50 Yrs Ago

Fifty Years ago this month we left Portland to spend our first of many winters in a remote Indian Village. We went to Shageluk to fill in for the Furmans who went out on a furlough. Mark and I went out together and Carol and the rest of the kids stayed in Port Angeles WA to have our fourth (Merlin). Mark and I went though culture shock together until Carol and the kids got up there in November.

The top right picture is us at our second villgae, Anvik, where we had to build a house. After staying there for five or so years we were transferred to Tanana. (The picture at lower right).

A suit and tie??!!!

We never did have running water at any of the villages. We did have a light plant with limited electricity at Anvik and we had village power in Tanana.

God enabled us, kept us and allowed us to serve Him in these villages.

Fall Memories

This is my favorite season of the year. Although my food gathering years are over these pictures chronicle a time and events that hold some of the fondest memories for me. Fall time in Central Alaska on the Yukon in the 60's and 70's are the place and time.

After the 10 or so cords of wood were piled by the house in Tanana I would load the boat with many gallons of gas for the outboard, a lot of good food and my birthday wacky cake that would be survival gear as well as celebratory chocolate goodness.

We would use the cabin at Kokrine Hills for our base camp, but our final destination was miles up the Nowitna river-a place of beauty as well as a virtual garden of Eden for moose, bear, ducks and fish. The picture above was taken way up the river where Mark shot the families winter meat supply.


We would set up camp on a river bank near a likely moose crossing. about 100 miles from home and play, hunt and fish. The best memories are the camping. cooking fish, ducks and tender cuts of moose over an open fire. It is some of our families fondest times. I took my brother and his family, Another time my parents and our family. Visitors from the States. We never went home empty handed. .

I convinced there will be Fall trips in heaven. Without the need to kill animals and with the opportunity to enjoy God's Creation. Memories now are pretty satisfying -until then.


Moose meat is delicious as well as one of the healthiest meats to eat.