Turning 40
February 22, 2010
It even just sounds weird to say it. I don’t feel old – I do feel older. To me the mid to late 30’s always seemed to be the
Warning - What Ever!
perfect age for the activities and adventures I like to do. Saying that I’m 40 makes me feel like I should be slowing down, maybe trying to find easier activities. I have slowed down the past few months, but that is because of gaining weight, not because I’m telling myself to take it easy.
So, I’ve decided to not slow down, or feel old. I’ve decided to keep going. I’m sure a day will come where my thoughts and actions start to slow – but that day isn’t here yet.
I turned 40 today and all I can think about is the next adventure, the next draw and spark of enthusiasm, the next logistic session, the next new crazy extreme sport that I can get in to. Its a good feeling to think that way, and I suppose I should be thankful to be able to think that way. Oh and I better get my drivers license renewed when the DMV resumes service again.
Free Trip Deadline!
February 17, 2010
The entry deadline for the second annual Almost Free Trip to Unalaska & Dutch Harbor is almost here. Were only accepting cards postmarked through March 14th 2010.
Send In A Postcard & Win A Trip
This years contest is pretty easy. Just send a postcard with your full name and a random six character alpha numeric code on it to the address below. Please only one card per person / entry.
Another Free Trip
c/o Dan Young
PO Box 921557
Dutch Harbor, Alaska 99692
I’ll take cards postmarked through March 14th 2010. The winning card will be selected later that week at random from all the cards received and posted here on danslife.net All you have to do after that is check to see if your card is the one posted, and if it is, email me the code you wrote on it. (obviously I’m not going to show the code online 
)
Glenn Says Send 'Em In!
So, just like last year the rules are simple. I’ll fly you from Seattle to Dutch Harbor (and back) on Alaska Airline miles. You send me the dates, I see if I can get a ticket and if it works out great. If not we keep trying dates until we get you out here. Last years winner ended up flying out here in August and stayed a week and a half.
Why the code? That and the postmark location is how I’m going to verify that you are the person who sent me the card. I think its safer than asking you to include email or phone information on the post card. You can include that information if you like, but I’m happy with the random code.
Thanks and have fun!
Dan
Something To Remember
February 15, 2010
Udamak Cove
Almost all of you know I’m an adventurer. Some of you know my last adventure of trekking across the island didn’t quite go as planned. Even less of you know I was rescued by the Coast Guard on that adventure and even less of you know that the pilot of the helicopter that hoisted Dakota and I up and flew us home is an amazing Uke player.
Shannon and I exchange sarcastic e-mails now and then but at the end of the day her and her crew did a fantastic job and I’ll forever remember them.
Shannon Jamming
The image above was taken almost exactly above the point where they hoisted me up in Udamak Cove and the other is at a Open Mic night at the Cape Cheerful Lounge in the Grand Aleutian Hotel. She has joined us several times on stage and again is an amazing musician. Hopefully I won’t need to call upon her assistance this June when I try the trek again.
Shannon has a great collection of images online. Please visit her Shutter Fly site and say hello.
Pink Seal Killer
February 14, 2010
What constitutes cruel and unusual?
Mexican Walking Fish
In a valiant effort to celebrate Valentines, Deb decided to spice up Seal Killer (that’s the Pomeranian’s name) by adding a little color. Now were all witness to the rare Aleutian Pink Seal Killer.
Giant Coconut Crab
I guess better the dog than Jeff her husband! For some real rare, and exotic-ness take a look at the Mexican Walking Fish and a Giant Coconut Crab.
Williwaw Point, Unalaska Island
February 10, 2010
Since posting the new header image on the website yesterday I’ve received several emails and comments about the
Williwaw Point, Unalaska Island
image and where it was taken. So I figured it being a slow posting week (except for you American Picker Fans) I’d do a quick post about the picture.
If you have Google Earth (or use Google Maps), then copy & paste these coordinates in to the search box. You can also download the GE .kmz file here
http://www.danslife.net/other/WilliwawPoint.kmz
53.465365,-167.027721
This is location of about where I set the camera up with time lapse to take 10 images, 10 seconds apart as Dakota and I headed NE towards the end of the cove. If EXIF information on the image is correct it was taken the morning of September 5th. 2009
The night before Dakota and I camped a mile and a half SW back along the cove after crossing the day before from our camp in the valley of Kismaliuk Bay. We climbed up and over in to the old Aleut village of Kashega in Kashega Bay. We followed Brennen Lake straight over to the coast. This was a significant part of the trek and a great day. We had crossed from the Bering Sea side of the Island to the Pacific Ocean side.
