Family Hunger Genealogy

© Copyright Todd Neel

9/6/2024 Friday –

Drove from Racing River to Rancheria Falls rest area.

Unremarkable day only that the focus was getting down the road, and going too fast to be Present. Therefore, need to slow down and NOTICE … The camera will help do that!

Drove 295 miles today.

Stop and smell the bison scat! No – don’t need to get that close. These are Wood Bison along the Alaska Highway in Canada. They are genetically related to Plains Bison in the northwest U.S. but are larger and darker than the Plains Bison. Plains bison flourished in the south and wood bison adapted to more northern climate and environment. Both are subspecies of American bison. “They are very similar – they are the same species, and they can interbreed,” said Biologist Tom Seaton. North America’s largest land mammal, Bison were victims of ecological change and overhunting, and were thought to be extinct. But thanks to one of the world’s greatest conservation projects, wood bison have returned to Alaska.

Hurry up, Dad! Are we there yet? (Hush up, son, and look out the window! Google it!) But we can’t get any Internet! I told you to get Starlink! (Oh, shush! Look at your comic books!)

Oh, wait! No kids! Just my hallucination!

Tired of driving by myself all day, joints hurting, so I pull into this rest stop about 7 pm. Need to stretch my legs, and trail map leads to waterfalls a short distance away – 1/3 mile one-way, and “designed for the physically challenged”. That’s me! There are interpretive signs along the trail telling me these are White and Black Spruce, explaining why they are so small because of the short growing season, and permafrost under the topsoil limiting root growth.

The ground foliage is rich in fall colors above the raised walkways.

The river splits, and there are two dramatic waterfalls – not canoeable today for this old guy!

After the relaxing hike and photoshoot, the parking lot remains empty for the entire night, so I have dinner and a good night’s sleep.