August 1. Mt. Denali
"After climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb." ~Nelson Mandela
For our first day in Alaska, we drove our RV for 5 hours to Denali National Park. All along the way we were enchanted with the magical scenery of Alaska. Everything is so beautiful and magnificent. Because the sun was up so long, we were even able to get in a long hike. Hiking up Mt. Healy overlook trail was very strenuous. In 2.7 miles there was a 1700 feet elevation gain, which felt like it all happened in the last mile. It was so hard on my knee and for a time I began to ask myself why I was putting myself through this? With such extreme difficulty, was it really worth it? Shouldn't I just turn around? Even though going up was hard, I knew that the impact on my knee going down would be even more difficult. However, we all made it. Our hike took us up to a vantage point where we could see Mt. Denali if it is clear enough. Apparently, Mt. Denali is usually covered with clouds and it is rare to get a glimpse of it. The clouds were just right and we got to see it! It looked so elusive and so far away and beautiful. Why attempt hard things? Because the view at the top is worth every step. And at the top, we know we can do hard things. If I can do that, I can do anything.
August 2. Horseshoe Lake
"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."
~Hans Christian Anderson
First thing today we got to see a demonstration about sled dog's used in the winter in the National Park. It was educational and interesting. Today's hike was a shorter two mile hike around a beautiful lake. Describing the serene yet rugged beauty of Alaska is not easy- there is such much variety in the greens and added flowers and berries. It almost has a mythical touch to it. Being here seems surreal. Each hike has its own discoveries and feels like an adventure together. I am grateful for the chance to experience a side of God's creations that are so different from anything I have ever seen. As an added bonus, the Alaskan railroad ran along the trailhead and so we left a quarter on the track before we went on our hike. When we came back, we checked the track and found the smashed quarter! Brayden was thrilled.
August 3. Anchorage Temple and Adventurous Drive to Seward Alaska
"A miracle constantly repeated becomes a process of nature." Lyman Abbott
Thursday began in the temple. A beautiful beginning to the day. Gordon B. Hinckley taught, "Every time you come to the temple, you will be a better man or woman when you leave than you were when you came." How grateful I am for my family who wanted to spend time in the Anchorage temple and become better people. Their service in the temple makes them better and stronger. After the temple we drove a scenic byway to the beautiful town of Seward along the Resurrection Bay. On our way there we stopped at a spot where we could see Salmon Spawning, fulfilling a dream of something Matt has always wanted to see. It just so happens that it is only something that occurs during August and September and it just happens to be August! Each year, the salmon eggs hatch and the salmon float downstream into the ocean. The following year, they swim upstream to the place where they were born and lay new eggs. Watching this miraculous process was amazing. The salmon worked through such hard obstacles to get back to their birthplace. Just as we should return to the temple and remember where we came from. Each time is a miracle.
August 4. Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park
"It's the beauty that fills me with wonder. It's the stillness that fills me with peace."
~Robert Service
During the summer in Alaska, the sun is up until Midnight and then rises again early in the morning. I love that we can do so much in one day. It is as if time is standing still allowing you to soak in the peace of the surroundings and enjoy the magnitude of the creation. At the same time, it feels like time is slipping away. Everything we need is right here in the RV and we are all together possibly for the last time in a long while and I am cherishing every last second of it as a precious memory. How I love these boys of mine.
Today, we ate at a seaside restaurant. Matt, Tyson, and Cutler ordered some fabulous seafood dishes and they savored every last bite. The rest of us were grateful that the menu also featured real food! Late in the afternoon, we drove up to Exit Glacier for the chance to hike right up to a glacier on the Harding Icefield trail. While hiking along this glacier, I kept thinking that I was hearing a lot of traffic even though we were miles away from any cars. The movement of the glacier is what is making that noise. It was incredible getting to be there experiencing a glacier firsthand. If I thought the last hike was tedious, WOW! This taxing uphill hike tested every ounce of stamina that I possessed. Three miles up with a 2700 foot elevation gain. Take time to experience the picturesque glacier ahead of you. Turn around and conquer the three miles back down. My powers of endurance brought me through to the end. And then I wanted to die! But- Tyson built a fire and we had s'mores. Happy Endings!
August 5. Tour of Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords National Park from the Ocean (via boat)
"Look deep into nature, then you will understand everything better." ~Albert Einstein
Today was a marvelous experience. According to our boat captain, it was the best weather in over a week. Even then, we had seven foot swells out in the ocean and it was quite a ride. Brayden got sea-sick (he even threw up over the side of the boat...twice). At first he requested to go back, but he bravely decided to forge on and take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Later, he reflected with a big smile how glad he was that we didn't turn back. If we thought the glacier we saw yesterday on our hike was massive, we were in for a surprise. We saw glaciers that reached from the peak of the ice field right into the ocean. Our boat captain took us within 1/4 of a mile of the Aialik Glacier (means "thunderous" or "loud"). The movements of this glacier created some thunderous and loud noises. It was astounding to behold. He turned off the boat and we ate our picnic lunch right there next to the glacier that looked like a crystal blue ice castle. Probably one of the most amazing picnic lunches of my life! While we were there, the glacier calved several times and we watched as huge icebergs would fall off into the ocean. As we left the glacier, we spotted 3-4 orca whales swimming through the area. They put on a nice show for us. Then our captain got word of a humpback whale near another glacier. He took us over to Bear Glacier and turned off the boat and we watched and waited. Our patience paid off with another great show from the humpback whale. Also on our ride we got to see Eagles, Sea lions, cute little otters floating on their backs past our boat, Seals, and Puffins. Just to name a few. Not a day that will be forgotten in a hurry.
