What is this about?
I'm putting on the rest of my gear for the trek to the glacier. Gotta be cute, you never know who's watching!
Feel the crisp air. It's about 65 and sunny. Ahhhh. I have an extra jacket and shawl, Moose Pillow Pet to use for upcoming photos, sunglasses, tied my hair back, my camera case holds Izzy, Ittik and Snowshoe Sam riding instead of walking. They're not lazy, they WANT to hike the glacier but we couldn't find Crampons in their size. Crampon not tampon. A Crampon is a traction device worn over your shoes to improve mobility on snow and ice during climbing. Kind of like snow tire traction 'cept for your feet. Bill has enough for everyone in his backpack, we'll put them on the closer we get to the White Ice. First we have to walk over the Black Ice and mud flows . There's still ice under the mud so we know to be extremely careful. She drowned in a mud pit is NOT how I want to be remembered.
Wikipedia's aerial photo of Matanuska Glacier is the last in the series below. We only touched the tip on the bottom. WOW! You can take a hike about four miles in. That's okay, I'm good.
I'm putting on the rest of my gear for the trek to the glacier. Gotta be cute, you never know who's watching!
Feel the crisp air. It's about 65 and sunny. Ahhhh. I have an extra jacket and shawl, Moose Pillow Pet to use for upcoming photos, sunglasses, tied my hair back, my camera case holds Izzy, Ittik and Snowshoe Sam riding instead of walking. They're not lazy, they WANT to hike the glacier but we couldn't find Crampons in their size. Crampon not tampon. A Crampon is a traction device worn over your shoes to improve mobility on snow and ice during climbing. Kind of like snow tire traction 'cept for your feet. Bill has enough for everyone in his backpack, we'll put them on the closer we get to the White Ice. First we have to walk over the Black Ice and mud flows . There's still ice under the mud so we know to be extremely careful. She drowned in a mud pit is NOT how I want to be remembered.
Wikipedia's aerial photo of Matanuska Glacier is the last in the series below. We only touched the tip on the bottom. WOW! You can take a hike about four miles in. That's okay, I'm good.
A Guide of six feet gorgeous is leading his group of three towards our table. They just finished a half day trek on the glacier, stepping out of some serious Crampons with two inch spikes. The two males and one female look worn out, nevertheless elated. Cheeks glowing red, raccoon eyes as they take off their sunglasses. Sweat escaping under their helmets, hands trying to release their metal walking sticks so they can unzip their jackets. I can hear their breathing starting to come back to normal. Gorgeous Guide, oh you with the sun bleached blonde curls, thighs of granite, eyes the color of dusty green mountains and a smile of alabaster, how gentle you must have been to those in your charge. Your group is beaming, praising you for not letting them fall into one of the crevices, thankful you slowed down when one of the group was faltering, and mostly for having lunch available at the van and cocktails waiting for them when they get back to their hotel.
As my feet become adjusted to the Crampons, my gear snugly attached, I finally get a proper look at the glacier....it has has receded. This makes me sad. If you look at the photo of Michelle holding the sign, the line that kind goes through her shoulder, that is where the white ice was three years ago. Reasoning: the sun's heat and the glacier moving at a foot per day equals a bit of recession. Still makes me sad.
Now to get there. Looks like a friendly stroll. Laughing out loud. This little 'stroll' sapped my energy last time. It will take us thirty minutes of dodging creases and crevices, ravines and rocks, mud pits and mug shots to reach the beginning of the glacier. Here we go.
As my feet become adjusted to the Crampons, my gear snugly attached, I finally get a proper look at the glacier....it has has receded. This makes me sad. If you look at the photo of Michelle holding the sign, the line that kind goes through her shoulder, that is where the white ice was three years ago. Reasoning: the sun's heat and the glacier moving at a foot per day equals a bit of recession. Still makes me sad.
Now to get there. Looks like a friendly stroll. Laughing out loud. This little 'stroll' sapped my energy last time. It will take us thirty minutes of dodging creases and crevices, ravines and rocks, mud pits and mug shots to reach the beginning of the glacier. Here we go.
