Thursday, July 25, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
July Odds and Ends
July started rather slowly and quickly ramped up with 4th of July activities and a spontaneous camping trip to Eagle which turned into a spontaneous camping trip to Tok.
Let's start with the 1st of July. The most exciting thing that happened was a bull moose strolling through our backyard. It graciously stopped at the end of our deck, looked into the glass sliding door and allowed me to photograph him.
The 2nd and 3rd of July was rather boring. I made candles while Mike worked. Exciting, huh?
The 4th of July held lots of fun for Mike and me! We started off in Pioneer Park listening to the Arctic Warrior Band (Army), an antique plane fly-over and a long afternoon nap!
Feeling refreshed and obviously energetic, Mike and I decided that the next morning would be a perfect time to go camping. We brainstormed many places we could go and the final decision was to drive 9 hours to Eagle, Alaska. We also decided to invite our friends Greg, Becky, their two kids and Greg's parents to go along. Surprisingly, they accepted our offer!
On Friday, the 5th of July, we packed up our pop-up, met our friends and started our trek to Eagle. Everything was going smoothly until we arrived for a bathroom break in Tok, four hours into our trip. At this point, we learned that the road to Eagle had been closed due to a fatal accident and would not reopen until the next day.
So.....it was back to the drawing board! The six adults quickly came to an agreement to camp at a state park 16 miles south of Tok. We found a beautiful campsite that had a quiet stream meandering through the back.
On Saturday, the 6th of July, Mike and I celebrated our 17th anniversary. To celebrate our 17 years of wedded bliss, the eight of us drove south to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. We hiked to a subsistence fish wheel and drove the Slana Road into the park, which had incredible views!
Sunday, the 7th of July, Mike and I packed up our camp and drove home to find several fires burning along the Alaska Highway and one big fire burning about 20 miles from our home. With smoke filling the air around our home, we unpacked from our trip, took a very much needed shower and are now collapsing from exhaustion.
Check out all the fun things we have seen the last seven days:
Let's start with the 1st of July. The most exciting thing that happened was a bull moose strolling through our backyard. It graciously stopped at the end of our deck, looked into the glass sliding door and allowed me to photograph him.
The 2nd and 3rd of July was rather boring. I made candles while Mike worked. Exciting, huh?
The 4th of July held lots of fun for Mike and me! We started off in Pioneer Park listening to the Arctic Warrior Band (Army), an antique plane fly-over and a long afternoon nap!
Feeling refreshed and obviously energetic, Mike and I decided that the next morning would be a perfect time to go camping. We brainstormed many places we could go and the final decision was to drive 9 hours to Eagle, Alaska. We also decided to invite our friends Greg, Becky, their two kids and Greg's parents to go along. Surprisingly, they accepted our offer!
On Friday, the 5th of July, we packed up our pop-up, met our friends and started our trek to Eagle. Everything was going smoothly until we arrived for a bathroom break in Tok, four hours into our trip. At this point, we learned that the road to Eagle had been closed due to a fatal accident and would not reopen until the next day.
So.....it was back to the drawing board! The six adults quickly came to an agreement to camp at a state park 16 miles south of Tok. We found a beautiful campsite that had a quiet stream meandering through the back.
On Saturday, the 6th of July, Mike and I celebrated our 17th anniversary. To celebrate our 17 years of wedded bliss, the eight of us drove south to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. We hiked to a subsistence fish wheel and drove the Slana Road into the park, which had incredible views!
Sunday, the 7th of July, Mike and I packed up our camp and drove home to find several fires burning along the Alaska Highway and one big fire burning about 20 miles from our home. With smoke filling the air around our home, we unpacked from our trip, took a very much needed shower and are now collapsing from exhaustion.
Check out all the fun things we have seen the last seven days:
Moose looking in our back window.
Camping Trip to Tok:
Clearwater Creek quietly flowed behind our campsite.
Watch out, Mike! Sam is going to hit you with a rock!
Our first trip to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Views from the drive along Slana Road in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
Lakes were numerous along the drive.
Fires
Smoke encroached the mountains along the Alaska Highway.
Although you can't see it here, we could see flames just off the road with this fire.
Stuart Creek Fire in North Pole/Eielson area (20 miles from our house).
Burning over 40,000 acres, this fire has jumped the Chena River
and threatening the homes in Two Rivers.
July Flowers
Monday, July 1, 2013
Hiking Donnelly Dome Without Permanent Injury
On a whim, Mike and I drove down past Delta Junction, past Ft. Greely and all the way to Donnelly Dome. For those of you unfamiliar with Donnelly Dome, it is a big hill just north of the Alaska Range. It has a vertical climb of 3,800 feet. It starts with a rather easy climb and then goes straight up the side of the "mountain."
Along the way, we spotted several signs of wildlife including bear tracks and lots of moose nuggets. After reaching the top with sore legs, we realized why we started the hike in the first place. Even though it was extremely windy, the views were incredible.
However, the worst part of the hike was yet to come. Going back down a steep, rocky hillside was a lot harder than I imagined. It took longer to get down than it did to get up! Regardless of intensity of the hike, Mike and I had time to pick enough fireweed for a batch of fireweed jelly!
Along the way, we spotted several signs of wildlife including bear tracks and lots of moose nuggets. After reaching the top with sore legs, we realized why we started the hike in the first place. Even though it was extremely windy, the views were incredible.
However, the worst part of the hike was yet to come. Going back down a steep, rocky hillside was a lot harder than I imagined. It took longer to get down than it did to get up! Regardless of intensity of the hike, Mike and I had time to pick enough fireweed for a batch of fireweed jelly!
Donnelly Dome: Ready, Set, Hike!
Bear tracks
Pretty pink flower. I don't think I can make jam out of this one.
Mike about half-way up the "hill."
Kristie taking pictures of flowers, clouds, the sky, mountains, people, moose nuggets...
View from the top!
"Hey, can we take a break now?"
View from the top of the Alaska Range.
Taking a break and enjoying the view!
Don't trip and fall! It's a long way down!
I see fireweed jelly in our future!
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