Did you know that 2/3 of Alaska is completely uninhabited? Which is understandable. As beautiful as it is, you couldn't pay me to live in sub-zero temps, minus the sun, for months at a time. I'd easily turn into some paranoid, snaggle-toothed woodsman like any forest cold and dark would create. But, for the few days I was there...it was perfect. I hope it stays uninhabited as the last frontier, because I could feel my lungs overjoyed with detoxification. The weather was sunny, temps between 60-72ish, rain-free, awesome. My buddy Clint, got a job as a tour guide on the Stampede trail. And with Alaska being the tourist trap that it is...I felt like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to take...even with limited time and resources.
I haven't yet told you I had a a FEVER for the duration of most of my travel from Dallas to Fairbanks, I kept it my secret, praying for God to heal me, which He thankfully did...I've never believed in the God of "health, wealth, and happiness". It doesn't explain people in suffering, and i dont believe God "needs" anything from us in order to reward us...but I do believe there is power in prayer, and submitting yourself to a Being who is bigger than medicine, financial aid, or self-help books. And, for whatever His reasons, it was He who healed my fever the minute the boys pulled up to the airport, it was He that gave me a small savings to afford travel, and He who is glorified in my awe of nature.
My first real day began with a trip to the sled-dog farm where I got to see these glorious dogs along with their puppies. They were SO cute I wanted to steal one for my backpack. Did you know that Huskies are most comfortable at -10 degrees? I guess it would have been selfish for me to bring one back. After the furry babies, we had some time to kill before rafting scheduled later in the day. This was when Alaska revealed its enchantment, wildlife.
Clint and I took a drive and shortly we found a gigantic caribou near a river off the road. Clint asks me if I "want to take a closer look"...and well, I'm in Alaska so why wouldn't we park the truck and wade through rivers and brush to see a wild beast that could very well mangle us if it so choose? I'm wearing jeans and water-absorbing boots. There is about 45min. of hiking and me trying to jump puddles that Clint is clearly in better shape for...(so I was wet to my calves and need of a belt). I'm the doubting Thomas the loses $10 in a bet that this caribou has gone back to his home when suddenly we see his huge antlers in a clearing. Clint stresses our need to be silent, as caribou startle easily and we dont want him to run away before we get a picture.
Ahh, there he is, that big monster of an animal. Taller, and broader than a horse with a rack on his head that gives him an almost prehistoric effect. Crouching down in this thicket of bushes with my camera, concerned only about the wind that has now given me awareness to the crack poking out of my jeans...*gasp*...the beast raises his ears and tail, looking directly at us, he makes eye contact. My eyes give Clint a puzzled look and then right back at the caribou...then I hear Clint say, "Ok, now i'm getting a little nervous". A LITTLE nervous? YOU said they were scared of us? I'll be lucky if this thing doesnt trample me? Are you going to run and leave me to fend for myself? Do caribou bite? Are they carnivores? Am I going to have to use my health insurance? Did I just pee in my pants?
So there I was, a million thoughts racing. We FOLLOWED this thing for a while, like a train wreck-you should let it go but cant take your eyes away from fascination. Finally, the beast lays down and we scurry out a back route. Back across the rivers, back to the trailer I'm staying in to let my boots and jeans dry for the next day. Did I mention I stayed in a trailer? Mighty different from the Marriot the night before but wonderful. Clint's fellow guide, Nick, had a couch in his trailer and I slept there next to a space heater. I got to spend a lot of time with the other guides. They were all so welcoming and friendly and I can't wait for most of them to move back to Dallas in late September.
This trip also included a trip to the "Bake", (local pub) for drinks and darts, rafting the Nenana river, jeep tour with Clint on the Stampede trail (yes Chris McCandless, no bus though), acoustic sing-a-longs late into the sunlit evenings in the trailer park, my first fish taco, and a delicious piece of bumbleberry pie. Did you know Clint doesn't like cake OR ice cream? I'm not sure why we're friends...probably because he does like pie.
Couch surfing came to the rescue again. Though I didn't crash on some stranger Italian's couch this time...I did happen to get a ride (2.5hrs) from Denali to Fairbanks (airport) for FREE, thanks to my sparkling new friend Ericka, from couchsurfing. She was sweet and easy to talk to and I hope I can offer her a couch to sleep on in Dallas anytime. My time in Alaska was way too short, but I am SO thankful that God allowed me to go and took care of me the whole time. He is so good. And, you should see the scenery He's painted in Alaska...its un-photo-able.
