Hiking Galore!

Yesterday Pastor invited me on another hike. This time we traveled south of Anchorage to Girdwood, AK to hike the Winner Creek Gorge Trail. The trail begins near a four star Alyeska Prince Hotel and Resort. It is about a 5 mile round trip hike and includes an awesome hand tram that spans the deep canyon from high above Glacier Creek.

We began our hike walking through North America’s Northern most rainforest. You read correctly rainforest! This is not a tropical forests, which is what most envision when we hear the term, it is a temperate pacific Costal Rainforest. We walked through dense forest, green and lush with Ferns, Devils Club, Cow Parsnips and other pants. The majority of the trail follows the original Iditarod Trail which has since been moved.  

This is an Avalanche Shoot...Avalanche comes flying down here in winter.

Growth on the tree

1 more mile to the Hand Tram...notice the official Iiditarod logo on top from the ORIGINAL Iditarod trail it has since been moved.

After traveling about a mile and a half we found the best part of the trail at Winner Creek. Winner Creek is a beautiful, clear running stream flowing through the rain forest.  When we first came across the creek we found a wide bridge crossing it. The was not actually part of the but it did provide a nice viewpoint.  The bridge was very wide and had the planks far apart I would say between 6-12 inches. I had to watch my step as some of the planks were broken, and if one stepped in the wide gaps between the plank it could result in a nasty fall. I crossed all the way only to find out that it led nowhere. I looked back to see pastor standing in the middle waving me back. On the opposite side of the bridge I did find some lasso rope and an odd trapping looking thing. I’m not sure what or who was using it but it was interesting none the less.

The bridge, watch your step!

Broken Plank

Trapping? 

 A little further up the trail was another bridge – here the trail crosses Winner Creek Gorge where the creeks drops into a steep, narrow, rocky gorge.  The sights and sounds were wonderful. It sounded like a constant rumble of thunder it was very impressive.

The trail then continued to Glacier Greek.  The Glacier Creek crossing is a lot more fun than just a bridge – it is a hand powered tram that spans the deep canyon from high above the river.  From the tram, the view is wonderful, and the tram itself is a fun diversion! Let me tell you, going down on the tram was much easier than coming back but Pastor and I managed to get back to the side and made our way out of the trail another 2 miles.

After the 5 mile hike at Winner Creek we hit the road again to travel to Portage, Alaska. The drive to Portage, and the drive to Girdwood, was absolutely gorgeous. Mountains all the way and the road follows the Alaska Railroad as it heads to Seward. I got to see stunning mountains, lots of birds, waterfalls coming down the side of the cliffs and the Alaska Railroad train.

Bald Eagle-click for larger view

Once in Portage we went to the entry point to Whittier which is on the other side of the mountain. The tunnel is 2.5 miles long and goes literally through the mountain. We opted not to go so turned around and instead went to the visitor center of Portage and then for another hike right up to a glacier.

 Byron Glacier-notice the blue color

Ice in the 35 degree glacier fed lake.

Byron Glacier!

Sign before Whittier Tunnel

The glacier name is Byron Glacier and it was bright blue in color. I noticed the temperature change in the car. At Girdwood it was 63º and in Portage at the parking for the Byron Glacier it was 51º. The hike was relatively flat and I was glad for the cooler temperature. You wouldn’t think that 63º is hot but it is. Pastor told me before I arrived about the temperature and anything over 65º is too hot to hike and he was not kidding. I’m not quite sure why it feels so hot if it’s the humidity or elevation but it does and until you visit Alaska you will think it strange just as I did before I arrived.

Sign warning of Avalanches...but this is the summer time

Right at the base of Byron Glacier

kids playing in the snow at the base of glacier

4th of July Extravaganza!

Each year at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (ORLC) families gather at the church for a time of food, fellowship, and crafts. The 4^th of July parade goes right in-front of the Church on the Old Glenn Highway. This makes ORLC a perfect spot for families to gather and watch the parade.  Before the parade, there is a potluck picnic to supplement the grilled hot dogs. 

Taylor and I setting up the sign by the road

Taylor and I putting on water bottle labels.

Let the fun begin!

chips, hot dogs, and watermelon 

Sword fight

There are craft tables set up to give the kids something to do while waiting for the parade to pass by.  This year they made paper towel tube streamers (to wave during the parade), an Uncle Sam paper plate, and American Flag pins. It was a grand old time.

Making paper towel streamers.

Little beads for the American Flag pin

The Chugiak community has a slight twist when it comes to parades. In the parade, the floats and cars drive by tossing candy to the onlookers. We, at ORLC,  do a reverse roll by  handing out free hot dogs and water to the people on the floats in the parade as they pass by.  It is really a neat experience as the younger kids and youth of the congregation hand them out.  It is a service project for them and they really enjoy doing it.

