Takotna Hospitality

Sept 30, 2014

The guys slept in a little and got up at 7:00 AM.  They went to get their groceries because they needed dry ice.  They shopped at Fred Myers.  They love this store.  They packed all their stuff up and took it over to the airport.  After they got that done they went down to the Alaska Mining and Diving shop just to see what they had.  They took a little nap back at the hotel before dropping off their car.  Then they were off to the airport to fly out at 2 for Takotna. 

When they landed in Takotna their pilot, Barney, was there to pick them up.  He took them to his house and went over their plans and ate some bear stew and cornbread.  George said it was good.  So far they seem to like the Alaskan cuisine but I bet that might change when they have to eat some whale blubber.  They called Benny who owns a gold claim on Yankee Creek and was told they could check out any equipment he had.  He was selling it all.  They decided they would head up the mountain, which is about 20 miles.  Barney said they could use his vehicle but they needed to go slow because the transmission heats up.  After a long day the guys stayed at the mush house, which is a resting point for the Iditarod. 

Pilot Barney and Takotna

Sept 30, 2014

The guys slept in a little and got up at 7:00 AM.  They went to get their groceries because they needed dry ice.  They shopped at Fred Myers.  They love this store.  They packed all their stuff up and took it over to the airport.  After they got that done they went down to the Alaska Mining and Diving shop just to see what they had.  They took a little nap back at the hotel before dropping off their car.  Then they were off to the airport to fly out at 2 for Takotna. 

When they landed in Takotna their pilot, Barney, was there to pick them up.  He took them to his house and went over their plans and ate some bear stew and cornbread.  George said it was good.  So far they seem to like the Alaskan cuisine but I bet that might change when they have to eat some whale blubber.  They called Benny who owns a gold claim on Yankee Creek and was told they could check out any equipment he had.  He was selling it all.  They decided they would head up the mountain, which is about 20 miles.  Barney said they could use his vehicle but they needed to go slow because the transmission heats up.  After a long day the guys stayed at the mush house, which is a resting point for the Iditarod. 

Shopping for pumps

Sept 29, 2013

The miners went around Anchorage all day checking on pump and seeing where they could get hoses.  They started at 6:00 AM.  Remember Dave is from Florida and usually gets up at 3:00 AM, so 6 o’clock Alaska time, is like 10:00 AM for him. Dave insisted on going to Lowe’s and George kept telling him it wouldn’t be open.  Well, George’s little wifey was right… just like home.  They went to the CAT place and picked up some supplies and took them to Alaska Air Transit. 

They guys picked up their old pilot, Ken, from the airport and spent a little time with him.  Remember he is their first pilot that had to make an emergency landing on a river last year 3 miles from a village.  George said his plane was up and flying now.  They had a good time seeing him again. 

Off to Alaska

Sept, 28, 2014

I dropped George off at the airport.  The weather is nice here in Kansas but I had to make sure he took appropriate clothing for Alaska.  He always says he’ll be fine, but I told him I wanted him back with all his fingers and toes so we packed his warmest winter hat.  He will be glad he did even though he always insists he will be fine.  George hates to admit it, but he usually will tell me later he was glad I insisted on some things.  I also make him promise to wear his fanny pack which he does but he has to endure some razzing from Dave. 

The guys are going back

Sept 2014

Well, it’s official.  The guys are going back.  They leave for Alaska Sept 28, 2014 and will do some gold testing on their new site Deadwood.