August 6. Church, a unique hike in Girdwood, Alaska, and finally some MOOSE!
"To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles." ~Mary Moore
On Sunday morning we arrived at church right on time but didn't think we were in the right place. Only one other car was in the lot and we were in front of a beautiful Catholic church. We pulled up to the front and saw a small sign that said, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" sacrament service at 10 am. The branch president greeted us very warmly and invited us to sit in the chapel. People began filtering in whom I later learned were also visitors. In attendance that day were about 25 people and only the branch president and 3 other people were the regular members. There was one family that attends for about 2 months out of the year when they are not on their fishing boat or sailing in South America. The rest of us were visitors. At about 10:35 Sacrament meeting began. Then there was a "kind of" primary and Sunday School. At noon, there was a break-the-fast potluck. We brought food from our RV that we hadn't known what we were going to do with and added to the potluck. There was roasted lamb, fresh-caught, oven-baked salmon, roast beef, a variety of salads, and some amazing company. Ephesians 2:19 teaches that "we are no longer strangers- but fellow citizens with the Saints". I truly felt the magnitude of those words as we talked and met the people around us. There was a great spirit in that building. Getting the chance to observe the dedication of the faithful few was quite inspiring.
At the recommendation of some of the other tourists that went to church, we chose to hike a trail near the church. Miracles of nature surrounded us on this awe-inspiring trail. Our Sunday hike couldn't have been more ideal. At the end of the 2.5 mile hike is a "hand tram" where you get in the tram and close the door. It is hooked to a pulley system which you or someone waiting has to pull the ropes so you can cross over the top of a rushing river of water. What a thrilling and fantastic experience!
Finally, we headed back to Anchorage because the end of our time in Alaska was creeping up on us. But we hadn't seen any moose. I had read about a nature park with walking and biking trails in Anchorage that is rampant with wildlife. So we headed in that direction with the hope to see some Moose. We ate dinner and headed out onto the trail. We saw a biker and asked if he had seen anything. He told us there was a bear 1/2 mile back. Hmmm.... We asked the next biker and he pointed us in the direction of some moose. We found 2 together and took some pictures. They didn't have any antlers though. We wanted something bigger. We asked the next bikers and they pointed us in the direction of a moose with big antlers. We wandered for a while and found some more moose- but we wanted that big one. We kept on some more trails and we were rewarded with a large moose just sitting in the bushes. He let us take some cool pictures and then we headed back to the RV and into town to turn it in. Mission Accomplished. We can now go home. But with a little sadness in our hearts to leave this beautiful part of the country.
August 7- A continuation of adventure on the Airplane
"Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity." ~Hippocrates
Our flight flew out at 1 in the morning which was very tiring especially for Brayden. Immediately after taking off we all settled in and tried to find a comfortable sleep position. About 2 hours into the flight and just as I was finally dozing off, they came over the intercom and asked if there was anyone medically trained and willing to volunteer medical assistance to please notify the flight attendant. I nudged Matt awake and he went to the back of the plane and asked how he could help. A lady had walked to the back of the plane and had fainted and wasn't responding. Matt began directing to have her laid down in the aisle and have her feet propped up. He asked if they had ammonia salts and they did. Her body responded in trying to avoid the salts which showed that her brain was responsive, but she still did not wake up. He asked for their first aid kit. It was pretty useless. He couldn't even hear his own voice in the stethoscope, let alone her heartbeat. Ironically, we carry a pretty comprehensive first-aid kit with us everywhere we go that would have been very useful. Unfortunately, they had been begging people to check their carry-ons and we decided with Brayden being so sleepy and Matt carrying him it would be easier to just check everything! At this point he had another doctor and ER nurse assisting. Matt monitored her dropping pulse closely and put orange juice in her cheek in case her blood sugar was low. Meanwhile, the pilot had an air-force base in Oregon that he could land at and wanted to know if he should land. She was starting to respond so Matt asked for some time. After attempting a variety of tactics, he finally got her to start answering questions and Matt found that she had been sick on a boat and was likely dehydrated. Again, the pilot had a runway and wondered if he should land. Matt asked for 20 minutes to get an IV going to see how she responded. He had to rummage through the first-aid kit to find supplies. He found tubing and a needle but it was a pediatric needle. He kept looking and found a needle that would work. Finally, he got the IV fluids and they hooked her up to an IV. Matt told them he needed some tape to secure the IV. They were able to locate some duck tape up front and they put it in place. Eventually, someone found first-aid tape but it was old and not very strong so they left on the duct tape. The lady perked up and was much more responsive. She was able to walk back to her seat and they let the pilot know we could fly on to Phoenix. Hooray for Matt! I am grateful for his skills and ability to stay calm in a stressful situation. I am impressed with his critical thinking skills and ability to think outside the box.
"If you can't fix it with duct tape, you aren't using enough duct tape."
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