It’s a Small, Small World

Whenever we travel, I’m always amazed by the people you bump into on the trip that you might know or who might know someone you know.  I like people watching and vacations are one of the best times to do this activity.   I always have an eye open to what people are wearing and an ear open to what they are saying.  Both of these activities will typically result in finding people, who know people, you know; regardless of where you are in the world.

Jude, Mike, Heidi & Rob

While here in Alaska we had the opportunity to meet up with my former neighbors from Owosso, Michigan, Rob & Jude Johnson.  They moved from Michigan to Alaska, when Rob retired from teaching high school science back in 2006.  They now make their home near Wasilla and work for Princess Cruise Lines on the land portion of an Alaskan Cruise.  We had a wonderful time catching up on each of our lives since Michigan.  The Johnsons’ have always been fun to be around and always have great stories to tell about their experiences.  Plus, they always seem to be involved in the center of activities that are eventful.  Never a dull moment when you are around the Johnsons!  Like the role they are now taking in Alaska being associated with the Iditarod.  We are now considering a trip to Alaska in March 2012, to volunteer with Rob & Jude, for the start of the Iditarod Race and to explore Anchorage and the southern region of Alaska.

We met at Denali National Park and stayed 2 days at the Princess Denali Wilderness Lodge.   Denali National Park was established in 1917 and covers 6 million acres.  That is 9,492 square miles!  Located in Alaska’s interior, the park contains Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America at an elevation of 20,156 feet above sea level.  The Alaska Range Mountains extend through the entire park, providing breathtaking views and interesting ecosystems including tundra and active glacier regions.  Denali is visited by nearly 1.2 million tourists each year and the park is open May to September.  Wild life includes grizzly & black bear, caribou, dall sheep, moose.  You are almost guaranteed to see wildlife! 

 

How about this moose and her calf walking right past us on our tour!

Rob & Jude, through their Iditarod volunteer work, were familiar with Jeff King, the “Winningest Musher in the World!  (www.huskyhomestead.com)  A 4 time winner of the Alaska Iditarod, in the off season he breeds, raises and trains Alaskan Huskies from his home at Denali.  So, we took the Goose Lake Kennel Tour for an absolutely fascinating 3 hour experience to hold Husky Pups, see them in training and learn more about the sport of mushing, Alaska style.

Heidi & I holding future Iditarod Winner - Porkchop!

In this huge national park on our tour, “Michigan” was somehow mentioned.  Again, my ears pick up.  One of Jeff King’s young trainers tells me that she is from Bellaire, Michigan!  She knows my sister Nancy and hung out with my nephew Jeff.  Her name is Carrie, and she is going back to visit Michigan this fall.  To come so far and to find people so closely connected.  This truly is a small world!

 Me with Carrie from Bellaire, Michigan