More rain means no dredge

It's Sunday night and I got a call from George about 6:00 which is 3:00 their time. 
He said on their first trip they found an old generator that the test crew from the 80's had left behind.  Well guess what?  The got that old generator working and it is running great.  They are using it for heat.  Now that it's raining the temperature is more like Alaska and it's cold.  He said they are still happy and laughing but they are  a little bored because they can't get to the river.  Sounds like the highlight of their day was burning the trash.  I gave him the weather report for the next week and the forecast is rain every day except Tuesday.  That wasn't good news to George but I have to think it's great news for the fire fighters.  The fires have to be out and the guys are getting some much needed rest.  Since George is the cook, this will give him some menu planning time.  Dave can't boil water and George doesn't cook a lick at home but he turns into this fantastic cook up there.  Peels and fries potatoes, opens cans, and even washes the dishes.  Anyone that knows George, knows his favorite meal is Spam.  Dave was pretty leery last year but learned the joys of Spam.  My goal is to find a Spam cook book.  I hear they even have Spam museums.  I'm sure computer geeks don't have a clue what I'm talking about.

I also got an email from Al and Cleta at Moore Creek.  She reported the rain and said the couldn't smell the smoke either.  Cleta said the smoke looked bad up their way yesterday and it really got close to them.  One finger of the fire was just over the hill.  She said the Forest Service said their was no problem with it coming down the hill but it's the ash they worry about.  So thank God for the rain. 

Their neighbors at Moore Creek

I have established email contact with Al and Cleta at Moore Creek. These guys are like family to George and Dave and they have been a great help in this whole adventure. Since I don't have any currest pictures, I will introduce you to Al. George and Dave were amazed at Al's stamina and said he could outwalk both of them when they were making their first attempt to get to their site. Sounds like he's tough as nails. If you ever get to hear any of George's presentations about their adventures, Al and Cleta are always a part of it. I think because of their kindness and help, the scales were tipped in favor of the guys pusuing their dream. With all the obstacles they encountered most would have given up. I hope Al and Cleta realize the important role they have played. A big thanks to them from all of us. They are the owners of Moore Creek. It's about 3 miles from George and Dave and is an active gold mining site. This is one of the pictures of Al on the 4 wheeler.

And the rain came

George called about 11:00 which is 7:00 their time. George said it rained last night and must have put out the rain because the sky was clear and they didn't smell smoke. I think they have their runway finished. We are all waiting to hear about the gold and we forget that runway is their lifeline. So they have been working on it everyday since they got there. They did get their dredge and supplies to the river and scooped 1 shovel to test. George said it was a good show of gold so of course they are excited. George said they saw a couple bears and have seen a lot of bear tracks all over. He thought the bears must go through close to their site to get to the river.

I think I smell smoke

Friday night June 28, 2013 George called and is still recovering from his laryngitis. He said he is feeling better and even got a shower today. It is very hot up there he said for Alaska. Dave left Florida's unbearable heat and George left some 104 degree temps behind here in Kansas. No doubt Arizona is saying a big Wah for them. George isn't a complainer and said they were wet and cold this time last year. They are still happy and living their dream. George said they were working hard and both tired. They had still been clearing the runway. I suggested they use their metal detector and take it easy and George said, "When you don't have energy, you don't have energy. You lay down." We will chart that as one of George's famous sayings. He said it was cool last night but they were fine in their underware and sleeping bags. I asked about the fires and George said it was a little hazy today. The wind shifted and they could smell smoke. But are they worrried? Noooo... So thank You God for keeping our guys safe and happy. They will finish up with the runway in the morning and then head to the river. Can't wait for that call. He better be talking so fast I can't understand him. They will be dredging for gold. I can't receive pictures, but will fill them in after they get back. Please share their adventure.

Thanks to the Alaskan Forest Rangers

Well the guys made it to Anchorage at about 1030 our time Tuesday night. Dave had an interesting flight sitting next to a dog. They got up the next morning and rented a car and were anxious to do their shopping at Costco. The pictures are going to have to be filled in later because the guys have only a satellite phone and the calls will be brief. Their plane has some issues and they will have to fly Penn Air now. I spoke with George Wed night and they had not made it to their site but did make it to Moore Creek. This is the gold camp 3 miles from theirs with no trails. Also remember, the major fire in Alaska is called the Moore Creek fire. George said the wind was bad and they were waiting for that to die down so they can get to their site. They can only fly the guys into their site one at a time because their runway isn’t long enough.
  Now for an update on the fires: The forest rangers set up a sprinkler system at the gold camp, Moore Creek. They have quite a few structures at this site. George and Dave only have their tin condo so I’m sure they are a little anxious. The fires are close, 3 miles south, and the wind is in their favor. Of course it’s the lightning that is setting them off so they are not in the clear.

Thursday morning update: I got a call from George. They made it to their site this morning. They were up at 5:00. They are still waiting for their supplies to be delivered.  The pilot flew Dave in and then George.  After he flew George in, he said no more flights till the wind dies down.  So all of their supplies are sitting on the runway at Moore Creek.

Thank God for the forest rangers. George said they set up hoses and pumps and a sprinkler system all around their camp. Their pilot’s son is there helping them and I can hear the excitement in George’s voice. So…tonight will be their first night at their site. This is a picture of the fire map. You can see the active fire is to the east on this map. George says it’s 3 miles to the south and moving away from them. But the gold fever has a hold on them and that apparently is enough to get them through anything. But I would still like everyone to keep them in their prayers. I might have my arrow off by a little, but you can see the how long the 3 mile line is and their site is 3 miles north and east of Moore Creek. Anyway you look at it would concern anyone. Again, thank God for the forestry service.

 

Houston...we have landed

The guys were so excited and both were trying to get their work lined up so they could follow their dream. It is such a thrill to watch them do what most only dream about. George could hardly sleep and I am exhausted. I'm a planner and George likes to throw his suitcase together at the last minute so you men might not understand, but I know the women do. Here is a picture of me dropping George off at the airport. He actually ran himself ragged this last month and has laryngitis. So after giving him instuctions on taking his aspirin and drinking fluids and getting plenty of rest etc. I gave him a benedryl because he was complaining of his sinuses. Guess who was zonked on the flight to Houston? So I would say he had a good flight to Houston. The guys met up and ate breakfast and I could feel the excitement just talking to George on the phone. His voice was remarkably better. They took off at 3:15, so I will be getting a call around 11:00 and keep you posted.

2013 Trip It's 3 days before the guys leave and we found out several days ago that Alaska has severe wild fires going on throughout the state. The report I read said only the coastal areas were safe. Dave called and I could hear George talking and saying his usual, "It'll be fine." I have to say those words kind of chap me when something serious is going on and I hear, "It'll be fine." Soo... when he got off the phone I asked him where the fire was. He didn't know. I looked it up on line and guess what? The fire is raging just about 3 miles south of their place. It's called the Moore Creek fire and you remember Moore Creek is the gold camp just 3 miles from them. This where they landand then go one at a time to their camp because their runway isn't long enough to carry 3 people. George became a little more interested and we began talking about a plan B since there is a strong possibility this fire is on it's way. There is a possibility of rain in about a week but the report said it wasn't going to be enough to stop the fires. Moore Creek fire is the largest in the nation and has burnt some 112,000 acres as of June 20 and now 118,000 on the 21st. Teorge is an amazing guy and not a worrier. I do enough for both of us. I'm searching and planning and asking all the questions and I know Dave is doing the same. These guys have thousands of dollars invested in equipment and just built their beautiful tim condo last year. I am putting a map of where the fires are and an arrow whene their camp is.