Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Spokane adventurers detail 15 weeks in Alaska

The adventure begins here for Bill and Debbie Pierce of Spokane, who turned the lemons of being laid off as nurse anesthetists into lemonade by heading to Alaska for a kayaking adventure.  (Bill Pierce)
The adventure begins here for Bill and Debbie Pierce of Spokane, who turned the lemons of being laid off as nurse anesthetists into lemonade by heading to Alaska for a kayaking adventure. (Bill Pierce)

ADVENTURING -- Spokane adventurers Debbie and Bill Pierce will present a free program about their 15-week, 12,000-mile summer trip of kayaking, fishing and wildlife photography in Alaska tonight (April 23), 7 p.m., at the Corbin Community Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave.

"Carrying kayaks and mountain bikes on our conversion van,  we explored as many roads, trails and waterways as possible," Debbie Pierce said. "With no real plan or time commitment,  we used  the fireweed as our only timekeeper-our summer's clock.

"Traveling from mid-June to late September, we watched  the blossoms climb up the stem of the  tall plant, knowing that (according to Alaska folklore), summer was over when the petals  hit the top."

She said their photos include some of Alaska's amazing scenery, "including the beautiful  mountains and wild rivers, the rugged coastlines and magnificent wildlife."

The program is sponsored by the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club.



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

Follow Rich online:




Go to the full Outdoors page