Alaska

Alaska’s Susitna Glacier (63*26’00”N, 147*12’00’W)

One hundred and thirty five miles of bad gravel road and I had not seen a car, a person, a house or telephone pole. This place shouted; “Look at the breathtaking beauty that I have made.” It occurred to me that there was no way to deny the existence of God. Who else could do this but God? 

This picture...found during a rare office cleanup...brought back many grand memories of a ten thousand mile trip I made in the summer of 1996.  A trip was made in an old ’84 Nissan Sentra for which I paid $500.00.   I struck out with four bad tires, two bad CV joints and a perplexing problem that caused the engine to sputter out on occasion.   Some tools, a tent and a sleeping bag were stuffed into the back seat and an old hand-me-down bicycle was bunged to the homemade bike rack.  There was a two-fold purpose for the trip: one…to obtain my seaplane rating from a flight school located in Mouse Pass, AK.  Two…to determine the intermittent problem that caused the engine to sputter out…leaving the driver stranded until it wanted to run again.

All went well until I reached Yukon Territory…if you don’t count the numerous fainting spells that the engine took.  With each episode I would jumper out a different electrical component trying to isolate the problem. I was determined not to replace anything until I knew…without a doubt…what the problem was. Just before I reach Whitehorse a tire decided to let me down…so the trusty and well-used spare was pressed into service.  Then the CV joints that had been clicking around every corner for the last fifty thousand miles start to undulate in an uncontrollable fashion.  As I crept into Whitehorse looking for my automotives needs…I came across Robert’s Service Station, ironically located down the street from Robert Service’s historical home.  I was able to purchase a new tire that I tucked away in the trunk to bolstered my false security.  After combing through Sam McGee’s junkyard I located a couple of “not too used” CV joints.  After a lengthy and knuckle busting event…it was on the road again.  Yes, “There are strange things done in the midnight sun”.

After dealing with several more fainting spells, battling microscopic “no-see-ums” and gargantuan mosquitoes I arrived at my destination set up camp and spent the night under the Northern Lights.  

The next day my flight training started in a vintage floatplane.  The first two days there was more sight seeing than learning taking place.  We hop scotched from one secluded mountain lake to other isolated ponds…flying within inches of shear rock cliffs where an occasional mountain goat clung to the crags and shimmed over treetops on approaches to mirror like lakes where bald eagles perched.  Alaska’s rugged beauty is undeniable.    

What an adventure!  I returned home with many unforgettable memories, one new tire, a $12.00 part that fixed the fainting problem and two CV joints that work like new…not to mention my pilot’s license that now read “Single Engine Land & SEA…”

Thank you Lord Jesus for all my blessings.  Thank you for a memorable trip.  Thank you for the undeniable confirmation that you are alive and well.

I can only imagine that heaven is like an Alaskan summer without mosquitoes.

Amen.