Nathan is ready to serve the parade participants

Taylor and Nathan

Water and hot dogs for all!

When the parade finished, it began to rain.  There was a dark cloud that had been hanging over our heads throughout the afternoon and we wondered when it would rain. I was glad that it held off until the parade was over. The only downside to the rain was that there was a scheduled softball game after the parade and most of the participants left for home.

Big hitter...Vern!

Vern has speed!

Ryan!

Players of all ages

Hannah

A few and devoted remained for the softball game. It was raining but we decided to play anyway. First we just took turns hitting  the ball, as there were only 8 of us.  We would rotate from hitting and then to the various positions of the outfield. Then the Kodiak Baptist Mission showed up! The Kodiak Baptist Mission is a group of volunteers from Kodiak Island, Alaska. Kodiak is the second largest island in the United States, located about 300 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The Kodiak Baptist Mission has it’s headquarters on the Kodiak Island). The group of individuals who showed up to play softball had seen ORLC's signs for softball as they passed down the parade route (they were in the parade). As I was talking with some of the group, I discovered that a lot of the students were my age (20 somethings). They had come from all across the United States including New York, Florida, Nebraska, California and beyond. They  go out on different missions across Alaska leading Vacation Bible Schools and day camps.

In the "stands" our faithful fans!

The Kodiak Baptist Mission!

Everyone who played: ORLC & Kodiak Baptist Mission

The game was very soggy but incredibly fun!  The field was wet and people were sliding left and right. We lost several balls in the water-filled ditch and others to the Devil’s Club, a large plant with huge stickers.  Most balls were recovered which resulted in several retrieving players to become completely soaked. We did not keep score in the softball game and we split up the teams so that is was not just Kodiak Baptist Mission verses Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (we were badly outnumbered).

Highlights for me in the game include catching several pop fly balls, an awesome grass stain from accidental sliding to second base, a softball to the back of my head from an innocent seven-year-old (I still have a bump), and three bruises from softball contact.  It was wet, but it was fun and I was glad that the Kodiak Baptist Mission could take part in the game.  I must say the 4^th of July is a busy day but it was also a very rewarding day. My internship is giving me many ideas as I continue to work towards the day when I am working in the professional DCE field. Regardless, someday I hope to come back for another ORLC 4^th of July Extravaganza!

Happy 3rd of July!!!

Yesterday (July 3^rd) the Eagle River Lion’s Club held it’s annual 3^rd of July Extravaganza. This seemed quite odd to me since it was the third not the fourth but upon speaking with some members of the congregation it was made clear on the reasoning behind it. The 4^th falls on a Monday and people return to work on Tuesday so staying out late on the third allows for a day or recuperation. Secondly in the summer in Alaska the sun does not set until close to midnight and it is not fully dark until 1:00am. The fireworks here were launched at midnight which is technically the 4^th of July, so it really is a 4^th of July celebration.

After church I went home took the dog Toonie for a walk, and then was invited to dinner with a family from the congregation. After dinner I ventured to the Lion’s Club Park. There were a lot of people and I found a convenient parking spot in the Wal-Mart parking lot since this is only a few blocks from the main event.

Once in the park the first thing I noticed was silly string EVERYWHERE. I saw a booth where it was being sold “One can for $4.00 or  six cans for $20.00”. As I walked around I was hit from behind with a long strand of blue silly string. I turned around to find several teens chasing after one another each with several cans of silly string.

I continued on to find several stands of typical “carnival” function. Funnel cakes, hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, ice cream, you get the idea.  I made my way over to the “main stage” and found the master of ceremonies; Uncle Sam. He was all decked out in red, white and blue attire. He was at that moment directing a wheelbarrow relay race with the 5-6 year-old age group. I watched the 5 & 6 year olds try to figure out how to hold their partner, or walk on their hands. It was cute.

I then wandered over to the other stage to discover the air force band singing the recent pop culture tune “I'm Yours” made popular by Jason Mraz.

I found a comfy spot on the field and sat. I was chilly and regretted not bringing a heavier coat, but midnight soon arrived.

The fireworks were good. They were not over the top amazing but they were good for my standards. I think they would have been better if it would have been dark. At the time they were launched off (midnight) it was not dark but more of a dusky light setting. In some ways it is good that they did not wait until later to launch them because I had another full day of 4^th of July events early the next morning.

11:30pm

God's Way, or My Way?

Three weeks in Alaska and I’m on the move again. Before arriving I was put in contact with Tom and Carla, a couple from the congregation, who were in need of a house and dog sitter for the greater part of July. I love dogs and as far as house sitting goes there is not much to do—it is a house not a child. So I met them and immediately fell in love with their dog, Toonie. Toonie is a very sweet, rather citified dog. She is super smart and knows over fifteen tricks and I think understands more human English words than your average two-year-old.

