July 11, 2014
Sinuous grass.
The Chugach Mountain Range as my backdrop.
Tributary of salmon beseech me.
My future domicile built among the pines.
Mosquitos who ask permission before they bite the crap out of you.
My amorous mate.
My slice of Alaska is called Hope.
Hope, Alaska.
I was very, very excited to go back to the hamlet of Hope. There is
something about the lay of the land, the sway of the grasses, that white house
nestled in the trees. Home, a fantasy home anyway. But before I
could rest my eyes on this serene scene, we had to get there.
From Whittier/Portage it's about forty miles to Hope or compare it to a stones throw from Dallas to Fort Worth. You can only reach Hope by going around and I do mean around the mountains. There's no short cut, fast lane or express pass. Forty
miles took an hour and a half. Trees, brooks, mountains, RV's, steep drop offs,
a couple of right turns before we saw the sign. Hope 15. I'm hoping to see more
of this place. Wanting to turn left at the fork of the road outside the
main road to see the homes, the hills and more streams. I even checked into some
white water rafting - we aren't dressed for that bit though I'd like to see some
wild water. That may happen. What I know is no trip here is complete without
spending time with Peck. Gold Rush Peck. He's been on The Discovery Channel, newspapers, has a web page and written on Trip Advisor.
Born Peck Hassler, hailing from Oregon, Peck moved to Hope in 1994. A War Veteran suffering the agonies of Agent Orange, Peck decided to put that horrific past behind him and share his love of panning for gold which ensnared him at age ten. Hope called to his heart, he answered with panning gear and a nose for where the gold was hiding.
I met peck in 2011 with The Hog Family. Delightful man with a sharp eye, quick hands and a devilish sense of humor. This trip is he is older, a might slower but still quick to make you laugh. He once had a map with pushpins that showed where visitors had journeyed. This time, there was a fresh map with less than a dozen pins (Venezuela, Asia, Africa, The Lower Forty Eight and mine (Texas) now gracing the fresh map. Peck said, "I'd run out of room so a new one was in order...although I still remember the cuties!"
Highlights of spending time with Peck:
#Pulling out a business card and handing it to Shane. A picture of The Hog Boys panning with him were on that card!! WOW!!!
#My asking if he had a real gun in his gun case strapped to his bike. "Oh yes, it's real but if a bear wants me he's gonna have me! I use it to scare off the critters before they get a whiff of me!"
#Getting his dog to ride up front on the bike, which is a four wheeler with various license plates, bumper stickers, carpeting for the dog's comfort, fishing tackle, shovels and pic axes, a basket of wires, gas can, gloves and panning gear.
Just as I remember, the mosquitos are still thick and just as mean. Peck is just as entertaining.
something about the lay of the land, the sway of the grasses, that white house
nestled in the trees. Home, a fantasy home anyway. But before I
could rest my eyes on this serene scene, we had to get there.
From Whittier/Portage it's about forty miles to Hope or compare it to a stones throw from Dallas to Fort Worth. You can only reach Hope by going around and I do mean around the mountains. There's no short cut, fast lane or express pass. Forty
miles took an hour and a half. Trees, brooks, mountains, RV's, steep drop offs,
a couple of right turns before we saw the sign. Hope 15. I'm hoping to see more
of this place. Wanting to turn left at the fork of the road outside the
main road to see the homes, the hills and more streams. I even checked into some
white water rafting - we aren't dressed for that bit though I'd like to see some
wild water. That may happen. What I know is no trip here is complete without
spending time with Peck. Gold Rush Peck. He's been on The Discovery Channel, newspapers, has a web page and written on Trip Advisor.
Born Peck Hassler, hailing from Oregon, Peck moved to Hope in 1994. A War Veteran suffering the agonies of Agent Orange, Peck decided to put that horrific past behind him and share his love of panning for gold which ensnared him at age ten. Hope called to his heart, he answered with panning gear and a nose for where the gold was hiding.
I met peck in 2011 with The Hog Family. Delightful man with a sharp eye, quick hands and a devilish sense of humor. This trip is he is older, a might slower but still quick to make you laugh. He once had a map with pushpins that showed where visitors had journeyed. This time, there was a fresh map with less than a dozen pins (Venezuela, Asia, Africa, The Lower Forty Eight and mine (Texas) now gracing the fresh map. Peck said, "I'd run out of room so a new one was in order...although I still remember the cuties!"
Highlights of spending time with Peck:
#Pulling out a business card and handing it to Shane. A picture of The Hog Boys panning with him were on that card!! WOW!!!
#My asking if he had a real gun in his gun case strapped to his bike. "Oh yes, it's real but if a bear wants me he's gonna have me! I use it to scare off the critters before they get a whiff of me!"
#Getting his dog to ride up front on the bike, which is a four wheeler with various license plates, bumper stickers, carpeting for the dog's comfort, fishing tackle, shovels and pic axes, a basket of wires, gas can, gloves and panning gear.
Just as I remember, the mosquitos are still thick and just as mean. Peck is just as entertaining.
This young lady was wandering around as we soaked in our surroundings. A child of technology, she could not release the little black box, even while picking the state flower, The Fireweed. I can only assume she has been here for a week and losing her mind. I'm hoping she is explaining the colors of the flowers against the sky grey waters before her. Not likely . Not everyone appreciates the simple things.
Shane and Joseph strolling to the shoreline. I had hope to go strolling with them, miffed that we didn't bring a fishing pole. I'm sure Joseph has some fishing line and hooks in his backpack. Moments like these capture my heart.
See those white dots at the base of the mountain? That is where we came from. You have to go around the mountains, there isn't a bridge that would take an hour off the journey. Thank goodness for that, the water would be polluted and the view spoiled forever.
See those white dots at the base of the mountain? That is where we came from. You have to go around the mountains, there isn't a bridge that would take an hour off the journey. Thank goodness for that, the water would be polluted and the view spoiled forever.
Quiet moments spent running my hands over the blades of grass as I make my way towards the houses in the background. Then I heard lots of rustling in the grass ahead of me. Right here is close enough. Saw a couple headed to their tent in the grass. Danny, Michelle and Bill are doing their thing. Travis is wading in the water. Shane and Joseph take a stroll. Bob and I enjoy the moment. I asked Joseph to take photos when he was within ear shot - this ensued. I gathered the camera back and fired off a few more shots.
Seems like time is not our friend today. It's already nine PM and we need to find a place to have our picnic before heading home. It's suggested we picnic at home. NOOOOOOOOO! A picnic in nature is so much better! Show of hands...Ittik and Snowshoe Sam, your votes count!!!
Next Installment - The Yellow Picnic