Sockeye fishing on the Russian River Bow

Another great BOW event. Julia and Mary went with me. We left my house about 7:30 with our coolers full of ice for the big catch! It was a nice drive down, and then we wandered through the campground in search of the pavilion. We found the group and began with introductions and lessons on knots. Tracy Smith led the program with help from other staff members. We learned about bear safety and cutting our line if necessary. After instructions and lunch we walked down a board walk toward the river. It was somewhat slick on the rocks, but no one slipped in. I learned how to release a snagged hook, point my pole towards it and yank on the line. It worked. I also snagged my own boot and Mary's! No one caught any fish that day. At the end of the day we walked toward the sanctuary. That is an area closed to fishing where the fish move between the Russian and Kenai Rivers. It is just south of the ferry. We stood in the water and watched the fish swim swiftly around it. It was cool to see them even if we couldn't fish for them there. After fishing on the way to the santuary, we saw a black bear in the brush about 25 feet from us. The group ahead noticed first, they gathered and raised their arms to looks big and softly talked to it. We did the same as it passed. I was not too scared and this was the first time I saw a bear in the wild. On the way back we saw one across the river. It looked bigger than the first one.

Moose on the trail!

It started out as an ordinary hike for the "half-Hikers". We were going to hike about 4 miles roundtrip on Wolverine off of Prospect. I think it was one of the first hikes for Julianne. Pretty far into the hike I said to be quiet because I thought I heard a moose. Everyone couldn't imagine how I said that with the bear bells, laughter etc. Anyway they were quiet and we heard nothing. Suddenly a moose came galloping quickly towards us on the trail. Dodie shouts out "moose!" The four of them jump off the trail to the left and try to get behind a tree. The moose was coming too fast for me to cross the trail and I quickly get off to the right, but there are not large trees around. Just after I get over it runs past us on the trail. About 50 feet later, it turns around to look at us. My heart was beating fast....it was scary. Joanne took the photo later on down the trail. We decided it may have been running from a bear or fox and it should be time for us to turn around also. That was a memorable hike.

Float tube fishing BOW Becoming Outdoor Women- AK

I went with one of my Petroleum Wives friends, Brenda, to the BOW program. We had introductions and told why we came to the program. Next, we learned how to make fishing knots such as the surgeon's knot, palomar, improved clinch knot and the blood knot. Tracy Smith who is a very knowledge fish biologist led the program and also told us much about how to handle a fish if we caught it. For catch and release, it is necessary to have wet hands so as to not damage the slime layer on the fish skin. Hold the fish gently until it swims away after releasing the hook. Tracy hand picked our flies to resemble the insects on the lake that week. So much to learn about this fishing business............

She told us many fish regulations, always have your license with you. Never snag in fresh water. She gave us a booklet of all the regulations and told us to call her with questions. After that we were geared up with chest waders and boots and went out to the Canoe Lake in Palmer a short drive from the state office.

We were given fishing poles and we tied a fly on with our new knot skills.
We were assisted into our tubes and put on fins similar to snorkel fins. Then we paddle out on the lake. It was not cold as I wore fleece and long underwear under my waders. I kicked around and they told us the fish were near the shore. Try as I might, no fish came to me, but it was still a super fun day.

The lodge at Kennicott

The lodge was a reconstruction of one that was in the same spot and burned down about 1985. The lodge was sold and the new owner obtained the blueprints and built it back with some additions. The main lodge was two stories, built on a hill we needed to climb about two stories to reach the small lobby area. The dining hall was in the center and our package had all meals included. Matt was given special vegetarian meals. One night we had prime rib and the next bbq ribs and chicken. We were served family style and assigned tables to mingle with the other guests. The restrooms were down the hall from the rooms and so were the showers. The lobby had a gas fireplace going even in late May. The rooms and hallways were decorated mainly with antique magazine ads and small items such as kitchen tools.

The front had a long porch where we ate lunch one day. It overlooked the main street of about six small stores and vendors who led hikes, etc. The National Park office was at the far end. It was originally the town store and was still set up as such. The friendly rangers helped Don with bird questions.

Flight seeing at Wrangell-St. Elias!

It was beautiful to see it all from above, the glaciers, the rivers, the lodge and the snow covered mountains.

