Five years ago, we parked at the Elks RV in Tempe, Arizona. Next to us was a couple from Wasilla Alaska. Kathie and Jeff have lived in Alaska since the 1970’s and inspired us to start thinking about making a trip to Alaska. They invited us (total strangers) to stop and visit with them and even go fishing with them on the Kenai if we ever made it up there. Each year went by, and we never made the trip, but we did visit with them whenever all of us were in the Mesa area at the same time each winter. It seemed each spring other obligations stopped us from making the trip. This past Spring we met again in Apache Junction, and we decided this would be the year to go. And here we are parked in their driveway at their beautiful property in Wasilla. Kathie made us a delicious dinner the evening we arrived.
Jeff and Kathie both are very artistic. Jeff can fabricate most anything out of any material. Kathie is a professional makeup artist as well as painter and crafter.
One arrangement I made with them was if we ever come to their home, I would give them a sculpture lesson. They enjoyed looking at my wall sculpture so we set out on a trip to Anchorage to buy supplies so Jeff would know how to make the salmon wall sculpture. He’s an excellent welder.
While we were in Anchorage we stopped downtown so I could take a picture of the street where my father and his cousin Gene lived when they were aircraft mechanics at Elmendorf Field in 1941.
The first image is what the location looks like today; the next one is their cabin as it looked in 1968 when Jack and Gene flew their private plane up to Anchorage for a visit. The last image is how it looked on that corner when they lived there in 1942
The Bus they would take to Elmendorf Field to go to work.
After the Japanese attack, they both joined the Air force at Elmendorf.
This is a photo of LARSON FLYING OFFICE at Merrill Field. This is where my dad took his first flying instruction in a Piper Club. Later years, this is where Don Sheldon (well known Alaskan pilot) took his first flying lessons as well.
Back from Anchorage with some Copper sheet, brass rod and new metal snips we are ready for
Sculpture Class 101 A (for Alaska) 🙂
Cut ~ Heat - Pound ~ Bend and More
Finished Piece!
Mark and Jeff seemed to always have a project
Mark and Jeff worked on his boat and got it ready for fishing on the Kenai River in a few weeks. We moved over to the Elks Lodge when the tanks were full and spent a few nights there over the 4th of July. It’s a beautiful lodge, lots of activities and friendly members. It’s $20.00 per night with electricity and water is available. Many are lake view sites. Verizon was a bit weak here, as it seems to be throughout Alaska but AT&T was strong.
This Lodge had a boat launch and a private pier. I stayed here while Mark went with Jeff back up to his cabin near Trapper Creek.
