ANOTHER TYPE OF FLY

Having recently experienced Alaska in March and April, I sometimes question our judgement in spending, July and August, two of the wettest months here.  During Spring, the sun refused to give way to clouds shining day after day while Denali loomed over us.  Now, we watch as tourists line up at the overlook hoping for a peak of the great mountain and resorting to photos of the foothills when the high peaks hide.  The most interesting presentation of Denali is when the summit stands, as if  suspended in space, separated from its base by a wide band of cloud.
     This morning's weather report showed a low pressure system stalled above us.  This means days of moisture, sometimes referred to as light rain, scattered showers, drizzle or downpour......so many terms for precipitation.  We have found that scattered showers, which would be a washout at home, can be quite nice in Talkeetna.  Scattered showers can even mean sun!  I can't lie.  I get pretty jealous when I see the big blue H accompanied by a smiling sun sitting over VT on the weather map.  We've become accustomed to going about our tasks despite the rain and I surprised myself this morning when I walked the dog in a steady drizzle without even thinking or reaching for one of my five raincoats, each one appropriate for a different intensity of rain.  Last night, Bucky found himself increasing the volume on the TV in direct response to the increased volume of rain.  At one point, the Lord and Lady of Downton Abby were barely audible over the drumming drops.  Thanks Jane for this marvelous diversion! 
     The slightest haze of green has recently appeared where Bucky spread seed over our new ground work.  I questioned him as to if it were grass, mold or moss.  Close inspection showed delicate green shoots stretching up searching for sun.  I tried to assure them that the morning weather showed scattered showers arriving in a few days which could mean some sun, so please, try to hang on. 

                                                      stump removal, 13 stumps, two dump truck loads

            Carlisle's cabin clear of stumps, we're hoping to create lawn between her place and ours.

A rainy stretch like this, obscures memory of the sunny weather that preceded it only a few days ago.
On one of these earlier days, predicted as scattered showers, we awoke to some blue sky and multicolored clouds.  When Lisle stood in the cabin doorway in a dress, I knew that something special was on the horizon.  We decided a girls lunch out in Palmer would be perfect and headed to the airport.  This would be a high class lunch, as in altitude not attitude.


flight of fancy

Palmer is probably 75 miles away by car.  It's a lovely town nestled in the mountains with both a pioneer history and modern town appeal.  In 1935, Palmer was the site of an unusual experiment, the Matanuska Valley Colony.  During the New Deal, a colony was planned to utilize the agricultural potential of the Matanuska Valley.  Two hundred families, some impacted by the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, were given farmland and relocated.  Palmer still has many farms and boasts some huge cabbages.  The perfect spot for a farm fresh lunch......maybe with sauerkraut.

The many lakes along the Talkeetna Spur Road.  Our new lot lies near the end of the road at the top of the photo.

Talkeetna looks tiny in comparison to the muddy Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers.

The mighty Matanuska River outside Palmer.

Interesting landscape in the tundra near Hatcher Pass

Pioneer Peak looking down on Palmer

Palmer Airport, bordering the river and golf

Known as the tower house.....This really strange, unoccupied structure sits near the Susitna River.

Our flight to and from Palmer was exceptional.  Seeing what surrounds Talkeetna from the air, gives me a better understanding of where we live.  Miles of forest, lakes, rivers and mountains define the landscape, each special in its own way.  Our girls lunch out was thwarted by gusty winds on landing.  Two touch and goes and we were headed home with a stop in Willow for fuel.  Our appetites were satisfied with lunch in our own town.  Proof that good things are often closer than you think.

One type of fly

July 4th weekend blasted Talkeetna with warm, make that hot temperatures, blue skies and a frantic desire to cram every summer activity into three days. This is an ongoing problem in a place of never ending daylight and where long stretches of rain can dampen our sprirts.  But, days of rain are likely followed by days of sun.  The activity switch goes from the off position, reading on the couch covered with a fuzzy blanket, or in my case my purple polar bear pants, to the on position, game on! Each spontaneously planned activity involves its own style of packing.  Life jackets, stuff sacks of food, coolers, extra warm clothes despite the 90 degree heat, fishing gear, bug spray, pistol and we're off to the boat; extra clothes, camera, flight plan, credit card and we're off to the plane.  Regardless, it's a frantic rush, with each of us heading a different direction retrieving gear, so as not to miss a minute of fun in the sun. Our first trip up the Talkeetna was luxurious.  Rather than bouncing along in Lisle's small boat, we were powering in style, having been granted use of an inboard used in Carlisle's work.  It will be hard to ever find the small boat comfortable again!  However, the inboard's fuel consumption, makes small seem somewhat more desireable. 



Our intent was to scout the Talkeetna for salmon, but it was quickly apparent that they had not yet arrived.  We then decided to try Fish Creek for trout.  A more beautiful stream would be hard to find anywhere.  A few small beaver ponds completed our quest. 





first trout on a fly

Show off!

Fish Creek did not disappoint!

Bear paws

The glacial waters of the Talkeetna are always changing.  The river's many braids, make navigation interesting.  Our return home was a fast and exciting journey, punctuated by launching over a gravel bar, when taking "the road less traveled".  Lisle, never one to hesitate, used full throttle, resulting in just the slightest jerk and grind. High fives all around.

am I right?

                                                                          Is this the braid?
 
In my opinion, there is never a bad day on the river.  I would gladly spend most days on the water, fish or not.  We're thankful for the opportunities provided to us through Lisle and her wonderful friends. 

                                                 putting distance between ourselves and Clear Creek

                                                                      Captain and crew