My secret's in the wind and open sky,
There is no longer any time Time -to lose:
The world is young with laughter -we can fly
Among the imprisoned hours as we choose !
The rushing minutes pause; an unused Day
Breaks into dawn and cheats the tired sun;
The birds are singing.Hark come out and play !
There is no hurry! Life has just begun .
Algernon Blackwood
Kelly Lake
Within the Kenai refuge National Park on Kelly Lake just off the Seward Highway there is a log cabin and a beached row boat- a place of golden silence beneath the mountain slopes .We stayed there for one dreamy day and night after our faithful "sherpas " and their trusty friends Guinness and Bud had walked us along the shores of the lake to discover it .
On the wooden table within the cabin is a log book in which those who choose to spend some of their days there can record the experience .Here are three of them taken from the entries beginning in January 2011
Sherpa 1 with Bud and Guinness
17th February 2011 by Tyler ,Doug ,Kristen and Gretel the dog .
We skied and fished during a beautiful sunset .Over the course of an hour ,Gretel our pooch cut one,then two and three paws on the ice. The ensuing blood bath looked like a murder scene which had started at the lakeside and led dripping all the way to the cabin steps ..We quickly put our wilderness first aid skills to the test and bandaged Gretel up nicely with duct tape and paper towels .Dad proceeded to make a most delectable moose stew while Gretel was put on house arrest.Bellies full we sweated the night away in Wood stove heat even though it was -9 below outside.The sunrise was beautiful and called for a hot cup of coffee .
May 2011 written by Jaycie aged 10 on behalf of her family Mom Maria, Dad, Nia aged 8,Ky aged 6 and Journey their dog .
This cabin is so amazing! Such nice weather also .Pretty sunny with little wind .I,my Dad and brother Ky rowed the boat around the little island on the lake .We saw many fish and birds as we got to the patch of lily pads .
Ky and I had such joy pushing and playing with the lily pads.Turning round it was good to come back to the log cabin and eat.
My sister Nia had got supper prepared . BUT Journey our dog was in the boat too having a good time probably .When we were 100 feet from the shore Mom and Nia were waving to us and it was kinda hard to hold on to Journey's back .We were so tempted to swim back to shore.
After supper we went on a hike I ,Ky and Mom were up ahead and Nia and Dad were behind.This gave Journey a problem which group should he walk with? He kept dashing back and forth and because of that I nearly knocked Ky in the water.It was such a nice trail listening to birds chirping in the trees and walking uphill and crossing trail bridges .We loved that!It was our favourite part .This was our second year at the cabin and I hope to come back again .
Mom Maria added to this entry
Enjoyed our time -this cabin is a great place to stay. -great cabin ,great views great memories .
Gill and Keith Beardmore wrote as next callers at the cabin :-
We find ourselves here in those beautiful log cabin at almost the end of our three week stay on the Kenai Peninsula Alaska .We are retired and this has been a memorable anniversary trip made all the more special by the thoughtfulness of our friends Jan and Stan and those who have participated in our stay . Amanda ,Ellen ,Faith ,Sole ,Linda ,Edward ,Kathleen ,Marty, Steve and Diane with Mary watching carefully in the wings encouraging us from the lower 48.
This cabin is one of the most peaceful and beautiful places we have ever stayed .We love the changing moods of the water ,the loons calling from shore to shore and the majesty of the snow laden mountains beyond it .
To be in the midst of such a wilderness so vast and close to nature is humbling .After breakfast this morning we saw a large mountain hare scamper into the woods ,a jay and its mate searching for food and a squirrel scavenging around the camp fire for crumbs and morsels of food .These memories of golden silence will last us all our days .
We want to thank those Americans who have contributed so much of themselves to our joy.Your warm hospitality and genuine warmth have opened our eyes to this stupendous place .We shall fly home within the next few days full to the brim with all we have learned and seen from our cousins across the pond in Alaska .As you say and we add "God bless America "
This blog will be continued over the months as there a photos and other experiences of Denali country to record .
This blog is dedicated to the memory of two members of Soldotna family who lost their lives this weekend while hiking and boating south of here from a similar Refuge cabin .The wind caused their boat to be swamped and due to the presence of mind of 15 year old girl 3 survived after swimming a mile in glacier freezing waters ,walking to another cabin with no shoes and signalling in bright clothes to air rescue float plane .
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