Yesterday I moved from my host home who live on the outside of town, in a rather secluded neighborhood, to an apartment complex near the main road of Eagle River. While I do not have the breathtaking view of Mount Susitsa, I am within walking distance from any number of businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and the movie theatre.

Part of watching Toonie includes taking her for a walk. Her walks are just that—a walk. Toonie does not like to stray from the paved path and has a strict routine. I can see the difference in lifestyle between Toonie (my citified dog friend) and Jorge (my host family’s wilderness lover).  

As I was looking over the detailed schedule of Toonie I began to think… which dog am I like? This is an interesting thought considering the following analogy is examining the life of a dog, but really, which dog am I like? Am I like Toonie? Set in my ways, my routine, comfort zone? Or am I more like Jorge? Interested in making up my own path and exploring as I go? Either way, am I missing the path and commands of the Master?

Toonie

Jorge

I’m amazed that every time I think I know what I’m doing, God shows me I’m absolutely wrong.  And every time that I feel drowned in a sea of confusion and I have no idea which way is up and which way is down, I’m really right next to the shore.  God knows what I’m doing before I do it. When I simply trust that he won’t let me go astray, he will keep me in check.  Certainly I do wander off of the path every once in a while, but God brings me back to that path again and again.  He is faithful in doing this no matter how far I stray.

In my childhood I never would have planned to become a DCE (I wanted to be a whale trainer), but God showed me a different path. A year ago I never would have pictured myself leading an adult Bible study, but last year at my fieldwork church God led me to do it.  I never would have planned to be on an internship 3500 miles away from my home and a four hour time difference from my fiancé, but God led me to.

Pastor Steve, here at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, has a term for the Alaska ministry; he calls it “Organized Flexibility”. Organized flexibility is a great thing. God does not want us to be unprepared, or without a plan. It is good to have a plan, a goal, a focal point for the future but one should also be open and flexible to God’s plan.

Toonie, though in the beginning stages (I have only been dog-sitting for two days) is learning her organized flexibility. Instead of 5:00am wake up, it’s more like 7:30am. Instead of the routine walk on the paved bike path, it’s an adventure at the mercy of her care taker.

What is dangerous for Christians is when we are seeking God’s will but we think we know the way on our own. This is like Jorge. Jorge loves to wander off the path, go explore, make up his own trail and in return can get lost or have a run-in with a moose, or bear.  I, too, find myself often trying to take as many shortcuts as I can and when we begin to take short cuts with God, we really start to run into problems.

Too many times my impatience has led to taking shortcuts in God’s plan.  I, in my infinite wisdom, like to decide that God is wasting my time by making me take the long way around an issue.  After all, if you talk to a mathematician, he or she would tell you that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  God knows this, he created math after all, so why does he insist on making me take the long road?

In my experience, however (and it has taken me plenty of tries to figure it out) when we take the shortcut, often we just get completely lost and have to wait for God to come bring us back to the path.  This is much like Toonie or Jorge, who wait for the voice of their master after wandering astray.

Other times, we find the path again on our own and decide that everything is fine.  As a matter of fact, in our efforts to reach the summit, we just saved ourselves a lot of time, or hard work.  But in my experience, the ridge that we just managed to skip past contained the most spectacular view we could imagine and we missed it.

In addition to missing the spectacular view, I have found that often times we can’t turn around to look at the view that we just missed.  No matter how much we may want to go back and see it, we just missed it. Just as we can’t take back the words we say or the things that we do.  Once we’ve said or done something we can’t take it back. We do have the option of asking forgiveness but it doesn’t make up for doing wrong in the first place.  When we do take shortcuts and we miss something great that God had in store for us, he is a loving God.  He, in his wonderful grace, will at times, give us another view just as spectacular further down the trail.  But He also usually won’t warn us.  If we take the shortcut again, we’ll probably never get to see the view. 

So how do we avoid the problems that we bring upon ourselves by straying from the path that God set for us?  The answer is truly simple, do what God says and trust him to lead your life.  But if it was that simple to actually implement in our lives, we wouldn’t have such a difficult time in the first place.  So to really keep on the straight and narrow, we must have a self-sacrificing attitude.  There are often times when we want to do our own thing or perhaps think that we know better than God and can get along without him.  So we must be willing to trust that God knows exactly where he is leading us and that his way is better than the way that we want to take, like the trust that Toonie and Jorge have in their masters.

God’s path isn’t always the easiest way to take.  There are some places that it would make much more sense to us to take the shortcut.  But we don’t know the path, only God does. If we let him be our guide, he will take us through the tough places, but he’ll also take us to the most spectacular views imaginable.  And that is why we must place our trust in him, knowing that he won’t lead us astray