Alaska on My Mind
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Destinations.
Alaska on My Mind
Captivated by the Alaskan Wilderness
During our six-year journey aboard the Cal 2-34 sailboat, Cabaret, my husband, Tom, and I covered twenty-five thousand miles, traveling from Alaska to Polynesia. Yet, it's the charm of Alaska that remains unforgettable. Our time spent in the Southeastern Alaskan archipelago inspired my first suspense novel, Northern Escape, and that enchanting place continues to linger in my mind.
A Magical Arrival in Wrangell
People often ask about my favorite destination, and without hesitation, I always think of Southeast Alaska. The two years we spent there feel magical?"a time when we truly discovered a new world. Approaching the small town of Wrangell felt like arriving at a mystical island. Nestled at the mouth of the Stikine River, with soaring snow-capped mountains as its backdrop, the town captivated us immediately. As we sailed closer and studied it through binoculars, we noticed the peaceful stillness.
Upon docking at the harbor, we wandered up the quaint streets that seemed frozen in time. They reminded us of an old western film set, where the presence of figures like Gary Cooper or James Arness wouldn’t have been surprising. We knew this was where we wanted to pause our travels for a bit, so we set out to find jobs?"Tom at the boatyard and I at the local mill.
Life in the Alaskan Wilderness
The idyllic weather we initially enjoyed transformed as October ushered in relentless rains, far surpassing anything we had experienced on the Oregon Coast. Boats in the harbor nearly disappeared beneath the deluge, and we watched in awe, donning our new Alaska tennies?"high-topped rubber boots?"as we navigated the torrential world.
November brought snow, turning Wrangell into a charming winter wonderland. Enthralled, we ordered cross-country skis and ventured out after dinner, unknowingly skiing over fences and gardens as we explored the deserted streets in the crisp winter air.
As temperatures plummeted further, ice crept into every part of our boat. Pumps and bilge lines froze, and even our bed developed a layer of ice along the hull. One night I awoke to find ice had melted, soaking sheets, blankets, and pillows. The Chinook Winds had arrived, and warmth followed.
Adventures and Discoveries
Our work allowed us to explore the surrounding beauty. We frequented Madan Bay, home to enormous Dungeness crabs, and Berg Bay, with its abandoned gold mine. Our dreams of finding gold led us to pan in a nearby stream. However, Tom never felt secure with me on bear watch, as I tended to focus more on his gold pan than on potential predators.
Anan, known for its incredible salmon run, offered yet another adventure, though its bear observatory lacked barriers?"leaving us to wonder what kept the bears from observing us instead.
To the west, St. John's on Zarembo Island was delightful, and Roosevelt Harbor became a favorite stop for huckleberry picking. My first attempt at jam-making turned humorous when a colleague informed me that the berries, unsoaked, were teeming with worms. Indeed, a quick soak revealed a blanket of wiggling interlopers.
Leaving a Piece of Our Hearts
For two years, the tranquility of Wrangell enveloped us. We grew to know the town intimately, from its people to its wildlife. We embraced the poetic solitude of the surrounding lands, yet the pull of wanderlust beckoned us to leave. It was with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to the enchanting Alaskan wilderness.
---
Learn more about Becky Coffield's adventurous sailing journey in Life Was A Cabaret: A Tale of Two Fools, A Boat, and a Big-Ass Ocean (ISBN 0-9774593-0-6), available on her website: www.rlcoffield.com and at www.amazon.com.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Alaska on My Mind.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.