fall has begun...

 

decided sort of last minute to head north.  it appeared that Denali National Park may be hitting peak.  finding dog friendly was a bit of a tough job but i ended up back at the place in Healy i'd stayed at with my brother. last year they had said only one dog, this time i just ask vaguely if they were dog friendly. spendy but it was clean and worked. 

i stopped to walk the dogs several times along the way.  we did the loop around Reflection lake closer to home then headed to Talkeetna.  was going to take side trail at Reflection to the water but it's pretty flooded down there.  we did the Whigim? loop in Talkeetna. dogs enjoyed their off leash time. 

before we got to Cantwell there was a loud noise and then i could tell something was dragging or i'd gotten a flat.  no alarms on the car. i pulled over in a safe spot to investigate. the tray under the car had dropped and crinkled and was dragging.  i'd had the oil changed prior to leaving so i suspect they didn't secure this tray after they did that. i was under car trying to un bend it or just remove it but i wasn't able to 

looked like a simple fix but i couldn't fix it.  i called AAA for a tow.  Cantwell was 30 miles away from what i could gather i hoped they could either come out and detach it or haul the car there and detach it. it ended up being at least 3 hour delay, probably more. the owner of the tow company called to check on what i needed.  he was not very encouraging.  said they could only tow the car to Anchorage or Fairbanks.  i could only be taken to Cantwell and would have to find my own way back to Anchorage. the dogs would ride in the car.  

i could feel myself panicking a bit.  afraid i'd be stuck in the open in Cantwell with 2 dogs and all my gear. 

the actual tow guy, Andrew, that arrived was much more helpful and positive. the dogs did ride in the car but once in Cantwell he got tools and easily removed the metal dragging and i was on my way. no 4 wheeling and i just paid close attention to what i was driving over.  so we all survived. got to the hotel late but got in and settled. 

that had been another issue. trying to call them to say i'd be late.  i wasn't sure if it was where i was or note but i got other friends to attempt to call them and nothing.  it just kept hanging up on all of us. they had said if you can't get there by 8pm call. i was afraid i'd have to pitch a tent after all this if i didn't get ahold of them.  it wasn't an issue in the end. just an added stress. i had used the number earlier to add a second night since SH decided to join on night two. 

these pictures are from a recent train trip to Spencer Glacier and a boat trip out of Seward. 

i got the dogs settled in, they were as tired as i was i think. the colors were indeed looking beautiful and i was so bummed to have missed the rest of this day. Denali had come out while i was in Talkeetna and we did stop at the South rest area for views. i really wish the car had broken down at broad pass instead of where it did so i could enjoy the views and the big mountain.  of course, the views were amazing on the tow ride in but no stopping to take photos and enjoy.  

where i did get stranded there was a driveway to nowhere and at the end of that was a pond.  i was watching a solo swan swim around in there. i attempted to walk to a creek close by where the car was but i was stressed and the traffic flew by and Ivy Rose backed out of leash, causing me more panic. 

i walked the dogs at the tow place while Andrew removed the metal then we left. thankful for him and for AAA. it was free.  do need to get him a little thank you package. 

i went to walk the dogs after we got settle in at the hotel.  as we stepped out the aurora was exploding overhead.  it was a beautiful show. didn't last very long but we hit it perfect.  absolutely stunning.  no great photo's because i wasn't in any mood to attempt good photography. 

the next day was beautiful but going to get cloudy so i opted to take the dogs for a walk on the road in Denali. you can only drive in 15 miles then the buses continue on in Denali. as i started to cross the bridge i noticed ptarmigan on the road. the dogs were very interested.  i thought i'd just sneak past them but walking by the bus.  Ivy backed out of her collar and took off in front of the stopped bus to chase off the ptarmigan.  dogs must be on leash and omg, so embarrassing. 

there were several more ptarmigan, changing to white already, but i managed to skirt the birds as i walked up this hill with the dogs.  we pulled aside for buses.  no large animals sighting. we turned and headed back down towards Savage. boom...fox!  it popped out on the road.  far enough away that i could manage dogs still.  there were also still lots of ptarmigan out there to deal with. 

