Flying north from San Francisco to Anchorage during the summer, one never encounters darkness. Until, that is, descending below a layer of rain clouds on approach to Anchorage at 11:30 pm. Even then, it's only dusky out. I would get used to this very quickly. After planning this trip since January, and contracting with Tim Stallard of Out in Alaska for his brand-new Katmai National Preserve and Park camping and hiking trip, I was finally arriving. Saturday, July 26 was my free day before connecting with Tim and the one other client, so I took advantage of waking up early, being one time zone ahead, and headed off on the Alaska Railroad for a short rafting trip from Spencer Lake. Standing between the cars for most of the trip, watching the amazing Alaskan landscapes and wildflowers
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