The official logo for P.A.C.E. Trek 2009.
"BOB" - the "Beast of Burden" stroller - ready for a 500-mile, 18-day run through Alaska.
Arriving at the Mendenhall Glacer in Juneau, Alaska to begin the run. April 20, 2009.
Standing in front of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska on April 20, 2009.
Starting the run in Juneau, where I attended high school from 1980-1983.
My parents, Mike and Jeanne Staso, would provide nightly lodging in an RV during the 500-mile Alaska run, but would not provide any support whatsoever during my daily runs.
Literally the first few steps of P.A.C.E. Trek Alaska.
Whoa! Better be watching out!
It was awesome to run the same roads in Juneau that I ran in high school over 26 years earlier.
Running in Auke Bay, Alaska.
In Auke Bay, Alaska.
My 80-pound companion, "BOB", and I in Juneau, Alaska.
A genuine Alaskan totem pole.
Heading into downtown Juneau, Alaska along the Gastineau Channel.
At Cope Park in downtown Juneau, Alaska.
In front of the Governor's Mansion in Juneau, Alaska. At the time, Sarah Palin was Governor.
Approaching Alaska's capital building in downtown Juneau.
On the steps of Alaska's capital in Juneau. Didn't hear from Governor Sarah Palin even though several pre-run correspondences were sent to her office.
Standing outside of the high school I graduated from in 1983... Juneau-Douglas High School. Even though I alerted the school's administration that I was coming, they did not reply to my request to visit and/or do a school assembly.
With Jeff Brown of KTOO Radio in Juneau - the only media source in Juneau that replied to the P.A.C.E. Trek 2009 press release.
A Juneau boat harbor.
The LeConte Ferry would take me north to Haines, Alaska.
A beautiful day to ride the ferry to Haines.
Aboard the LeConte Ferry.
The scenery was amazing as the ferry sailed to Haines, Alaska.
Gorgeous!
Calm waters started the 4-hour ferry trip to Haines, Alaska.
What a beautiful day in Southeast Alaska.
Heading toward Haines, Alaska.
Passenger view from the LeConte Ferry.
The mountains were packed with snow!
Off the back of the LeConte Ferry.
This is Southeast Alaska!
View of Haines, Alaska from the LeConte Ferry.
Haines, Alaska on a spring day.
Hello from Southeast Alaska!
My parents enjoy the view as we sail north.
Entering the Yukon territory in Canada.
Me and my Dad.
Me and my Mom.
My parents at the entrance to the Yukon territory.
The LeConte pulled into the Haines ferry terminal.
Hello from the Yukon!
A little old cabin in the middle of nowhere.
There used to be a large, beautiful wooden sign welcoming people to Alaska. However, when I arrived at Alaska's border with Canada this was the only 'welcome' sign.
Building "BOB" after taking the LeConte ferry north and getting to the Alaska/Canada border.
25 degrees and a 30 mile day.
Taking a break at the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.
Running toward Northway Junction (near the Canadian border) in 25 degrees.
Just me and lots of forest.
Hello from the road!
Gotta Run!
Pushing down the road.
Taking a break to say hello to my parents (my dad is to the right).
Me and "BOB"... the mighty stroller.
Feeling good on a 37-mile day.
Leaving my parents' home in Tolsona, Alaska on a 20-degree morning.
The lane sign that my parents put up.
Quite a ways from the water!
One of my favorite pictures of all time. My Dad and I talking roadside during P.A.C.E. Trek Alaska.
I'd love to see the "air mail" delivered!
There must be a story here!
Only in Alaska would you see a sign reading "Dog Team Xing"!
Taking a snack break. Remember, my parents provided nightly lodging in an RV along the way and I would see them periodically during my daily runs. However, I carried everything I would need on "BOB" - including food. My parents and the RV were not of any assistance to me during the daily runs.
Sometimes I would feel so small while trying to conquer the 500 miles in Alaska's vastness.
