An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

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hilltop170
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An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by hilltop170 »

Ina and I spent a very nice afternoon and evening today visiting with Louise Bickford and Garnet Shockey during their vacation in Alaska. We decided to fly out to the Knik Glacier, about 25 miles from my home at Hilltop Airstrip. It only takes a few minutes to fly into National Geographic quality terrain up the Knik Valley toward the glaciers. The wind was blowing about 25mph going up the valley and at times fairly bumpy but Louise and Garnett toughed it out and things quieted down nicely once back in the mountains. After landing at a 700' mud flat strip, we hiked up enjoying the late summer flowers and scenery to the top of a glacial moraine to view the mountains, glaciers, and glacial Lake George from an elevated vantage. A cool wind was blowing on top of the moraine so it didn't take long to get a chill. We hiked back to the plane and after a few more turns around the glaciers, flew back to the house with a nice tailwind. Now it's time to start the smoker, grill some steaks, and enjoy some good wine. Hope everyone else had a great day today as well.
Louise, Garnett, and Richard enjoying Alaska
Louise, Garnett, and Richard enjoying Alaska
Knik Glacier
Knik Glacier
Colony Glacier and Lake George
Colony Glacier and Lake George
Mud Flat Strip
Mud Flat Strip
Louise and Garnet with some of the few fireweeds left
Louise and Garnet with some of the few fireweeds left
Last edited by hilltop170 on Mon Aug 20, 2012 6:48 am, edited 2 times in total.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
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johneeb
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by johneeb »

Very nice, Richard!
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Bruce Fenstermacher
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by Bruce Fenstermacher »

Nice post Richard.
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4583C
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by 4583C »

Richard
That made our day! We spent the evening showing the pictures from our last trip to Alaska for friends who are leaving next week for two weeks in Coopers Landing. First time anybody asked to see my vacation pictures :)
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GAHorn
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by GAHorn »

Youre a Good Man, Richard!
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
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An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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170C
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by 170C »

That is a cool post Richard. Wish we were up there enjoying the nice temps with you. I was wondering where Louise & Garnet had gotten off to. Don't forget to send them back home. We miss Louise at our Texas fly ins.
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hilltop170
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by hilltop170 »

Louise and Garnett headed back to the Lower 48 today but don't expect them back in Texas anytime soon, they still have a lot of travelling to do. They were great guests and very easy to have fun with. Louise has a can-do attitude and said yes to every one of my suggestions. And Garnett was a good sport and went along even though he might not have been comfortable with everything. Even though the sky was clear in the morning, the weather conditions lowered all afternoon. In the end it all worked out very well and we made it back to the house just before the rain and low clouds hit. Another typical Alaska day.
At the Knik Glacier mud flat strip
At the Knik Glacier mud flat strip
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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Kyle Wolfe
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by Kyle Wolfe »

That's one cool day! Glad to see Louise enjoying life and Richard - you too are to be commended for helping others enjoy as well. I think the smiles on faces pretty much sum it all up!
Kyle
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jlwild
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by jlwild »

Richard you are awesome! Jim W.
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Past President TIC170A (2010-12) and Georgia Area Representative
'55 170B, N3415D, SN:26958, O-300D; People's Choice '06 Kelowna, B.C., Best Modified '07 Galveston, TX, Best Modified '08 Branson, MO.
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edbooth
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by edbooth »

hilltop170 wrote:Louise and Garnett headed back to the Lower 48 today but don't expect them back in Texas anytime soon, they still have a lot of travelling to do.]
Wow looks like they had a great time. The glacier looks (I hate the word), but awesome ! Can Mary and me be next ? :lol:
Ed Booth, 170-B and RV-7 Driver
hilltop170
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Re: An Afternoon at Knik Glacier, Alaska

Post by hilltop170 »

Sure, come on up! But you better hurry, we are usually covered up with snow by Halloween.
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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