Monday, August 9, 2010

Coal Lake

Hello fellow greenies,

Before I delve off into the world of environmental policies, disasters, ways to reduce our ecological footprints, and all of that fun stuff... I want to share some stories and pictures that I've amassed during my lengthy recess from blogging.

This summer Morgan and I have had a lot of time to explore nature and appreciate it for its natural beauty, if you will. One of said experiences occurred only a week ago at a little lakeside cabin on Coal Lake, in Alaska.

- cue nostalgic music -

About 60 years ago my great grandfather, an Alaskan through-and-through, built himself a little cabin on Coal Lake for the purpose of housing himself and occasionally his sons and daughter during the harsh Alaskan winter and buggy summers while he was off trapping and hunting to earn his livelihood. When he passed away at that very lake, his son, my grandfather, inherited it from him and continued to build onto it and make repairs. Today, that very same cabin still stands and is used for much the same purpose (although less frequently) throughout the year.

(Grandpa greeting us at the cabin)

 For 16 years I'd been told stories and shown pictures of the lake and the cabin, and of bears and moose that made their home there - but I'd never had the chance to visit. (Most likely due to my aversion to hunting...). That is until a few weeks ago, when my grandfather invited my sisters and I to spend 3 days at the cabin hiking and fishing. I of course gave him a resounding yes, and a few days later we flew out on a little water plane with all of our gear to Coal Lake.

(My family and I preparing to fly out)

...TO BE CONTINUED...

- Amber

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