Hiking Mt. Eklutna

This past Friday I decided to go for a hike. Pastor had given me a new place that is within 3 miles of church. That’s one of the things I love about Alaska. I’ve been here a year and there are still new places to explore within a five mile radius. The destination was the top of Mt. Eklutna. This is not to be confused with Lake Eklutna because to get to Mt. Eklutna one does not have to drive to Lake Eklutna.

Pastor told me that I would start at Big Peter’s Creek Trail and about two miles in on that trail there is a fork in the path and one can either continue straight on the easy going Big Peter’s Creek Path or deviate left up a very steep, more rocky and in this case carved out from water run-off trail.

I have been house/dog sitting for the Stoltenberg’s so I decided to take one of their dogs along. Kobe is his name and he is a little Puggle. Kobe, for the most part, is a spoiled indoor dog. He sleeps in his master’s bed, gets food handed to him on a platter and does not go outside save for potty break.

Kobe was BEYOND excited to go for a car ride to the trail and when we arrived he practically choked himself on the leash because for an indoor dog there was A LOT of nature around to smell, pee, and run on. I could almost hear him speak “AH! Nature! It’s everywhere!”

Kobe was pulling with all his might

Good thing its not avalanche season anymore

For the first two miles or so, while on the Big Peter’s Creek Trail Kobe was super excited and literally pulled me along. We stopped a time or two for water breaks. There were many little streams and waterfalls from the mountain snow melting up above.

Drink from the melted snow run off stream

We reached the Mt. Eklutna trail and started up the steep grade. We trekked for a good twenty or so minutes and then stopped at the perfect rock for a snack and water break. At this point there were no streams nearby so I poured Kobe a bowl of water.

More rocky, and narrower trail

Water break

As I enjoyed my rice crispy bar I couldn’t help but be taken back by what surrounded me. I was literally in a bowl surrounded 360˚ by mountains. I felt so small. Although sitting on the ground with grass on my left and right taller than me may have had something to do with it.

After a five minute break we pressed on. Kobe had gone from pulling me along to being drug behind. Poor little guy was getting tuckered out and we still had the steepest part to go.

See that "trail" it's all mud as the melting snow water runs on the path.

We continued to walk and then hit the tree line. The trees that had been a source of shade and protection disappeared with the peak of elevation. The terrain changed below my feet from flowers, grass, and greenery, to brown gravel, rocks, berry bushes, and thorny plants.

Just crossed the tree line

The void of trees did provide an alternate view as now the Anchorage Valley below was completely unobstructed as was the mountains that were still present around me.

Follow the trail

Checking for ground squirrels 

Kobe and I reached a high point only to come to a very sharp decline for about 100 feet. There was a nice plateau which was of great relief to my calves and legs as they were beginning to cramp from being angled to accommodate the steep accent.

Anchorage Valley

After the plateau,  the most difficult and final push to the peak of Mt. Eklutna became apparent. It was difficult for two reasons. First it was very steep I would say a 50˚ angle or so. Secondly I was tired and hot.

We reached the base of the peak (if that makes any sense) and with it came snow! Kobe rolled in the snow and ate some. We continued to walk on the snow and finally reached the top.

SNOW!

I now see the source of the melting snow water-i'm standing on it

Standing on the ridge felt great. On one side the whole Mat-Su valley looking down towards Palmer/Wasilla. The mountains seem infinite as they fade into the clouds. On the other side I have Bear Mountain and other peaks capped with snow.

It's a long way's down

Looking towards Palmer

After taking a breather and enjoying the view Kobe and I began our way back down. It was slippery! The snow was in the slushy melting stage so with the steep incline mixed with snow I had to go slow. I slipped twice which resulted in very wet pants but nothing that 10 minutes in the beaming hot sun couldn’t fix.

We made it off the snow potion of the mountain. Next was the very rocky steep path. After fifteen feet or so I realized that there was much better traction in the terrain of thorny plants, and weeds than on the hard packed, gravel trail where the run-off water had made a smooth slide. It was slow going but I was able to take it all in. The view going back down is entirely different than it was on the accent.

