Day 31 A Day in Girdwood and Double Musky

Day 31

Dear Diary,

We awake to full sun and blue skies.  It’s a gift and we know it.  Brenna and Zach head out on the Arm bike trail to Indian.  It’s warm and the sun is hot.  We drive to the gondola at the big resort down the road about 2 miles.  We walk through small patches of forest on our way there.  It’s easy to see the temperate rainforest climate and why there is high snowfall for skiing.  Very beautiful mosses and ferns etc, the trees are huge.  The gondola ride up the mountain is fantastic views.  At the top there’s a cold wind but the sun is very warm; we get a panorama of the valley and out into Turnagain Arm.  The hanging glaciers are very visible and we can see Crow Creek Pass in the valley opposite, knowing Eagle River Valley is just on the other side.  The valley is green and already green up most of the mountain sides.  We are in snow up here, above tree line about 4000 feet.  We can see avalanche slides above us in a glacial bowl.  An info film shows pictures of the howitzer canon/guns used to loosen the avalanches.  That area is only open when the snowfall exceeds a certain depth.  We look down at the vertical drop of the black diamond ungroomed ski trail, rated in world’s highest for degree of skill and difficulty.  Turnagain Arm fjord and its surrounding mountains are very clear.  The tide is out right now, making it empty except for small pools and river and stream flows, it makes interesting patterns in the mud flats left behind.  We can see the town below and the grounds of the beautiful new lodge.  We are high enough that planes and helicopters are flying very low below us.  On top there is a café with full menu indoor and outdoor seating.  A small gift shop and museum.  We must take at least 100 pictures.  It’s hard to stop clicking.  Chuck is able to take a panorama movie while there.  The clouds are gathering and we have had the best of the views in sun.  On our ride down we pass over a black bear and two cubs.  Back at the house we make a big brunch.  Bren and Zach have ridden 30 miles and met a large male black bear on the path.  Everyone, including the bear was surprised, luckily he ran away.  We take a walk up to the old lodge area.  We stop at the Kobuk Jade Co.  Whether we buy or not it’s now a tradition.  They have an excellent display of Alaskana and the largest most beautiful baleen basket we’ve ever seen.  A rare sight and worth the trip alone.  We stroll around the grounds and end up at the old lodge.  It looks so small.  They have managed to keep some retail in it and a large bar/deck upstairs.  The infamous bake shop is there and we find a local artist cooperative.  The art/craft is very diverse and high quality.  We find stained glass panels that are 3 dimensional.  We have admired these pieces in Anchorage shop.  Today the artist who made them and who is part of this coop is working.  She is originally from Mass. but now resides 20 years in Hope across the Arm.  We find a Forget-Me-Not panel and can’t leave without it.  There is a Denali in flowers panel that is exquisite but too dear for us.  Not only does the artist personally package for us but she is handling all shipping herself.  It’s great to meet her, she gives some background to her pieces and how they are made.  While in the shop, the lady, June, who Pat saw at the concert last night and knew through Terry Powell comes into the shop with her husband.  Not letting the moment go again Pat makes the connection and it is June!  What a nice coincidence.  We talk for a few minutes and catch up.  Must tell Terry we saw her.  The flowers at the old lodge are beautiful, huge beds of ferns, multiple hanging baskets of every color and boxes of double ruffle begonia.  Lots of pictures there.  Walk back to the house and take a break.  Decide to go to dinner at the Double Musky.  Another tradition.  We walk the mile or so there.  Slow night and we get a table in the solarium which is rare for us.  Nice dinner and we recognize the waiter from times past.  Walk back to the house but try a different route.  Cross over a small hidden foot bridge over Crow Creek, very pretty.  Chuck says there are wet bear prints on the bridge, we make lots of noise.  Back at the house we play a couple games of euchre.  It’s good Zach now knows this family game so he is roped into it with no excuses.  It’s midnight, it’s still light, big day of adventure and fun.  We love this special time with Brenna.  It will end too soon.  Tomorrow night we’ll be on the cross gulf ferry heading south.  Time for sleep.  Night.