Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Shopping at Yankee Creek



.
October 1, 2014 

The next morning the guys took off for Yankee Creek.  Barney, their pilot, loaned them his truck.  George said they were warned that the doors don’t shut tight and sure enough that was true.  The doors came open when they went around their first corner.  Of course the guys are laughing as usual and George hung onto to it to keep it shut.  They couldn’t go very fast because they didn’t want to over-heat the transmission.  Barney had given them his satellite phone and said if they weren’t back by 5, someone would come and find them.  They left about 10. When they got to the site it was about 12:30.  Our prepared boy scouts had a couple apples and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I made Sept 29, 2014.  They also had some nuts and 2 cokes.  What a feast huh?  3 day old peanut butter and jelly.  I guarantee George would never eat a PB&J that was even 1 day old back home. 

After they ate they shopped around at this guy’s site.  They found a hydraulic cannon and a generator but decided that stuff wouldn’t work with their situation.  They guys hiked around his site looking over all the old equipment and found an old sluice with all that equipment which happened to be for sale.  It was 2’ by 20’.  It had all the grates except one.  They also found some strapping metal and angle iron that would work great.  They were just amazed at all the materials and equipment that had been for years.  Some from the early 1900’s. They had tool shed, work shop, bunk houses, kitchen and the list goes on and on.  You can see all the stuff that was just left behind.  There were dozer parts, trucks probably from the 40’s.  They thought they might have been from the building of the Alcan hiway.  They would have had to barge them up there.  George said there were cars from the 1950’s with the license plates still on them.  They started back down the mountain about 1:30 and took about 2 hours to get back.   They check in with Barney when they got back and then went to the mush house.  Later that night they ate Moose ribs with Barney’s family. 
 












 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

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. 

Monday, September 29, 2014

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. 

Sunday, September 28, 2014

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. 

Monday, September 8, 2014

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.  

Monday, August 4, 2014

The Dozer Arrived


Aug 2014

Well, the dozer was picked up and made it to Takona.  Their pilot, Barney and his dad, picked it up and have used it on some of their needs.  The guys are sending up some sprockets, oil, and filters and Barney will get the dozer ready for the trip next spring.  The gold miners are home but their gold fever is getting the best of them.  There is talk about going up to Deadwood (their new site) yet this year.