If you've read my other four tales, then by now you might be thinking of
Alaska as an adventurous state, perhaps a bit wild, at the very least an
interesting place to visit. I'm going to say it's all three and much, much more.
So I should warn you now, this article will run the risk of sounding like a
travel commercial. Because no series regarding King Salmon would ever be
complete without mentioning the incredible beauty of this part of Alaska.
Granted, when I first arrived in the dead of winter I thought I'd temporarily
lost my mind. But it didn't take too long to realize that I'd had the good
fortune to stumble into a place that would become one of the most incredible
wilderness experiences I'd ever know. And I've known more than a few.
What's so special about King Salmon, you ask? Well, beyond the crazy summer
influx of fisherman and vacationers, beyond the wildly memorable events that
marked my time here, there grew this primal connection to the land that was
wholly unexpected. There's such an invigorating sense of living in accord with
nature, bracing volatile elements, surviving in a place known for its rugged
challenge.
That kind of energy leaves an indelible mark. Spend any time in Alaska and
you run the risk of change. With effortless power this state can turn the most
staunch city dweller into an outdoor enthusiast. One taste and you're hooked
faster than you can say Sockeye Salmon. I was no exception.
With so much to offer I had to pick and choose my adventures. I passed on a
fishing expedition since it really wasn't my thing, much to my dad's utter
disappointment. But I did manage to cover a lot of ground. There was the Valley
of 10,000 Smokes, I soared in a float plane over rivers, lakes, and glaciers,
and I hiked trails full of scenic wonder (being mindful of the fragile tundra,
of course). It's hard to pick a favorite, but the one thing I consistently
enjoyed was the wildlife. Eagles, fox, bear, whales, moose, caribou, it's a
veritable zoo out there.
I think I'll tell you about the most memorable expedition from my time in
King Salmon. It came in September, an unofficial reward from the managers at
King Ko for surviving a busy summer full of hard work and sweat. About nine of
us loaded onto a boat and headed up the Naknek River toward an amazing place
called Brooks Camp.
Let me tell you, I cannot expound on the glory of this place enough. Scenic
views, wildlife adventures, a rustic lodge, and BEARS.
Bears so close you can almost reach out and touch them. Which isn't generally
recommended, by the way. Getting that close to the call of the wild can be
somewhat hazardous to your health. But Brooks Camp takes the safety of bears and
people very seriously and has built a series of viewing platforms along the
Brooks River so we can mingle with the carnivores without worrying about
becoming the main course.
Now I have to say, September in Alaska is extraordinarily beautiful. Tundra
begins turning autumn colors, the birch and tamarack trees are morphing to gold,
and the salmon are plentiful but exhausted after all the spawning. And that
makes it a perfect time to take a stroll down the long trails of Katmai National
Park, because though the bears are hungry to build winter fat, they have only
one thing on their mind - a fishy smorgasbord.
So there I stood, on a platform beside a waterfall on the Brooks River,
watching several Alaskan Brown Bears wait patiently for hapless salmon to fly
into their hungry jaws. It was a scene straight out of National Geographic. And
I knew right then how incredibly lucky I was, despite my lack of a decent
camera, and embraced my initiation into the wonders and perils of wilderness
exploration. Nature is a strong drug, my friends, and once you've experienced
its high, you can't help but want more. But that's okay, because it's an
addiction that enriches and enlightens, gifts you with the knowledge of
primordial connectedness and reveals the spark of the Creator in all flora and
fauna.
You see, I'd come to King Salmon on a whim and spent an unforgettable year in
a place full of adventure and excitement. I'd arrived a somewhat ordinary girl
and definitely out of my element. Yet by the end of that summer I'd been bitten
hard by the adventure bug and I emerged a stronger, more confident person. One
unafraid to travel to distant places that I'd only read or dreamed about.
One thing is certain, no matter how long I live or where I roam, Alaska will
always be the top of my favorite travel destinations. Honestly, it should be
listed in Fodor's Guide to the Universe as one of the best and absolute must see
places on earth. If you've ever had even the smallest desire to head that far
north, I urge you to act on it. Go to King Salmon, go to Katmai National Park,
go anywhere inside the state of Alaska and I can promise you rich reward. It's
just one of those places you have to see to believe.
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