Memorial Weekend Fun!

Here are the pictures Emily was talking about. Here are some International Beard contestants from Beard Clubs in Germany.
All of these guys brought their A game to Anchorage.
This dude looks like a Muppet. He didn't have to come far - it's just a short drive from Wasilla.
Here is a view from a mountain next to Lake Eklutna. It was an awesome day.
Here is Rachel, her friend Sarah and Banjo enjoying a little lunch by the lake. I guess you can see the 'Nut as well.

This weekend we kept pretty busy. On Saturday Jerry and Maylene were in town, so Neil and I took them to the Anchorage Saturday Market (I forgot how much those Canadians love to shop). We walked around there for a while--which also happened to be the location of some of the International Beard Competition Festivities. Neil was really sad that he didn' t have anything to show for the competition. Maybe next year. Then we went to the Snow Goose Pub for lunch. Neil and I both had pulled pork wraps, which were pretty tasty.

On Sunday we headed out to Eklutna lake, which is about a 45 minute drive north of Anchorage. We went with Rachel and a friend of hers on a "hike" along the lake. It was all right along the shore, so no up hills, but it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately Sunday through Thursday is also the time when four wheelers are allowed on the trail, so it was quite dusty and noisy at times. One of the guys was kind enough to warn us that he spotted a bear running across the trail quite close to use. Rachel and Sarah came prepared with bear spray, but we didn't end up needing to use it. I think there were really too many people out for the bears to be a threat. On the way home was stopped off at Rochelle's Ice Cream. Neil had Fireweed Honey and I had Blueberry. They were quite tasty--plus we were thoroughly entertained by the two young families that were also there. Two of the little boys dropped the ice cream off the cone, and the term turd butt was used.

On Monday Neil reserved a place at the hidden creek b&b. We had originally stayed there on our anniversary a year and a half ago. We drove out to girdwood in the morning and then did the Gird(wood) to Bird bike ride. It was a gorgeous day out for a bike ride. The ride goes right along the coast and it was nice and clear for us to see all the mountains. Afterwards it was a lot of fun, but towards the end it was getting a little miserable. We traveled about 30 miles round trip, and parts of it were quite hilly with a big head wind. Next time I'm making sure to bring a snack. At the end there was an ice cream place that we stopped at (that makes 4 out of the last 5 days with ice cream) which tied us over until dinner. We had dinner at Jack Sprat this cute place in Girdwood. We shared some yam fries, which were quite tasty, and Neil had a pasta and clam dish, and I had the fresh roll appetizer and a cup of mushroom soup. It was a fun day and we had fun soaking our tired legs in the hot tub back at the b&b. This morning for breakfast we had fresh fruit, a raspberry muffin, and this egg thing that was in a little phylo bowl with tomato and cheese on top.