PEOPLE LOVE CABINS

My post about the newly completed cabin available for camping had several
comments and a few people even emailed me directly about information to
use the cabin. Here is a website listing recreation cabins and shelters in the
Tongass National Forest. It has links to each cabin with photos, directions
and what to expect. I didn't see the newest cabin listed there, maybe because

it was just completed. Keep checking back, I am certain it will be there soon.

A few years ago on the 4th of July weekend almost my entire family took a 

trip to Kruzof Island North Beach Cabin. This cabin is located on the 

other side of the volcano that we see out our windows. The biggest reason 

people go to this island is to ride ATV's and to hunt during the fall months.

My husband, kids and I were beachcombing the second morning we were

there and saw a mother bear and 3 baby cubs on the next beach over. We saw

her again on the way back--again, she was across a body of water from us so

there was no danger. 

There are a lot of old logging roads and trails and of course the scenery is 

unbelievable. It is an approx. 45 minute ride by boat from town.

Here we are getting ready to leave from one of the harbors in town. The 

only boat that would hold everyone and their quads has a drop bow so we 

could drive right onto the beach with the quads when we got to the island.

Here we are underway. I think every square inch of this 

very large boat was used!

On the 7 1/2 mile trail headed for the cabin. If you don't want to 

ride quads you can have a float plane drop you off or take a boat

all the way around to the beach.

Crossing a bridge along the trail. We all shut the quads off and then I 

realized there was a bear in the river. Did you know that a large portion

 of a brown bear's diet is berries and grass? They spend a lot of their

time foraging and grazing. If you click the picture you may be able to

see it in the upper middle right at the tree line.

This beach is perfect for riding--very flat sand with no rocks or logs.

One big drawback--beachcombing amongst the crowds LOL

We all went for a hike on the next beach over and found a whale carcass. 

The left bone is a rib, the right bone is a disk from the spine.

We had fun with fireworks at night thanks to my brothers bringing a huge stash.

Learning to use a gun and respect it is an essential part of being able to 

enjoy the wild places. I know a number of you that read this blog have commented 

in the past how much you dislike guns and the use of them. That's probably great 

for where you live, but when you live in a place where the brown bears are 

sometimes discovered on people's porches you better know how to use a gun. 

And knowing that every other person has a gun on their person or in their 

home, boat or vehicle, you better teach your kids gun safety!

Case in point: we had a bear in camp on this trip. I was sitting by the fire 

when my older brother yelled Bear!! I saw the bear right behind the cabin 

and it was already turning and running. It was scary to me because 3 of the

 girls had just taken the quads down the trail for a short ride. Talk about get 

your heart racing!

The kidlets in front of the cabin.

Heading back home. It was loads of fun and I can't wait to go again.