We traveled to Alaska for our summer visit and spent from May 26, 2019 to July 27, 2019 in Alaska. Our aircraft engine was overhauled during the winter and was test flown shortly after we arrived and found to be working perfectly. Alaska had experienced a major earthquake on 11/30/18 centered near Anchorage. Our Palmer home survived with only lots of breakage from items thrown to the floor and our cabin was the same. The 7.1 quake caused highway damage and two schools in Eagle River will have to be replaced, so it was a major event.
It was an unusual summer with record high temperatures and the least rain ever recorded in Anchorage for the month of June. For the first time ever, the little creek supplying our cabin water went dry in June and we had to pump water from Treasure Creek.
Highlights of the summer included seeing friends and family and a trip to Fairbanks and Denali National Park with our son Jeff/Jodi and granddaughters Megan/Emma. Here are some of the pictures from summer in Alaska. We visited the University at Fairbanks but unfortunately those pictures were inadvertently lost.
Bear damaged our satellite antenna at the cabin.
Jeff on our 1945 D-4 Caterpillar dragging one of the many trees infested by spruce bark beetles that we cut down creating a more defensible fire space around the cabin.
A panoramic view of a remote airport 10 miles from our cabin where Jeff and I went fishing. The landing strip is on the left, airplane in the middle, and the Jamesway shelter hut on the right.
It is quite possible we were the only ones who had fished this creek in 2019. Weather was good, water was clear and low, and the fishing terrific.
We had a father/son weekend working at the cabin.
We traveled to Fairbanks in July. No visit is complete without a stop at the North Pole.
The antique car museum in Fairbanks is a fascinating place. Donna took this picture of us outside the museum.
The Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum is a fascinating place with antique cars and period clothing to match. All of the exhibits have “Do Not Touch” except for this vehicle which is a 1911 – Everitt Model Four-30 Touring car. Emma (L) and Megan (R) are pictured.
Vic and Donna on the 1911 Everitt with period clothing.
Jeff and Jodi on the 1911 Everitt.
Gold dredge #8 North of Fairbanks has a rail tour circling the area, gold panning with very good gold, and a gift shop to transform your panned gold into jewelry.
In the 1960’s Vic flew a load of 20 Muskoxen from Nunivak Island on their journey to start a new herd in Fairbanks. We visited the area but the Muskoxen were too far away for a good picture, however this reindeer cooperated nicely.
After leaving Fairbanks, we stopped at Denali National Park. Vehicles are allowed to drive about 12 miles to the Savage River where we walked the loop trail.
Jeff, Megan, Emma, and Jodi also walked the Savage River trail.
After walking the trail, we discovered this Caribou grazing under the Savage River bridge.