Sunday proved to be such a treat, as the temperatures were warm enough NOT to wear coats. After BBQ potluck (because Baptists are all about some food, fun, and fellowship), we drove out of Palmer, AK, and headed toward the Knik River. Our destination was "where the road ends" -- Knik River Lodge adjacent to Knik River Glacier. The scenery was absolutely amazing, but we were most intrigued by the number of homes on that stretch of road. Having traveled somewhat extensively throughout the state, seeing very few people, observing that many homes so close together didn't seem to fit the scenery. Nevertheless, when the road ended, we found ourselves nestled next to the river with breath-taking beauty and a desire to return when the lodge is officially open for the tourist season.
We won't be doing the helicopter ride to the glacier that they offer, but we would love to hike over the pass and reach it on foot! We obviously weren't dressed appropriately for such a jaunt, so we satisfied ourselves hiking to Pioneer Falls -- a frozen waterfall just off the main road. Do you know that smell? That woodsy, fall smell of fresh mountain water, spruce trees and moss all competing to fill your nasal cavity simultaneously? Well...that was Pioneer Falls -- and we muddied our good church shoes just to get close to it! And, yes, we'd do it again in a heartbeat! So our outdoor nature lessons continue, and we are convinced this is a special type of heaven on Earth.
Returning home, Michael decided to surprise Ethan with a pop-quiz for Monday. The lesson: Fire-starting 101! Now you might think it strange that we would incorporate such a lesson into Ethan's repertoire, but we felt that because we now reside in the Last Frontier, knowing how to start a fire in the wilderness is essential! Ironically, it was during our recent trip to the Fairbanks/North Pole area that this particular curriculum idea came to my husband. In a family of introverts, a quiet, lengthy trip with very little conversation is not unusual. Well...except for Ethan. Michael lovingly refers to him as our mathematical anomaly -- i.e. the Lord took two negatives and gave us a positive! Yay, for algebra lessons throughout all of life!
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| View from Knik River Lodge |
We won't be doing the helicopter ride to the glacier that they offer, but we would love to hike over the pass and reach it on foot! We obviously weren't dressed appropriately for such a jaunt, so we satisfied ourselves hiking to Pioneer Falls -- a frozen waterfall just off the main road. Do you know that smell? That woodsy, fall smell of fresh mountain water, spruce trees and moss all competing to fill your nasal cavity simultaneously? Well...that was Pioneer Falls -- and we muddied our good church shoes just to get close to it! And, yes, we'd do it again in a heartbeat! So our outdoor nature lessons continue, and we are convinced this is a special type of heaven on Earth.
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| Frozen Arm of the Knik River |
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| Pioneer Falls |
Returning home, Michael decided to surprise Ethan with a pop-quiz for Monday. The lesson: Fire-starting 101! Now you might think it strange that we would incorporate such a lesson into Ethan's repertoire, but we felt that because we now reside in the Last Frontier, knowing how to start a fire in the wilderness is essential! Ironically, it was during our recent trip to the Fairbanks/North Pole area that this particular curriculum idea came to my husband. In a family of introverts, a quiet, lengthy trip with very little conversation is not unusual. Well...except for Ethan. Michael lovingly refers to him as our mathematical anomaly -- i.e. the Lord took two negatives and gave us a positive! Yay, for algebra lessons throughout all of life!
At any rate, Ethan keeps us entertained on long trips, and we usually sit quietly thinking to ourselves. Our thoughts have a way of surfacing - usually a week or two later - and this idea was no exception. Michael told Ethan that once his lessons were done for the day, he would be given an opportunity to show that he had been listening to all of their conversations about hunting - a quiz, if you will, for a real "survival" scenario; and, that he would be expected to build a fire in the snow without adult assistance. Well, Ethan was up before 7:00 a.m., ready for lessons! Perhaps we should let him set something on fire everyday.
For whatever reason, building a campfire and role-playing survival scenarios brings out the "John Wayne" in both of them. Donned in dusters and cowboy hats, they made their way into the snow melting in our backyard. Ethan was quick to snatch birch bark, which burns really well and serves as a great fire-starter. He also headed for the hanging moss in the spruce trees, which was a very interesting, unexpected, and wise choice. After gathering his starter, he went to work with the kukri gathering small branches and pieces of kindling. A kukri is a weapon of choice for British fighters in Nepal - so history came into play during the lesson as well. Thank goodness for Daddy and his history lessons! Finally, Ethan had a lighter, matches, and cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly -- all items that would have been packed into a backpack if they were truly hunting together.
The Scenario: Dad has fallen off the 4-wheeler in the Alaskan wilderness while the two of them are on a caribou hunt. He hit his head, is currently unconscious, and the sun is beginning to set.
The Goal: Build a fire to warm Dad and signal a rescue helicopter or plane;
Build a small shelter for the night (the next lesson); and
Do self-aid buddy care until help arrives (final lesson).
Ironically, the most difficult part of the lesson was for us. Fighting the urge to jump in and "help" Ethan, offer unwanted advice, assist with his planning process, and help with his methodology was so difficult! We nearly ruined the pop quiz because we thought we knew how to do it the best! In the end, Ethan politely asked us both to stop helping him and to let him do it on his own. It was then, that we realized, pass or fail, he is branching out in independence, wanting a chance to prove himself -- just like we all have done. Perhaps if we allow "failures" now, in the safety and security of our own backyard, the failures in the real-world will be minimized. Or perhaps when we expect failure, we will be pleasantly surprised when our way might have worked, but his does, too...
For whatever reason, building a campfire and role-playing survival scenarios brings out the "John Wayne" in both of them. Donned in dusters and cowboy hats, they made their way into the snow melting in our backyard. Ethan was quick to snatch birch bark, which burns really well and serves as a great fire-starter. He also headed for the hanging moss in the spruce trees, which was a very interesting, unexpected, and wise choice. After gathering his starter, he went to work with the kukri gathering small branches and pieces of kindling. A kukri is a weapon of choice for British fighters in Nepal - so history came into play during the lesson as well. Thank goodness for Daddy and his history lessons! Finally, Ethan had a lighter, matches, and cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly -- all items that would have been packed into a backpack if they were truly hunting together.The Goal: Build a fire to warm Dad and signal a rescue helicopter or plane;
Build a small shelter for the night (the next lesson); and
Do self-aid buddy care until help arrives (final lesson).
Ironically, the most difficult part of the lesson was for us. Fighting the urge to jump in and "help" Ethan, offer unwanted advice, assist with his planning process, and help with his methodology was so difficult! We nearly ruined the pop quiz because we thought we knew how to do it the best! In the end, Ethan politely asked us both to stop helping him and to let him do it on his own. It was then, that we realized, pass or fail, he is branching out in independence, wanting a chance to prove himself -- just like we all have done. Perhaps if we allow "failures" now, in the safety and security of our own backyard, the failures in the real-world will be minimized. Or perhaps when we expect failure, we will be pleasantly surprised when our way might have worked, but his does, too...
"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right."
Proverbs 20:11
Proverbs 20:11
