Sunday, December 1, 2013
North to Alaska- Girdwood and the Alyeska Valley
After the "pause that refreshes" at the Tesoro gas station on the corner of Seward and the Alyeska Highways we were ready to head North up the Alyeska Valley to Mt. Alyeska. As we are driving, I casually asked Karla " Where is Girdwood?" She says we are in Girdwood, all I see are trees, sky and mountain tops but no inhabitants. All of Girdwood must be in stealth mode.
I finally seen an opening in the trees that would give me a view of the valley so I grabbed my camera and tried to get Karla to stop but that was no easy task since her and Dionna were in the front talking a mile a minute and not hearing anything I said. Thinking fast I tightened my seat belt, grabbed my camera and hollered MOOSE as loud as I could. The car came to a screeching stop with the back tires almost leaving the pavement and the two talking heads in the front soon became like a scene out of the Exorcist, with both heads rotating 360 degrees and shouting Where, Where, Where. Without missing a beat I said "back there in that opening, he came out and then disappeared". Karla threw the car in reverse so fast that I almost got whiplash backing up to where I said I thought I saw a Moose.
After the car finally came to a stop I told the girls to stick around the car and I would try to get a picture of the phantom Moose that so conveniently disappeared. As I made my way through the trees and into a meadow that was like a scene out of a movie with mountains stretching as far as I could see, blue skies with ever changing cloud formations and the forests of spruce, pine and birch meeting the lush, rolling meadows of tall grass and wildflowers.
I must have spent a couple of hours there walking and photographing such majestic beauty that ever meets the eye. I glanced at my watch and hoped the girls didn't leave without me and it was then that I came to the conclusion I might be lost since I couldn't find the opening in the trees that led back to the highway. A little twinge of panic set it but I remembered if I went back to the first frame I took when I entered the clearing I could align my self with it to help me find a way back to the car. Thank God for DLSR's and LED screens, it worked. Next time I will have a GPS unit and won't leave home without it.
Fortunately or Unfortunately, I didn't see a Moose, Bear, or any other wildlife up close and personal during my excursion into the Alyeska Valley. But, if you ever want to get an Alaskan's attention, just holler "Moose" and its like E.F. Hutton talking, you have my guarantee that you will have their undivided attention.
Get ready for a trip to Sourdough and a float down the Gulkgana River coming up in my next segment.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
North to Alaska- Anchorage to Girdwood
Thursday, August 1st. 2013- Southeast out of Anchorage on the Seward Highway
Talk about being treated like a King, After spending the first restful night since my arrival I woke up to the smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee so I quickly jumped into the shower to get ready the next chapter of my saga in Alaska.
After a delicious breakfast, my two guides for the day, Karla and Dionna were knocking themselves out put trying to plan a day trip that would give me an opportunity to photograph some the local scenery. By the time it was decided where we would go it was time for lunch so we loaded up my camera gear and returned to Anchorage for a a delightful meal at the Glacier Brew House. This establishment is located on 737 West Fifth Ave, and happens to be one of the favorite places Karla likes to frequent. This also happens to be an award winning brewery/restaurant with a winning reputation as on of Alaska's finest places to dine that offers wide selection expertly prepared seafood.
Since I am not a connoisseur of beer due to the fact that the results of a couple of beers will have the same effect as a large shot of Novocain causing my lips and nose to go numb and losing control of my tongue. I also lose my my sense of equilibrium having found myself under the table on various occasions conversing with a table leg. To save my hosts that embarrassment I ordered a Jack & Coke along with slab of salmon and both were excellent. Ordering a salmon dish is a "have to" if you are visiting Alaska, it would be like going to Maine and not ordering the clam chowder.
As our magical mystery tour progressed down the Seward Highway to Girdwood the weather was cooperating with warm temperatures and a steady wind. The wind make for constantly changing cloud formations that added a "Wow" factor to every panoramic view of Cook Inlet.
At different stops along the way where I found large groups of people taking pictures I tried to avoid them by not becoming part of the group. Its not that I am antisocial, I just wanted to take my photographs from a different perspective.
We finally made it to a gas station in Girdwood and not a moment to soon since all of us had to make a pit stop. We are now on our way to Mt. Alyeska Ski Resort and surrounding areas so keep following my posts for more exciting updates.
