...Sheep Mountain Lodge

The track of our drive from Nikiski to Sheep Mountain Lodge.

The tracks of a couple of our ski outings.

The sign near the highway.

Mrs. Huffy and Emily near the main lodge building.

Mrs. Huffy poses during a ski outing.

Laura skis through the surrounding mountains.

The Hufford girls ski the trails.

Mrs. Huffy and Emily on the front deck of our cabin.

Monopoly tournaments were played for several hours each evening.

Mrs. Huffy and Laura skiing the Serpentine Trail.

Mrs. Huffy used her headlamp to ski at night.

Emily enjoys some reading time before going to bed.

This past summer as we drove out of Alaska on our big trip we passed Sheep Mountain Lodge.  We made a note of it and decided to return during the Holiday break to take in the beauty of the area and do some skiing on their 20 kilometers of groomed trails.  It was a great decision.

Sheep Mountain Lodge is semi-remote.  You can drive to it but it's a long way from much of anything, which makes it compelling.  The lodge itself was built in 1946 and is a classic example of an Alaskan roadhouse.  The cabin we stayed in is newly built and has all the amenities of home.   We cooked and ate all our meals using the fully stocked cabin kitchen and dining area.  Cell phone service is iffy, but the main lodge has wireless internet which we didn't feel the need to use.  In fact, it was nice to be away from cell phones and internet for a while.  It was even better to be away from television.

We spent the days skiing and using the hot tub.  Then, after dinner, we would conduct some serious Monopoly tournaments.  Emily would generally buy every property she landed on and we would all think she was about to go bankrupt.  About that time she would mortgage said properties, pass go, collect $200, buy houses and hotels, and ultimately wipe us out with exorbitant rents on places she owned...like Boardwalk.  Yes, it was humbling.  Never underestimate the financial wizardry of a 4th grader.

So, it really was very perfect.  Remoteness, skiing, Monopoly, food, the Hufford girls.  Things couldn't have been better.  All at a beautiful place known as...Sheep Mountain Lodge.

...Global Fatbike Day

THE ROUTE:  Start at Stormy Lake boat ramp/ride across Stormy Lake to swim beach/push bike up to Kenai Spur Highway/ride highway back to Stormy Lake boat ramp.

About to ride across Stormy Lake.  (photo courtesy of Mrs. Huffy)

Mrs. Huffy was on her skis for part of the adventure.

The fatbike takes a break while crossing stormy Lake.

Pedaling across Stormy Lake.  (photo courtesy of Mrs. Huffy)

The official declaration.

When I heard there was going to be an official Global Fatbike Day, I knew I would have to come up with plans for a unique adventure.  Since one of my favorite nearby outdoor places is Stormy Lake, I quickly hatched the idea of riding a loop which included: crossing the lake/riding up the road that goes to the swim beach/then pedaling back down the Kenai Spur Highway to the boat ramp.

The weather was beautiful, albeit cold, when I started across the ice.  It really didn't take long (about 40 minutes) before I was at the swim beach stairs where I shouldered the fatbike and carried it up to the parking lot.  I tried riding up the road but the snow was too deep so I pushed the bike to the highway.  From there it was a pleasant cruise to the boat ramp.

And, that was it.  Mrs. Huffy and I loaded our gear back into the truck and drove home.  On our way we were already making plans for the next...Global Fatbike Day.