The Wild Belong in the Wild.

Last Thursday, my hot pink Barbie nails and I set off to the Last Frontier.  First Destination: Anchorage.  Final Destination: Ninilchik, Alaska.

It wasn't too long into the first flight, as I was doing my typical flight assessment (this is where I scan the seats on each flight I take for people who resemble and/or could perform the duties of the TV Show's Lost characters, making sure that I am surrounded by the necessary people should the plane go down), that I first realized how great of a minority I was.  Given that we were in route to Anchorage, my plane was chalk full of husky and what I am now referring to as Brawny Commercial men.  It is no exaggeration to say that every time the flight attendent came down the aisle with the drink cart, she apologized for running into arm and leg muscle more than she inquired about a drink order.  This to say, there was an abundance of male "Lost" characters.  In fact, there was enough for every man to have an understudy.  Females, well that was a different story.  It looked like I was going to have to play the role of all the ladies. I suppose I could have skipped writing this entire paragraph and just simply said: I looked absolutely out of place.  Oh but when these men started drilling me with questions, and I was able to explain that I found fishing for the King Salmon a little overrated this summer considering it was such a short run for them, but that I was anxiously awaiting my hand at the 75lb halibut chilling in the ocean, they found themselves with a quick lesson in first impressions and passing judgement.  ;)  Though, it may have ended after that, especially as I found my face smashed into the window plane, drooling over the magnificent mountains below me, begging to know if I was going to "see this" or be "able to do that" and "what that was!"

Tamica and I arrived in Anchorage at the same time and reunited over our first Alaskan Amber as we waited for my luggage (the airline forgot to put Tamica's on her flight), and then headed to our next terminal, where we jumped on a propeller jet over to Kenai.  Let's pause here for a moment.  Propeller jets.  It looked no bigger than my Honda Civic sitting on raised wheels.  The momentum for the running start and take - off is slower than a snail.  How it even makes it into the air is beyond me.  At times, it feels as though you are even going backwards.  I just waited for the pilot to get on the intercom and ask us to "Lean forward!"  He didn't, but I don't even think there was an intercom on the plane anyway.  "Is this normal," I asked the flight attendent.  To which she responded, "Everything is normal as long as we are in the air."  Hmm.  I quickly thereafter learned that there was a drink service (no cart involved as it surely wouldn't fit down the aisle), and practically threw my wallet at the flight attendent, begging for anything to soothe the 100 foot airwaves I felt like we were riding.  (Insert second Alaskan Amber here).  Pretty sure I lost all and/or any credibility I had gained on the first flight or for simply being a city girl in the Alaska wilderness after this flight.

Once we landed in Kenai, we were welcomed by our camp Wrangler's, Taylor and Jeramy.  The best way to describe them: They know and can do everything.  They run the show.  It's only been three days and we would be absolutely lost without them.  Lost is not an understatement in this sentence.

Two moose, many bald eagles, and fifty plus car miles later, we found ourselves about three miles up the Ninilchik River, at our summer home of Knepper's Alaskan Fish Camp.

Greeted by Adamae (Grandma), our orientation began.  We explored the camp grounds and most importantly, the kitchen and all surrounding and related cabinets, drawers, and pantries.  We then quickly settled into our room among the hand crafted log cabin and ventured up the street to enjoy our first Alaskan sunset at 11:15 P.M.  The pictures say it all. :)

Post our field frolic session, we did our best to go to sleep.  Now, many have asked about sleep masks.  Yes, they would be very helpful.  But have we found any?  None, zero, zilch, nowhere.  We have come to the conclusion that Alaskans do not believe in them.  Now, our curtains are definitely dark but we have found it very hard to avoid the bright light streaming, tempting, and beckoning us through the cracks.  It's kind - of like a mother putting her child down to nap on the sunniest afternoon of the year.  The excitement of what you know, think, and believe is happening out there without you, well frankly, it's just overwhelming.  Good thing it was Friday morning before we knew it, and we were starting our first full day on the frontier.

It's also a good thing that the days are practically twice as long here, because we needed every ounce of that extra time.  We were ready to dive in and begin meal planning (and practicing) for the next week before campers began to arrive, so Tamica, Grandma, and I mapped out breakfast, lunches, appetizers, and desserts and then headed those fifty plus miles back into town to the grocery store.  Bags and bags and bags and bags and bags and bags later, it seemed as though we had more groceries than we've probably (combined), ever owned in a year.  Without so many grocery bags, we would have also picked up this freebie.

(Hot girl is additional cost).

Bargain.  Boom.  At this rate, Alaska is looking like the place to live thanks to the cost of living. ;)

We spent one part of our evening playing with spices and cooking for Grandma, the Wrangler's, and James, (a great family friend of the Knepper's who comes up each summer to open and close the camp).  The other part of our evening, well, Tamica and I decided to venture on out with the quad.  Having experience with an automatic quad, well let's just say that it's different than having experience with a manual quad.  Little did we know that we would soon find ourselves stranded about a mile and a half up the road.

Nevertheless, we were thankful for yet again, a beautiful view.

Pride or not, we didn't want to call the Wrangler's, and instead decided to push the quad all the way home.  Consider it exercising in Alaska. ;)  This time, it wasn't just the bright sky that kept us awake - but also the nerves of hoping and praying that somehow, someway, the quad was going to magically work in the morning.  Did I mention that the Wrangler's can do everything?  Well, they can, and Taylor, like magic, had the quad going in the morning.  Resume adventure without guilt and begin baking madness as a thank you.

Here is a picture of Taylor, enjoying what is a favorite outing to the Ninilchik General Store for a scoop of ice cream - where anywhere else in the world, it's actually the size of a personal pint.  (Note: Will need more Alaska exercise).

Following ice cream, James took Tamica and I to the Ninilchik Harbor (what is also a Russian settlement), where the Ninilchik River begins and where you are dazzled with a breathtaking view of the Cook Inlet and the volcano, Mount Illiamna.  Of course I couldn't resist climbing a little higher to give this sight it's due diligence and take it all in accordingly.

(The Ascent)

(Looking North)

(Looking West at Cook Inlet, Mt. Illiamna)

(The Descent)

I just don't know if it really gets better.

We quickly decided this was going to be a favorite and frequented spot.  But for now, it was time to say goodbye as we had to drop James off at the airport in the morning, (which meant a 5AM departure from camp).  Though an hour no one really wants to be up for or by, it's worth it here in Alaska.  It's when the moose - their calves included, feed along the country roads.  These massive animals may look like a camel/cow/horse/reindeer mix, but there is something so incredibly captivating about them.  (I guess it could just be that I don't see them back at home or really ever). ;)

I know this post is somewhat long, maybe slightly vague (as there are so many side stories and rabbit trails to venture down), but Tamica and I will do our best to stay up to date so to avoid over - packing an entry.  Lucky for you, we just learned that our first group of campers are coming Tuesday - days earlier than we had initially thought.  Full gear, here we come.  This is us, bidding you ado for now, from the River de Ninilchik, where the wild belong in the wild. :)

Did we say that we love it here? :)