AAVE Trip BLOG » UAK1B
July 18, 2008
UAK1B
Posted by Nate at AAVE in : Ultimate Alaska , trackback
Dear AAVE Family and Friends,
Last we informed you we were about to set foot on our rafting trip. The 29 degree Matanuska river has four straight miles of class 4 rapids where everyone has an amazing time learning to read the river, paddle through rapids, and camp in the beautiful Matanuska Valley; next to the river and in between enormous mountains.
After two wonderful days on the Matanuska River, with super friendly guides and a little bear incident, we were ready to start our service project in Anchorage. But first we took at pit stop at the musk ox farm in Chickaloon. Our counselor, the super awesome Kelsey, knew one of the guide/farmers leading tours, so we were able to get on a free tour! We then headed south to Anchorage to help out at the local Boys & Girls club. Our Steller TL Nate knew one of the directors at the club, (T-Mac), so we helped out by washing windows, filing papers, and painting furniture. We had such a great time helping out that we now really appreciate how much this organization does.
We then headed down to Seward, which is a quaint, small fishing village on the coast of Alaska. The second day at Seward we went sea kayaking with two guides. We kayaked two miles to a small beach where our guides took us on a beautiful hike. The forests along the coast look like something out of a Dr. Suess book with large moss growing up the sides and the greenest vegetation we had ever seen! Our next day in Seward was an educational day. We started the morning at Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. Our guide, Hallie, led us around the glacier explaining its history and interesting facts. Did you know this glacier still moves twenty inches a day?!
Even though the group has been busy doing so many fun things, we were able to squeeze in some “town time” where we all played the quarter game. This was our opportunity to barter, buy, and interact with the locals in order to get the biggest and best item with our twenty five cents. People came back with the funniest things!!
After the fun times in the fishing town, we made our way back to Anchorage to resupply our food and catch a flick at the theater. There was mixed feelings about Hancock when the movie was finished, but everyone was happy to spend time doing “normal” things again!
We are leaving today for Denali State Park to hike the Kesugi ridge over the next four days. We hope for beautiful views of Denali (Mt. McKinley, 20,320) during the hike. The group is getting really excited to spend time in the wilderness and push themselves in everyone’s new favorite hobby, backpacking!
Best wishes to everyone from this Amazing Alaska! We love you guys, love the AAVE Life and we’ll see you soon!
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