Kobe got distracted multiple times by the dozens of ground squirrels who would incessantly bark/cheep at him. There were a couple times I dropped the leash because Kobe would get excited and want to chase the squirrels. While that’s all fine and dandy I did not want to fall from the jerk of the leash for fear I would slip and result in a very long roll/slide/fall down to the bottom.

We made it back once again to the plateau and my knees were much relieved. It’s interesting, one would think that decent would be easy but it puts a lot of strain on your knees and quadriceps. We continued the push and made it back to tree line and eventually to the Big Peter’s Creek Trail.

Two miles more and we were back to the car. It was a great day for a hike with a great view.

Total Statistics for this hike:

Total Distance hiked: 6 Miles

Top Elevation 4,110 feet

Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet

Total time: 4 hours, 46 minutes

Because I knew you...I have been change, for good

To my Our Redeemer Family and all those who have touched my life this past year here in Alaska.

To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under heaven… (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

If you would have told me a year ago I would be in Alaska I would have laughed and thought you were joking. Alaska was the farthest place from my mind. Looking back now I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

Arriving in Alaska was rather overwhelming. 2500 miles away from home, and I didn’t know a single soul. That quickly changed. The congregation of Our Redeemer soon became my family, so much that now I cannot imagine my life without each of you. When I say the words “Our Redeemer Lutheran Church” I don’t think of the church, rather I think of individual faces of people who make up the church.

I have enjoyed so much of my time here and have appreciated having this wonderful opportunity to work and learn alongside all of you. Your encouraging conversations, thoughtful wishes, guidance, even jokes and light hearted pestering I will forever cherish.

I would like to thank you all for the support you have given me while on internship. For brushing the snow off my car, dropping by my office to say hello, invitations into your home over Holidays, a coffee date, or simple smile to brighten my day. I cannot express with words my sincere gratitude for all you have done for me. Every volunteer, every donated item for a retreat or event, every listening ear or willing hand that makes my job much easier I am eternally grateful.

This past year has gone so quickly I feel like I’ve only been here a few months. The passion and energy I witnessed from those around me was—and will continue to be—a daily source of inspiration.

I feel incredibly blessed to have shared a year with you all. I’d like to think I had the best internship site of any of the interns. I have been able to be apart of such a diverse range of experiences I feel as though I can handle anything, in any setting God places me.

ODE TO OUR REDEEMER:

Moonwalkers in the snow

Guitar lessons, and youth

Confirmation, hockey game,

And the, Mooses Tooth.

Record breaking snow,

northern lights up in the sky

moose guts, sled dogs,

my how time does fly.

Choir Tuesday nights

Pretty colors in the fall

Printer jams again

Thanksgiving come one and all

Children’s Church each Sunday

And hand bells Wednesday night

Children’s Christmas Service

New year’s fireworks delight

Mountain hiking journey

Pretty sunsets with a view

LWML Brunch 

And a bagpipe concert too!

Eleven feet of snow

April fools it snows again

Breakup is so messy

Woodcarving fun with Len

Staying with the Semmlers

Housesitting ‘round the land

Flickering lights in office

The Trustee’s lend a hand

Our Redeemer how I’ll miss you

As now it’s time to part

I may be gone in distance

But I’ll keep you in my heart.

As of July 2^nd I will be moving to a new chapter in life. At that time I will head back to Minnesota to finish up my final semester of college, get married to the love of my life, Adam, and await a call as a DCE wherever God leads us.

I have never been good with good byes. They turn me into a blubbering mess of emotion. There is joy of being a believer in Christ and knowing that one never has to say goodbye. Whether we meet again this side of heaven I know one thing is true that I will see you each again as promised by our Savior and for that I am filled with joy. So to all of you I say not “goodbye” but “I will see you later”. J

Day 2: Come Thirsty

The second day of the Come Thirsty Alaska Church Worker’s conference was focused on service, and leisure time to allow for site seeing and fishing. The pastors, deacons, Alaska Mission for Christ Missionaries, DCE’s, Concordia Portland’s Church relations representative Jim Pressnell and even President Paul Linnemann of the NW district dispersed into the community of Homer to do various service projects.

