Visitors

The sun rose this morning at approximately 9:54 and sat atop the middle mountain with the most snow. There was hardly a lake to see, between the reflection of the clear and unpolluted blue skies and the thick "quilt" not just a blanket of fog than loomed in the distance for what seemed to be miles and miles. There was not a bug nor bird in the air, only the warmth of my breath rising ever so slowly making known the wind had not yet awaken. Crystals of ice glistened off the trees and ground just for a moment as the sun brought their glory to an end, creating another puddle to be transformed again in tonight's dark and frozen hours. It felt so refreshing to take a breath that I didn't have to share with a soul. A breath of air that was just for me, no rush to exhale, no rush to inhale, it was just a great moment on another fantastic day in this amazing place. I thought about the city at that moment, about the hustle of people and the crowds in subways, on buses and in the streets, in particular New York, and shook my head wondering how they did it.
Today was no ordinary day, starting out promptly with telephone calls, emails and such, today was a big day as far as days out here are concerned. I was going to have visitors!
The night had already brought visitors of some sort, and I think it may have been a fox although I will have to do further investigation on the droppings it had left, that is my best guess as of today.

Visitors today would be people, and how many would remain unknown. There was a tragic event that claimed several lives this summer out at this particular lodge and now there is to be a story about two of the survivors airing on NBC Dateline. So as to the specifics, I am asked not to talk about any information regarding that particular accident and kindly specify the public and private property boundaries to any incoming guests. Some of the visitors came today in a very nice R44 based out of Dillingham. There were several boats that came by as well, and the film crew in an single engine Otter. I didn't have any interactions with the crew, only the guests in the chopper and a boat on the river as we were both drifting the same waters for Rainbows. It was odd to see people today, and although I have not been  out here long, it was good to see them and also good to get back to solitude. I was working on a little project today, between the phone and the hype of all this river drama, I was able to accomplish something I have been wanting to build for quite some time, about, well almost 8 years. I need to fine tune some things but it will appear on here hopefully my next entry.

Today's fishing was a real treat. Rainbows and Dolly Varden were out among the Char and not yet finished Sockeye Salmon. They were taking specially painted beads (a secret) and it sure was fun. However there has been a small obstacle to overcome, taking pictures of myself. Its hard enough to get a fish to be still when two people take it, let alone one. I wish I could have had more photos from some other great and beautiful fish, however it was necessary to release them in good health over taking a picture. This rainbow is about 3 pounds and every inch of him is fat with salmon eggs and/or flesh. The next is a Dolly Varden, a very good fighting fish, full of energy and hungry for that last meal before the freeze up.

So for my days out here, today has been excellent. I am looking forward to another brisk and clear night, with yet another visitor around 3:30 - 5:00 am give or take another hour. Orion can be seen in the Southern sky, shining as brilliant as if it were only as far as the sun. The stars are one of the best things about being up here, they are vivid and clear, they twinkle like they ought to, not because the smog of cities makes them dim an fuzzy. They shine with all they have, not being held back or diluted in any way. They are as free to do as they wish as I feel I am up here. They are separated from each other by distances we can only imagine and yet they give the appearance of being connected in our constellations. However it may be, I truly enjoy my awakening in the night to stoke a fire and gaze at more beauty of the natural world. One can't get enough of Nature, how beautiful it is and how much good it does for us to be in it.

From my little ol' cabin, Good Night*