Summer Goodwill Tour Continues
Inapuik Eskimos Can Hit
Cantsleep
Nashville TN
The Apples 2008 Summer Tour is now in full stride with no sign of slowing down soon. As special guest of the Inapuik Eskimos, the Apples Alaskan summer tour began with a flight over the Arctic Circle to the Top of the World as they attempted to join the Polar Bear club by swimming in the Arctic Ocean. However, it must be reported that the Apples were denied their attempt as they were unable to make it to their planned final destination when their private plane, Apple 1, was forced by heavy fog to land short of the ocean.
"Yea, I was a little disappointed about that" said AGFHOF Don Bernitt when asked to comment about the day. "But then again" added Bernitt, "We made it over the Arctic Circle and were able to spend some time with the Inapuiks at Coldfoot Camp so it wasn't a total bust"
Following the return flight to Fairbanks, the Apples were all about play as they experienced the phenomena of what is known as 'The Land Of The Midnight Sun' "It really can't be explained" said Apple Patty Pender as she loaded her golf clubs into her golf cart as she began a round of golf at 10:30 p.m. "It's the middle of the night and you would think it was the middle of day. The sun is very high in the sky and their is no reason to believe it's actually near midnight"
"The experience of the Midnight Sun is awesome" added Bernitt as he pointed out that it is very hard to know when to go to sleep. "The brain is amazing, with no darkness and nothing but bright sunshine, it's very easy to get caught up in the surroundings around you and before you know it is 3 o'clock in the morning and you haven't slept for 22 or 23 hours." "Looking back" continued Bernitt, "this would have been a great place to grow up. Just think, your parents couldn't tell you to be home by dark because there is no such thing at this time of year"
Following a few days in the great north of Fairbanks and beyond, the Apples trip continued with a visit to Denali National Park which is home to the North American continents tallest mountain, Denali, also known as Mt. McKinley. At over 20,000 ft high, Denali simply must be seen to be described. "Some people say I have my head in the clouds, but this lady called Denali takes the cake on that line" said Bernitt as he gazed upon the mountains of the national park.
As is their way, the Apples then left the comfort of the highways as they packed their day packs a set off on a 4 hour hike through the tundra and across the river beds that snake through Denali. Not to be missed was that fact that as they hiked the Apples were fully aware that they were now out of the safety of their element and walking through the homeland of the American Grizzly Bear. "Yea, it's not for the faint of heart said Bernitt" as he and Pender were joined by his sister Diane and nieces Lisa and Lauren.
"This is the last time that I will ever go on vacation with Don and Patty" said the visibly shaken Diane Bernitt as she climbed her way up a steep hill and through the hip deep brush that led the Apples out of the riverbed and to the relative safety of the gravel road to wait on a bus to take them out of the wilderness and back to camp. "Can we do that again tomorrow chimed Lisa and Lauren" as they poured water out of their soaked shoes following the last river crossing of the day.
On the subject of rivers, it was then off to the raging Nenana River for a 2 hour whitewater rafting trip that saw the Apples joined by Penders parents Jo and Bob for the ride of a lifetime in the 38 degree waters of the glacier fed Nenana. "Oh my!" said Jo Pender when asked to describe the 12 mile journey through the canyons of Denali.
Next up for the Apples, weather permitting, will be a flightseeing trip that is scheduled to fly them near the summit of Mt McKinley for a tour of the Alaskan range and a glacier landing high in the mountains. Again, and however, it doesn't look good as heavy clouds have moved into the area and grounded most flights. "Lets just see what happens over the next few hours" said Bernitt as he sipped coffee and enjoyed the chilly morning in the small town of Talkeetna on the outskirts of Denali Park.
And so it is, the Apples 2008 Summer Tour continues as they leave their mark on America's 50th state, Alaska. One thing to be said for sure is that whether it be night time or not, you more then likely will soon again hear that now famous cheer...
How bout them Apples!
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