Alaska is truly Breath Taking

Tonight is our last night in Alaska and since competition was over the team was finally able to do some site seeing. After the meet we stopped at Subway for lunch then the hotel to change. Once we were all ready to go we hit the road. Our first and only stop was the Chena Hot Springs (Chena Recreational Park). The drive was about an hour and it was a scenic one too. We got the true experience of Alaska in the drive to the hot springs. It was a long road that was covered with trees and mountains. The view was absolutely breath taking! Once we arrived at the Chena Hot Springs we took a few team photos and quickly changed into bathing suits. The atmosphere was calm and relaxing. Once we were all changed we went into the hot spring. The water was warm, relaxing, and stress free. There is nothing like sitting in a hot spring outside in Alaska with the view of mountains and trees surrounding you. We took many photos of this beautiful place. After relaxing in the hot spring for a while we got changed and went to the gift shop. It was really neat to see all sorts of homemade Alaskan items. Typically at this site you can see the Northern Lights around 2:00am, since the sky was overcastted we would not have been able to get the full experience of them. We wanted to stay to see them although it was overcastted, but we were not able to since we are leaving for the airport at 5:00am. They also had an Ice Museum at the Chena Recreational Park which we were unable to attend due to times, but the pictures were phenomenal. There were greenhouses where they grew all sorts of food that were served at the restaurant. The restaurant only served food that had been grown in the greenhouse or hunted. Everything at the Chena Recreational Park operate through the geothermal from the hot springs. After watching the sunset in the mountains we headed back to the hotel. We arrived back around 8:30pm and ordered some pizzas from a local pizza place. We are waiting for the pizza to arrive any minute now. We planned on stopping at the North Pole also but it closed at 6:00pm so we were too late. We wish we had more time to do more but are thankful for the experience we have had in Alaska.

The team is packing up their bags for an early departure at 5:00am. It has been an experience of a lifetime, but most are ready to go back to California, PA. Once back at Cal U the team will continue to train and work hard. Their next competition is on the 31st of October. The team will without a doubt improve! Since they will be swimming in their home pool and not traveling their bodies will be rested and their minds will be ready to go.

I will post pictures and videos for the next few days. The internet service is not strong here so it is not easy to upload everything at this moment. Please be patient as I continue to post everything from this remarkable trip.

I am glad that everyone is enjoying this blog and I appreciate all of the comments I have received. I hope we can continue this throughout the season.

See you back in California tomorrow!

Let The Adventures Begin

Day two of competition is completed. Although the Vulcans did not come out on top they put up a strong fight. The girls swam strong but made little mistakes. This meet was a chance for the girls to learn and go home from this experience with more knowledge. With a team of mostly freshman it was a nervous meet for most of the girls. I feel that the first meet is always the hardest, but now they know what to expect. Coaches are pleased with the results but not satisfied as a whole. The Vulcans will return back to California, PA tomorrow evening. Their training will continue as they prepare for the dual meet on October 31st, 2009.

Freshman Bruna Carvalho qualified for the PSAC meet in the 100 Butterfly and Sophomore Melissa Gates qualified for the PSAC meet in the 100 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Gates also made the NCAA B qualifying time in the 100 freestyle. Once again there were numerous swims that just missed PSAC qualifying standards.

The Vulcans are done competing and will now venture out in Alaska for some site seeing. The plans are to go to the Chena Hot Springs, the North Pole, and whatever else we may find during our travels.

Pictures and videos will be posted later today after our adventures!

Great Job today Vulcans!


The Cal U Swim Team would also like to send their best wishes to Coach Scott Hunsinger who will appear on the FoodNetwork this evening on Tailgate Warriors @ 9:00pm! Watch it and cheer on Coach Scott and his team the “CBNG.” Good Luck!