Camping Trip – Eklutna

This weekend, Craig and I went to Eklutna Lake to do some camping.


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Eklutna Lake is located in Chugach State Park about 45 minutes from Anchorage.

With our crazy, busy schedules this summer, this was the first weekend we were able to get away and go camping—just the two of us. Actually, make that the first time we have gone camping—just the two of us–EVER!! This is wild because we both love camping!


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In the past, we have always gone with Craig’s parents, so it was time we put on our big boy/girl pants and went by ourselves! 😉

We got to our campsite late Friday evening, set up camp, and made dinner. We made grilled pita pizzas—just like my aunt and I did when we went camping in Denali.

Craig and I spent the rest of the evening just hanging out and talking. . . .something we haven’t done much of this summer.

Saturday morning we had breakfast and then went for a bike ride.


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There was a bit of miscommunication, and I thought it was going to be a 12-mile biking trip, but in reality we put in almost 25 miles.

That wouldn’t seem too bad, but the trail we were on was incredibly BUMPY!!

I have a very old mountain bike I got when I was 10 years old, and the Kitty Hawk (the model of my bike) is not cut out for the real mountain bike trails!


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We started out on a happy note! 🙂


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And we saw some beautiful sights!


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(That “rainbow” is some reflection from my camera; it wasn’t there in real life.)

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We came across one area where a forest fire had come through, which had been started by arsonists.

The fireweed (pink flowers) brightened things up a bit, but it was eery riding through the black, dead trees!


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After 9 miles, we stopped to take a break and have a little snack.


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Then after that, everything kind of went downhill.

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I got my feet soaking wet in a large mud puddle; trees were slapping me in the face; my knees, shoulders, and back were killing me because they were absorbing all the impact, not my bike; and I was just plain tired.

I’ve discovered I can only tolerate the same activity (biking, running, hiking, etc.) for about 4 hours max, and then I just want to be done!


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Craig was very patient with me though and encouraged the Kitty Hawk to fly! 😉

Oh how I wish it could have!


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When we finally returned 5 hours later, I was beat, absolutely BEAT! I honestly felt like I had run a marathon—but I hadn’t even covered the same distance!

Luckily Craig rewarded me with some ice cream afterward!


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This place was literally in the middle of the country. You would never know it was there unless you drove past it!

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I can’t remember what kind of ice cream Craig had, but I had the Vanilla Coconut flavor.


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Can you tell I was getting tired of taking pictures!

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When we got back to our camp site we crashed and took a nap for a good hour!

And then spent the rest of the evening in the rain, around the camp fire.


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Ha! Ha! Yes, that would be me with my pink umbrella, bright blue rain coat, and colorful rain boots!

Hey, the rain is depressing enough, at least my clothes can brighten things up!

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Can you tell I was thrilled?!?!

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Actually, we felt pretty hard-core because all of our neighbors were in their RVs watching movies!

We were the real campers!

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I’m not sure why I am making the running pose—only because Craig told me to.

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This morning when we woke up, the four-letter ‘s’ word had made its presence on the mountain tops! 🙁


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Please do not use this photo as blackmail! I don’t know anyone who looks attractive after 3 days of camping!

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Even with the treacherous bike ride, depressing rain, and the sighting of snow, I still had a good time! 🙂

Hi, I'm Michelle

I love running around the lakes of Minnesota, running after my two boys, and racing anything from the 5K to the marathon. I have been blogging here since 2010 when I ran my first marathon. I finally secured my sub-3 hour marathon after trying for 8 years.

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16 Comments

  1. 8.8.11
    Krissie J said:

    I want to go camping, this summer has been crazy busy. I love your rain boots! I feel the same way, if the weather is dreary I need to brighten it up with my clothes. Love the face you’re making in the last pic! LOL.

  2. 8.8.11
    Krissie J said:

    I want to go camping, this summer has been crazy busy. I love your rain boots! I feel the same way, if the weather is dreary I need to brighten it up with my clothes. Love the face you’re making in the last pic! LOL.

  3. 8.8.11
    Katie said:

    Oh no, there it is … Termination dust. Only two months of summer this year! It was niceish while it lasted. Glad you guys had fun!

    • 8.8.11
      Michelle said:

      I know, right?!?! What happened to our 3 months of summer!!

  4. 8.8.11
    Katie said:

    Oh no, there it is … Termination dust. Only two months of summer this year! It was niceish while it lasted. Glad you guys had fun!

    • 8.8.11
      Michelle said:

      I know, right?!?! What happened to our 3 months of summer!!

  5. 8.8.11
    Rosie said:

    Wow that is beautiful! What a fun weekend! 🙂

  6. 8.8.11
    Rosie said:

    Wow that is beautiful! What a fun weekend! 🙂

  7. 8.9.11
    sue said:

    Yes very spectacular – glad you and Craig could get away for a weekend even though it rained. I ready your blog from previous day on your blogging issue. I just have to comment that you have to decide what is most important to you and work with that. I know I don’t review emails every day because I am at work all day and review emails all day I can’t stand to go home and review personal emails.

    It’s hard to decide always what’s most important but I agree with your statement on cutting back. I know you will make the right decision.

    S

  8. 8.9.11
    sue said:

    Yes very spectacular – glad you and Craig could get away for a weekend even though it rained. I ready your blog from previous day on your blogging issue. I just have to comment that you have to decide what is most important to you and work with that. I know I don’t review emails every day because I am at work all day and review emails all day I can’t stand to go home and review personal emails.

    It’s hard to decide always what’s most important but I agree with your statement on cutting back. I know you will make the right decision.

    S

  9. 8.14.11
    Dynasti said:

    LOVE the ice cream shack!

    • 8.14.11
      Michelle said:

      Do you think (know if) their ice cream is homemade? Craig and I thought it tasted that way.

  10. 8.14.11
    Dynasti said:

    LOVE the ice cream shack!

    • 8.14.11
      Michelle said:

      Do you think (know if) their ice cream is homemade? Craig and I thought it tasted that way.