Camping in the Yukon

There's something to be said about the beauty of the Yukon. 

It's unlike any other landscape in the world. 

Daily I find myself holding my breath, in complete awe of my surroundings. 

People often look at my strangely because I'll randomly say "Oh my god. We're in Alaska."

It just never gets old. 

I can't imagine not being here - not breathing in the sweet smell of the Cottonwoods or hearing the wind roaring through the trees. 

I'm filled with such love for this area of the world. 

The mountains have always had a hold on my heart. And the grip has grown even stronger in these past weeks.

Skagway has taken a hold of me and I'm not sure if it will ever let go. 

But for now, I am living every moment as best I can. 

Here are some photos from a camping trip this past weekend. 

Steven's Puppets Presents Rumpelstiltskin

Steven's Puppets from Elise Giordano on Vimeo.

The Skagway Marathon

The Skagway News

By Elise Giordano

David Golden crossed the finish line, wearing blue shorts and a sweaty yellow t-shirt, emblazoned with the slogan, “Holy Cow!”

Onlookers cheered and congratulated him as he paced around, catching his breath and letting it all soak it.

Golden had won the Skagway Marathon with a time of 3:29:20.

He had never participated in a marathon and had only been preparing for three weeks.

“Holy Cow!” is right.

The third annual Skagway Marathon was held at the Skagway Ferry Terminal on Saturday morning.

Second place in the men’s half marathon was awarded to Dallas Jamme, a summer resident of Skagway, with a time of 3:36:55 and Alex Angstadt of Skagway came in third with a time of 3:37:24.

At the West Creek Road turn, the halfway point, Angstadt was leading at 1:40, Golden was seven minutes behind at 1:47 and Dallas was third at 1:48.

To win the race, Golden had to make up seven minutes.

Started by Buckwheat Donahue, the marathon is known to be “one of the hardest and most-rewarding” marathons in North America, covering 26.2 miles of climbing hills through the Southeast Alaskan coastline.

One hundred and eleven runners signed up for the race – 30 percent more than last year.

Of those 111, 89 were half marathon runners and 22 were full marathon runners. Fourteen runners did not participate.

Jane Lanford, 58, a resident of Fairbanks, won first place in the women’s full marathon, with a time of 3:46:33.

Lanford drove from Fairbanks to Skagway with friend and half marathon runner, Robbin Garber-Slaght.

Lanford hopes to participate in all marathons within Alaska and has already completed 67.

She said the Skagway Marathon is now one of her favorites.

Second place in the women’s full marathon went to Sarah Thomas, summer resident of Skagway, with a time of 4:01:08 and third place went to Jen King of Whitehorse with a time of 4:18:49.

“Skagway proved once again it punches far more than it’s weight,” Whitehorse resident, Tom Ullyett said.

Ullyett won the men’s half-marathon with a time of 1:31:14, with friend Maura Sullivan of Whitehorse on his tail, finishing with a time of 1:31:26, winning first place in the women’s half-marathon.

Second place in the men’s half marathon went to Jonathan Cromwell of Skagway with a time of 1:33:36 and third place went to Matt Ordish of Whitehorse with a time of 1:34:47.

Second place in the women’s half marathon went to Keltie Hollingdale of Haines with a time of 1:44:42 and third place went to Larra Daley of Whitehorse with a time of 1:43:02.

Bonnie Love of Whitehorse took first place in the walking half marathon with a time of 2:31:13.

“For a road course, it’s very tough,” Ullyett said. “It’s as scenic as North America can provide.”

Duff’s Outfitters, RadioShack, the Skagway Brew Company, the Church of Jesus Christ LDS, the Skagway CVB, and Linda Van Halton made the marathon possible, with food donated by The Station and White Pass.