a park bus started up the hill.  suddenly, the fox got scared and ran right towards us.  this caused many ptarmigan to take flight. this was too much for Ivy Rose, she once again backed out of her collar and took off after both the birds and the fox. so a very eventful walk.  Ivy was harnessed up the rest of the trip.  i had the harness in the car.  she doesn't like it but that is what had to happen.  she can't keep getting loose.  there were also squirrels all over the place. 

after this walk i put dogs in the car and then i walked Savage. after this the clouds were rolling in so i went back to hotel to take a nap and eat lunch. 

later SH came and we met for dinner and a drive through those first 15 miles. i like to just go back at different times, especially early morning and evening. you never know what you will see. we did see a grizzly bear, at a distance so that was great. 

in the morning we stopped at Antler Ridge trail parking lot to get some energy out of the dogs. then SH and i did the horseshoe trail loop. she headed off on the bus. it was getting pretty out again.  i headed out towards home after a few short walks in Denali and lunch with the dogs. 

i stopped a few times heading south to walk the dogs. the dogs got a nice off leash walk at Byers Lake. 

then just home and unpack.  some of these are from Byron walk and Portage Valley

the dogs always have a great time. 

i'm busy getting ready for my friend to visit and another long drive. probably the last big thing before we give up on summer for good and settle in to enjoy some fall colors nearby. we will drive to Haines next week. it's a 14 hour drive so we will split it by staying in Tok coming and going. i've only stopped by Haines so will be good to explore it and feel like i've really seen it. hoping for a little side trip to Chicken if possible.  just because i've never seen that area in fall.  maybe some caribou sightings.  will be long drives though so we shall see. 

i got the car a new skid plate yesterday.  

looks like rain soon here. will walk pups then i was thinking it may be nice to give them baths. tonight off and then back to work.  

would like to do some more cleaning here and get the wall outside primed. 

hoping the shed gets done soon.  my handyman should be back from his vacation soon. 

turns out anji charged me anyway.  so i'm trying to get that reversed. 

still have to get the dogs health certificates on Monday. we will go into Canada coming and going to Haines. 

for sure winding down for the season though. summer goes so fast. i think i've done a few things.  nothing like what i used to do. no kayak trips.  some of those big camping trips are probably behind me.  so happy i had so many adventures when i was younger.  i'm 60...how do people wait for stuff until after they retire.  they miss out on so much of the good stuff when their bodies are more capable. 

just so many more aches and pains as we age.  makes doing those adventures a bit tougher. 

not impossible but certainly not as much fun as when you were younger and didn't pay for everything in body aches. 

finished a fairly dull book.  will start a new one soon.  

a few mushroom walks in North Bivouac this week. will probably head to the dog park in a bit here. lots to do and no time.  blog a bit.  blog, bathe the dogs...that is todays plan. 

just some tasky things to do today. good lazy day in some ways. that is the joy of winter coming. all things begin to calm down in life.  just this last adventure. my experience up north does remind me to make sure we have that tent and stuff as back up in the car for the trip. 

this place is amazing but it can get you if you aren['t prepared or careful. 

this was the quick run out to Spencer Lake. 

you always think there is another year and another year. this life and each day is a gift. 

some fun memories this summer as with all. 

i did back off i think from most others this year.  let them come to me.  re-evaluate who wants to be here and who wants less. 

Covid was that eye opener for me.  i was putting too much effort into relationships that were not real. 

we aren't always valued at the same level as we value others.  it's good to sometimes take stock in the reality of what is.  people do come and go. some stay, others go. i've been ghosted by a few friends and i'm sure i have ghosted a few.  i guess i see it as some people come and stay and some come and go. 

rain, tis the season. watching an Alaskan survival show.  always funny.  things you think they should be doing.  it's in Southeast Alaska.  wet all the time.  hard to stay warm. not sure why they aren't catching fish.  none of them have seemed to take advantage of the sea that is right in front of them. they also don't seem to realize the sap can be used to make fire. 

of course, these shows all have a full staff so they can get picked up and taken to safety at any time.  not true survival. 

not sure i'd do well, or even would have when i was younger. it's not easy to survive in the Alaskan wilderness with minimal tools. one was all talk about how she'd summitted all these mountains...that is with a crew and proper gear. 

well, i'll just head out and survive a walk in the woods..that is enough for me.  that is enough survival trials for me. 

grateful for A. safe travels to and from Denali despite car troubles. B. the joy of the amazing fall colors in Denali. C. that nothing bad happened with Ivy slipping her collar those times.