It’s the Crown Jewel, or it’s the Icing On A Most Delicious Cake. Pick your superlative and it applies to our stop at Wood River. This was to be our furthest spot north, and the end of the trip before we turn south and head back home.

What is Wood River? It’s a long story and a big part of my life since 1988 when I made the first four day trip on horseback into camp. At that time it was owned by my friend Debby Waugaman’s father. Now Debs and her husband Chris own the property and horses.

It now is three cabins, two large horse pastures, a private airstrip, and 37 acres on the intersection of Snowy Creek and the Wood River in the foothills of the Alaska Range about 45 miles due south of Fairbanks.

Instead of taking the hard route on a four day horseback trip across a mountain pass and up a river, we chose the 35 minute plane flight. Debs already had the horses in camp and we planned to fly in and hang out with her and Chris for a few days.

Our first attempt to get into camp was aborted about 3 miles from the landing strip. The camp is in the foothills of the Alaska Range, with a river valley in front of it. The pilot had been in and out many times and knew when the visibility was too bad to be safe in the skinny area where he has to turn. So we went back to Fairbanks and waited about 5 hours until Debs texted that it had cleared up.

The second attempt was good and we made a nice safe landing on Debby’s private air strip.

Rob and I took a walk up the river and found some very healthy sized wolf tracks right outside camp. But what we saw was the wolf and bears coming up the river, then getting to about where they could smell camp and turning around.

We helped out where we could be useful with some chores around camp. First on the agenda was taking two old couches out of honeymoon cabin down to the river and burning them. They had been there since the cabin was built in the 1960’s and Debs was so over them. She was happy to see them go.

We also took two new hunting blinds out and set them up for moose hunting season. Check the videos and pix for the final view of what they look like after they’re “decorated” a bit and more hidden.

We spent the good part of one day fixing the fence in one of the horse pastures. The horses had almost eaten their way through the first pasture. Every winter the bears and moose crash through somewhere and a tree or two will fall down on the fence. It’s a 4-5 hour drive around the perimeter putting all the pieces back together and making the pasture ready for six big and hungry ponies.

We did have some fun time, including taking our handguns down to the river and getting some practice. Chris and Debs, of course, are both expert marksman, both with handguns and hunting rifles.

Also on the agenda for some girl time was the hot tub. Chris starts warming it the day before and it was delightful. There is something pretty incredible about being in the mountains listening to the river flow by and soaking in a wood fired tub.

Rob and Chris had a great time tending the campfire while Debs and I soaked and sipped a little wine.

Chris was headed back to town for a few days and Debs was staying in camp alone, so I volunteered to stay with her and Rob flew in with Chris. He got our truck ready to head south and Debs and I took care of a few more things in camp.

Once the plane was gone with Rob & Chris, it was time to let the ponies out to eat. They head out towards the runway or honeymoon cabin, then off to the creek and around the property. Getting them back in is a different event every day, but they all six stick together and it’s a matter of herding one of them into the right pasture and the rest will follow.

One rainy evening we played a little Yahtzee and our first game had tied scores. I’m not sure either of us remembers who won the next game.

Another afternoon we saddled up two of the horses and went for a ride. I hadn’t been on a horse since I got thrown in May, and quite honestly was terrified. As always is the case, the horses Debs brings into camp are strong, sturdy, and ready for whoever gets on them. Elliott was a perfect gentleman and followed Sammy like a champ on a new route I had not ridden in the nearly 40 years I’ve been going into camp.

All too soon it was time for me to go. Debs and I flew out on different flights, on the busiest day of the year for Wright Air. It was the day before moose season opened, and they had hunters to get out to camps all over Alaska. That turned into an adventure of it’s own that will be another blog post. But for this one, I’ll say as always I’m grateful for any time I get to spend in Wood River. Debs and I have been pals for over 40 years and getting to spend time with someone you have so much respect and love for is truly a blessing. It was the absolute Crown Jewel on this magical summer in Alaska.

The pix from camp are Here. Also there are lots of videos Here