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| Clouds on the Lake |
We're here and all settled in as Volunteer Camp Hosts at Deadman Lake. After we get into our routine I'll write up a few posts about the last three weeks and the Great Circle Tour of Alaska.
But for now, a few thoughts on Deadman Lake.
First of all, the name. As far as anyone around here can recall they do not know why it is called Deadman Lake. During our time in Alaska however, we've noticed that places are either named after things, or represent some super-literal, super-obvious description of the place. Beaver Creek has a giant beaver lodge, Eagle City has lots of eagles, Copper Creek has copper. I wouldn't be surprised if someday there was a deadman here, and that happened to be the day they named the lake.
Name aside, Deadman Lake is lovely, typical tiaga-area lake. There's a beaver lodge (two in fact), one nesting pair of trumpeter swans (they mate for life and establish territory of one lake per couple), eagles, lots of ducks, and fish. The shoreline is marsh/bog, perfect moose habitat. Haven't seen one yet, but there is enough scat to assure us they are around.
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| Our neighbor - Mr. Beaver |
As far as the campground goes, it's pretty sweet too. Our site is level and high enough from the lake that there aren't hordes of mosquitoes, but close enough that we can easily walk down to the dock/boat ramp....oh, and we have a canoe! The sites here have no hookups, no water, and no fee. They do have lovely views, privacy and a chance to be in the Alaska wilderness. So far this combination has already attracted a very distinct type of camper. After only 4 nights on site we've met a bicyclist from the Netherlands, two couples, traveling together in old VW vans from Argentina, an Australian family from Hollywood that filmed themselves swimming in an actually Alaskan lake (it's really kinda warm right now), an old-school Alberta rancher. The rest of campers have all been friendly, self-sufficient and very happy to be here in Alaska.
As are we!
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