I went with a group to pick up trash along the highway (the only highway that leads to Homer). As I recall Paul Linneman, Jim Pressnell and some others went to build a shed for the Center for Alaska Costal Studies. Other projects included painting the nursery at Faith Lutheran Church in Homer and random acts of kindness like washing windshields in the local grocery store parking lot, and collecting food for the food pantry.

Pastor Gary, Pastor Joe, & Pastor Jon working on the foundation

Shed foundation for Coastal Studies: President Linnemann, Pastor Joe, and Pastor Jon

Snapped this photo of a moose along the road while I was picking up trash

After serving the afternoon was free time. Gretchen (the Homer DCE) took me up a scenic drive to overlook the Homer Spit which is the nation’s second largest spit, projecting 4.5 miles into Kachemak Bay. I also got to see the Time Bandit from the famous T.V series "The Deadliest Catch".

The Time Bandit in her home port of Homer

Gretchen and I with the Kachemak Bay in the background and the Homer Spit

4.5 mile Homer Spit with beautiful mountains surrounding

We also took a drive out on the Spit so I could do all the tourist things. I quickly saw why Homer is the Halibut capital of the world. Heavy undertones of fishing were everywhere I looked. Every shop, every boat, every local. Driving around I joked when we passed a trailer home with what I would guess to be close to 3/4 of a million dollar boat outside. Clearly the priorities of the natives is not in their home (or trailer home) but their boats and fishing equipment. Gretchen, who lives here said "yup, that's Homer for ya"

Buttwhackers!

Homer Marina 

The Spit

I stopped by the ever famous Salty Dawg Saloon and got to walk up and down the cute little shops on the Homer Spit. For as much hype and souviouners that there is the Salty Dawg Saloon was rather small-literally. The ceilings were maybe 7 feet high on the inside. The Salty Dawg has a very historical importiance and history.

The Salty Dawg started out as one of the first cabins built in 1897, soon after Homer became a town site. It served as the first post office, a railroad station, a grocery store, and a coal mining office for twenty years. In 1909 a second building was constructed, and it served as a school house, post office, grocery store.

It was acquired in the late 1940′s by Chuck Abbott to be used as an office for Standard Oil Company. In April of 1957, he opened it as the Salty Dawg Saloon.  The Alaska Territory became the 49th state of the union in January 1959. Earl Hillstrand, the late State Representative, purchased it in 1960.

After the March 1964 “Good Friday” earthquake, he moved the structure to its present location. The distinctive lighthouse tower was added to cover a water storage tank, thus completing one of Homer’s more historical and recognizable landmarks. 

With all that said it serves a variety of Alcoholic beverages including many beers and several local Homer brewed beer including "Old Inlet Pale Ale". I'm not one for beer but I have now been to the most Northern and Southern (with road access) brewery and saloon's in Alaska.

The Salty Dawg-yes it is really that short of roof I had to duck to get in the door.

Inside The Salty Dawg-people from all over the world leave their dollar bills usually with some name/writing

Come Thirsty-Day 1

As soon as I had retuned from Whiskey Gulch the next day I headed back south this time all the way to Homer, AK. A 5 hour drive and only 20 miles farther south than Whiskey Gulch. If I’d had done some better planning I would have just stayed overnight in Homer rather than backtrack North to Chugiak only to get in the car and head back where I’d came from. But if I would have done that I would have missed out on a fantastic car ride with Jamie.

That's right folks gas is $4.83 a gallon in Alaska so ya'll can stop complaining

Scenery on the drive down along the Cook Inlet

Driving in Alaska one is very limited on radio stations outside of the Anchorage area. So we resorted to i-pod jams with the soundtrack from Wicked, the Beatles Strawberry Fields Forever, and of course Veggie Tales. With two DCE confined in one vehicle Veggie Tales was bound to be on the list.

Jamie & I jamin' to Veggie Tale's "Barbra Manatee" --in her defense she had no clue I was recording :)

Five hours later and we arrived in Homer. We met up with Gretchen to do some last minute prep work. Each year there is a Homer Retreat for All Alaska LCMS Church Workers. Those who are in charge of leading varies year to year but this year the Alaska DCE’s were in charge--all 4 of us. That’s right there are only four DCE’s (well three and me as the intern) in this 663,267 sq mile state.

