The Event of the Summer

All summer long, the newspapers and television stations and radio shows around Alaska have been hyping the same event. It was to happen in late August and early September and was going to be something no one would want to miss. No, I’m not talking about Sarah Palin, I’m talking about Cheri coming to visit! And boy am I glad to say I had a front row seat.

Our first order of business was to drive down to the town of Homer, rent 2 kayaks, and catch a water taxi across the bay to Kachemak Bay State Park. We were dropped off in Halibut Cove and almost as soon as the taxi motored away, we had the entire area all to ourselves. And I mean MILES in every direction. We loaded up the boats and paddled down the shore to a gravel beach that looked like a good camp site, set the tent up and started cooking some dinner. Then we looked down the beach and noticed a black bear. Not real close, but close enough to pay attention to, given that we were cooking up all kinds of good-smelling fare. When Mr. Bear started heading down the beach in our direction it was time to franticly pack up the food hang it from a tree. While we were doing that, the bear went back into the trees and we never saw it again. Still a little apprehensive about getting everything back out, we relented to feast on a few cheese and crackers and then go to bed.

The following day we packed up the boats and paddled out of the cove with the retreating tide. We floated by another black bear, sea otters, porpoises, and bald eagles, eventually making it to another beach. From this beach, we saw a humpback whale, some other kayakers out in the water who were also VERY excited to see the whale, did some rock climbing, and spent another night. Then the water taxi came and picked us up in the morning.

From here it was back to Denali for a backpacking trip. We hiked 9 miles up the Toklat River and onto a glacier, then made a sharp right and went up, up, up to the top of a mountain called Green Dome (6500 ft). From Green Dome we slid down the snowy slopes on our slippery rain gear and followed Gorge Creek back out to the road. All this took 3 days and 2 nights and was certainly a challenging trek.

The next day I kicked Cheri onto the big train back to Anchorage, and the beginning of her 24 hour trip home to Maryland.

It certainly was THE event of the summer.

-Jared

On the water taxi.

Me figuring out this kayak thing.

Cheri filtering water in the woods.

Cheri leaving me in the dust while I play with my camera.

What happens when you anchor your boat at high tide.

Eagle.

Good rock climbing spot.

On the top of Green Dome.

Sliding down.

Tired after a long hike over the top.