Concentration is a must. You look up every couple of steps to locate your buddy, then you look down to see which piece of stone or ice is trying to trip you up. We all look like marionettes with our arms waving wildly and feet moving to individual dances.
Haven't seen Bill, Travis, Robot and Ken for a while. Oh-oh. I feel an impending episode of mischief coming for Ken. I'm not even going to imagine. I can verify if need be that Travis is there as a Witness for the Prosecution.
Haven't seen Bill, Travis, Robot and Ken for a while. Oh-oh. I feel an impending episode of mischief coming for Ken. I'm not even going to imagine. I can verify if need be that Travis is there as a Witness for the Prosecution.
This craggy section (photo below) with the three new picnic tables was all ice my last visit. Seems it is the way to get to the lake behind the wall of ice. We didn't know that. Leave a sign next time please. We didn't want to backtrack to get to the tables, a twenty minute trek at least so we pause for a water break then gauge our vantage point. The only way across that I am seeing was to call a tall giraffe to use as a ladder and an elephant to carry you over. Water break you say? Joseph collected glacier water, tested it with his kit, each of us enjoying swigs of *Adam's Ale.
*Being the only drink in the Garden of Eden. First Known Use: 1643.
Hello there old friends! I call these Ice Teeth. I tried for a while but I couldn't get over the bumpy ridge in the foreground to see the lake I love below. I kept slipping. Slipperier than it looks, my knees informed me after the third bash against the hard ice. Michelle looked for another way around, it was just too steep for us. We decided to walk around the ridge. Dear me. Not admitting to defeat, I'm hollering "STELLA!!!! STELLA!!!" just because I can. Michelle almost fell from laughing.
Shane and Bob got it in their heads that "We're men - we got this!" Yes they got this. My hands are reaching out towards Bob like I could catch him. Michelle is chanting, "oh by, oh boy!" as she watches Shane mimic Bob's steps.. Ten agonizing minutes later Bob got to see the lake.
All that work for this? Yes.
Hey Bob, I'm gonna close my eyes and hum as I connect to your mind to see my lake.
Shane was content sliding down the slopes than gazing a a pool of water. Did he know the lake is the run-off from the melting glacier? That it is forty feet deep and will turn you into an ice cube in thirty seconds? That the lake contains water molecules centuries old? He's eleven, this sounds too much like school.
Here's Joseph The Mountain Man. Before we left the picnic table putting our Crampons on the correct feet, he gave Bob a yellow whistle. In case of falls into deep crevices, blood gushing from ice scrapes and cuts, twisted ankles or broken arms, give the whistle three sharp blows. If you have breath in you that is, give it three sharp blows. Joseph promises to come a runnin'...to laugh at you! Seriously, he has a small medical kit, a water purification kit, compass, MRE's, knives, hammers, everything but test tubes, which he hates he didn't pack.
You know what? I didn't fly 4,620 miles, drive two hours from Anchorage and not see this lake that has been on my mind for months. My resolve is see this lake or die trying. Well, that's a bit rash so I shimmied on my belly, hand and knees. My head crested over the ridge to see this sight (last photo in the series below). It's pretty, no where near as magnificent as I captured it my last visit. The melt off is very evident, the Ice Teeth are smaller, you couldn't see the lake from this vantage point because it was totally surrounded by glacial ice, hence the major climb then decent to see it. The berg in the middle of the lake was fifty times larger.
The glacier doesn't know it's changing. Time really does march on.
I'm stunned but happy I had a glimpse of my lake. I'll post comparison photos soon.
You know what? I didn't fly 4,620 miles, drive two hours from Anchorage and not see this lake that has been on my mind for months. My resolve is see this lake or die trying. Well, that's a bit rash so I shimmied on my belly, hand and knees. My head crested over the ridge to see this sight (last photo in the series below). It's pretty, no where near as magnificent as I captured it my last visit. The melt off is very evident, the Ice Teeth are smaller, you couldn't see the lake from this vantage point because it was totally surrounded by glacial ice, hence the major climb then decent to see it. The berg in the middle of the lake was fifty times larger.
The glacier doesn't know it's changing. Time really does march on.
I'm stunned but happy I had a glimpse of my lake. I'll post comparison photos soon.