Making our descent from the Sterling Highway into Homer

 The theme for the retreat as collaboratively chosen by us DCE’s was “Come Thirsty”. It’s based on John 4 with the Samaritan women at the well. The focus was on how church workers get “dry” and “dehydrated”, but I feel the issue is not isolated to those who work in the parish.

We followed the acronym W.E.L.L to discuss Christ's work on the cross and know that sins are pardoned and your death is defeated. Christ's energy and believe that we can do all things through the one who gives you strength. Receive his Lordship, knowing that we belong to him and that he looks out for us, and receive his love and feel confident that nothing can separate us from it. Each of us [DCEs] took a letter and led a service/homily. I was lucky enough to get the first session “W” on Christ’s WORK on the cross. Here is an excerpt from my homily…

We have a void in our lives that is only filled by God. From the time we are born we begin our journey to discovering the living water to satisfy the soul. We try to fill it with other things some fill it with money, drug and alcohol use, or others fill it with sexual improprieties, and others still fill it by dominating and oppressing their fellow human beings. These things fill the void for a moment but the feeling does not last for very long. This is because these things are not what God wants for us. He wants to fill the void with the living water of the Holy Spirit.

The Samaritan woman at the well we meet in John chapter 4 had tried drinking from many shallow streams. But they had all left her thirsty for more - or at least for something different. Jesus offered her freely flowing, resplendently refreshing water. Water that bubbles up from the indwelling Holy Spirit and quenches every thirst, washes away every sin, and flows into every nook and cranny of our beings. He invites us to come often and drink deeply.

When we drink water we don’t have to tell the water which part of the body it needs to go into. Water has a unique property that allows it to conform to any space we put it in--a glass, a fish bowl, a pond, or even the ocean. It also goes wherever it is needed. The water goes where it’s needed. So does the Spirit through Jesus Christ. Need help in your marriage, there goes the Spirit, need anger management, the Spirit helps, do you have addictions that affect your whole family the living water moves there as well.

Just as water is essential to the human body so also Christ’s Living Water is essential to the human soul.    Unless you thirst in your soul you will not seek for Christ’s Living Water.  But if you thirst for it you will find it and receive many benefits and  then produces his fruit of godliness: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23).  This is because Christ’s Living Water prospers you and makes your soul healthy. Jesus Christ alone has the Living Water that you should thirst for – water that is not  seasonal, water that never dries out, water with healing power, water with protective power, water with provision power, and water with salvific power. 

Jesus said “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38). Come to me and drink. There is the answer. Come to Jesus, He will give you the Spirit which will flow out of your heart. It will reach every aspect of your life. Do you think you heart is too dry? There is nothing He hasn’t seen, he’ll understand, and he’ll forgive. His water is good, fresh water. His water heals and purifies. His water strengthens and renews. This is the living water of the Holy Spirit. So come drink Christ’s Living Water.  Come and gorge on Christ’s Living Water.  

I love this song by Casting Crown's--It was a source of inspiration for the theme for our retreat. Come Thirsty listen and watch and let it be your prayer for today.

Whiskey Gulch: Day 3

The third and final day of whiskey gulch was rainy windy(er) and cold(er). No one went out since the white caps were dominating the waters, and it would have made for difficulty with the small boats, not to mention sea sickness.

 We all packed up out tents and then gathered around for what everyone had been waiting for—Fish dividing. You see, you do not keep the fish you catch. Instead it all goes into one large pool (or in this case cooler) and is then divided up at the end of the weekend.

 How the process works is everyone who participated in fishing, gets a garbage bag. Each person who had a boat gets an additional bag. Everyone gathers in a circle with their garbage bags. Then Chuck, and Lydia take the filets and puts one in each bag. After everyone has one filet they go around again and give another filet, and then after everyone (bag) has two they go again, and so on and so forth.

It really is a neat process. Those who fish go home with more filets then they would have if they just fished alone. There were a total of 122 Halibut caught over the weekend and each Halibut produces 4 filets (unless they are large then the cheeks are used and there are 6 filets). Long story shore there were over 448 filets of Halibut. Each person (bag)  left with around 15 fillets now that’s a lot of fish!

It makes for one heck of a fish tale, and one of my top 10 favorite Alaskan internship experiences.