Archive of: Recreation Features

2013 Star Summer Events Calendar

From parades to parties, there’s plenty going on around Chugiak-Eagle River this summer! Among the biggest events of the summer are the Annual Scottish Highland Games, the annual July 3 fireworks show in Lions Park, Chugiak’s Fourth of July Parade and the Bear Paw Festival. There’s also a full slate of races, community events and lots of Alaska Baseball League games at Loretta French Park on the Old Glenn Highway in Chugiak, where the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks play their home games. Hold onto this calendar all summer long to keep track of what promises to be a fun (and busy!) season in Chugiak-Eagle River.

Outdoor rec

Chugiak-Eagle River is one of the most scenic recreation destinations in the Anchorage area. In addition to numerous parks and trails, the area offers ample fishing and sightseeing opportunities for residents and visitors alike. This is far from a complete list, but here’s a rundown of some of the area’s most popular outdoor gems to get you started this summer.

STAR STAFF REPORT

Bear Paw!

Get out your boots and spurs, because a western-themed Bear Paw is right around the corner. The theme for this year’s annual community celebration is “Round-up at the Bear Paw Corral,” which Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber special events coordinator Merry Braham said should make for a stompin’ good time.

STAR STAFF REPORT

Scottish Celebration

After drawing a record crowd at last year’s Alaska Scottish Highland Games, event chair Chris Anderson is hoping to repeat history this year. Anderson estimated 8,000 people — 3,000 more than the previous record — participated in the annual Scottish festivities at Eagle River’s Lions Park last year.

MIKE NESPER

Advisory Board seeks trails support

People from Girdwood to Anchorage to Eagle River to Hunter Creek along Knik River live adjacent to one of the largest and most unique state parks in the nation — Chugach State Park — a 495,000-acre recreationists’ paradise of mountains, valleys, lakes and streams and diverse wildlife. But in many locations, access to the park has become problematic and some of its trails are in dire need of maintenance, if not re-routing.

Frank E. Baker

From fall to winter ...and back again

On Oct. 3 as I ascended a ridge in South Fork (Eagle River), the slopes were white with new snow. Everywhere it looked and felt like winter. And with layers, gloves, wool hat and boots large enough for big socks, I had dressed accordingly.

Frank E. Baker

Is there really a shortage of jobs?

I’m sure today’s job market for young people is more competitive than back in my day. But Anchorage and its environs are a lot bigger now and it seems there would be more jobs available.

Frank E. Baker

Sandhill cranes form up for the long journey south

One morning a few weeks ago while reading the newspaper, I was disturbed by high-pitched cries coming from outside of my house. At first I thought it was one of my neighbor’s dogs. “If it is,” I thought, “it sounds like that lynx I saw recently has gotten a hold of him.”

Frank E. Baker

Kayaker recounts dramatic Eagle River rescue

Clutching to a paddle that he had somehow jammed into debris beneath the frigid, rushing water, pinned and unable to free himself from his submerged kayak, Steve Rossberg wondered if anyone could hear the distress calls from his police whistle. After 90 minutes in the icy water, body numb, he could feel his will to survive ebbing. Then, with his head barely above water, he thought he saw someone on shore making a cell phone call. “I’ve got to hang on,” he thought. “I’ve got to hang on."

Frank E. Baker

Hiking and biking with a song in your heart

People are debating issues such as the economy, energy and health care, but someone has to talk about stuff like this: I’m talking about how when you’re hiking or bike riding, the same song keeps repeating over and over again in your head and you can’t get rid of it.

Frank E. Baker