Day 5

Elona typing

Not really thinking the night before - I didn't shut my curtain around my bed and though the sun doesn't come up early it does get light ER...though this shouldn't have been a consideration because our trusty guide had set his alarm the night before BUT alas I was awake not realising that it's Patrick's habit to snooze at least three times before he rises!!!! So I headed downstairs to put on the kettle and on waking poor dear Patrick (sorry Patrick!) we shared a cuppa and some more stories. One interesting titbit that Patrick worked out with the help of one of the many useful books in this cabin - no really heaps of books! - the Alaskan Almanac (dubious year) had a nifty chart that when Patrick worked it out - when travelling at 35 miles an hour, in negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23.33 Celsius) this is our average in Alaska - it got colder in the back country but anyway I digress - with these figures our mathematician/ survivalist technician worked out that with the wind from our own velocity we were travelling in negative 48 degrees Fahrenheit (negative 44.4 Celsius!!!!!) He looks at me with an enquiring face and asked - how are you coping with it - seriously with the amount of layers we have on it really doesn't feel too bad as long as your not standing still trying to take a photo with a steel case camera - I will add it is necessary to remove mittens to do this - THANK GOD for heated handle bars - otherwise I am sure I would be missing fingers by now.  We at this stage were making our Alright - on hearing the giggles from downstairs Meg's joined us. Time for another cuppa whilst Patrick checked out our esky supplies. "ohhh!" he exclaims and proudly produced out of said esky a carton of Milk - this may seem normal to you but invoked minor violence from me as I had been drinking a nasty pomegranate herbal infusion crap stuff because Patrick on his first look in esky 2 days ago informed me there was none!! Which also led to the 'creamer' incident of the first night which we mentioned - NASTY STUFF - don't do it! So on my last morning - my last cuppa was actually a very nice tea! Thanks Patrick :)

Meg's typing

I heard the sounds of conversation (Patrick) and tried to work out if he was talking to Elona or talking on the phone. Not knowing the time decided to investigate.  So embarked on the steep descent that was the staircase (nicknamed - Mt Everest by Elona) and ensured that we have not been victims of another bear attack during the night. All were safe, well and rested.  Whilst we scaled Everest again to pack our belongings, Patrick the Chef concocted an amazing breakfast of "Bubble and Squeak". It was fantastic, Elona being the sensitive to the early hour (8:30) was unable to fully appreciate the taste sensation placed before her. Elona apologised profusely scraped her breakfast into the bin,  finished her second cup of tea WITH milk and finished off the last mouthful of her M&Ms.

Elona still packing or repacking not sure really. I did the dishes and Patrick readied the machines... Elona then joined us and the two of us decided to take last minute photos around the cabin to document the adventure. The wind was blowing quite a bit and of course this made it colder and at times it looked like it was snowing as the wind blew the snow from the trees...this is an important fact...you'll see. Read on

Elona Typing
Once Patrick had securely attached all our gear and the leftover perishable groceries (these to be dropped off at Yentna station) to the machine - we were off. Feeling much more confident and taking the opportunity to glance around at the trees that lined our narrow track without feeling we were going to kill ourselves. I was actually travelling behind Megs who was having a turn at second position. I'm looking about and then exclaimed something I can't right down and hit the break that is NOT often used because as Patrick said you slide - which I did using that same exclamation I can't share. Megs apparently had been noticing the beauty of falling snow from a tree when a corner approached a little too quick and she tried to climb a tree whilst ON the machine. Are you picturing this yet - because we didn't take a picture as we spent the next 10 minutes before Patrick could rescue us because there is no way to really turn around and he would have had to exit the forest and renter. Now I haven't sweated at all up to this point of the trip but these bloody machines are heavy and maneuvering them whilst still is not fun.

Megs Typing

Well the first half of the story is correct - I was admiring large chuck of snow falling from the surrounding trees due to the high winds, when I realised oh corner - damn almost made it. To clarify - I did not climb, hit, and bounce off of the tree.  I drove gently over an extended tree root - unfortunately I did not clear the entirety of the machine.  OOPPPS.

