New York City’s Four WTC at 977′ superimposed over the 875′ Butte for perspective. The Butte is larger than it looks from a distance. Standing at 875 feet AGL (Above Ground Level), The Bodenburg Butte or simply The Butte is 102 feet shorter than New York’s Four WTC. I had never climbed any significant mountains
Mine Eyes Have Seen
Matanuska River Bridge Turnoff – August 23, 2013
August 23, 2013I pulled off the Matanuska Bridge and into the turnoff just like I had done yesterday. The low clouds clung to the mountains and you could see how it was steamy at the cloud base. When I was working on my instrument rating, my instructor told me that when you first enter clouds its like [...]
Matanuska River Scenic Overlook – August 23, 2013
August 23, 2013First thing I did in the morning was visit Wunderground to check the weather. Wasilla was a rain-out, but Palmer had localized rain cells and was otherwise clear. The conditions in Palmer were semi-favorable to hike the Bodenburg Butte, but I would have to play it by the seat of my pants….
Museum of Alaska Transportation, Industry – August 22, 2013
August 23, 2013If it flies, floats, has wheels or a crawler track, and is unique, chances are you’ll find it at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry. …
Matanuska River Bridge Turnoff – August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013As I proceeded down the Old Glenn toward the Reindeer Farm, after leaving the Musk Ox Farm, I noticed another scenic pull-off just over the Matanuska River Bridge. I would come back to this location after I was done with the farm. The bridge turnoff is a popular location for four-wheelers and campers. It offers [...]
Reindeer Farm – August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013I saw the trail to the Butte off to my right as I drove down Bodenburg Loop Road to the Reindeer Farm now less than a quarter of a mile away. I would check out the Butte later….
Musk Ox Farm – August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013Located off the Glenn Highway at 12850 E Archie Road in Palmer, Alaska the Musk Ox Farm is home to dozens of these domesticated ice age-era animals. The word, “ox,” is a misnomer. Musk ox are in the goat family and have cloven hooves. The farm has birthing, yearling, steer and retirement pens.
Matanuska River Scenic Overlook – August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013Today, I would visit the Musk Ox and Reindeer Farms, and the Wasilla Museum of Transportation and Industry. Temps were in the high 50s and low sixties with periods of on-and-off rain. I learned quickly that rainstorms in Alaska occur in highly localized cells. You can be in one part of Wasilla or Palmer and be caught in a major downpour while the other side is dry and watching double rainbows.
Journey to the Great Land – August 21, 2013
August 22, 2013My journey to Alaska had been “planned” on and off over the past two to three years, but the final decision was made when I met Chuck Heath Sr., and Junior in New York City to have a copy of Our Sarah Made in Alaska signed. I decided that I would go during the time of the Alaska State Fair.