Day 27 – God’s Guidance on Every Mile

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21

The alarm rang at 6:30 a.m. Another cool Alaskan morning greeted us, but the warmth of my sleeping bag made it difficult to leave its cozy embrace. I finally gathered the courage to crawl out, make the short walk to the bathrooms, and grab our belongings from the bear-proof storage box nearby.

Rain had fallen overnight, leaving the air damp and the picnic table soaked. I had planned to make coffee and oatmeal outside, but by the time I walked back to our campsite, my fingers were already numb from the cold. Instead, I made another quick walk to the campground store and picked up hot coffee and egg sandwiches for Melvin and me. It turned out to be the perfect choice. We enjoyed a warm breakfast together inside our tent before beginning the familiar routine of breaking down camp and packing the motorcycles.

Just as we were finishing loading the bikes, Bob and his wife stopped by our campsite. I was hoping I’d have the chance to talk with them before we left. They had traveled the Alaska Highway toward Haines, which is exactly where we’re headed to catch the ferry. I had several questions about the road conditions, fuel stops, and whether trying to make the trip in one day was realistic.

God’s timing couldn’t have been better.

She explained where the gas stations were located, recommended a place to stay for the night, and warned us about the rough stretch through Destruction Bay. “You won’t be going more than 30 miles an hour through there,” she said.

That conversation gave me peace. Instead of pushing ourselves to make the trip in one long day, I decided to split it into two. Better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes wisdom is simply recognizing when God is gently redirecting our plans. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Once again, He was guiding our journey through the kindness and experience of others.

We had barely pulled out of Riley Creek Campground onto the Parks Highway when I noticed several cars stopped along the roadside with people pointing into the ditch. I immediately knew there had to be wildlife nearby, so I turned on my GoPro.

Sure enough, a large bull moose was standing just off the road.

I was happy to capture a quick video while safely riding by. What surprised me, though, was how many people had climbed out of their vehicles and were standing only a few feet away from this massive wild animal. A moose can charge without warning, and I wasn’t about to take that chance. I’ll happily admire God’s incredible creation from the seat of my motorcycle.

Our next stop was the same busy gas station where we had warmed up the day before. The parking lot was packed with cars, RVs, and big rigs, and I tried to stay tucked in behind Melvin while maneuvering around potholes big enough to swallow a small car. I ended up getting cut off and had to use a different pump—not my favorite parking lot to navigate!

Inside, we met Bruce, a 72-year-old lifelong Alaskan hunter who had been hunting since he was ten years old. He spent much of our conversation sharing stories about grizzly bears, annual moose hunts, and his years of experience in the Alaskan wilderness. He even told us he had helped during the filming of Into the Wild. It was fascinating listening to someone whose life had been so deeply shaped by the rugged beauty of Alaska.

The weather had other plans for us that day.

For nearly two hours we rode through pouring rain with temperatures hovering in the low 40s. By the final hour, I was shivering uncontrollably and couldn’t wait to find a warm place to stop.

Finally, we pulled into the Vitus Gas Station and the Trapper Creek Café for fuel, lunch, and—most importantly—a chance to dry out and warm up. Melvin ordered chicken fingers while I enjoyed a chicken sandwich. The building used to be known as Trapper Creek Trading Post before Vitus Gas purchased it. Jake, one of the employees, told us how lively it used to be and shared stories about the annual Labor Day Pig Roast held at the Pig Shed, complete with live bands performing from a stage built onto an old school bus.

As we talked, Jake asked if he could record a quick 15-second video of us for his TikTok channel, The Alaskan Clerk. We gladly agreed.

Then, as often happens on this journey, the conversation turned toward something even more meaningful.

Melvin had the opportunity to share God’s Word and a Gospel tract with Jake. Moments like these remind us why we call this trip Wrights on a Mission. We aren’t just traveling to see beautiful places; we’re traveling to be available whenever God opens a door. Sometimes those opportunities happen at scenic overlooks, sometimes around campfires, and sometimes in the middle of a small gas station in Alaska.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” — 1 Peter 3:15

With full stomachs, we reluctantly put our rain-soaked gloves, jackets, riding pants, and helmets back on before heading south again.

About thirty minutes into the ride, something wonderful happened.

The rain stopped.

The clouds began to part, patches of brilliant blue sky appeared overhead, and before long the sun was shining brightly. Ironically, after bundling up in every layer I owned, I was suddenly too warm!

Isn’t life with God often like that? We can spend hours riding through cold storms, wondering when they’ll end, only to find that sunshine was just around the next bend. Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Sometimes the storm lasts longer than we’d like, but God always knows where the sunshine is waiting.

By late afternoon we navigated the busy 4:30 p.m. traffic into Wasilla and arrived at the home of our CMA friend, Dave. He was still at work but had graciously left the back door unlocked for us.

After peeling off our soaking wet riding gear, we settled into a pair of wicker chairs in the backyard while listening to the chickens softly clucking nearby. The peaceful quiet was exactly what we needed. Melvin quickly drifted off for a short nap while I sat writing today’s blog and reflecting on another day filled with God’s faithfulness.

Around 5:00 p.m., Dave arrived home and showed us the guest house where we’d be staying for the next couple of days.

After a cold night in the tent, having an entire little house to ourselves felt like such an incredible blessing.

He also showed us the tiny house he had built for himself and his wife. We especially enjoyed seeing it because Melvin and I had built our own tiny house back home, so we appreciated all the thoughtful details and craftsmanship.

When Dave asked what we’d like for dinner, I laughed and told him we had eaten a late lunch, so ice cream sounded perfect.

He immediately took us to his favorite place in Palmer—Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream.

Without exaggeration, it was some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. If you ever find yourself in Palmer, Alaska, I highly recommend stopping there. Just don’t let the long line discourage you—it only proves how good it really is.

While we were there, Melvin had another opportunity to share a Gospel tract with Gabe, one of the employees, who kindly made him a shot of espresso to enjoy alongside his ice cream.

Who would have thought our “dinner” would include both ice cream and evangelism?

The evening wasn’t over yet.

Dave and his wife, Angie, took us to meet Alaska CMA State Coordinators Andy and Vickie. One of the things I love most about Christian Motorcyclists Association is that no matter where you go, it feels like you’re reuniting with family. We spent the evening talking about ministry, motorcycle events, mutual friends, family, and all the wonderful places to explore in Alaska.

The conversation flowed so naturally that it felt as though we’d known each other for years.

By the time we returned to the guest house, the sun was still shining high in the Alaskan sky despite the late hour. I settled onto a comfortable couch, grateful to upload footage, charge batteries, finish writing today’s blog, enjoy a hot shower, and crawl into a warm bed.

Every comfort felt like a gift from the Lord.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” — James 1:17

Tomorrow will be a much shorter ride—about 90 miles—to Talkeetna, where we’ll board the train to Chase. It’s a trip that holds special meaning because my aunt and uncle once lived in Chase many years ago.

My heart is heavy knowing my aunt passed away just a week ago before I had the opportunity to send her a picture of her beloved hometown.

Even so, tomorrow’s journey will be in honor of both her and my uncle. As I ride and walk the places they once called home, I’ll be remembering the legacy they left behind and thanking God for the precious gift of family.

Some journeys are measured in miles.

Others are measured in memories.

Tomorrow, by God’s grace, we’ll experience both.