Memories of Petersville Road – Alaska

2005-07-05: Petersville Road

Today I had two locations nearby to explore. The first, about 13 miles behind me, was Byer’s Lake. There are trails around the lake that might offer some birds. The second, further south, was Petersville Road. It leads west for perhaps forty miles. The write-up in my bird finding guide made it seem very attractive. After reflecting on these options, I decided to skip Byer’s Lake and head south to Petersville Road.

End of the day (Dinner):

I was happy about this day. The Petersville Road was an experience I treasure. It was another place that could have easily justified more time spent. Bird-wise, it was a bit slow. I imagine that 3-4 weeks earlier, it would have been very different, though I got what I believe will be good photos of my first Lincoln’s Sparrow and a White-Winged Crossbill.

I drove about 25 miles out on this road to a place that was reported as ‘reliable’ for the Arctic Warbler. Again, I think I must have been late, as there was no sight nor sound of them. However, while lingering by a small creek, a local miner on his way to work a claim, stopped to chat. We spent about two hours talking beside the road. He was on his way to work on a gold claim for a friend who had two recent heart surgeries. By working the claim for his friend, they could avoid paying fees to the state, so both men benefited from the arrangement.

He told me of different claims he’d worked … some, he planned to work again. One claim he looked forward to working when weather here turned bad, was on the Trinity River in northern California. He spoke of his interest in art, of making jewelry from his gold, of his carvings in walrus and mammoth ivory, and his carved horns (sheep, caribou, and moose). He explained how he’d work enough hours as a union carpenter each year to hopefully earn some retirement income. He showed me how to pan for gold in the stream we were near. I might have turned back and headed out sooner, and he might have gone on his way, but we each seemed to find a reason to continue our chat. But alas, eventually we each had to go on our respective adventures.

Once I started driving out, I moved rapidly toward Anchorage with no more ‘bird stops’. I made about another 40 miles south on the Parks Highway and found myself a plate of food and a roof over my head in Wasilla, AK!!