Valdez, Alaska.
The All-American Route.
Starting what would be a challenging 33-mile day out of Valdez.
Native artwork in Valdez, Alaska.
Valdez boat harbor.
A very old style snow plow in Valdez, Alaska.
Bald eagles would watch my run from way up high.
"BOB" in Valdez, Alaska.
Running between Valdez and Thompson Pass.
Where the Alaska Pipeline ends in Valdez.
Steep canyons to run through outside of Valdez.
Outside of Valdez, Alaska.
Gotta have peanuts!
My dad checking out "BOB" the stroller.
My Dad thought he'd go for a little run with "BOB".
Beginning the 5-mile ascent up Thompson Pass (9% grade).
A partially frozen waterfall near Thompson Pass.
Remnants of winter.
The view of Valdez from Thompson Pass.
Snow on top of Thompson Pass.
After pushing for 5 miles non-stop up Thompson Pass' 9% grade, I arrive at the top! I began the day at sea level in Valdez.
At the top of Thompson Pass on a 33-mile day.
My Dad walks with me a bit after I reach the summit of Thompson Pass.
About 18 feet of snow on top of Thompson Pass.
At Chugiak, Alaska. I actually attended high school at Chugiak H.S. for my freshman year (1979-1980) and for half of my sophomore year. My family then moved to Juneau, Alaska.
A pedestrian tunnel on the way to Eagle River, Alaska.
Running into Eagle River, Alaska. I lived here from 1976 to 1980 (6th to 10th grade).
Arriving at Eagle River Elementary School, where I attended 33 years earlier as a 6th grader.
Being introduced to staff and students (out of picture to left) of Eagle River Elementary.
A nice welcome for "BOB" and I at Eagle River Elementary.
At the elementary school I attended in the mid 1970s.
Chrissy Perkins (daughter of my sister Amy) shows her encouraging sign.
Coming into Anchorage, Alaska.
My parents with my sister Amy (in white) and her two daughters, Chrissy and Nicky.
My sister, Amy, (immediately to my right) and her two daughters, Chrissy and Nicky.
Me and an old high school friend from my days at Juneau-Douglas High School, Erin (Madison) Kittredge.
Me and my sister, Mary. She's a teacher at Finger Lake Elementary School.
My parents with my sister Mary and I.
The temperature warmed up to 72 degrees, so I broke out some running shorts. I was actually wishing that the ice cream cone behind me was real!
A great way to end a day of running in Alaska.
What?! Is that the start of tan lines at my ankles? I thought this was COLD Alaska.
Arriving at Willow, Alaska.
Ready to start another 30-mile day.
ABC Motorhomes of Anchorage donated the use of this RV for me to sleep in each night. My parents drove it, although it did not provide any support during the running day.
One foot in front of the other.
72 degrees, Denali (Mount McKinley) on the horizon, and wearing shorts during May in Alaska. Doesn't get much better.
The snow is melting and spring is here!
Making progress.
Denali (Mount McKinley) in the background. Gorgeous day!
That's Denali (Mount McKinley) right there!
My parents with Mount McKinley in the background. What a beautiful spring day it was!
My dad and I zooming in on Mount McKinley.
An igloo in Alaska? Who would have guessed?!
Icing the knees down after a 30-mile day of pounding the pavement.
Alaska can make you feel very small.
Total wilderness.
Working my way to Denali National Park.
I loved experiencing Alaska (again) during P.A.C.E. Trek 2009.
Chipping away at the 500 miles through Alaska.
"BOB" and I heading to Denali National Park.
Alaska's flag... the Big Dipper and the North Star on a blue background.
Applying some Icy Hot at roadside on my way to Denali National Park.
Amazing scenery and wildlife in this park and preserve.
Good shoulder of the road!
Wild, scenic Alaska.
Getting close to Denali National Park.
Moose just off the edge of the road.
Whew! Made it to Denali National Park.
