Nabesna Road

July 24th

Boy, another lethargic morning for me. No cold, thankfully. I didn't even have motivation to do
my exercises, and Mark seemed concerned when I blew my nose with a different sound in the
bathroom, and had to check-in on me---possible lay-over and hype rvigilance from yesterday's
family news, as well as being the caregiver of Gail for many years. My theory for my
sluggishness, is lack of aerobic exercise the last several days, with the majority spent sitting in
"M", after leaving Seward for Anchorage, then re-supply shopping. Usually, our days are passed
with hikes and/or bike rides, and the beach hike with Lael, on Sunday, was our last exercise.

 

On the road to Glenallen

Tok or The Top of the World Highway was our tentative destination today, and McCarthy was
ruled-out due to potential rough road for "M". This afternoon, however, Mark suggested we take
a side-track to Nabesna, entering the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, which was great with
me, since we skirted this grand park, when we turned away from the rest of the McCarthy road a
while ago. The drive reminded me much of Denali, with the sloping green hills from the
mountains, boreal forests with kettle ponds and lakes. Fireweed is magnificent this time of year
here, and provide rich gardens along the highway, and at our camp today. As is fitting, Mark is
sharing another of his favorite boon-dock camps, a turn-out on this ultra-quiet gravel road, with
a picnic table, view of Twin Lakes, with a resident loon or two singing that lovely, special note.
After the five hour drive here, we napped, languishing in the sunshine and perfect breeze.

Then, we rode bikes 12 miles, for a couple hours, to a trail we will hike tomorrow. We chatted
with an engaging and cheerful gentleman from Ontario, probably in his 70s, traveling alone
throughout the rest of Canada and Alaska. He was also boon-docking in a turn-out, after
spending one night in the established campground down the road from us, but there was not a
view, so he shifted to a lake one. I assumed he travelled alone because he is a widower or
divorced. The poor guy hadn't seen any Alaskan wildlife except for a mama moose and her
calves. There is a park cabin a half mile from him, that is currently closed for overnights, after a
bear was sighted trying to break in. The Canadian considered walking out there, hoping to see
one, but also admitted he gave hiking up, due to his legs. We wished him safe travels and bear sightings before his Alaskan adventure ends.

Getting home, we both were worn-out, hot, and hungry. Dinner was delicious and satisfying:
BBQ'd salmon burgers, broccoli and applesauce, tapioca pudding, and Mark's hot apple cider.
Having the latter last night and sleeping solidly, he is experimenting with it again tonight. Biking
was exactly what I needed to feel more alive, jump-started; although my energy was returning
post-lunch. Hot showers followed our meal, which always feel like heaven and nirvana.

 

Relaxing by our lakes, listening to all the loon and other fowls' songs, wings flapping in the
waters, new light rain on the roof. Mark has emailed, via the ham link, to all our kids, updating
our location and secure status, since there is no phone nor wifi connections out here.

 

Darkness is starting to put a damper on this 24 hour Alaskan daylight, just this week. It is 10
p.m., and feeling like dusk, that has not veiled until 11:30 usually. When either of us has to
trudge to the bathroom potty during bedtime, the last few nights have been dark. The previous
sunshine would only slightly dampen down at 11:30 p.m., as I mentioned, and then arise again
blasting at 3:30 a.m. It is preparing us for our descent into the lower 48, which seems fitting.
Sleep soon.