You can see more images from that trek in the Unalaska Island Trek Gallery.
The Regiment Begins
February 1, 2010
I’m certainly not one for keeping a routine with regard to exercise. Wait, now that I think about it I’m not one for any kind of routine in
An Effort To Get In Shape
anything. Maybe I should work on that some other time.
All that aside I realized after looking down at the scale this weekend that I’ve really been putting on the pounds. I need to get back on track with my health and fitness. So in preparation for the upcoming treks and adventures (and to lean up some), I’ve come up with a plan that I think will take me back to my target weight class and improve my cardio endurance by mid March.
The idea isn’t to subject myself to a hardcore daily ass kicking regiment – rather a consistent daily exercise effort to burn some calories and improve cardio. I’ll wait until I’m on the trail to work myself to death.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Power hiking up Bunker Hill with a combined pack and body weight of at least 260 lbs.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Cardio through bike or treadmill
Sundays & whenever I can...
Church of Scuba
Everyday
Watching the calories… eeergh
Walking My Dog Jane
January 29, 2010
Sorry Dakota – please forgive me. I don’t recall exactly how I came to hear about the book titled Walking My Dog Jane
Walking My Dog Jane
by Ned Rozell. It was a while ago I was living in Anchorage at the time. I do remember though the initial reason I bought it was because here was a guy who (with his dog Jane) in one summer walked the entire length of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. From Valdez to Prudhoe Bay (and then a bit further) and for those of you who know me – you know that is right up my alley.
I’m not much of a ‘book’ reader – In the grand scheme of things I have not read a lot. Lets see… Several O’ Henry books, everything by Jack London a few Robert Service publications, quite a few Clive Cussler books, a few Louis L’Amour and a book that really captivated me at the time I read it called On A Pale Horse by Piers Anthony.
So getting back to the reason for this post. I was reading through the participants of the White Mountains 100 ultra race coming up (of which I’ll be a part of) just out of Fairbanks and low and behold, registered in the number one spot is Ned Rozell. Yeah, I know. If you have ever thought the world was a small place, try Alaska and ever more so try, Unalaska. – So here is yet another reason I’m jazzed to be apart of the event. Hopefully I’ll get to meet Ned, and have him autograph my copy of his book.
Oh and for a good read, and I mean a really good read – please checkout the book. I’m sure you’ll like it.
Six Reasons
January 27, 2010
Fishermans Halloween
Here are six reasons you should NOT loan out your camera to other people! An acquaintance of mine was headed to Nepal on a Habitat for Humanity mission. She was looking at getting a new digital camera for the trip. I suggested the Canon Powershot G10 (which is what I use above and below water). I loaned her my camera to get a feel for it. a few weeks later she gave it back – still undecided and I think she said she got one from her parents, but in any case I got my camera back. PLUS a bunch of pictures! Every year we have a Fisherman’s Halloween at the Cape Cheerful Lounge in the hotel It appears a group of folks (some you know and some you don’t) decided to be Jonathan. ( yup Mr. Hillstrand; part time skipper of The Time Bandit).
Fisherman's Halloween
Fisherman's Halloween
Fisherman's Halloween
Fisherman's Halloween
Fisherman's Halloween
American Pickers
January 24, 2010
American Pickers - History Channel
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz. SCREW YOU! Your nothing more than two gold diggers making a popular scene in front of camera. If you really think taking advantage of people within a few hours for great, cool historic antiques from folks is how to make a name for yourselves.. well thats just lame.
It would be different if you were more interested in the history, and the linage in the items you were after instead of the stupid short story you put on film. Your show would be more interesting if you were interested in the items for a historical asptect instead of an interior design or whatever you claim aspect.
You are the reason bottom dwellers of television have become the prime time of a materialistic America. No one cares anymore about history per say, just the money it can bring.
Your show is interesting in such that the items you find are great and often amazing. The fact your a mobile televised pawn shop with no care or interest in the genuine story behind the people and the items found is saddening. Find something more worth while to do with your time.
Want To Say Hello?
January 21, 2010
Want To Say Hello?
Here is one for you, I see a lot of you pass through the site every day, mostly from other blogs and search engines and I never get a chance to say hello, or maybe you never get a chance to say hello (or maybe you don’t want to). Well if you do, here is your chance.
If your an IM (Instant Message) kind of person then feel free to say hello via Trillian Astra, Yahoo, AOL or MSN. My chat name on all three services is MjrKrash (from my computer programming and application development days). I usually connect at night (Alaska Standard Time ‘night’ to be specific). I might not always be around but if I am – and you say hello, chances are good I’ll chat with you.
-
Random Photo
