Epic Walk #2 - Savage River to Teklanika - 15 miles

I walked from Savage River to Teklanika campground today – for the 15 mile long second leg of the 90 mile walk. That puts me at mile 29. The song of the day was the one that goes “L is for the way you look at me, O is for the only one I see, V is very very extraordinary, and E is even more than anyone that I adore….” I love that song – so sweet.

It was raining, but I’ve been fooled into sitting home by that before, and then in gets nice later on, and I kick myself. So I had already decided the previous day to do the walk rain or shine. After all, it could clear up. I walked, and it didn’t clear up. 15 miles in drizzle to medium heavy rain. There were a few moments of reprieve. But it was generally cold and wet, and I couldn’t see most of the mountains for the low hanging dense clouds. My hands were freezing and my fingers turned white and numb (which happens at the drop of a hat anyways). At Sanctuary River campground I took shelter in the bathroom for a few minutes. As I studied the map I debated catching the bus out of the park and trying another day. But then I thought “Hey I’m already a little more than half way,” so I came out and power walked. It reminded me of Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, when they are walking back from the desert, and they see a road sign that says something like “San Dimas 243 miles,” and they break into a jog for about 5 steps. I only had 6 miles to go! Woohoooo! Woo, f-ing, hoo!

Walking in the rain. I won’t be doing that again.

While it was ok for this portion, because it was only smaller mountains and spruce forests, the next three legs have the most beautiful tundra and huge mountain ranges – and if I can’t see it because of mist and cloud then there really isn’t a point.

The most excitement I got was when I thought I saw a caribou and my heart practically stopped, I was so startled. Yeah…. It was a dead tree. But I think I learned that I really am unprepared psychologically for meeting large animals in the park – even though I have no problem with being really near moose out on the highways. Those ones never seem to have antlers.

To take my mind off the rain, I pondered what it is like for the family or friends of someone like me who announces I’m going to do things like move to Alaska and walk in the wilderness. Or who, let’s face it, will always be a bit of a wanderer and a little weird by conventional standards. It’s hard on me, myself, sometimes when I come face to face with that. So thanks for being my family and friends.

I also used my walk to imagine in detail my dream house, more of that tomorrow.