I initially tried reverse and revved the throttle and was not too successful and again being cautious not to bog the machine.  Elona then tried an Indiana Jones move.

Elona Typing ) for all those fans of Indiana Jones.... DA DA DA DAAAA DA DA DAAAA DA DA DA DAAAA DA DA DA DA DAAAAA.

Megs Typing

ElonaDA DA DA DAAAA DA DA DAAAA DA DA DA DAAAA DA DA DA DA DAAAAA.

May the real Indiana Jones please step forward.  PATRICK!!  We were so pleased to see our knight in shining armour arrive to our rescue.  It was comforting to see that is was not such an easy fix, and required some major hefting on Patrick's part to clear the machine ready to continue on the journey homeward bound.

Elona Typing

On we went and today we hit some major speed - there's a nice long stretch just before Yentna station that you can really push the throttle and we hit 60miles and hour (100 km/hr) During this spurt I thought I glimpsed something not white but coloured and assumed it was a dead something - you know - being Alaska and all and we soon arrived at Yentna where we were greeted by the lovely young Eric who is about 4 playing in the snow with his toy car. At this time Patrick is looking for the perishables pack and Meg's pipes up and comments that she did think saw something back there hit the snow and on enquiring how far he got back on his machine in search of said groceries whilst we enjoyed a fabulous tour from the resident 4 year old. He was just gorgeous!! Patrick did return with a broken bag and a sheepish grin - please see photos on pages to the right.

It wasn't a long stay - just really to drop off the food and on we went - with a quick Merry Christmas to Jean :) Again speed was the theme of today and yes there were many squeals. Megs had decided to go third and I'm not sure whether I'm the best person to follow. There were a few corners that I didn't quite make and with the high level of wind it was difficult to follow too closely to anyone. There was a hairy moment where I say Patrick hit something and lurch to the right but of course he managed to right himself - me not being as confident gritted my teeth and created my own track a little further to the right hoping in hell I didn't kill myself and have Meg's follow in my machine tracks. Obviously I made it but it is very different to ride on unused snow especially having passed certain points of open water shelves when you really can't see snow from ice and ice from water due to the wind kicking up a cloud of loose snow just above the surface.

Now this next bit is not for the feint hearted - Patrick slowed down considerably and once again I got to use my break I hadn't realised just how close he was!!! But he stopped due to 3 snowmachine all towing sleds. We followed for a time but when safe Patrick took us around them - now the first man waved and that's always exciting when you put your hand back on the handle bars as your snowmachine lurches to one side because due to being polite I waved back!!!! Alright ....the next lovely machine we were passing had a lovely Moose head dragging just over the end of the sled - and I'm thinking Ohhhhhhh it's dead!!! And then in the next split second I was really glad I hadn't had breakfast because this enormous thing was skinned and was out for all to see - NOT pleasant - though a moose popsicle is amusing in thought it's a little gross in reality. Now I've been with Megs when she is a little sensitive to things and you can almost see the green rise and taste that little bit just at the back of your throat in empathy and I'm 'mantra' ing at this moment -don't look Megs -don't look meg's and then thinking how gross it would be to throw up with a helmet on and kept a check that she continued behind. Now I'm sure there is a different version of events to come so I'll hand you over.

Megs typing:

I am very sensitive to many gross things and can go green with amazing ease depending on the situation.  Elona did not need to worry in this case.  I noticed the Moose's head and actually had the thought that he had a friendly face.  I then realised that he was travelling without his hide, and remembered what Patrick had told us previously that moose have an extremely thick hide (approx. 10cm be tolerant Patrick) that when skinned there is not a lot flesh to be seen and their bulk is reduce considerably.  Interesting all in all.  Patrick later explained that they had probably (this is one of the two words Patrick uses; the other word is .....  possibly - nothing like being definite hehehe) killed he moose in the fall.  Moose being large animals, they let the carcass freeze and waited to transport via snow machine instead of either boat or sea plane.

