This day will turn out to be about light, danger and keeping cool. I awake to the sound of the chopper starting up. I pull up the blind and catch my first glimpse of the commotion outside. It is another bluebird day and the scene is alive and buzzing. 11:30 am? Wow how did we sleep so late? Andy are you up?

Nothing like a good wake up cup of coffee. I stumble outside and head for the Tsaina and fresh glass of carrot juice from the happy juicer. The morning wake-up is friendly conversation with the many roving riders. All are here to fly. By the time I make it back home, Andy is in the drivers seat, ready to go. I take a quick look around, stow the coffee pot, and open the side door to pull up the step. Jeff McKitterick is standing their with pack, skis, grizzly beard, hair and all. Going down to the Tsaina? As we pull out of the parking lot, I notice that half of the other RVs have already left.


AUDIO CLIP!
Tom ABA, In The Beginning!
ABA (Alaska Backcountry Adventures) is just 5 miles down the road marked by simple sign on the side of the gravel We pull up and park in our spot next to three other land yachts. This is ABA , our AK taxi service to picture-perfect turns. The yard is the familiar hangout scene. In the far corner a mechanic is just taking the storm cover off of the helicopter. A crew of long hairs is shooting hoops, and a few others are wandering around the other RVs. Andy decides it is a good time for a bite to eat. For me, its time for a stroll. It is now the fourth day since we got here, and I am surprised how easily I have slipped into the, laid-back waiting game that makes this place what it is.


Page 1 of 4



Next Page

The Trip | On The Mountain | On The Town