Heartfelt Goodbyes and Glacier Highs: Prince William Sound Recap
July 27, 2024
Greeting family and Friends from Prince William sound!!!
We cannot believe that our time together has almost come to an end. To finish out our journey we got to spend the most amazing 4 days on Prince William Sound paddling along some of the countries most pristine wilderness.
Day 1, Our boats were filled the the brim with food and supplies for the next few days and we were ready to go. We set out from Whittier Alaska, the States gloomiest town only to find ourselves surrounded by rays of sunshine. This group showed their strengths with paddling within the first few minutes of our trip. It was windy out and the waves were stronger than normal but everyone pushed through and we were at our campsite in no time. It helped a lot that Cal and Noah were already racing boats so we had no choice but to keep up!! Along the way we saw 2 bald eagles right off the bat and got up close and personal with the rocky coastline. Our campsite, a fairyland full of green moss and big trees and a soft pebble beach, was the perfect hang spot after a hard day. The first thing we did was jump in the frigid water before laying out to dry on the rocks. We ate a gourmet pasta dish with orzo, sausage, peppers and onions, and a touch of fresh Parmesan. After moonup the group took some quiet time sitting on the rocks and soaking it all in.
It was a slow drizzly morning as we woke up the next day. Slightly damp but energized we ate our breakfast of bagels and cream cheese under the tarp before heading out to find our next camp. We paddled about 10 miles along the coast spotting eagles and surfing the waves through the misty waters and no one seemed the lest perturbed about the weather situation. Conversations are the heart and soul of sea kayaking on days like these. And you’re in for a good one if you find yourself in a boat with Tyler. He makes the time speed by with genuine questions that make you really want to respond. As we reached our next beach landing, tents were popped up and we got to cooking. When you need a helping hand or need something to be done, Will is there. We got set up in the rain so much faster because he was ready to help out and get the group out of the rain. There’s nothing better on a cold drizzly day than some hot ramen but spiced up for extra flavor. Aggie, Tyler, Cal and Ellie cheffed us up so good by adding, chicken, green onion, eggs, and broccoli for their finishing touches. We squished into the bug net for moonup to escape the mosquitoes then made a beeline to the tents. Our sleeping bags have never been more comforting.
Glacier Day!!! We had a chill morning cooking up a Moondance specialty. Apples and granola all stewed up with honey and cinnamon, wrapped up in a Nutella and Peanut butter tortilla. Avery led the charge for this one, seasoning up the apples like a champ and initiating the tortilla spread process. It was flawless. The sun came up to dry us all out and we paddled to Lawrence glacier for a warm up hike. The view was incredible. Once you get past all the boulders and rocky space the glacier once occupied you find a massive sheet of ice before you with a river running from its base. Ellie, our protege photographer, snapped some fabulous photos of everyone. We explored all we could and once we were done we headed towards the pools below for a polar plunge and everyone jumped in! It was such an incredible sight to see the group whooping and cheering as each of them made their entrance into the frigid glacial pool. Aggie loved it so much she shocked herself by jumping in at least 4 times. Everyone could be seen flattened out on rocks to dry for the next 20 or so minutes, enjoying the sun and the incredible feeling of soaking in all that Alaska has given us. Before departing, the group got some last refreshing gulps of the freshest glacier water! As we paddled back to camp a harbour seal playfully followed us, popping up in a new spot every few minutes. For dinner Will, Avery, and Evie made us a hearty loaded baked potato scramble that smelled absolutely divine. We topped our bowls off with shredded cheddar, green onions, sour cream, and spices galore. To end Moonup, we took a walk down the beach following a humpback whale to see where it would end up. As it swam away we returned to our tents in a reverent silence and fell asleep.
Bright and early on our last morning of sea kayaking we woke up to more sun and had oatmeal, the Dino egg kind. We paddled about 4 miles to our boat shuttle pick up. After paddling for 4 days, the boat felt like going through a time lapse. We got back to Whittier in what felt like a heartbeat and began the unpacking and organizing process. We fire lined our gear up the beach like a well oiled machine and got lunch from a local food shop in the harbour. The fish and chips hit the spot. Everyone explored the shops along the water and had some time to buy fun authentic Alaskan trinkets and mementos. When our bus came to get us, we weren’t ready to leave this place but the 4 hour naptime was much needed for our tired selves. We drove all the way to Talkeetna and set up for one last night at the campgrounds before taking SHOWERS!!!! Yahooo!!! Once we were squeaky clean we made our way into the quaint quirky town for our banquet dinner. Everyone was dressed in their banquet best, Rowans outfit was sublime. She was rocking Spider-Man glasses and had some phenomenal layering skills for the bottom part of her fit. After making our meals the past 3 weeks it was a nice treat to sit back and enjoy the scenery and food. Evie and Will did a great job of creating a very meaningful final Moonup for everyone. This time was so special for all of us and solidified the close connections that have been made throughout these incredible 3 weeks.