River ice breaking up in Denali National Park.
Beginning a 26-mile run inside of Denali National Park.
My parents stopped to say hello as I was in Denali National Park.
A ptarmagin in Denalin National Park.
Loving the experience in Denali National Park.
My dad and I check out the winding road ahead in Denali National Park.
Taking a little break inside of Denali National Park.
Goofing around. I saw this orange tube sticking up out of the ground and it looked like a big straw.
"BOB" in Denali National Park.
Working my way through 26 miles inside of Denali National Park.
Caribou crossing the road just yards in front of me inside of Denali National Park.
A caribou just feet away from me while I was running through Denali National Park.
The road got a little rough for awhile in Denali National Park.
No stopping anytime? I don't think so.
A running shoe and a caribou track.
At a visitor center in Denali National Park.
Not quite sure where I was here... but I'll guess I was about one mile from Clear, Alaska.
No lie! The hamburgers at the Monderosa are awesome!
About to cross the Nenana River.
A little icing after a day of work on the road.
Yep... I look like I'm enjoying this part of P.A.C.E. Trek.
Little information center in Nenana, Alaska.
Still smiling after 350 miles in 12 days.
The Taku Chief boat in Nenana valley.
This is a cache, used in Alaska to keep food out of reach from animals.
I made sure to look both ways!
Some nice people from Nenana who stopped to encourage me.
Let's see. This run through Alaska touched many of these locations, including: North Pole, Denali Park, Valdez, Delta Junction, and Anchorage.
The amazing Alaska Pipeline.
The Alaska Pipeline.
Inside a demo piece of the Alaska Pipeline.
Hanging out on a "pig", part of the Alaska Pipeline system.
Just checking out the Alaska Pipeline.
Information boards at this Alaska Pipeline stop.
At Santa's house in North Pole, Alaska!
Santa's house.
Hanging out at Santa's house.
The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska.
A reindeer at North Pole, Alaska.
At Santa's house in North Pole, Alaska.
This large Santa is outside of the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska.
In the gift shop at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska.
Just hangin' with a polar bear.
Got to sit in Santa's chair at North Pole, Alaska!
Now that's one big toy soldier!
As soon as I grabbed onto the walking staff I felt a burst of wisdom! Ha!
Wonderful letters to Santa from children around the world. (North Pole, Alaska)
Taking a little break on a sunny day.
"BOB" sure does an awesome job on these P.A.C.E. Treks.
Thinking about the 120 miles remaining until the finish.
Had to have a little fun at the "Knotty Shop".
Now that's one big mosquito!
Um... which way do I go?
Signs of spring in Alaska.
Moose very close to the road just checking me out.
Geese overhead!
More moose along the edge of the road.
I ran many miles on the Alaska Highway.
A moose in my path.
Had to break out the umbrella hat when the rain started to fall. My son, Kyler, first gave me this hat for my 2006 run across America. I still carry it on P.A.C.E. Treks.
This umbrella hat has traveled a lot of miles!
Lots of rain for the final 75 miles.
Still smiling.
After a 35-mile day in cold temps, wind, and rain/sleet.
The start of my final day on the road, and birds fill the sky.
After 500 miles of running, I arrive at Delta Junction, Alaska.
In Delta Junction, Alaska... the finish line.
Running up to the final milepost of the Alaska Highway... my selected finish line.
YAHOO! The end of P.A.C.E. Trek Alaska.
After 500 miles in 18 days on the pavement, I arrive at Delta Junction, Alaska - the finish line.
I knew the mosquitos in Alaska got big, but this is ridiculous!
Alaska does have big mosquitos!
An information sign at the finish line.
Sure does get cold in Delta Junction, Alaska. However, for my finish it was rather pleasant.
A piece of old Alaska in Delta Junction (the cabin, not me!).
My parents, Mike and Jeanne Staso, and I at the finish of P.A.C.E. Trek Alaska. I couldn't have done it without them!
