The Nomad

The "Nomad"

 
  The Nomad, Being one of the best known and photographed abandoned boats in Southern Alaska; Most Alaskans know about it but no one can tell you exactly how to find it.
While on my photo-safari through the Southern part  of Alaska I was told there was an abandoned boat out on the S Knik/ Goosebay Rd. south of Wasilla. I was also told that it was one of the most photographed boats in Southern Alaska. After  hearing about this boat from many sources I became intrigued and wanted to photograph and find out more about its history, its exact location and why it was abandoned.
To my chagrin, no one seemed to know anything about it other than its approximate location on the Knik Arm.  I decided to do a day trip and see if we could locate this mystery boat that few people knew about so we started out from Eagle River on a warm, rainy overcast day to find this elusive boat. My driver and navigator for the trip was Dionna and Karla whom I often refer to as Thelma & Louise because neither one of them seem to have a care in the world and its hard to tell where we might end up. After reaching Wasilla, we turned south on S Knik/ Goosebay Rd. and traveled for what seemed hours with without so much as a glimpse of of anything resembling an old boat. We finally ran out of road ending on an airstrip so we decided to backtrack and try again.
 Before we ending up at the airstrip we had an encounter with a moose that sauntered out of the woods and on to the highway right in front of us. Fortunately we had time stop before it wandered back into the woods taking a hiding position behind a small tree and looking at us. This is the first time I seen a moose in the wild so I definitely wanted to photograph it. I got off a few shots with out leaving the safety of the car. I have read what these animals can do if they are frightened or challenged.
After backtracking for over an hour, the sun finally came out for a while giving me the opportunity to  catch a glimpse of something that looked like a boat protruding out of a sea of grass over a thousand yards away from the highway. I think we finally found what we were looking for. The weather co-operated long enough to allow me to photograph the boat from different locations and angles. Some of the shots were right on the waters edge and I knew not to venture out on the mudflats  due to the ensuing dangers they present. A few people have lost their lives thinking they could walk out there.
After arriving back in the lower 48 I continued my search for more information about the boat. I was told about a person who lives in Alaska and was a well known photographer so I contacted him telling him about the boat. He said he also photographed it but didn't know the history but would research it and let me me know what he found.
This is what he shared with me.

The Nomad was built in the early 1950’s by Bob Matheson and his brother. It was built specially for the Turnagain Arm because of the rough waters. Bob and his brother used it for several years before selling it to Joe and Violet Redington Sr. Joe is the father of the Iditarod sled dog race. Joe needed a fishing boat and the Nomad originally came with a cabin, so Joe remodeled it by tearing off the cabin which contained cots and a galley, and built a hold for fish. Joe and Violet used it for commercial fishing and hauling supplies from Anchorage to their homestead at Flathorn Lake. They would anchor it on the Knik Flats because it was a convenient place to anchor while they were in Knik. In 1967 they brought it to the pond at high tide and dry docked it and it has set there ever since. It has become a popular landmark for Knik, not to mention one of the most photographed places in South Central Alaska.
Nomad information by John Schandel, visit his face book page at NorthernVues

Goose Bay on the Knik Arm

Knik Arm Mudflats

The Peekabo Moose