Talk about being treated like a King, After spending the first restful night since my arrival I woke up to the smell of bacon and freshly brewed coffee so I quickly jumped into the shower to get ready the next chapter of my saga in Alaska.
After a delicious breakfast, my two guides for the day, Karla and Dionna were knocking themselves out put trying to plan a day trip that would give me an opportunity to photograph some the local scenery. By the time it was decided where we would go it was time for lunch so we loaded up my camera gear and returned to Anchorage for a a delightful meal at the Glacier Brew House. This establishment is located on 737 West Fifth Ave, and happens to be one of the favorite places Karla likes to frequent. This also happens to be an award winning brewery/restaurant with a winning reputation as on of Alaska's finest places to dine that offers wide selection expertly prepared seafood.
Since I am not a connoisseur of beer due to the fact that the results of a couple of beers will have the same effect as a large shot of Novocain causing my lips and nose to go numb and losing control of my tongue. I also lose my my sense of equilibrium having found myself under the table on various occasions conversing with a table leg. To save my hosts that embarrassment I ordered a Jack & Coke along with slab of salmon and both were excellent. Ordering a salmon dish is a "have to" if you are visiting Alaska, it would be like going to Maine and not ordering the clam chowder.
As our magical mystery tour progressed down the Seward Highway to Girdwood the weather was cooperating with warm temperatures and a steady wind. The wind make for constantly changing cloud formations that added a "Wow" factor to every panoramic view of Cook Inlet.
At different stops along the way where I found large groups of people taking pictures I tried to avoid them by not becoming part of the group. Its not that I am antisocial, I just wanted to take my photographs from a different perspective.
We finally made it to a gas station in Girdwood and not a moment to soon since all of us had to make a pit stop. We are now on our way to Mt. Alyeska Ski Resort and surrounding areas so keep following my posts for more exciting updates.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
North to Alaska, Willow Creek
Willow Creek Alaska, Wednesday July 31st, 2013
Woke up about 5am, still having trouble adjusting to the the time difference but not feeling tired at all. After packing up the truck we were on the road to Willow Creek about 9am heading north out of Wasilla under a beautiful clear sky with the temperature in the seventies. Accompanying Aaron and myself was his two young sons who were full of excitement and couldn't wait to get their lines wet. Our destination was the Willow Creek Resort, A beautiful riverfront family RV park and camping destination. It is located in South Central Alaska 1+1/2 hours north of Anchorage and 3 hours from Denali National Park. Aaron provides a fishing charter/ guide service for them so it was an opportunity for him to mix a little business with pleasure.
Thinking I would be fishing in ice cold, bone chilling waters I had put on my long johns and an extra layer of clothing earlier but I was surprised to see others who were fishing in cut off and tennis shoes. The air temperature being in the seventies for a long period of time before my arrival warmed the water enough that wading in that fashion was not uncomfortable. The water was crystal clear and the bottom was pock marked with numerous holes and cuts and all were filled with fish. The Kings have already made their run and were out of season, the Reds and Coho's were not running possibly due to the unseasonably warm and dry weather. I wasn't really interested in fishing for Chums since you have to use a different method to catch them so I was content fishing for rainbows but couldn't avoid snagging the Chum or Dog salmon while drifting a wet fly through the holes. I did manage to hook and land a decent size rainbow but almost lost all my flies inadvertently snagging into the salmon.
A decision had to be made to either continue fishing or pick up the camera and start photographing. since I can't do both at the same time ( I can't even walk and chew gum at the same time) I made the trek back to the truck, shedding my layers of extra clothes, grabbed my camera and set out to record the events of that day. Here are a few candid moments that I would like to share and I don't think captions are necessary.
On the way back, Aaron received a call wanting him to take a couple of clients out on a chartered fishing trip the following day so I returned to Eagle River and into the clutches of the two wild women who I had mentioned earlier. These two are like "Thelma & Louis" and I don't know what they have in mind, so keep posted for more adventures "North to Alaska".
Woke up about 5am, still having trouble adjusting to the the time difference but not feeling tired at all. After packing up the truck we were on the road to Willow Creek about 9am heading north out of Wasilla under a beautiful clear sky with the temperature in the seventies. Accompanying Aaron and myself was his two young sons who were full of excitement and couldn't wait to get their lines wet. Our destination was the Willow Creek Resort, A beautiful riverfront family RV park and camping destination. It is located in South Central Alaska 1+1/2 hours north of Anchorage and 3 hours from Denali National Park. Aaron provides a fishing charter/ guide service for them so it was an opportunity for him to mix a little business with pleasure.
