Lake Louise

July 18th, 2008

Matanuska Glacier to Lake Louise

I will be honest, I was watching the miles yesterday and calculating how long it would take me to get to Glenallen, then Valdez, then on and on. Its really not good to do this because then you miss out on the moment, but I was tired. That is my excuse. So what to do? Get some friggin coffee, Im friggin freezing, Scott (say this with a Doctor Evil voice).

I am going too fast, yet I cant stop myself either. I have already made too many miles- I should have stopped more, done a rafting trip, or heli-skiing or some trekking. But, I came here to cycle- to ride!- and that is what I am doing...Lots of it. Today was a long day and I finished with an extra 20 miles off the main highway to Lake Louise. Just remember, 20 miles is 20 miles. Just like when you get to mile 18 in a marathon and think, "Oh cool, I only have 8 more to go..." but 8 miles is a good run, and 20 miles when you have already done 80-something feels like 20 million.

So I was stoked when I got to the sweetest state recreational campground on the lake with barely anyone there! I got a nice spot by the water where I could see the lake house resorts, hear the ducks and pass the launch beach when I went to the well to get non-potable water (yum!). I just love these state rec campgrounds- they rock! You pay $10-$15 bucks and nobody bothers you. Its just me and the tent, my little i-think-i-can stove, some smashed bread and some salty rice a roni to burn my mouth with.

The other cool that happened was I met another cycle-tourist! His name was Bruce and he appeared on the horizon as a black blob a half mile away that had me wondering, "is that a bear? a large duck? what the heck is that?" But, of course, its a bike tourer, the hardy, the few, the survivors. After the Apocalypse, you can be sure, that a few cyclists will emerge from the mushroom clouds loaded and ready to ride.

And loaded he was. He had some good tips for me about buying food in Glenallen, seeing McArtur, taking the ferry from Valdez to Cordova and to Whittier. He rambled on for a while in his Aussie twang before we parted ways. I commented to myself that my counterpart was an old, beat up looking man. Perhaps my inner soul belies my outside appearance, although at this point, I look pretty rough myself, as you can see in this picture (I didnt post the most unattractive ones.)

I do thank ole' Bruce for pointing out an enormous glacier that was behind me which I didnt even notice and would have completely missed. He said there was only a few places you could see, at the top of the hill and before the turn off to Lake Louise. I managed to catch it riding out to the lake and again in the morning- it actually scared me to look at. I wont try to describe it because you really have to be near it physically to get the full effect of its power.