Within eyesight of each other, we all head in different directions to explore. Joseph studying rocks, Bob and Shane crest a few more ice hills. Bill, Robot, Ken and Travis are by a stream no doubt creating a story of their own. Danny and Michelle are walking along a ravine. I am taking photos of everyone and scouting for a spot for Bob and I to take our swimsuit photos. Yes, you read that right. Swimsuit photos.
Bill and his entourage found us and regaling their adventures of Robot "accidentally" shoving Ken down a stream on a piece of ice.
The three photos below are courtesy of Bill.
Bill and his entourage found us and regaling their adventures of Robot "accidentally" shoving Ken down a stream on a piece of ice.
The three photos below are courtesy of Bill.
It is my nature to do the unexpected. I could not live with myself otherwise. I convinced the Jones' to take photos in our swimsuits three summers ago. They were to take photos in their Hillbilly Outfits but left them in the truck. Secretly I think Danny and Travis were happy they were left behind. Teen angst.
Bob and I had our swimsuits on, Bob being forewarned of annihilation if he touched this glacier without them on. Trusting soul he is, he knows me so well. .
Photo below - 2011 Matanuska Glacier - Catz and The Hog Family (Jones')
Joseph, Travis, Bill, Michelle, Shane, Catz, Danny
Bob and I had our swimsuits on, Bob being forewarned of annihilation if he touched this glacier without them on. Trusting soul he is, he knows me so well. .
Photo below - 2011 Matanuska Glacier - Catz and The Hog Family (Jones')
Joseph, Travis, Bill, Michelle, Shane, Catz, Danny
The photos below speak for themselves - Michelle held the camera, Bill was the photographer (thank you Bill), Bob and I left our pants around our ankles Those Crampons will rip your pants. Trying not to do a strip-tease, we uncovered the rest. We used the Moose pillow to take the edge off the cutting rocks. While we were focusing on undressing without falling down the hill, a red-headed troll made an appearance on the pillow. Now where did this new one come from? Bill and Michelle feigned innocence. The boys were playing behind us on another hill. Hmmm....trolls find me where ever I am. I named this one Aleyeska. This name is an archaic spelling of the Aleut word Alaska meaning "mainland", "great country", or "great land". How fitting considering where we are right now. "Unusakut Aleyeska". This translates to Good Afternoon Aleyeska in Inuit. I know a thing or two.
Half naked on a glacier, you really feel the rush of the breeze off the ice. It feels about 56*. It feels wonderful on this Texas skin. Presenting all my lumps, goosebumps and scars, ready or not this Amazon is ready for her closeup. Bob goes with the flow. Close to thirty years with me, he knows not to fight my whims but embrace them.
Half naked on a glacier, you really feel the rush of the breeze off the ice. It feels about 56*. It feels wonderful on this Texas skin. Presenting all my lumps, goosebumps and scars, ready or not this Amazon is ready for her closeup. Bob goes with the flow. Close to thirty years with me, he knows not to fight my whims but embrace them.
Wasn't that a brisk adventure? I'm confident Bill took some splendid shots if not hilarious. This was one of my goals this trip. Another photo on this glacier. Time to dress again. The nips are starting to stand out...on Bob. Come on people! ;0)
FYI - Aleyeska. She's from the Yukon but fell in love with Alaska.She drew a line through "Yukon" on her t-shirt and wrote "Alaska". I'm glad she did. All of my girls are getting along nicely. Ittik is willing to share her space in my camera bag with Aleyeska. Awwww.