Last Day!!! For our final hurrah we celebrated the trip with a flight tour of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. It was an overcast day but once we burst through the cloud layer over Talkeetna, the sun shone brighter than ever and we could see the peaks poking through the fog. As the small plane made twists and turns towards the summit we got to see the mountains in a way very few people get to. Our plane touched down an hour later and we spent out last few hours exploring Talkeetna shops and boutiques before our last drive to the airport.
There was a solemn feeling in the airport as everyone said their goodbyes. This group has amazed us again and again with their incredible leadership, positive attitudes, enthusiasm, and the way they love and support each other. It has been an honor to know and travel with all of your incredible children and we can’t wait to see where life takes them next!!
Cheers,
Daisy, Scarlet, and McKee
Greeting friends and family from the depths of the Talkeetna Mountains!
July 22, 2024
We have finally emerged from the backcountry and are safe and sound back at our base camp. The past eight days have been a wonderful whirlwind of good times and hard work, and we are ready for some days of recuperation during rafting. But until then, settle in for some insight into our backpacking trip.
Day one, we covered eight miles. Right off the bat, we were moving and grooving with our packs stuffed to the brim and our smiles wide. We practiced our bear calls, had a stellar lookout lunch spot, learned about water purification on the trail, and wandered our way along the trail to our first campsite, The Bog. Suitably named, we set up our tents in a beautiful boggy meadow and shared a delicious first meal of Pad Thai. Aggie took charge of water purification and made sure to keep to the details since water is our lifeline! The energy was high, and we ended the first night with a game of shmodus after Moonup. Cal had everyone laughing with his incredible character impressions during the game.
With one day behind us, we were already zoomin’. Fueled by the power of oatmeal, we covered ground like it was our job and made it to our next campsite up on a lofty plateau even further into the mountains. Along the way, we walked through creeks, fields of wildflowers, and groves of aspen trees. We had our first real look at the high mountains of the Talkeetna, and the group was itching to see them up close. Once at camp, Noah and Ellie bravely volunteered as LOD to get water from the river far below us, helping out the whole group with water for dinner and breakfast. As it grew colder throughout the evening, we huddled near the cooking tarp and made pesto chicken pasta. Bellies now full, we circled up and had Moonup. We went to bed warm and cozy with sweet dreams of tomorrow.
The cheese grits outdid themselves this time. With a little bit of garlic powder and pepper, it was practically a gourmet breakfast and perfectly filling for our first real river crossing. Upon our descent to the river, we practiced appropriate formations for heavier water and made our way across easily. The next few miles were easy and winding along an ATV trail. The day was not our longest or hardest but enjoyable and breezy, filled with conversation and the best weather. At our airstrip campsite, we set up tents and had some free time perfect for reading and journaling. The camp went silent as the group became introspective in their downtime while we, the leaders, got a head start on some scouting for the next day. When they got back, Aggie and Will had been ahead of the game and already had the tarp all set up. After our dinner of chicken curry and a surprise treat, OREOS!!!, we headed to bed to prepare for our ascent towards the pass.
The next morning, we packed up quick, ate our oatmeal, and headed off down the trail. The first four miles were a breeze, and then it was bushwhacking time. Ellie, curious to learn more about maps, asked to see where we’re going and has been great about tracking our progress and figuring out where we’re going next. Before we began the push, we ate our sausage and cheese wraps, played some music, snapped a few pictures, and then turned towards the bush. This is where our real adventure began. The group energy was electric. We took some spills, made our bear and moose calls, climbed over logs and small trees, crossed streams and gullies, and after several hours, found ourselves at the base of the pass. The next couple of miles were the most grueling and fulfilling ones we had the whole trip. Avery kept the group positive whether she was way up front or pulling up the rear. The group had the opportunity to show what they were made of, and we saw it. True grit. They were positive and supportive and kept encouraging each other up the steepest push of the whole trip, and as we crested Chitna Pass, the energy just continued on and on. We took a break in a wide-open valley between the peaks to drop packs and play around for a bit and decided to open the group surprise at the tippy top, JOLLY RANCHERS! When we’d reached our spot, the whole group practically ran to the highest point, and we simultaneously sat ourselves down in silence to enjoy the beauty that encompassed us from all sides. I cannot explain how meaningful this moment was for everyone. Tyler mentioned it was possibly one of the best days of his life.
