Day 28 – God Is Always Right on Time

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” — Psalm 121:8

The alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., although the rooster outside had already beaten it to the job! The house was warm and peaceful as I slipped out of bed, took a shower, and headed into the kitchen to make breakfast.

Our gracious hosts, David and Angie, had left everything we needed. Fresh eggs from their chickens, homemade einkorn bread, oatmeal, and even leftovers from yesterday’s lunch made for a hearty breakfast. I scrambled the eggs, warmed up the hash browns, brewed a fresh pot of coffee, and started a load of laundry.

Before long, Melvin wandered into the kitchen, following the irresistible smell of coffee and eggs.

As we sat down to eat, Angie stopped by, and we enjoyed getting to know her better. She grew up in Palmer, Alaska, and shared stories about her father competing in the Iditarod five different times. She spoke about helping care for the sled dogs and said her favorite part was running a dog team across the vast open tundra. Listening to her stories, I couldn’t help but picture the incredible beauty of this place.

She also shared that she had recently hiked 1,400 miles of the Appalachian Trail before an ankle injury forced her to end her journey earlier than planned. Though disappointed, her spirit remained joyful. She now shares her adventures on her YouTube channel, Our Simple Homestead 905.

I couldn’t help but think how life doesn’t always go according to our plans, but God’s plans never fail. Sometimes He redirects our steps, not to keep us from something good, but to lead us toward something even better.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

Around 10:00 a.m., we geared up and headed toward Talkeetna to catch the train to Chase, Alaska. The morning felt almost warm compared to what we’d experienced lately, hovering around 59 degrees. After stopping for gas in Willow, we met a man named Lee who lives completely off-grid. His friendly dog, Kenai, greeted us first.

Lee told us he had once ridden with the Defenders, a law enforcement motorcycle club in Florida. As he reminisced about his riding days, you could hear the longing in his voice. It was obvious motorcycles had left a permanent mark on his heart. We wished each other well before continuing down the road toward Talkeetna.

Gray skies once again stretched overhead, but thankfully the rain held off. The roads were still wet from an earlier shower as we rolled into the bustling little town filled with tourists, tour buses, and charming shops. Riding slowly down Main Street, I caught the wonderful smell of fresh cinnamon rolls baking somewhere nearby.

Finding motorcycle parking proved to be quite the challenge. After riding through town once, turning around, and making another pass, we finally found a spot outside the Kahiltna Bistro.

Inside, we enjoyed a relaxing lunch with coffee, crab cakes, and clam chowder served by a sweet waitress from the Dominican Republic.

Then I glanced at my phone.

The train left at 1:00 p.m.

It was already 12:30.

Suddenly lunch was over!

We hurried back to the bikes, rode to the depot, parked, and practically ran to the ticket counter. As the clock struck exactly 1:00 p.m., Melvin asked for two tickets to Chase.

The agent smiled apologetically.

“It just left.”

Melvin looked out the window.

“No, it didn’t. They’re still loading.”

The conductor quickly stepped around the counter, looked down the tracks, and laughed.

“Well…you’re right! It hasn’t left yet.”

He grabbed his radio.

“I’m selling two more tickets. Hold the train!”

I smiled as I watched another reminder unfold before our eyes.

When we think we’ve missed our opportunity, God often reminds us that He controls the timing—not us.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1

The conductor asked where we were getting off.

“Chase,” I replied. “But we’re coming right back today.”

Then he asked, “Do you have bear spray?”

I pointed toward our motorcycles.

“Yes, it’s on the bike.”

“No problem,” he said. “The train will wait.”

The train…

Would wait.

Melvin hurried back for the bear spray while I climbed aboard. Moments later he joined me, and only then did the train slowly pull away from the station.

What a gift.

During the ride we met Rick, who owns a 100-acre homestead only accessible by the railroad. His faithful dog, Darby, accompanied him as he headed to spend a week or two working on his property before returning home.

We also met Phyllis, who was riding with a friend visiting from Wisconsin. Although she and her husband own a homestead along the railroad, she admitted she had never ridden the full route herself.

When she asked where we were headed, we proudly answered, “Chase!”

She looked surprised.

“Are you staying there?”

“No,” I replied. “We just want to get off long enough to take a picture by the Chase sign and catch the train back.”

Then came the questions.

“Do you have a gun?”

“No.”

“Bear spray?”

“Yes.”

“Bug spray?”

“…No.”

She smiled but gently informed us there really wasn’t a town anymore—just a small shelter.

At that moment I realized perhaps stepping off into bear country wasn’t our wisest idea.

So I laughed and said, “Honestly, all we really want is a picture by the Chase sign so we can show my uncle and his family that we made it to where they used to live.”

Then she noticed Melvin’s CMA patch.

“I know someone in CMA,” she said.

“Oh really? Who?”

“Dave.”

We both burst out laughing.

“That’s who we’re staying with!”

She laughed too.

“Alaska is the biggest small town you’ll ever find.”

God has such a wonderful way of reminding us that His family is everywhere.

“So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household.” — Ephesians 2:19

One of the train attendants, Mary, warmly welcomed everyone aboard. Throughout the ride she pointed out interesting landmarks and bits of Alaskan history over the speaker.

When she walked by our seats, we explained our little mission to photograph the Chase sign without actually getting off the train. She radioed the conductor, who graciously agreed to stop just long enough for us.

When we arrived in Chase, several crew members guided us safely between the train cars while Mary happily took our pictures in front of the sign.

Mission accomplished!

As the train rolled away again, Mary invited us upstairs to the dome car.

What an incredible view.

From the glass dome we could see 360 degrees across Alaska’s untouched wilderness. Along the route the train occasionally stopped to pick up people waiting beside the tracks—folks returning to remote cabins, fishing camps, and homesteads tucked deep into the backcountry.

At that point I had absolutely no idea where we were or exactly when we’d get back to our motorcycles.

But I wasn’t worried.

Sometimes life feels exactly like that. We don’t know where every turn is leading, but we know Who is conducting the journey.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

Eventually we reached Hurricane Gulch Bridge. Had the skies been clear, we would have seen majestic Denali towering in the distance. Even without the mountain view, the scenery was breathtaking.

On our return trip, God treated us to another gift.

Melvin spotted a moose standing in a pond. The conductor must have seen it too because he brought the train to a stop so everyone could enjoy the moment and snap a few photos.

A little farther down the tracks someone spotted three black bear cubs and their mother crossing in front of the train.

I scrambled for my camera, but it refused to focus before they disappeared into the trees. Thankfully, two curious cubs climbed a tree while Mama Bear stood watch from the bank, allowing me to capture a few wonderful photos.

What an unforgettable reminder of God’s magnificent creation.

“O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.” — Psalm 104:24

By the time we returned to Talkeetna, the familiar rain had arrived once again. We were hungry, so we followed Phyllis’ recommendation and walked over to Latitude 62 for dinner. Over fish and chips, a chicken sandwich, and hot coffee, we reflected on another day that hadn’t gone exactly as we expected—but had turned out far better than we could have planned ourselves.

Tomorrow we’ll leave Wasilla and ride to Anchorage, where we’ll be staying with another CMA couple we’ve never met before—Linda and Jon.

Some people might wonder what it’s like to stay with complete strangers across Alaska.

But we’ve learned something beautiful on this journey.

They’re only strangers until you arrive.

Then they’re family.

God continues to prove that wherever He sends us, He has already prepared the hearts of the people we’ll meet along the way. And as this incredible adventure continues, we’re discovering that His family truly stretches farther than any road we’ll ever ride.