The Good Life

Spring has finally arrived and given way to summer. The ice is gone, temperatures are on the rise, and the sun has been brave enough to show itself on occasion. The quiet stillness of the early morning is often shattered with the roaring whine of an aircraft departing the bay or the airstrip.  This brief interruption of solitude is brought courtesy of yours truly, unleashing 300 ear shattering horses on the pristine Alaskan wilderness.

Take-Off Run

On the Move

Landing

Peaceful Beaver

Near Life Experience

The highlight of guiding with the float-plane this summer was being able to bring my son along with me on a trip to Twin Lakes to see and explore the famed cabin of Dick Proeneke. Dick built his cabin almost entirely with materials from the surrounding landscape, and built purely by hand. The weather was perfect and the fall colors were awesome.

Hillside above Twin Lakes


Some of the hand tools used


The Cabin


Cache or Credit?


Father & Son


Coleson's shot


Cozy

Sweet Hitch-hiker

Every year a group of people led by John Branson, traverse a portion of the Lake Clark National Park. John is the park historian and often follows ancient trail routes used long ago. This year Bran was able to participate (she was prevented from going last year due to injury from a clam digging expedition). So this morning at 7:30am she climbed into a float plane and away they all went. This trek is only two days, but not a leisurely stroll by any means. They took minimal gear, packs weighing under 15lbs, no tent, and the food looks more like snacks than real meals. They will hike until midnight, then grab a few hours rest and head out the next morning hoping to make the rendezvous for a ride home. Check out Bran's Blog in the next couple of days for a report on her trip.

Part of the Group


Boarding the Plane


Off They Go