Temporary stoppage of content

For those of you who have been following these posts, I must apologize for the lack of info over the last few weeks. I was anticipating being able to add to this on a weekly basis, but over the last couple weeks I got pretty busy photographically wise and it looks to continue for a while. I hope to have some posts up once a month until time frees me up to concentrate more on this, but until then, there will be little added to the site.

Busy Time - Baseball in Eagle River

Unfortunately, my regular schedule has taken me away from this project for a while, and while I can not add any pictures at this time, I can give you this information, and it is fine without pictures.

Eagle River not only offers little league baseball and softball for the youth of Eagle River/Chugiak, but it also offers baseball fans a great evening of entertainment. In 2006, Knik Little League hosted many of the District One playoff games for all levels of Little League. Currently, Dimond West out of Anchorage is getting ready to face off against Juneau in the State Juniors tournament. The winner of these next games will head down to the lower 48 for the Regional Tournament and a chance to go to Michigan for the Junior Baseball World Series. The group of kids playing for Dimond West are looking at their 4th visit to regionals and when they were in the Majors level of play, they were the first team from Alaska to make it to within one game of heading to the Little League World Series. Many of these kids are former Alaska Quakes, a travel baseball club that has many Knik Little League members as well as players from Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley and offer the kids more baseball in the short Alaskan Summer. So whether there are Eagle River kids playing, or teams from Kodiak, Juneau, Wasilla, or even from out of state playing up at Lyons Park in Eagle River, you will be guarenteed a good time at the ball park if you are a baseball fan.

Knik is always looking for people to help out. Umpires are one area the league is always looking for help, so if you can donate some time, this would be a greatly needed, and worthwhile place to do it. You can find Knik and District 1 information on the internet at http://eteamz.active.com/knikll/ and http://eteamz.active.com/akd1/

National Pastime

Every Spring it happens. Once the snow is melted in Eagle River, baseball is here. While a shorter season in Alaska, your young ones can head out onto the diamond to take some cuts at fast balls and swing for the fences. March and April is when Little League season starts with the Knik Little League. Games are played in Eagle River at Lyon's Park next to Wal-Mart and at Loretta French Ball Fields in Chugiak. From Tball to Juniors, baseball and fast pitch softball, there is something for all the kids. Sign-ups take place a couple months prior to the season at the Eagle River Carr's store and the board of directors holds meetings once a month at Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River. So play, watch, or volunteer with Knik Little League.

Fire Lake

This will be the first entry about Fire Lake. There is so much to do here, you will be surprised.

Just north on the Old Glenn Highway, just past the Eagle River Fred Meyer, you will find Fire Lake. Josh Cooper (pictured above) of Eagle River spends a Sunday afternoon fishing on the creek coming off of Fire Lake as a float plane approaches the lake for a landing. Cooper says this is his favorite fishing spot and he and his friends often ride their bikes up during the summer to fish. Whether fishing off the lake or on the lake, sandwiched in between the busy Glenn Highway and Old Glenn, this is a great place to come and fish, or relax, or both. Ride your bike up the bike path, or drive on up. While it does not seem like a place that offers much more than fishing or a place to let your dog take a swim, as you will see in upcoming posts, Fire Lake is a great place to spend a couple hours or more on those hot summer days, and is open for ice fishing during the winter.

Eagle River Fencing Club

Located above Garcia's Mexican Restaurant on Business Blvd in downtown Eagle River is the Eagle River Fencing Club. This group of people ranging from grade schoolers to adults meets every Wednesday night from 6:45 to 9:30. Fencing in many styles including foil, epee and saber, this group is growing and getting more popular each week. Watch for members of the club at the 2006 Bear Paw celebration. The club offers instruction in fencing on Thursday nights and the next classes are scheduled to start this fall. Call Margie Faraday at 694-4000 or 694-7130 for more information. From my own experience, I can honestly say, fencing is a lot harder than it looks and is a great way to stay in shape, loose weight, and have fun at the same time.

Welcome to the Eagle River Activities Blog

I have lived in Eagle River, AK for close to 3 years now and I am still discovering that I do not need to go into Anchorage to have fun, hang out, keep busy, or get some good eats. This blog, which is step one in a goal of mine, is to inform people new to Eagle River, and those who have lived here for a long time, that as a community, Eagle River has a lot to offer everyone. Each week I will profile a local activity, club, business, or something else that can keep us entertained. With the sky rocketing prices of gas recently, it may surprise you what is just down the street, or around the corner.

Coming this week: The Eagle River Fencing Club, so get ready for some sword play. Photos and information are coming in the next couple days.