Thinking I would be fishing in ice cold, bone chilling waters I had put on my long johns and an extra layer of clothing earlier but I was surprised to see others who were fishing in cut off and tennis shoes. The air temperature being in the seventies for a long period of time before my arrival warmed the water enough that wading in that fashion was not uncomfortable. The water was crystal clear and the bottom was pock marked with numerous holes and cuts and all were filled with fish. The Kings have already made their run and were out of season, the Reds and Coho's were not running possibly due to the unseasonably warm and dry weather. I wasn't really interested in fishing for Chums since you have to use a different method to catch them so I was content fishing for rainbows but couldn't avoid snagging the Chum or Dog salmon while drifting a wet fly through the holes. I did manage to hook and land a decent size rainbow but almost lost all my flies inadvertently snagging into the salmon.
A decision had to be made to either continue fishing or pick up the camera and start photographing. since I can't do both at the same time ( I can't even walk and chew gum at the same time) I made the trek back to the truck, shedding my layers of extra clothes, grabbed my camera and set out to record the events of that day. Here are a few candid moments that I would like to share and I don't think captions are necessary.
On the way back, Aaron received a call wanting him to take a couple of clients out on a chartered fishing trip the following day so I returned to Eagle River and into the clutches of the two wild women who I had mentioned earlier. These two are like "Thelma & Louis" and I don't know what they have in mind, so keep posted for more adventures "North to Alaska".
Sunday, November 10, 2013
North to Alaska- Hatcher Pass
I arrived in Anchorage early in the morning after a long flight from Minneapolis and was wired for sound. I don't think it was the coffee that as served during the flight, but it was me being antsy that was caused by the anticipation of what lies ahead. My cousin, Karla picked my daughter and I up at the airport and we spent the rest of the night at her apartment in Eagle River. My itinerary was to meet with my buddy Aaron latter that day for a fishing trip on Willow Creek scheduled for the following day. (Aaron is a guide and outfitter who lives just outside of Wasilla who worked with me back in the lower 48.) My daughters plans was to whoop it up with Karla, her lifelong friend while I was being chased by a Moose or a Bear. Aaron and I hooked up as planned and we proceeded from Eagle River to his home, arriving about 6pm Alaskan time. While we were waiting on supper he took me on a little excursion to Hatcher Pass to take in some of the local sights that they must take for granted.
Hopefully my photography can try to to explain visually what I experienced and what I felt during that few hours that we spent there.
Stay tuned in for my fishing adventures on Willow Creek
Hopefully my photography can try to to explain visually what I experienced and what I felt during that few hours that we spent there.
Stay tuned in for my fishing adventures on Willow Creek
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
North To Alaska
Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while but after returning from Alaska from my trip I have over 1000 images to edit. I have culled them down to around 400 and hope to end up with 100 that will be my final choice.I covered a lot of ground in Alaska during my stay and I don't think you would ever run out of images that just knock your socks off. From Anchorage to Sourdough to the Knik Arm to Girdwood and Seward I was in awe at what my eyes were seeing. My hat is off to the residents of this great State and for their hospitality and I hope to return someday.
I will be posting some of the shots I captured during my photo and fishing safari in the near future so keep checking my blog. Doc
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
In Your Dreams
I
was fly fishing on the Little Susitna River in Alaska when I felt a
hot, wet breath blowing on the back of my neck. I then heard this low
growl mixed with what sounded like a 6 pack beer cans getting their tops
popped one right after another. I dare not look back so I started to
run but my waders felt like they were stuck to the bottom of the river.
Moving furiously I tripped and felt the hot breath of this monster in my
face along with his tongue licking my face and smelling me hard and it was all I could do to stifle the scream that was boiling in my throat.
I will be leaving for Alaska on
the 29th for a fly fishing and photo safari and it must be getting to
me. I was dreaming about the trip and when I woke up I was on the floor with Bella, my
dog licking my face. The nightmare was my wife snoring and breathing on the back of
my neck. My feet must have tangled in the blankets is why I couldn't
move. Needless to say almost S#@$ my knickers and finally got my heart to slow down. I hope this is not a premonition of things to come.
I will have plenty of stories to tell and pictures to show when I get back.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)