It’s hard to top a day like the Pass day, but our next hike made for a close second. We had a leisurely morning in the pass, trying to get our last looks at the highest peaks yet before descending down into Boulder Creek Valley below. Rowan, an absolute powerhouse in the front of the group, kept our pace well, and before we knew it, we were hiking on the edge of the mountain, and the view before us opened up into a breathtaking spread of rivers, peaks, ridgelines, puffy clouds, and waterfalls. We hiked the spine of an island rock formation and stopped for lunch. Our sausage and cheese tortillas couldn’t have tasted better anywhere else. The rest of the day we wandered along the river banks and found our next campsite in a grassy forest area looking up at the towering rock faces that surrounded us.
We loved this campsite so much we decided to spend the whole next day there. After sleeping in to our hearts’ delight, Aggie, Tyler, and Cal were cook crew and made M&M pancakes. We listened to music throughout the morning and lounged by the riverbank reading, journaling, and spending quality time together with games and chatting. For Tyler and Cal, they got in a quick battle with their lightsaber sticks before dinner. The sun was out and warm, so we basked in all its glory until it was time to eat. We feasted on Alfredo tortellini, and some of the group added their snacking jerky for an extra kick. A thick fog rolled into the valley, dropping the temperature several degrees, so we whipped out the hot chocolate packets and made extra hot water for drinks during Moonup.
The next morning, we had our packs on, back where they belong, ready to cover more mileage. As our group ebbed and flowed through streams across the river bed, we watched the mountains in the background fade away as we got closer and closer to our final campsite. Today was a shorter distance, so we stopped for a longer lunch break up in a flowery meadow on the banks. We ate snacks, finished off the pepper jack cheese and sausage wraps, and spread out in the sun. Peanut butter jars were exchanged and tossed around, snacks were traded and bartered for, and before long, the winds made us cold again, and we were up on our feet. Before long, we reached our campsite. It was pristine. The pit toilet was just an added bonus. Avery, Will, and Evie prepared chicken couscous for dinner with a myriad of spices around the fire pit, and we reflected on how far we’ve come both physically and mentally on this trip.
For our last backpacking breakfast, we went all out, cheffing up hashbrowns and frying sausage. We were so full, there were leftovers for the first time EVER. Once we left camp, we wrapped around the final ridge and crossed over rolling hills towards the pickup point. With a beautiful overlook of the Chugach Mountains across the river, we sat and finished off snack bags and shared PB&Js. There’s no better way to finish off a backpacking trip than with some good old-fashioned ice cream. At our pickup, we threw our lightened packs into the truck, crammed into the van, windows down, and headed off for our treat. Nothing has ever tasted so good. Back at camp, we unloaded and had a yard sale of belongings scattered around camp, but we got some well-deserved relaxing time before getting right back into the swing of things for dinner. HOT DOGS! Simple, easy, delicious. With another meal under our belts, we are ready for rafting.
It’s safe to say we’ve enjoyed our time together these past eight days in the mountains, and we’re only halfway through!
RAFTING –
We woke up early the next morning ready to hop into the rafts for our overnight trip! The weather was drizzly and cold, but our attitudes were bright and sunny. We started at the put-in in the morning and paddled through wave trains and whitewater all the way down back to the base. We stripped out of our dry suits and changed into some roomier rain bibs for the next river section. Before hopping back on the river, we had a wonderful spread of sandwich supplies with chips and fruits and PICKLES! After downing every bite of food, we split up into our raft groups for a nice drift down the river. The sun began to peek through the clouds, and at our newfound campsite along the Matanuska River banks, it came out in full force. We read, journaled, and napped before hearing the call for dinner. Our lovely raft guides had prepared hot enchiladas for us with a surprise cake for dessert. We played bocce ball in the wildflowers; Evie carried the game, winning a multitude of times. Her aim was perfection. Before Moonup, we had a massive hacky sack game and then settled in for some reflection.
Hot coffee and chorizo egg breakfast burritos woke us up the next morning. We sat in the early sun, sipping coffee and enjoying our last hours on the river. Our float down to the take-out was breezy and calm, so we all got some time to just enjoy. Back at camp, we got organized for our travel day and for dinner had a cooking competition, none other than Iron Chef. Both groups chose ingredients, and the games began. While the cooking commenced, so did the activities. We tossed a frisbee in the dirt and played hacky sack until it was time to eat. Incredibly impressed by the creativity, usage of ingredients, and multi-course meals provided, we could hardly choose a winner. Our indecisiveness was overwhelming, as was the food. At last, we cleaned up and made our way to the tents to sleep in preparation for our final activity, SEA KAYAKING!
Cheers!
Daisy McKee and Scarlet
Update from beautiful Alaska!
July 10, 2024
Greetings from the Matanuska Glacier in Alaska!!!
