Julie Decker completes an upper body workout in the recreation center weight room. She says the facility is an integral part of her winter fitness regimen.
Esther Reese, WCA tribal administrator, says working out at the rec center comes in handy during cold, wet winter weather.
Devyn Johnson grew up playing sports in Wrangell.
She didn't think about fitness until she was an adult – who, like a lot of people, gained the "Freshman 15" after high school, that bit of extra weight which comes after college starts, the responsibilities of adulthood creep in and high school gym class and sports are in the rearview mirror.
So, she started to jog. A half mile at first, and then it stretched out from there into longer distances. Jogging turned into a love of working out. "I love how it makes me feel," Johnson said.
As the days grow shorter, the darkness and cold encroaches. It may be even more difficult to find motivation to exercise when motivation can be in short supply at any time of the year.
That's why Johnson makes use of technology to encourage her and her friends to get moving.
"My son and I post a lot of videos of us working out in the backyard and at the playgrounds," Johnson said.
The co-owner of Sweet Tides Bakery and mom to three children under the age of 10 – Jude, 7, Nolan, 4, and Maren, 2 – tags her friends in fitness challenge videos posted to her Instagram, @devynleajohnson. That could include a hundred curtsy or split jumping lunges a day (with one of her dogs, Wilfred, entering the frame, making his best doggy lunges, dog siblings Millee and Zoey making cameo appearances), interspersed with video clips of sourdough English muffins or maple shortbread cookies topped with candied bacon.
Like baking, it's all about balance.
"It's no secret I love my sweets and my sourdough bread," she said.
Johnson's advice for getting or keeping fit this winter is get an activity partner who can help hold you accountable.
"Get some warm clothes and turn up the tunes," Johnson said.
If she can't run on the Zimovia Highway bike path – "the view never gets old" – or take in the outdoor spots Wrangell has to offer, like the beach off Mile 8 or Upper Salamander Creek, Johnson heads down to the gym and the pool.
And that's where the parks and recreation department comes in.
Director Kate Thomas said the recreation center offers cardio equipment, a weight room, racquetball and swimming pool.
People can come for lap and open swim hours, water aerobics or water arthritis classes, and lap/tot swim hours.
Her favorite part of the job is meeting the variety of people who pass through the rec center doors on a daily basis.
"Bye, River!" she called to a young girl exiting the rec center. Several other children left with their parents, and a few adults too. Thomas said goodbye to them all by name.
"Wrangell offers a sense of community," Thomas said. "The landscape and geography gives direct access to recreation opportunities."
Thomas, who is from Ohio, said living on the small island has enriched her network. She got a job with Alaska Crossings in 2008. She went back to Ohio for a couple of years, then returned to Wrangell in 2010. "And haven't left since," Thomas said. She's been the parks and recreation director for seven years, come February.
"Growing up in a big town you get the luxury of anonymity, but you also don't know your grocery store clerk by name, and people think you're weird if you ask for it," Thomas said.
There is "mall walking" at the community center gym (also called the old gym) for adults 18 and up Oct. 19 to Dec. 16, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. It's an indoor option for walkers and those looking to add movement to their day, Thomas said.
Pickleball is also on tap at the community center from Oct. 14 to Dec. 16 on Thursday nights.
Thomas said a senior weightlifting class is also in the works, and adult jiujitsu classes with instructor Matt Nore start Oct. 19.
Parks and recreation offers flexible membership options for individuals, families, seniors and children that range from a day pass to a one-year membership. For hours and rates, go to wrangellrec.com.
You can also stay up to date on the rec center Facebook page, WrangellParksandRec, or sign up for the mailing list for upcoming winter activities to keep the blood flowing through the months ahead.
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