Thursday, February 8, 2018: Cal returning to Fairbanks

Rachel’s entry:  Cal is flying back to Fairbanks today.  I am so anxious to see him and hear his stories.  I continued reading over breakfast, until I had to stop, to finish my packing.  I needed to leave for the airport before 11:00 am. 

When the plane stopped, the door opened, and the first person out, was Wilbur.  What?  He came back early?  Yes, he decided to come back today, as the dog sled teams had already come through Eagle, and now they are predicting snow.   Wilbur did not want to be stranded in Eagle, due to a snow storm, so since there was room on this plane, he flew out today.  We took him to the airport where he hoped to get on an earlier flight to Seattle and on to Iowa. If he cannot fly out today, there is a shuttle to the nearby hotel. 

Cal’s last day in Eagle:  By 6:30am we were up and ready for the next day.  The plans are for me to fly back to Fairbanks and meet Rachel.  The flight is scheduled for 10:30am, but they have been known not to fly when the temperature is -40 F or below.  Thankfully, it has warmed to -20 F at 6:30am. 

I put some of my things together, because I am flying out at 10:30.  We went to the house for coffee and breakfast.  Burr had seen my heavy wool LL Bean sweater and commented on how nice it was.  l had him try it on to see if it would fit him.  He seemed to think it was a nice fit, so I gave it to him, since it is very heavy, and I hardly wear it in Iowa.

After breakfast it was discussed that there was a chance for snow Monday when Wilbur was planning to fly out of Eagle.  I went back to the cabin to make final arrangements to fly out when Wilbur came and said plans had changed.  Because of the predicted snow he was flying out of Eagle with me.

We got things together and headed to the airstrip soon after 10:00.  It was very windy at the airstrip.  When the plane came in it was really moving around before touching down.  We loaded and were on our way by 10:45. The takeoff was very rough but by the time we were in the air everything went smoothly back to Fairbanks.

Ready to Leave Eagle

Eagle and The Yukon River from the Plane

Back in Fairbanks

Back in Fairbanks: Cal and I left Fairbanks, driving south on the Parks Highway toward Anchorage.  It is a whole lot further between Fairbanks and Anchorage than I expected.  We are only driving 55 to 60 due to snow-packed road conditions.  We know there is a hotel in Healy, and the next one southbound is in Cantwell.  By the time we came to Healy it was too early to stop for the day, so we continued to Cantwell, stopping at the Backwoods Lodge.  This is located at the west end of the Denali Highway.  After checking-in we drove a few miles eastbound on the Denali Highway, until the road was not cleared for vehicle traffic – just snow machines. When we turned around, there it was in front of us was Mt McKinley/Denali! It was clear! Plus, the evening sun was shining on the surrounding eastern peaks. We need to drive back this way again in the morning, when the morning sun will be shinning on Denali.    

One of the Mountains in Denali Park

Denali from Cantwell Alaska