"There Are No Wild Animals Here!!!"

Pioneer Peak
First "Official" Snowfall Sept 2015

If you've never heard an exhausted, exasperated hunter utter the phrase used as today's blog title, you may be among the privileged few who have not yet ached for someone that you care about who is feeling hopelessness and disappointment. Moose season has all but come to a close in our area, and despite a valiant effort by King Tom and Michael, we have no moose to fill the freezer this season.  From what we are hearing, we are not the only ones suffering the loss, as 4-500 pounds of meat goes a long way in our Alaskan economy.  We aren't fearful, by any means.  We have the fullest confidence that God provides all things that we need when we need them; however, it has been sad to watch the tireless effort of the past few weeks have no success.

Many agencies and local hunters have indicated they can't remember such a lean harvest year, and it is anticipated that the warm winter and hotter-than-normal summer contributed to the moose having much broader grazing grounds.  In a land that boasts being nearly "twice the size the state of Texas" that could be a huge swath of land the hunters just couldn't touch!  Their final attempt did include a 9-hour river float, and they did see two moose -- running away!  They couldn't make out the front end, and without knowing the number of spikes or brow tines on the moose, there was no way to tell if they were legal for a shot or not.

Moose Hunt 2015
River Launch

Finally on the River
7:30 a.m.

The day was not a total loss, however, as Michael (and I) got to see some Alaskan views that we never would have seen otherwise.  Brenda and I helped with staging the pick-up vehicle in Chickaloon where they would end the float.  Yes...Chickaloon is a real place... We left the castle again at 5 a.m. Sunday morning the 13th.  The sun was still asleep when we hit the shore and unloaded the raft, all the hunting gear, and our two hunters.  She and I joked that we didn't know where they would put a moose if they did get one!  The river was up from the recent rains, and the breeze from the river was cold; but the fall foliage was at its peak in that area of Alaska. The yellow and orange leaves actually looked like little firecrackers in the midst of the dark spruce trees.  And as the sun came up over the mountains, turning the sky a cotton candy pink, we knew the day would be great for the fellas, whether they got a moose or not.  They did not, but Michael did enjoy the float. So much so that we hope to do it as a family just for kicks and giggles when the weather warms again.

River Float Views Near Chickaloon

Michael's Newest "Favorite" View

Moose Hunting at
Trapper's Creek

"Hey, did you know it's the
last day of moose season?"

Later in the week, we tried again, and headed to Petersville Road close to Trapper's Creek.  That venture may have been a little bit more successful a different time in the season, but the day we went a search and rescue was underway for a lost hunter.  Numerous back woods atv-ers and the search and rescue helicopter came to assist.  No moose sightings, but we did get to learn quite a bit about search and rescue operations in the wilds of Alaska. They did find him a day or so later, but he was found nearly eight miles from his camp -- cold, wet, hungry, and swollen -- but otherwise okay from his ordeal.  And, of course, on the very last day of moose season in our area, wouldn't you know it...

It seems the moose have a hunting calendar, too; and they know just when to "reappear."  This cow and calf aren't legal for us anyway, but it sure is amazing to just have them appear in the backyard.  Michael was preparing to go outside and work on the 4-wheeler, but came back in and said, "I think I'll wait a bit..."  We didn't know what he was talking about until he pointed out the kitchen window.  We took a break from lunch prep and all went onto the back deck just to watch them.  Ahtna has never seen a moose, and even though we were high up off the ground, she wasn't sure she liked those big animals in her backyard.  She made this itty bitty little high pitched "oof."  Not even a full "woof," and the moose were un-phased.  She didn't even scare them a little, haha!

Eklutna, Fall 2015

Having resigned ourselves to the fact that we will probably do without a moose in the freezer this winter, we've tackled this week with renewed zeal for just "enjoying" the outdoors.  After a week or more of torrential rains, the sunshine has been welcomed, even if the temperatures are beginning to dip into the "frosty" levels.  Most of the leaves have fallen from the trees now, and the higher elevations saw their first "official" snowfalls with the recent rain storms.  As we look around, Michael's comment has been "It's almost as if God held a ruler up to all of these mountains and said, 'I'm only going to let it snow this much just now.'"

God's Ruler
Green, Fall Foliage on the Bottom
Snow on Top

Eklutna, Sep 2015
Where you see the cloud reflection...that's where the shore used to be!

