Update Years Later

Thanks to all of you who have accessed this site and read through our posts over the years.   As you can see, the last post was from way back in 2013.   While we have great memories of our time in Alaska and would love to return, life has progressed in ways which make unfeasible.   Jack is now a student at the University of Colorado studying Mechanical Engineering and is far too busy making his own way in life to return for a full summer in the Alaskan bush. 

Many thanks to all of the friends we made and to those who made our time in Alaska so very special.  I should also note that it is comforting to know how much the great people of the USFS care for the beautiful surroundings of the jewel of the Southeast -  Wrangell, Alaska.

Rock Skating Finale

Home

The drive back to Colorado was as uneventful as it was long.  We stopped in Oregon and Utah, making the trip back in three long days of driving.  

It's great to be back home!   Nothing makes a small house feel spacious like spending ten weeks in a camper.  

We arrived home Sunday evening around six and I started back to work at school bright and early the next morning.   I'll continue to post periodically throughout the year until we make a decision as to whether we'll return to Alaska again next summer.  Thanks for reading!

Ferry to Bellingham

We boarded early Wednesday and after a few short hours found ourselves on a four hour layover in the rain capitol of SE Alaska - Ketchikan.  In keeping with the rest of the summer, it was a cloudless day.

Ketchikan is not my favorite city in Alaska.  The town's flavor is driven by the enormous cruise ships and the hoards of tourists that they bring.  Nowhere else in the world will you find a town of a few thousand with more jewelry shops - at least eight of them offering a huge assortment of tennis bracelets, Rolex watches, and multiple caret rings.   Ahhhh, free market capitalism, for better or worse, it's magical.

The weather during our trip was magnificent the entire way.  We saw loads of humpback whales, heaps of dolphins, and a bevy of bald eagles.  

We pulled off the boat at 9 am this morning and the coffee express began, taking us all the way to the Evergreen State, Oregon.  

More tomorrow.

August 6th - The Final Day on Wrangell

Jack and I spent our final day working the South end of the island.   I wanted to cut brush at those sites since it had been over a month since their last trim and finishing these two sites would mean that every rec area would be nicely cut for the remainder of the season.

The weather's odd mix of periodic thick, low hanging clouds and intermittent sun continued throughout the day.  We saw no wildlife whatsoever so we preoccupied ourselves over the long drive with two new podcasts.  

When we returned to the site. Glenn and Mike were there to pick up the picnic tables and our bear box.  We said our goodbye's and spent the next couple of hours getting the camper ready for takeoff.  

After dropping the rest of our gear at the ranger office, I ventured over to the shooting range with Bob to let him take the 50 cal for a spin.  While we were there I was able to shoot his Marlin 45-70 lever action primarily a bear defense rifle that kicked like a mule - the shells were as big as my middle finger.  

Bob had sent an invite out to the ranger office staff for a dinner at the Stikine Inn.  There was an incredible turnout with about forty people at its height.  It was a beautiful afternoon and the Stikine's deck overlooking the ocean is hard to pass up.  Jack retired to the camper early while I retired to the Totem Bar with a few colleagues.   After being over-served, I ventured back to the camper (parked at the ranger office) and loaded the freezer and its finned contents into the truck.  I did manage to get a few winks in before pulling the truck over to the ferry terminal at five the next morning.  

It's been a spectacular summer.

August 7th

I got the freezer packed and loaded and was the second in line at the ferry terminal early this morning.  We loaded the ferry without incident and had a beautiful float down to Ketchikan were we had a four hour layover in the rain Capitol of Alaska.....beautifully sunny, of course.  

We'll be out if cell connection until Friday night so check back later this week.  Thanks, by the way, to all of you who've been reading the posts and making comments.  

August 3rd

We took Janet to the airport, making it there just in time to get her through security screening just in time.   If it hadn't been for the group of a dozen or so teachers leaving Wrangell, she would have been the third of five to board.  

We said our goodbye's and headed out to the forest to complete our rounds.  I cut brush at several sites while Jack spruced up the outhouses and camping pads.  

In the afternoon, we grilled some of the last of our chicken and relaxed at the site.  

I've had a request to list some prices of commonly purchased grocery items.  Here is a short list from our trip earlier that morning:

Milk $5.65/gallon

Yogurt (16oz) Greek Gods Honey $5.45

Sun Chips large bag $5.75

Eggs 2.45/dozen

Gas 87octane.  4.89/gallon

Alaskan IPA Beer $11.25/six