Heading North— A Day Trip to Fielding Lake

We had arrived in Delta Junction the evening before and decided to go on a day trip to Fielding Lake for the day

After packing gear and food and hitching up the boat, we left Delta Junction and headed south on the Richardson Highway towards Tok. On our flight the day before, we had looked down the valley we were now driving on and remarked at its beauty. As we drove along we paralleled the pipeline and the Delta river, winded between mountains, crossed swift creeks, and enjoyed roadside wildflowers in full bloom, and yet again I was struck by its beauty.

After about an hour and a half of driving, we reached Fielding Lake. The boat was quickly filled with its first load of kids and gear and launched into the lake. Meredith and I hung out by the boat launch while Eska finished her nap in the car.

Soon, Vance was back to take us half way down the lake where they had found a nice spot to eat lunch. On the way, we stopped to test out the fishing. There were a few nibbles on the line but no fish were caught before we decided to head back to Woodsen and the five kiddos.

Straight across from the boat launch we had seen a steep bank with a nice flat tundra plateau, and this is where they had ended up dropping off Woodsen and the kids. We made the steep climp, and spread blankets and set up chairs to enjoy lunch.

The sun was out, the mosquitoes were mild, and kids played and ate lunch.

After Lunch, the guys and a few kids returned to the boat to explore the lake a bit.

They came back a little later saying they had found a nice little beach not too far away that they thought the kids would enjoy playing at. We packed up and headed for the beach.

The gravel beach was a hit.

Whenever the weather is warm enough to tolerate a dip in the cold Alaskan water I always try to do it. The refreshing swim always makes the day more fun and memorable. It wasn’t long before I had changed into my bathing suit, had dove into the water, and was convincing others to do the same. It was refreshing and fun to splash and swim in the lake.

After our refreshing dip, I dried off and snuck away to snap some photos of the glassy lake.

Climbing up, I found wildflowers and more beautiful scenery.

Next on the agenda was fishing. While kids took their turn on the boat, Eska and I stayed back, picked flowers, played in the water and gravel, and Gwyneth gave Eska her first Oreo cookie.

Out on the boat, the kids were catching Grayling and a few Lake Trout.

After our fill of fishing and lake fun, we loaded up and headed back to Delta Junction. Since there were so many of us we had taken two cars, on the way back most of the kids rode with the guys, which meant Meredith and I enjoyed a mostly quiet car ride. I especially savored the road trip. I’ve always love road trips, but with most of our adventures this summer being in the plane, I loved the change in perspective that a drive brought.

We finished the day with dinner on the deck at their house and planned to head to the Clear Water River the next day.