Denali Road Lottery
We didn’t win again this year. *sigh*
We’re both very disappointed, especially because Steve is off the entire week surrounding the Road Lottery weekend. It would have been great to drive into Wonder Lake and enjoy the landscape and wildlife. We’ll try again next year.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. If the weather cooperates (this means if it doesn’t snow in mid-September), we’re considering an ‘end of season’ trip to Cordova.
Cordova can only be reached via plane, boat, or ferry. The Alaska Marine Highway (Ferry System) has a “fast ferry” from Valdez to Cordova that only takes 3 hours. The fare for both of us to travel to and from Cordova with Steve’s truck is about $376. We could save a few dollars by taking my car, but there are some areas we’d like to explore which are definitely off-road. Steve’s truck would be a necessity for that.
Here’s a map showing where Cordova is in relation to Valdez:
Cordova is known for its Copper River red salmon, but I don’t know if there will still be good fishing in mid-September. The one thing we do want to see is the “Million Dollar Bridge” and Child’s Glacier. Child’s Glacier is about 50 miles out the highway from Cordova - at the road’s end.
There’s nothing carved in stone in regards to this trip. It will be a spur of the moment decision, based on weather here in the interior, how far we’ve advanced into autumn, and our feelings about not only a long drive to Valdez, but spending the money to continue on to Cordova.
We might just decide to drive the Denali Highway from Paxson to Cantwell instead. Or not.
Last year, in mid September, we were already seeing temperatures at the freezing level, and snow in the higher elevations. When that happens, staying home is usually the most desirable option.
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I wanted to let you all know that my brother Mike has returned to work, and things at his job aren’t the best. There is talk of layoffs, which doesn’t bother him as much as losing his benefits. Mike is a super smart guy, so this could be an opportunity for him to find something that he can put his whole heart into; something he loves to do.
Coming home to a quiet house has been tough. I think about him at night, imagining how hard it is to walk into his house and not find Lisa there with a smile, as she prepares dinner for the family. In a recent email he wrote that he was thankful for frozen pizza, although he did marinate some meat the other day and was planning to cook a ‘real’ meal. I wish I lived closer and could cook a few meals for them - even though my kitchen skills are severely lacking and wouldn’t come anywhere close to matching Lisa’s.
So many changes, on top of their sorrow. I wish them all strength.
