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.