The Generosity of Alaskans
It’s been a few days since I’ve written here, and that’s only because I haven’t been doing much more than running errands and preparing some of my prints and notecards for The Stash. Until today, I hadn’t even taken any photographs, since I wrote last.
However, I do have some very good news to share here!
A few days ago, I received an email from a very generous and kind-hearted gentleman, who lives down on the Kenai Peninsula. I will refer to him as John, because I don’t know if he wants me to post his name here.
In the email, John let me know that he had won a Denali Park Pass for Saturday 13th, and wouldn’t be able to go. And… did I want it?!!!
Well, of course you know that I had a smile from ear to ear when I read that email. I emailed John back and told him I was interested and was willing to pay him a fair price for it. I saw passes being sold on Craigslist just after the winners were announced, but some folks were asking a fortune for them.
John didn’t want any payment - citing “This is Alaska (where we help each other) not the Lower 48.” How wonderful is that?! I have been on cloud nine ever since. Yesterday, he emailed me to let me know it was on the way. I will truly be dancing around the living room when the pass is actually in my hands.
Steve and I haven’t quite made up our mind yet, as to whether we’re going to go down the day before and get a room and then drive in early the next morning, or if we’re just going to do the entire drive in one day. It’s do-able in one day, even though it would be a lot of driving. Two hours to the park, another 8-12 to drive the road (depending on wildlife, etc.), and two hours home.
Now, the only thing that could create any problems would be weather-related. It’s not uncommon to get snow in mid-September, and with the higher elevations in the park, snow would cause a road closure. Last year, winners were turned away on two occasions I believe.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!
