Land, Water and Air

Alaska is a state unlike others in that there are very few roads by which to access a huge amount of acreage.  Those folks who have chosen to live in these more remote areas must rely on modes of transportation not requiring road.  Around Talkeetna, the railroad and the rivers are local highways.  The Hurricane Turn Train is the last flag stop train operating in America.  Unlike a whistle stop train, the flag train will drop a rider off and pick up whenever and wherever needed. For this reason, it follows a loose schedule. Many people live in cabins up the tracks from Talkeetna and the train gets them to and from town. 

On a beautiful August day, Bucky, James, Lisle and I decided to put our raft on the train to be dropped off to float back to town on the Susitna River.  In my mind, nothing beats a day on the river.  In Bucky's mind, it was a chance to see a black bear.   

                                        Loading the raft, food, rod and rifle on board

                           Warren, the conductor, became a fellow passenger in the baggage car.

                                                It's hard to miss these blue and yellow giants. 

Watching the scenery flash by gave a feeling of bygone days and an uneasy stomach unless facing forward.

                                                      Passing downtown Talkeetna

                                               Denali looking down on the Susitna River

                       A shelter along the track in which to wait for the train. 

Warren asked where we wanted to be dropped off and when the tracks came near the banks of the Susitna, the engineer slowed to a crawl.  We looked for easy access to the river and a bank not too steep to exit the train.  I thought of Water for Elephants, in which people routinely jumped or rolled down the rail bank, some through no choice of their own.  I hoped for a gentle bank, without the need to "tuck and roll".  At our command, Warren spoke to the engineer and the train screeched to a halt.  Passengers watched as we dumped the heavy raft and our gear onto the gravel.  Next, we scrambled down the steel ladder attached to the car and over the bank. 

                                                                 Not too far to the river.

                                                              Always time to try for fish

 Most of the salmon are now dead, but some could be seen on their sides or belly up, still trying to swim...a bit hard to watch, but all part of the cycle.  We were hoping there might still be a few Silver Salmon around.

                                                   Where there are fish, there are bears.

                                                                    Baby bear

Bucky and I appreciate these strong arms and legs and are continually amazed as to why they include us on their trips.

                                                                    Almost good to go.

                                                      Lisle, giving James a break on the oars.

                                                                     Colorful hitchhiker

Our beautiful day of floating yielded no fish or bear, but time to lay back and enjoy the many sights and sounds the river had to offer.  For this short period of time, we let the forces of nature set the pace of our lives.  Something I hope to do more often.
...............to be continued