We started off our trip with a bang and have had an incredible first few days of ice climbing! The sun was out, the ice was cold, and the energy was rebounding throughout the whole group. This group is already working well as a team so early on, and we cannot wait to see where the next few weeks will take us.
Our first day of ice climbing was amazing. We started off the day with breakfast burritos, with Ellie leading the charge on cook crew alongside Noah for the morning. After breakfast burritos and coffee, the group gathered around the gear tent at Nova Alaska Guides to receive our gear and then headed out to the 27-mile-long Matanuska Glacier to climb some ice. Our hike was fairly short until we arrived at our three routes to climb. It was not long before Avery made it to the top of a route, which urged everyone else to strap in and get ready to climb. Noah made it a personal goal to climb each route three times, which he accomplished with ease. After everyone got their fill of climbing for the day, we gathered our gear and headed back to the campsite for the rest of the afternoon, which was filled with hacky sack and jackpot. It is amazing how well a group of nine can play hacky sack just after three days of practice. Rowan has not failed to show and teach her ways of hacky sack to the rest of the group. For dinner, the cook crew made Japanese barbecue sandwiches with Wickles Pickles, baked beans, and potato chips, which were a huge hit. Following dinner, the group was introduced to the game of Shmotus, which was a big crowd pleaser. This game requires all players not to show their teeth, even when laughing. If you show your teeth when laughing, you are out. Cal did a great job getting nearly everyone out, making everyone laugh for minutes on end. After the game, Tyler and Evie, the leaders of the day, wrapped up the day with yet another incredible moonup.
The next day was our biggest day of ice climbing, which required a two-mile hike in. This hike was decorated with singing, games, and conversation. Upon arrival at our spot, the guides set up the routes, which consisted of massive rappels into an incredibly blue crevice. It was truly spectacular. Aggie was one of the first, if not the first, to complete both routes, which pushed everyone else to do the same. All the while, Will, as usual, maintained conversation and group activity at the base where everyone awaited their turn. This has been a common theme over the last few days for Will!
After the group had our fun at the crevice, we hiked back to the van to get a head start on prepping for backpacking, which went very smoothly. We are all so excited to head out into the backcountry. These upcoming days will be unforgettable, and we can’t wait to share about it afterwards!
Sincerely from Alaska,
McKee, Daisy, and Scarlet
Hello family, it’s only been a few days but so far it’s incredible. Hope all is well and Thomas is getting super excited for his trip. A few people here went on it and absolutely loved it. Anyways love you guys and can’t wait to tell you everything. – Rowan
Hey familia, it’s only day four and I’m having a blast. I hope you have a great birthday dad!! I hope y’all are having a great time in Nash and I will see you somewhat soon. I love and miss y’all -Avery
Hi!!! I miss y’all but I’m having the best time. It’s so so beautiful here, I can’t wait to show you the photos! I hope you’re having the best time in London and Lucy’s trip is going well! Love y’all❤️❤️ – Ellie
Hello family!! This trip has been so amazing, and it’s only been 4 days! I’ve met some great people. Miss you guys and am excited to see you all once again so I can tell y’all about this amazing Alaskan excursion. Thank you padres for getting me on this adventure and helping me get all my gear; I needed all the gear. I’m having a blast and hope you have all been doing great! See you guys soon. Noah
Heyyyyyy guys. I cannot even begin to describe Alaska’s beauty to you all, but know that it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. As much as I miss everyone, I’m having the time of my life. I truly couldn’t ask for a better group; we never stop laughing. We leave tomorrow morning to go backpacking in the middle of the Alaskan backcountry for 8 days, and it’s gonna be craaaazaaayyyy!! I love you all so very much, and I can’t wait to tell you every single detail!!!! 💛💛💛- Evie
Wassup Fam. Just chilling in Alaska right now. I am having a great time with my group and leaders. Lu would really like all my leaders. About to go backpacking so I’m excited for that. I’ll see y’all on the other side and hope everything I’m Nashville is great. Will
Hey Law Fam!!!!!!! Having a blast In Alaska right now!!! My group and leaders are and is absolutely amazing!!! We just finished ice climbing and it was so cool!!!, tomorrow we start backpacking!!!! Hope everyone’s doing great!! Give Darla some love for me!!!! I love y’all so much and miss y’all!!! Can’t wait to tell y’all all abt the trip!!! Best family ever!!!❤️❤️❤️
Hey mom and dad! I Love y’all and really miss y’all and am having a really good time Ice climbing-cal
Hellooooo I miss y’all a lot but I’m having a blast. We’re about to start backpacking tomorrowww. Say hi to Louie for me, love you guys!! – tyler
