Clearwater 2009

A sure sign that summer is on its way is the annual Delta Clearwater float trip!

Fairbanks people start the trip with breakfast at the Oasis, a restaurant and lounge. This is the only time of year that we eat at the Oasis. You have like the smell of cigarette smoke with your breakfast to fully appreciate breakfast at the Oasis. They do, however, produce some tasty eggs bennie.

Parking lot at the Oasis. This is a trip for big kids, no inflatables. : )

The put-in is at the Clearwater State Recreation Site near Delta Junction. As was mentioned in a previous entry, Jeremy has a duty to recreate in state parks since he is a member of the Citizen Advisory Board. He's such a good citizen!

The put-in.

Finally on the water 1 hour 45 minutes later.

The floatilla. It was a beautiful day, maybe 70 degrees. I call those days, Colorado days.

Did I mention it was a beautiful day?

The Clearwater trip for our group involves an overnight at the base of a bluff. Once at our camping spot we usually build a fire and stay up until the wee hours of the morning. This year the festivities were over at midnight, however. We must be becoming a more mature group.

The next day we usually hike up the bluff and chill for a few before beginning the arduous journey to the take-out.

View from the bluff. It's a great place to drink your morning coffee and appreciate living in Alaska.

Spring flowers - Pasque

The second half of the trip is on the Tanana River, a much larger river than the Clearwater. While there are no rapids it moves A LOT of water and at this time of year a lot of trees and ice, too. That is floating ice next to Rachel and Steve.



We usually make one stop on the way out to eat a late lunch (we rarely get on the river before noon - either day). This year a we had a couple rounds of the "stick game." This involves holding the stick to your chin and making 10 rotations then throwing the stick down and jumping over it. Check out Jeremy.

Once you see the bridge and pipeline, you know you've come to the end of the trip; this is the take-out. Now the game of shuttle begins. This year's shuttle was a little confusing and may require some prior planning next year.

In years past we have gone into Delta Junction for burgers and beers, but this year most people felt a need to get on the road back to Fairbanks or Anchorage. It's all a part of being mature. So, this year the Fairbanks people stopped at the Knotty Shop on the way home for ice cream. I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of that.

The Delta Clearwater is wonderful way to begin the boating season. We are looking forward to a summer spent on rivers with good friends.