Happy 4th of July

July 3-5, 2013

Jeff and I are all about traditions. We have so many living here in Alaska, but it's what makes it fun living here. I've always worked the 4th of July but this year I decided to take it off so we could venture down to Seward for the Mt. Marathon race. This is an event that takes place every year on the 4th. The mountain is a steep, unforgiving 3,022 foot mountain. The race (3.5 miles round trip) started in 1915 when a local business man bet $100 that this mountain couldn't be run up an down in less than an hour. That year the runner ran it in 62 minutes. Since then the fastest time WAS 43 min 23 seconds in 1981 but this year that record was beat with a run time of 42 min 55 seconds. This race is GRUELING, leaving many racers injured and all racers covered in mud and sweat. Seward is a small town of roughly 3,000 people. the weekend of Mt. Marathon the population goes up to 30,000. It was incredible to be a part of that and we have both agreed this is a new tradition. We found a campground that we loved about 5 miles out of town, away from all the congestion and noise. We soaked up the whole experience and look forward to going back next year.
The fireworks take place at midnight on the 4th since it's too light any earlier to light them off. We definately weren't impressed with the 5 min display and NO grand finale! Jeff and I have been to some incredible firework displays (so resulting in fireworks misfiring into the ground and shrapnel falling on you) so our expectations were high but these didn't even come close. Oh well, it was still pretty watching fireworks over the boat harber and all part of the experience.

 Dunk the Mayor... and you better believe that I hit that target right on!!!

Let the race begin. They run in 2 seperate heats... men and women. The next few photos you can see all the tiny dots of people scaling the mountain. 

 

The race was over and you have to reach a certain time to the top or your disqualified. This old lady clearly didn't make it but still wanted to finish the race and was running down the final shoot during the parade. On tough woman!!

Back at camp chillin around the campfire. All weekend there was a slight drizzle of rain which brought slightly cooler temps but it didn't stop us from enjoying our time out as a family. Plus we had a fire for outside and a nice flame throwing heater in the camper to keep us warm at all times. Harper was mesmorized by the fire... she wasn't a happy camper when we had to pull her away to get ready for bed. I love that she loves the outdoors.

While we were wandering around town we stepped into the gift shop at the Sea life center to avoid the rain a little. while in there we found this crown and a stuffed animal that just had Harper giggling. She is truly our little princess.