Alaska By Helio Courier

Good day. It has a been some time since I last graced the blogosphere with my presence! I suppose I just needed a good trip, or renovation project on which to report. Last week, Russell and I embarked on a week long adventure to the far reaches of the state, accessible only by plane. Here is a short photo-log of our adventure:

Following a day of rain and low clouds in Anchorage, we got out of town on Friday evening and flew up to Talkeetna. Jerry Shearer picked us up and took us to Shearerwood forest for a nice evening of dinner and games with Dana, Jerry, and Greg. I guess we will start roughing it tomorrow!

We took a few things with us!

The before our adventure picture.
We flew north to Nenana and then on to Bettles, where we got some information about flying in the Gates of the Arctic. There is a nice landing strip on the upper North Fork of the Koyukuk, so we headed that way for a couple of days.

The Great One above the clouds on the way from Talkeetna to Nenana.

Ice cream in Bettles!

Our river bar campsite on the North Fork of the Koyukuk.

Breakfast with bugs and my intrepid pilot.

Hiking up river.

A view of the area at 12:30am.

OSHA approved maneuvering to check fuel levels. Thanks to our entertaining campsite friends from Fairbanks for the help.

Two days later, we spent an afternoon waiting out thunderstorms in Bettles, before we flew up the Alatna River Valley. After much circling, low swoops, and conversation, we decided there wasn't a firm and long enough bar to land on (that we could also take off from). We abandoned our Alatna aspirations, and made for the Kobuk Sand Dunes. The Dunes provided myriad spots to set down, and we landed near the southeast edge, where fresh water was available, and we could easily make a fire with dry wood.

The Kobuk Sand Dunes.

Our camp in the dunes.

The dunes were strange and amazing.
Our Kobuk morning began with a short hike up a large and sweeping dune. We then flew to Kotzebue for fuel. After some deliberation, weather checking, and a chat with the ranger at the NPS center, we decided to head south to Serpentine Hot Springs in Beringia National Park. Serpentine did not disappoint! An ample airstrip, bunkhouse, and bathhouse awaited us. It was delightful to cook, eat, and play some intense cribbage matches in the bunkhouse, and away from swarms of bugs.

The amazing tors of the Serpentine Creek valley.

We saw LOTS of caribou antlers-- 21 on this hike to be exact!

Intense competition for the last Baby Ruth.

A view of the bunkhouse and bathhouse next to the springs.
Following a couple of great nights at the hots springs, we bid Serpentine adieu and headed east. We flew over an enormous lava flow (who knew?) and made a quick stop in Galena. We continued east to Nenana for fuel, and then had a lovely flight across the pass at Denali and back home. Time for Moose's Tooth and beer. A wonderful trip in the books!

The lava fields stretch on in front of the Helio.

Back at Merrill in Anchorage.