Before you enjoy the next set of photos, I gotta let you know that I attained a beautiful Ice Burn on my right thigh and right buttock. We're all walking back towards the entrance as it's around 6:00PM. I believe the park gates close around seven. Tummies are beginning to grumble, thirst is getting real and who knew we walked so far in? We need to get off the glacier, walk over the Black Ice, then the Mud Pits which are UPHILL - UGH!! My legs are already sore from the constant vigilance of watching your step. Going up an ice hill is TOTALLY more energetic. Going down you have to watch for sliding rocks with each baby step. The never setting sun is in our eyes not our backs as it was when we were climbing up. My gear distribution was off with the camera pack lopsided on my back, my pants kept slipping down cuz I didn't put all my clothes on the way they were before. Instead of walking one step in front of the other (my knees are sending out an SOS), I decided to walk side step - side step. Wrong way to do it. I need Gorgeous Guide to help me down. "Oh Gorgeous?" Side step - side step and the left foot lost traction. All I could think of was ripping my left knee to shreds once again so I over compensated and let both feet go in the air, slid down on my butt and hope I stopped before I went face first in the stream leering at me less than two feet away. My camera bag took the brunt of the backside boogie slide and the Moose pillow saved my left side from being scarred by the mini boulder that interrupted my momentum. Not embarrassed at all. I'm quite delighted nothing ripped, broke or got left behind. I'm laughing as I check the camera bag for damaged lenses. All is well in there other than Ittik trying to contain her laugh. My pants are a bit damp and I feel a tingling on my thigh and buttock. I pull my pants down a bit to see the damage. Yep. A big, beautiful bruise in the making, about the size of my fist. What's this? I have red scratches as well. Ice and rock fragments kissed my butt on the way down. Cool. I've got Glacier Scars!!!
Now you may enjoy the photos below.
FYI - Aleyeska. She's from the Yukon but fell in love with Alaska.She drew a line through "Yukon" on her t-shirt and wrote "Alaska". I'm glad she did. All of my girls are getting along nicely. Ittik is willing to share her space in my camera bag with Aleyeska. Awwww.
Before you enjoy the next set of photos, I gotta let you know that I attained a beautiful Ice Burn on my right thigh and right buttock. We're all walking back towards the entrance as it's around 6:00PM. I believe the park gates close around seven. Tummies are beginning to grumble, thirst is getting real and who knew we walked so far in? We need to get off the glacier, walk over the Black Ice, then the Mud Pits which are UPHILL - UGH!! My legs are already sore from the constant vigilance of watching your step. Going up an ice hill is TOTALLY more energetic. Going down you have to watch for sliding rocks with each baby step. The never setting sun is in our eyes not our backs as it was when we were climbing up. My gear distribution was off with the camera pack lopsided on my back, my pants kept slipping down cuz I didn't put all my clothes on the way they were before. Instead of walking one step in front of the other (my knees are sending out an SOS), I decided to walk side step - side step. Wrong way to do it. I need Gorgeous Guide to help me down. "Oh Gorgeous?" Side step - side step and the left foot lost traction. All I could think of was ripping my left knee to shreds once again so I over compensated and let both feet go in the air, slid down on my butt and hope I stopped before I went face first in the stream leering at me less than two feet away. My camera bag took the brunt of the backside boogie slide and the Moose pillow saved my left side from being scarred by the mini boulder that interrupted my momentum. Not embarrassed at all. I'm quite delighted nothing ripped, broke or got left behind. I'm laughing as I check the camera bag for damaged lenses. All is well in there other than Ittik trying to contain her laugh. My pants are a bit damp and I feel a tingling on my thigh and buttock. I pull my pants down a bit to see the damage. Yep. A big, beautiful bruise in the making, about the size of my fist. What's this? I have red scratches as well. Ice and rock fragments kissed my butt on the way down. Cool. I've got Glacier Scars!!!
Now you may enjoy the photos below.
Me and my shadow. This crevice is ten feet or more.
I remember those hills leading down to the glacier. Oh sure they're fine on the way down. Gravity is my BFF. Don't like those hills on the way back. After hours of walking on ice picks, sliding down ice, jumping over craters and ravines, thighs screaming for relief, I really don't like that hike back to the truck. Carry me Bob...pretty please!?
We stopped at our picnic table to take our Crampons off. Now we're all walking funny. Kind of the way you feel after roller skating all day. We trudge across the Black Ice and Mud Pits. It didn't help that I was jonesing for a smoke and enjoyed one while I said goodbye to Matanuska.
We're ALL a bit cranky. Tired. Hungry. It was unanimous that we have our brunch/lunch/dinner with The Matanuska Glacier as our scenery. Impromptu style. No plates, napkins, cups. Roughing it. We loved every minute and morsel.
