alas, due to fires, the course was re-routed into an out and back to Hyak, and Little Bear was vaporized. Rich and his team did an amazing job adjusting things. I had great fun hanging out with folks before the race, and then later out at Stampede Pass. Stampede was a happening place, with a pretty big crowd watching the comings and goings. I cheered on Seth, Shawn, and a bunch of other runners. Also, great job by everyone involved. Way to go peeps! 

I include here also a pick of the Chew and Butts sign from Cle Elum, just because. Also, August brought us the Great American Solar Eclipse. This deserves its own post, but basically at 10:20 in the morning, shadows grew long, the sun disappeared behind the moon, and society stood still for a few minutes. It was really cool.