Sunday Morning on the River

We made the decision late Friday to head to our favorite spot on the river for a weekend getaway. This particular area is located in the Chena State Recreation Area, approximately 50 miles from Fairbanks, on the banks of the Chena River.

We found this little oasis a few years ago while exploring the many access roads that lead from Chena Hot Springs Road to the Chena River. We have a couple of favorites - one in particular we were lucky to get is a secluded area tucked away on a bend in the river that affords us a measure of privacy from the rest of the riverbank camping folks. It's not an easy order to get the 'ol girl in there but it's definitely worth it.

To the east all we see out is a long stretch of the Chena River and the hills beyond. Moose, fox, beaver, robins, jay's and squirrels are regular visitors to the area. Just around the corner is a wonderful little deep hole that grayling are known to frequent. Follow the path along the river and you'll find several areas where the fishing is second to none and the scenery will take your breath away.

The tiles beneath my feet were warm this morning and yet I still shivered when I noticed the temperature was a very cool 34 degrees outside. Brrrr. With the coffee brewing and the boss sleeping I slipped on my shoes and stepped outside to greet the morning. Brrr indeed. The wind off the river made me instantly wish I had been wearing long johns. I peeked around the back of the motorhome to look at a tent occupied by a young couple that rolled in last night about 8:00. I imagine they were snuggled together in a warm sleeping bag; cozy as a two bugs in a rug.

We've spent many a night in a tent in our early years. Somehow the ground didn't feel quite so hard back them, or perhaps we were just more flexible. There are days I feel like a sellout for abandoning the purist ideals of basic camping but the second my feet hit the warm tile floor and I sat down and fired up the laptop while watching the river flow by from the comfort of my easy chair those feelings of guilt began to fade.

It's going to be a glorious day today despite the weatherman’s threat of a morning shower. Corned beef hash, fried eggs and English muffins with fresh ground Seattle's Best is on the menu for breakfast. Pull up a chair and join us and let's rejoice in all the Lord has provided! After breakfast we'll take our fly rods and head up the river to see what Nemo and his buddies are up to.

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