We've hit up Eklutna Lake, which has risen tremendously since the first time we saw it.  Ethan, Ahtna, and I ventured into Nancy Lakes again, and started on a three mile hike.  We turned around amid a thunderous Boy Scout jamboree and once Ahtna 'alerted' to something ahead on the trail.  Nothing makes your blood run cold like a smart dog whose tail points straight out, whose fur stands up all over her body, and whose little throat begins to swell with  a growl.  We have no idea what lay ahead on the trail, as we didn't keep going to find out.  See?  We did learn a our lesson berry picking!  I did have my gun, but the "discharge of firearms in Nancy Lakes is prohibited."   Hhhmmm.... perhaps...unless a bear is charging us!  Besides...my little firearm packs a little punch -- enough to make a bear spittin' mad!  And I surely don't want to do that!  So we left the trail and headed back down to Red Shirt Lake, which is the last Lake that you can actually drive to within the park.  It was p-r-i-s-t-i-n-e!  Ethan was most impressed with the clearness of the water and being able to see the reflections of the trees and mountains on the other side.

Ethan is his "Red Shirt" at Red Shirt Lake
Nancy Lake Recreation Area, Sep 2015

Red Shirt Lake

We passed a small family fishing on one of the docks, scouted out another canoe rental place, nearly lost Ahtna off the rocking canoe dock, and heard the lonesome calls of the loons.  That was probably our favorite!  We had no idea what the sound was, debating between ourselves as to whether it was a lone wolf, a coyote, and I even said an elk.  Ethan busted out laughing at me and said, "Mom!  There are NO ELK here!"  I know that...but the lonesome wail of the loon reminded me of the night we spent tent camping in the Montana wilderness on our way to Alaska, serenaded to sleep by the bugling of the elk.  We googled the sound when we got home and were so surprised to see the bird couplet that made the noise -- it was absolutely phenomenal!

Ethan on the Rocking Dock

Ahtna's First Snow

Independence Mine

Ethan is most excited about snowy returns, as winter seems to be his favorite time of year.  We have all been anxious to see how Ahtna would do in the snow, and we decided to make a trip to Hatcher Pass this past Sunday afternoon to experiment.  They are in the "higher elevations" and received about 4-6 inches of snow.  We no longer have concerns about her being "cold" or not liking the snow. She rolled around in it like a pig in slop, burrowing with her nose and rolling over and over again! We continued our "romp" in the snow with a hike to Independence Mine.  The mine has been long closed, and for the most part, the state is letting it "return to nature."  Ethan and Michael think that is a fancy way of saying "falling in on itself!"

Hot-wiring the Mine Train

In the Mine Shaft

View from the Independence Mine Shaft
Sep 2015

Ptarmigan, Season Change
Brown on top, white on bottom

Ptarmigan Covey
Independence Mine

Either way, the trails are well-maintained, and we even discovered an entire covey of ptarmigan! Too bad we can't hunt them at the Mine!  We easily would have had 8-10 for our freezer, and after a call to Fish and Game to their small game biologist, we know exactly where we can hunt them in Hatcher's Pass.  Hopefully we'll find another covey!  They are neat little creatures, and already turning their winter white. Ethan has decided he wants a sling shot, as that is not considered a "firearm" and he won't have to be a 1/4 of a mile off the road to harvest a covey should we happen across another one.  We've been blessed with small game opportunities, but if you ask Michael about even seeing moose, caribou, or bear on his recent treks through the wilderness, you are liking to hear him say, "Alaska doesn't have any wild animals!" We are thankful for the small game, and especially thankful for safety on these hunting jaunts, even if the fruits have been smaller than we would have liked.

Hhhmmm...

Ethan and Michael visit the "New" Dining Hall at Independence Mine

We had an opportunity to celebrate long distance with Andrew this week, as he turned 20, and to ask ourselves, "Where on Earth has the time gone?"  It's true...it is difficult to celebrate long distance, but we wrap our love in a box, and trust the United States Postal Service to deliver it timely.  Perhaps that's where the phrase "it's the thought that counts" originated.  Thank you for your continued prayers for him.  His studies are going well (or so he says -- insert smiley face emoticon here), and he reports his biggest challenge is adjusting to working with 2nd grade elementary students at his part-time job.  Please don't misunderstand...he is so thankful for that role; it is giving him a renewed appreciation for teachers and after school care workers and has made him recall his own elementary days.  It's funny how when we are removed from certain situations for a time that when we are placed back into them, our perspectives have changed -- evidence of our growth or experience, I guess.  Pray that he would continue to have a positive influence on those young lives.  I know they are impacting him.

Alex and Madison continue to move closer to their December nuptials.  One way tickets to Alaska have been purchased, and while that is exciting for us, I know that her North Carolina family will miss her terribly.  She is a blessing, and we are excited to welcome her officially as our new "daughter."  Ethan is beside himself at the thought of finally having a "sister," and he has said it's okay that she isn't his "little" sister because "I will be taller than her soon anyway."  As we begin to put the finishing touches on wedding preparations, please pray for us all.  We know this is just a small part of our life's journey, but it is a huge part, too, in this season, for them - and we want to do our part right.

Blessings to you All, until our next meeting!

" But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord, to wait....