July 22nd: today provided some major joy in my life! After work, my friend Neil Reed came to visit! Apparently his job in lake Clark provided him the opportunity to come here for a few days to do plant research, and it happened to be on my side of the mountain! This was extra special because I only see him maybe once a year in Utah, since he takes jobs with the national parks every summer, and then seems to be traveling to other remote continents on the time he has off in the winter. I knew he was in Alaska for the summer, and so I called him on Saturday evening, not really thinking that I would get a hold of him. I never seem to be able to get a hold of him.. and he was in a pretty remote place. But I was surprised that he answered, and he explained that he was going to be in Denali this week. When everything worked out so perfectly, I knew it was going to be awesome!
So we went to eat at canyon grill, I got an excellent steak and fries, and he got a pizza that he really enjoyed. Then we went on and exploring trip! We walked around the Holland America property, and he was pretty excited about that. Then we walked all the way into the park, and went to his cabin which he showed me around. It was small but comfortable, and he said he enjoyed being in it rather than a tent in the wilderness. All of this was done in the rain, but it was really nice weather, and of course it didn't get dark! I had asked Neil to take my leather jacket back to salt lake City, because I don't have enough room in my bags for my stuff, and I thought that he understood what I was saying. He placed the jacket in his bag and carried it all the way back to the cabin. Then we walked a little bit further back to the road together, because he said he wanted to get a better idea of what Denali look like, and he didn't think he'd get to do much hiking while he was here.
We parted ways, and I began walking back toward the princess property, when all of a sudden I heard a voice calling my name: Lord Spenser! Neil ran up to me and I was surprised to see him. How are things in thy kingdom, Lord spenser?
Right as rain! I replied.
Silver linings abound, he responded.
He then produced my jacket from his bag, and said that he had forgotten that he had it and didn't want it to be stolen.
I shook my head, and explained what I thought was already understood. That I had hoped he would be able to return it to the city of salt, where we would be rejoined again at some future date. To which he responded that he surely could, and we laughed at the misunderstanding. With smiles and another hug goodbye, we went upon our separate ways. Hopefully to be rejoined again in the near future.
