Matanuska Glacier

July 23rd

 

Waking at the Eagle River campsite was slow today for me. Because we are experimenting
with lighter blankets, I was hypersensitive to each of us having enough coverage as the evening
got cooler. Also am nursing a budding cold, gargling with Listerine and taking Wellness Formula
throughout this day on the road again. After acknowledging what a wonderful 15 days we had
with the god-family, I find myself anticipating another segment of new and former places, on our
way down to Idaho. Three weeks is our goal, the second week of August, for his and her
medical appointments.

 

 

Getting out of Anchorage, took us to the Matanuska Glacier, that heads into the Chugach
Mountains for 27 miles! We photographed the 2 mile-wide swath of ice winding its way through
the mountain canyon channel, a unique sight. Aspen and poplars are already starting to turn
golden here, and I had to remind myself it is only late July, still full summer.

Lunch was sandwiches, smoked salmon and chocolate cake, next to Long Lake where several
fishermen were in their boats. Heading into 2 p.m., we decided not to gamble with the
McCarthy road again, in case we would have to turn around a second time, due to deep
washboards, and spend more on gas. Instead, Mark found another local favorite camp, this one
on the Little Nelchina River. It is a former state recreation site, just off the Glenn Highway, and
unmaintained, and no one else was present, until a couple vehicles pulled in towards dinnertime,
with no sight nor sound of them the rest of the evening and morning.

Settling in, Mark received a call from daughter T, about a relative with health issues, and
because of the poor connection, I suggested we drive up to the highway so they could
reconnect clearly. The news dampened spirits, which is to be expected, so we fly-fished on the
rocky river beach for an hour, to lose ourselves. An hour before, there was lightning, thunder
and rain, so we were grateful for the sunshine. After losing two flies and me getting line stuck
twice, we called that a day.

Dinner was a mix of shrimp and chicken sausage with apple, mushrooms, onions and pasta,
with applesauce and peppermint patties for dessert. Afterwards, we drove back up to the
highway, so Mark could call other family. The unknown status of the family member was clarified
more by Michelle, which was a bit more reassuring. Back at camp, we both meditated in our
own ways, after such a stressful, worrisome afternoon. Stillness was needed. Lots of prayers
and thoughts are sent to loved ones.