Sheep Creek Hike

Wednesday, the Park and Rec holds a day hike. Since John had been entertaining himself with simple hikes more accurately described as walks, I hooked him up with these experienced hikers.

That morning dawned clear! John rode the bus downtown, and I shuttled him out to the trailhead in Thane where we met up with about a dozen retirees ready for their walk in the woods.

The first part of the trail is a 700' climb, then a walk through an old mining camp. He saw sled dogs. The next part of the trail following switchbacks up the side of the mountain. The "adventure" group - with John breaking trail - stopped at the 2000' mark due to snow where they ate lunch and then hiked back down.

John arrived at my office at dusk and just 15 minutes before quitting time - perfect.

Adventuring with John

My brother is here for two weeks. We have some grand plans.

So far we've taken him to hike to Nugget Falls and the Mendenhall Visitor's Center (of which we know you've seen lots of pictures, so I'll spare you). Monday, he hiked the East Glacier Trail while we were at work. The weather's been terrible. We hope it improves soon. I can say the same about the head cold I've got.

At least my menu plan is delicious: chicken pesto pasta, lasagna, Middle Eastern, Indian halibut curry, enchiladas, pizza, pork roast.

Class updates

Remember those classes I'm taking? The last few weeks I've sort of felt like I couldn't catch my breath. Would you believe that my Supervisor sent me a link to another course on Market Conduct Examinations. It starts November 28th.

I also got an email a couple weeks ago from our Accounting Clerk:

Sarah,
Would you like me to process your registration for these courses?
Disability Part I (11/7 - 2/24)
HIPAA Primer (11/7 - 2/24)

~ Accounting Clerk

Hmm. They may start 11/7 but I don't think I'll be ready until Mid-December. I guess I have my winter entertainment planned.

Getting Ready for Winter

Winter is in the air. It's getting colder. That snow line is falling lower and lower down the mountain. We've started our winter preparations:

• Put on the studded snow tires - Check.


• Pull out the winter coats - Done.


• Replace Rain Boots with Snow Boots - TBD


• Lubricate door locks -To Do


• Seal windows - To Do


• Stock up on books and movies for long winter nights - To Do


• Dark commute both ways - Already.

Save for Retirement Week: Oct 16 - 22

Have you looked at your account statements lately? Read a good book about finances?
Did you know that the IRS raised the contribution limit to $17,000 for 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans for 2012?

Take some time this week to look at your retirement savings picture.

What I am doing: I ran some retirement calculators and found that we are "done" saving for retirement. We don't believe it and won't stop saving (especially since Mr. X wouldn't mind an early retirement, like tomorrow), but I know that means we can start looking at other things to invest in. Like a house.

Last week we went house shopping and hope to get serious about buying something in the near future. Maybe. We've done this before so I'm not sure how serious we'll be.

My Favorite: Sea to Summit Water Bag

As I mentioned in the Peterson Lake Cabin post, I love my new water bag. It's smaller than a deck of cards, weighs in at less than 3 oz, yet scoops up 10 liters (2.6 gallons) of water in one swoop.

The bag stands up on its own, so you fill it and forget it until you need more water. Just store it away from children or animals as the bag is fabric it can be pushed or tugged over with a splash.

It is made from waterproofed nylon fabric. It has a thick cloth handle and a small handle on the side of the bag to assist with pouring.

We used the bag to collect enough water for two people for 24 hours for cooking, drinking and cleaning. In the end we poured out more than half of it because it was unneeded.

On the Chilkoot we saw several hikers with similar bags that they filled with freezing glacial runoff and then set aside to warm in the sun.

It is a luxury item, but one that both Mr. X and I agree is worth it weight, especially when camping in wet, cold SE Alaska.

Juneau News: Dog-sitter's worst nightmare

2 black labs stop Alaska Airlines from landing on initial approach

Deputy Airport Manager Patty deLaBruere tells us that Flight 64 (Boeing 737) was coming in for a landing at about 2:30 pm when two black labs were spotted on the runway. The plane had to abort that landing, attempt to do a go around before it could land.

Chava Lee of the Gastineau Humane Society says an Animal Control Officer caught one of the dogs. The owner of the one that was nabbed on the runway is out of town. The animal was in the care of another person at the time. Lee says the owner will be cited.

Lee says they don't know yet how they got on the runway. deLaBruere says the dogs could have come from the Airport Dike Trail, through the wetlands from a neighborhood in the area, or they could have gotten loose from owners while on the airport grounds. - KINY Radio

Message to T and E: We were out walking on the wetlands near the airport at 2:30 p.m. yesterday. We promise none of your dogs were on the runway.