Remembering Dave — 4-Wheelin’ in Alaska

We knew this adventure had to be exciting and different from what the “average Joe” would  experience.  But most of all it had to be fun.  This tour was touted as being ideal for those with the time and desire to get deep into the Alaskan bush surrounding Denali National Park– going 18 miles; much higher and with a wide variety of trail conditions, including stream crossings, marshes, bouncy tree-root rutted trails and steep hill-climbing.  It sounded perfect, but most of all it had to be fun. To be sure that Rob and Bob wouldn’t be held back by us ladies, we sent them off without us.

Here are their stories…

Rob:

Once again we were lucky enough to get a picture-perfect day in Alaska.  After brief instructions by our guides, we took off. Uncle Bob (UB) was second and I was third in line so we wouldn’t be held up by the others.  Of course, we both asked if we could pick up the pace at some point.  The guide said not to worry; it will get better.  They needed to gauge the abilities of everyone first.

We started out at slow pace in a single-file line and not even 5 minutes into the ride, we turned the corner and came right up on a BIG grizzly right in the middle of the trail.  UB pointed it out and I quickly thought, “My first real grizzly sighting!”  Once we saw it begin to turn in our direction, the excitement ended and a “little” concern crept in.  Luckily for us the bear wanted nothing to do with us and kept moving.  The guides did have a horn that they blew, but I think UB’s gas after his morning prune juice would have been more effective. 

They let us do our thing for awhile out in the muddy field.  UB and I took off immediately and just went shit-house!  We came back covered in mud while everyone else played follow-the-leader in the gravel.  We then continued up to the top of this mountain for a midday break.  It was picture-perfect view being surrounded by the mountains in every direction.  We thought it was another great place for Dave to be.  I sprinked some of his ashes at the top of the mountain into some foliage growing off the edge while UB took some photos.  It was a nice peaceful moment just listening to the wind saying hello to Dave.

We then ventured back.  The other guide decided to take the lead with us two following.  I guess we proved ourselves earlier because he took off like a bat atta hell!!  We both floored it and left everyone in the dust (actually–the spray of the river)! We did have to stop to let them catch up on occasion, but we’d go right back at it.  We got back to the ATV drop-off in record time with hearts racing and big smiles.

Bob:

It was another beautiful Alaska morning as I walked from our cabin and across the road to meet my nephew, Rob, for breakfast.  The peaceful silence was especially relaxing first thing in the am.  Maybe it’s just me, but I think there must be something in most guys’ DNA that finds noise in the morning like fingernails on a blackboard.  The only thing worse is “chatting at breakfast.”  Well, Rob didn’t disappoint.  Conversation went something like this…

Me:  Hey, Rob

Rob: Mornin’

Me: Nice day

Rob: Yeah.

That was it, nothing else necessary.  Then we both slumped back to our cheerios…what bliss…shhhh!!

We arrived at the beginning of the trail and got all geared up.  Most of the group had never ridden before.  I started feeling like this was going to be like a cute little pony ride, stopping occasionally so the ladies could snap some picture of the “cute little forget-me-nots.”  Well, Rob took one of the guides aside who then promised to “take care of us.”  It wasn’t long before we both, along with two guides, broke away on our own, tear-assing down a river bed.  All of a sudden we screech to a halt and the four of us are staring at a huge bear on the trail ahead, close enough to hit with a rock.  One’s first instinct is to say, “Wow! Look at the big bear, Mommy. Let’s take a picture!” Then reality sets in that this ISN’T Smokey at the zoo and he could actually EAT you. Then, your second instinct takes over, but running isn’t an option either. You know, the whole predator/prey thing, even if they don’t want to eat you, if you run, they have no choice but to get hungry real quick. Our only hope was that he would fill up on one of the guides first. So, there we are frozen. Rob had the camera in his top pocket, but lacked the — to make a move for it so we have no pictures to prove our story.

Lucky for us, the guides were full of courage and well prepared with a bear “horn.” They walked toward the thing yelling something while holding a can outstretched like a shield. If only we could have seen the look on this guy’s face when he fired off this can. First, a silent little puff of white smoke came out followed by something that sounded like an old man passing gas through three layers of long johns. Kind of like what I was wearing at the time. (Just a side note, I found Rob’s comment about the prunes to be crude and unnecessary, but if I would have thought of it at that moment, I might have been able to “contribute.”)

Well, after a few feeble moans from the can (no pun intended), the bear just got fed up and walked away. (I swear I heard him snickering as he left.) Personally, I think it may have gotten a noseful of what Rob had done in his “foul” gear. About this time, the rest of the “ponies” drove up in a single file behind us wanting to know why we stopped. Of course we made light of it. Rob said, “Bear.” I said, “Yeah.” Men of few words. A short while later, Rob and I went nuts in a mud bog. It was great seeing Rob let loose and unload some of the stress and sadness he has been carrying.

Well, we had a blast that day and enjoyed some spectacular views. We stopped for a break on top of a small mountain about 25 miles west of Mt. Healy. The surrounding mountains were covered in white spruce, mountain alder, grey willow, arctic sandwort and much more. While the others had lunch, Rob slipped away and found a spot to leave some of Dave’s ashes. We both spent a few silent moments with only the sound of the wind blowing across the mountains.

I was grateful and honored to share the moment. Dave would have loved this place. I know I did!

Message from Pat: Mission accomplished. They had a blast! I’m sure Dave laughed at their escapade and would have loved the experience, too. That’s why we made sure that a little bit of Dave will be there forever–overlooking the northern flanks of the Alaskan Range, Denali National Park, Mt. Healy, and the surrounding Healy Valley.

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