We continued on our way - sorry no photos out of respect of the dead and Mandel's sensitivities.  Speed, Speed and more Speed.  The necessity to travel at a distance due to worsening visibility the closer you travelled to the kick-up from the machine in front, may have prompted Elona's meerkat impersonation.  I gained ground quickly due to Elona suddenly stopping (she was getting good at using that brake) and viewed her in the closing distance suddenly stand up on her machine.  Her head turns quickly to the right, then the left, then the right, then the left........ You get the idea.  Just as suddenly she sat down again and continued on her way - luckily - any longer or I would have had to use my brake to avoid collision.

Elona typing

Now for me this last bit was really exciting and then absolutely terrifying. I'm looking down at the speedo and we are clocking 65 miles and I'm squealing with delight. I didn't think my eyes were down that long but when I looked up there is a fork in the road/river: could go straight or verge to the right. There were tracks on both - s#*t, s*#t, s*#t! I slow and stand - still moving then throw my visor back to see if I can see Patrick's cloud - s*#t!!!!!!!!!!!! I stop and stand up and look really hard - it's bloody cold - like more so than before my face is freezing off I'm swearing at the top of my voice using poor Patrick's name in amongst many not so lady like terms when I think....think....not sure mind you but think I see a snow cloud and then I sit and gun it as if I'm wrong I will need to turn and retrace and he headed off in some major speed!! But luckily there he was and then there was the steep entry to the launch point - we slow right down and head into where the trailer was. Even Patrick commented on how cold it had got and that he had taken his mitts off as he was warmer back there somewhere. After packing up the machines, using the facilities - yeah back to heated facilities: there is nothing quite like pulling your dacks down when you know your ass is not going to freeze off!! After a group hug and exclamations of how much we love Patrick especially because we came back alive and not like that moose and were giggling with absolute excitement of the most wondrous journey we had just taken in the glorious back country of Alaska. We have to give a huge thanks to Patrick one for driving us home the hour and a half and giving us all sorts of other things that should go on our list of things to do and see. I have to add here that he cheekily suggested that we HAD to do a specific dog sled ride out of Girdwood because of the very handsome and flirtatious owner Dario - he said we would just have a ball - what do you think he meant by that do you think????? But also Patrick THANK YOU for putting up with an enormous amount of jests from our behalf usually at your expense. He took us with such grace and patience and just a touch of amusement. I have to add here that we took a fabulous photo well a few actually of our Patrick with his belt on and his really cool grey wool pants (that's for you Rob - we knew you would like them!) he even vogued it up for us - please see photos but pay special attention to that belt buckle - he is such a hunter!!!! We will NEVER forget our Keiffer Sutherland lookalike hunter!!! Merry Xmas Patrick to you and your wife Jenny and your gorgeous boys; Wesley and Wyatt.

Megs Typing

On leaving the launch area - Patrick offered us the option of the cafe just outside the gates or a sandwich place somewhere on the road home for lunch.  After his recommendation we elected to stop at the cafe just outside the launch site.  On entering the cafe, we were welcomed into the warmth, shown a table and menus by the owners.  After ordering, a burger for Patrick, Chicken Soup for Elona, and Roast Beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy for me. The most interesting thing was this came out with the gravy on the outside of the sandwich. We had a chance to look around all the hunting memorabilia that decorated the room and the decorations that decorated them :))  Elona regretted sitting in the position she chose almost immediately when she realised that a mounted mountain goat had been positioned to watch her eat.  We also had the rare experience of seeing a wolverine up close - surprisingly it did not look anything like Hugh Jackman quipped Elona (Patrick laughed out loud in genuine amusement that this was our first reaction).  Wolverines are nocturnal and is the only animal that will stand their ground against a bear.  The one we met was stuffed and enclosed in a class display cabinet - interesting though... check out the photo.

The day ended with HOT showers and a dinner of savoury rice and sleep.  It was the most amazing way to start our trip. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!