Alaskans make Alaska

To the editor:

A shout-out of gratitude and thanks to the families who helped me at Gold Cord Lake around noon on Monday, July 6. I am 75 years old and was hiking alone up on the boulders above the lake when I fell onto the boulders, hitting my head and ribs. After extricating myself I was able to call out for help. One family helped stop the bleeding and got me down to the lake to sit down and gave me water. Another gave me more water when I finished the first. Another family helped me get past the tricky parts on the trail going down, and gave me even more water. People coming up the trail offered more help.

Someone said, “Alaskan women (and I would add Alaskan men) are amazing.” I couldn’t agree more. One of the families that helped me was a young woman with a child on her back and two in tow plus two dogs. I was starting to hurt (I cracked several ribs and had bruising on my sides, hands and head) and knew I would be slow getting down. I told her to go on ahead. Imagine my surprise when she appeared at my car as I finally got down. They had waited to see that I was all right.

I have lived here a long time and these are the Alaskans that make Alaska. Thank you to all you wonderful people.

Panthea Redwood

Palmer