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.