Sunday, September 20, 2009
Spring Water Straight Out of The Cliff
Glacier Hike
Drinking Glacier Water
Friday, September 11, 2009
Rafting on my Birthday
The temperature of the Neanna River is 36-38 degrees. Thus we have sealed tight dry suits. Of all my trips rafting, this was my warmest, despite the river being the coldest in my experience. The trip had good hits on rapids. We saw a Dal Sheep in the Canyon. I did a back flip off the raft, and it was just fun to add another experience to everything that is going on here in Denali.
Beaver Pond
Home made landing strip
World Renowned Opera Singer
Life @ Tour and Front Desk
Northern Lights
Thursday, August 27, 2009
8-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour
Rock Climbing
My Daily Job on the Train
During my 6-2:30 shift, three hours go to the my excursion on the train. Half-hour to get to the train yard, hour wait till train picks me up, hour on the train itself, and a half hour getting back to the resort. I pass out welcome packets and then explain them briefly on all the cars I have(3-5 cars total). I may have up to 300 passengers packets to pass out. If you know me, I love trains. Since I was a kid watching "Shinning Time Station" with Ringo Starr, I have wanted to be a train conductor when I retire. The train ride goes through Healy Canyon, winding along the Neanna River.
Fishin' wit yer bear hands
Monday, August 17, 2009
King Crab Dinner
As I work at the front desk of the hotel, I received a gift certificate for the entire experience of a dinner at King Salmon, our fine dinning restaurant. I thought of my mother and went for this 42 dollar plate of king crab. My total bill was 74 dollars, all expenses paid.
Into the Wild bus
This image is taken inside the bus without flash with Tim with his headlamp videotaping Dayne at fire stove. You can see the flame in the bottom left corner where Dayne is.
Into the Wild forging the river video
Into the Wild bus
17-mile mountain bike ride in, 22 out. Pouring rain, dried off in the bus, and slept in it. Crashed about 4 times and for nearly a minute flew down a super steep mountainside not by choice, I had no brakes, but in the peace of the chaotic moment I elected not to crash like it was accepted before as a option. We waded through waist deep rushing rivers of the Tec and the Savage. Crossed terrain of beaver dammed waters, think grass lands, big hills up and down, rides through streams and giant mud puddles. At last, all my gear was dry. I liked how prepared I was, the beauty of a 40 pound plus pack.
What I really love is nearly six years ago, David Mehr gave me the book. At that time, I was lonely, insecure, and uncertain if adventures were safe. Now I have journeyed so much and not once did I feel alone out there in the wilderness of Alaska in my pursuit of that bus. I thought it was a neat the amount of growth that has occurred and a capping point by being at the bus, the location of the story that I read which influenced me nearly six years earlier.
I appreciated the miracles that the happened. One, no serious injuries and two, after 22 miles and quite a few more to go with down hills and no brakes, we got picked up my Sam. This man took us to another truck to give us a legal ride back to the homestead.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Glacier Landing Flight with Sergin
Today Sergin and I went on the Glacier Landing Tour! It was a perfect day. We could see Mt. Mckinley the entire way on our trip. I was trapped in the back seat having to slide my backside down the seat and cram my legs between the seats in front of me. A nice German lady sitting next to me despite her limited knowledge of English spoke so clearly through her smile. As we approached our landing we were passing so many carvases that I was very curious as to how we were to land. We just continued towards the mountain side and “cookied” as we landed. Outside of the plane the giant bowl of the mountain with the beginning of the glacier was impressive. Another beautiful piece to my Alaskan experience was added today.
Glacier Landing Flight In the Plane
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Derek and Steve from Oregon!
Julia's Birthday Dinner
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Train Yard
Dog Sledding
Music of Denali
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Mt. Healy Hike
KING OF THE WORLD!
Summit Flight of Mt. Mckinley
I was at work on Sunday when we were informed that Denali Air needed to fill two seats. So myself and my co-worker, Luke, jumped on the opportunity and hit the skies. We traveled the the 80 miles to get there going through the clouds then it broke free into the blue air. We circled the summit 6 plus times. We saw the base camp located at 17,000 feet where the climbers make their final ascent. We could even see climbers. The mountain is so huge. Around the mountain we flew at 134 miles per hour and it took minutes to get around it.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Alaskan Train
TRAIN! DAY OFF! After being here 9 days, I got my first day off. We went to the train depot. And here is the incoming train from Anchorage to Denali. We got to snap this photo, which I love. For those who don't know, I love trains. For a summer job in Virginia I took a train from Portland, OR to Richmond, VA. 77 hours 3 days, 3,000 miles.
FAIRBANKS
We road tripped up to Fairbanks one night. We slammed 6 people into a Jeep Liberty. It was over 2 hours to get there. We saw Transformers 2 in the theaters. As we came out its was still daylight. The picture you see is of us at McDonalds going through the drive-thru at 1:15 in the morning. We got back at 3:30am and I have yet to see any stars. I gonna have to wait a few months. :)