We're ALL a bit cranky. Tired. Hungry. It was unanimous that we have our brunch/lunch/dinner with The Matanuska Glacier as our scenery. Impromptu style. No plates, napkins, cups. Roughing it. We loved every minute and morsel.
Now you'd think our adventure was complete for the day. Full of proteins, carbs and H2O, we head towards Palmer, Alaska. It's on the way home. The Jones' Pastor, Jessie and his wife live there. We'd talked about visiting them while we were in town, why not today? Jessie is a retired Rodeo Clown, scars and busted bones PLUS a video to prove it. Very engaging creative man. In their living room stood a four foot cross he built with a Holy Veil from his Jewish faith draped around it. I think it's called a tallit (prayer shawl). His wife, a college professor (grading papers when we arrived) whom for the life of me I can't recall her name. She had in their dining room a boulder 3 x 2 foot at least. It had dents and holes, each one reminding her of her Christian Walk. She collects rocks.I collect trolls. Famously hit hit off. When we arrived Jessie wasn't home yet so we decided to wait a bit for him.
Jessie arrived about thirty minutes later with a long time friend of his, also named Bill from up "Nawth', Maine to be exact. I told him he talked funny. He said the same about my "Suthen" accent. We chuckle and talk for hours. 2nd Bill, a barrel chested man with a boyish twinkle in his eyes, left his wife of twenty something years back home to hold the fort as he came to Alaska with the promise of a coveted pilot job. They lied to him. After talking with 2nd Bill about his situation, Michelle and I prayed over him to find a job quick, fast and in a hurry. We three laughed and told tall tales while Jessie, his wife Bill, the boys and Bob (quietly trying to be un-noticed) talked planes, trains, automobiles and rodeos. We watched the video of Jessie being tossed by bulls, bashed into steel rails and tossed again by bulls. Painful to watch but entertaining. Time got away from us, almost four hours to be honest. It's around eleven something. This false daylight is a tricky thing. We graciously left, knowing we'd all be sleeping like rocks when we made it home which was 1:04AM.
Jessie arrived about thirty minutes later with a long time friend of his, also named Bill from up "Nawth', Maine to be exact. I told him he talked funny. He said the same about my "Suthen" accent. We chuckle and talk for hours. 2nd Bill, a barrel chested man with a boyish twinkle in his eyes, left his wife of twenty something years back home to hold the fort as he came to Alaska with the promise of a coveted pilot job. They lied to him. After talking with 2nd Bill about his situation, Michelle and I prayed over him to find a job quick, fast and in a hurry. We three laughed and told tall tales while Jessie, his wife Bill, the boys and Bob (quietly trying to be un-noticed) talked planes, trains, automobiles and rodeos. We watched the video of Jessie being tossed by bulls, bashed into steel rails and tossed again by bulls. Painful to watch but entertaining. Time got away from us, almost four hours to be honest. It's around eleven something. This false daylight is a tricky thing. We graciously left, knowing we'd all be sleeping like rocks when we made it home which was 1:04AM.
It was still daylight when we got back in the truck, though our body clocks said differently. It was a quiet ride home, everyone in their own minds. Ken and Robot mended their twisted relationship for the time being. Ittik, Izzy, Snowshoe Sam and my newest companion Aleyeska are snoozing in my camera bag. Bob's munching on fruit and nut mix, the boys and Michelle are snoozing, Bill and I are small-talking. My eyes always seem to get misty when I see the Chugach Mountain Range on this part of the drive home.
How can I thank you Bill for driving us through Alaska?
You know me, hate the day is over, wanted more time with my glacier. More time in the fresh air with Bob. My body however is telling me that I'm soaking in the tub tonight. My hip is writing a chapter, my knees are writing a screenplay.
Tomorrow holds another glacial adventure so that pacifies me as I rub my bruised backside and become a slumbering rock.
How can I thank you Bill for driving us through Alaska?
You know me, hate the day is over, wanted more time with my glacier. More time in the fresh air with Bob. My body however is telling me that I'm soaking in the tub tonight. My hip is writing a chapter, my knees are writing a screenplay.
Tomorrow holds another glacial adventure so that pacifies me as I rub my bruised backside and become a slumbering rock.