Wilderness of Alaska

Sent by Everett Christian, WC poet

 
This e-mail is from my friends, Steve and Gwyn Hubbert, who are spending some time in a house in the wilderness in Alaska.  I thought it was interesting enough to share.  - Everett Christian -
 
 
 
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 4:24 PM
Subject: Little Cabin on the Takotna

    We made a trip in the boat to McGrath on Thursday,  October 15. It was 42* that day, so we thought it would still be another week before the river would be freezing. In fact, it was 39* on the 16th and 42* on the 17th. The nights were getting down to 25*. Steve planned to make the last trip to town on Monday the 19th. Well, when he looked at the river on Sunday morning the 18th, there were small pans of ice floating down it.  By five o’clock that afternoon, 40% of the river was covered in ice.
    On Monday morning he went to the riverbank at 9 o’clock to see if he could still get to town. The river was 70% covered, so the trip was off. Thus began our time of  freeze-up, as it is called around here. It all happened fast. Next year we will know that if there is any ice, we’d better go to town then!
    We had 31 gallons of drinking water stored up, and ice from the river to melt and filter for the dish-washing.  Food, shelter, wood for heat and lots of books to read insured we could make it for the weeks we would be without a way to get to town.
    The wildlife gave us wonderful entertainment during this time. We  had several days of moose on parade. First, a bull would come through, then later a cow and calf, then another bull. We had one cow and calf that came through every few days.
            One morning we heard a bawling sound. A small, young bull was in front of the house walking along, calling a cow. Later, the cow and calf came through and stood just to the left of our house eating birch branches. They would nuzzle each other’s noses, then go back to eating.  A bull came out of the trees and joined them. We thought the cow would run him off, but she didn’t. The calf stayed close to mom, though. Eventually they walked on the path right in front of the house. It was so amazing to see. The cow kept looking at us as we stood in front of the window.
            Later that day, Steve walked up the boundary trail of our property to throw out potato peels. All three of the moose were standing on the trail. They didn’t move or even flinch when he got close. So he greeted them with, “Well, hello!”  They continued to stand and stare at him. We have really enjoyed learning the reactions of the moose.
            We didn’t get any snow until November 9. That was unusual. Once the river freezes, it will usually snow not long after. That kept us from being able to go anywhere on the snow machine.
             Steve had several piles of wood cut among the trees, but we were waiting for snow to haul them to the house. Last May the wind blew 65 mph one day, and many trees blew down. That gave us lots of dead and down wood to burn.
             We now have about a foot of snow, so we’re enjoying running around  on the snow machine. Steve has made several different trails through the woods to cut across the land and not have to travel on the river. That makes trips to town shorter. The river is extremely winding.
              Christmas will soon be here. We hope you all remember the true meaning of Christmas, and don’t get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Living out here in the solitude has helped me be more thankful than ever for all His blessings to me.
Steve and Gwyn