Kennicott Copper Mine

One day we took a tour of an old copper mill. It is being maintained by the National Park Services in a state of "arrested decay". The area where we were staying was very rich in copper ore. The mill was built in the 1920s and it was a booming town there. There was even a hospital and a one room school. The building was about twelve stories high. We hiked to the top and began our tour descending all the way down. It was someone's job to hit the ore chunks with a sledge hammer to break it up into smaller pieces. Eventually small it was put on a float table with water to separate it. The whole process was very efficient and impressive that so much manufacturing could have been done so long ago. They even built a railroad to move the ore. We were surprised that tours could be conducted given the state of the building with steep stairs and abandoned equipment. It was very interesting.

Flight seeing plane

On the way to Wrangell-St. Elias we decided to take a flight-seeing plane as we thought it would be a fun adventure. Also, the road there is sixty miles of gravel with a risk of railroad nails in tires. The plane held seven passengers and we were limited to thirty pound of baggage. The baggage was loaded first and then we were put in my weight order. I was the lightest so I sat in the back next to the baggage. Matt was in front of me. Don sat in the middle with two heavier people. The pilot and another person sat in front. We wore headsets on our ears so we could hear the pilot talk to us and we could also talk back and to cut down on the engine noise. Don was concerned he might get airsick, but he was fine.

We flew around for about forty-five minutes. The plane took off slowly and rose to about 7000 feet, I think. It was a smooth glide and we could see glaciers and streams, snow covered mountains and trees. I don't remember seeing any roads. We also could see the resort where we were to stay. We landed on a gravel runway. It was a fun experience.

Ice Climbing and Glacier Walking!

One day on our visit to to Wrangell we arranged for a tour to ice climb. Don, Matt and I were the only ones on our the tour with our guide, Nealy, a bright, enthusiastic graduate student. First we were fitted with boots which were quite heavy. He gave us crampons that would be attached and we were cautioned to wear sunglasses and sunscreen because of the powerful reflections off of the glacier. Then we began our hike about two miles to the glacier. My pack was somewhat heavy, but I didn't complain.

At the foot of the glacier we put on our boots and Nealy instructed us how to lace the crampons. He told us the glacier looks rocky but is really very slick. I compare it to walking with snowshoes. Your feet seems somewhat heavier as the crampons sink in the ice. Each foot has 14 pegs about 1 1/2 inches long and two pegs sticking straight out in front. We hiked for about 45 minutes before we came to our first climbing wall. It was a pretty significant angle. Nealy went to the top and placed an ice anchor and then repelled down with the attached rope. We each took turns. The idea was to first hit the wall with the ice axe and then kick in and walk up with your feet. Surprisingly, it was not hard or scary. The axe hit was similar to hitting a hammer and did not require much upper body strength which is a myth. Next we would move our feet up and kick in. Don and Matt both made it to look over the edge, but I didn't want to. Somehow that part did seem scary to me. When it was time to go down, we held the ice axe firmly as our arms were on our sides and then walked back down being guided by Nealy as he controlled the rope. Faith!

Matt and I climbed five times and Don six. After our first two climbs, we moved to a different wall which was nearly vertical. Fun.

After climbing we had lunch on the glacier also. We hiked back and I was tired and thirsty. Don "Sherpa-ed" my pack for me. We were gone from about 9 am to 7 pm. Very memorable!

Ferry from Valdez to Whittier Memorial Day 2011 Part1

We took the ferry from Whittier to Valdez as we began our trip to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and the Kennicott Lodge. It was a beautiful, sunny day probably in the low 60s. The ferry held about two dozen cars and cost almost $400 for the three of us and the car- SPENDY! It was fun and worth it.
It was very relaxing to just watch the scenery which was ever changing. We saw a few small icebergs and some seals. The mountains were just gorgeous and I felt like I was on a real cruise. On longer ferries, people can literally bring their tent and camp out on top. There was a small snack /dinner area and the food was ok.

We spent the night at a local B&B in Valdez which was really just an ordinary home. We are accustomed to the historic ones in New England and were someone taken by surpise at the simpleness of this one.

There was a totem dedicated to honoring native Americans, otherwise not much of interest in Valdez.

The next day we drove to our destination through Thompass Pass. We were surpised to see groomed cross country ski trails so late in the season. I was disappointed we didn't have our skis with us.