Whether sifting through sand, or scrambling over a rocky shore, it's about finding treasures in every day. 

The Beaver Delivers

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Out of the mist a de Havilland Beaver shimmers into view, landing lights flashing.

de Havilland Beaver floatplane landing in the mist Thorne Bay Southeast Alaska
de Havilland Beaver floatplane landing in the mist Southeast Alaska

For those awaiting passengers and mail the rumble of this great, vintage aircraft is sweet music.

de Havilland Beaver Floatplane Airplane landing in mist at Thorne Bay Southeast Alaska

The ground crew in this small berg is usually one person. She checks in passengers, handles freight, runs the four-wheeler up and down the dock, and catches the plane as it lands at the float. In all kinds of weather. Well, almost.

She doesn't get to meet the planes in dense fog. If the pilots can't see then the planes don't fly.

de Havilland Beaver floatplane at airplane float Thorne Bay Southeast Alaska

Some days the mail and freight are stacked up. Right now it is the season for lots of packages so the planes can arrive pretty full.

By the time the mail gets here it has had truck rides, sometimes a boat ride, a couple of plane rides, and many transfers. Oh, and it gets to ride in a cart pulled by a four-wheeler.

de Havilland Beaver airplanes busy with freight at Thorne Bay Alaska floatplane dock

People and packages are transferred as fast as safely possible, and the planes are on their way again.

Thorne Bay Alaska floatplane dock with crew handling freight and de Havilland Beaver airplanes

The pilot pours the power to it and propeller tip vortices spiral over the fuselage.

de Havilland Beaver floatplane airplane propeller tip vortices Southeast Alaska

Then they are off into the wild....yellow....yonder. Hey, its winter. Dawn comes late and the sun angle is low. It makes for some pretty mornings and afternoons on these short days.

Floatplanes departing Thorne Bay Alaska

The pilots have more towns to take care of and a schedule to keep. They know that we are depending on them.

De Havilland Beaver floatplane departing Thorne Bay Alaska on a misty morning

Here's wishing that all of your goodies arrive on time, and that you have the warmth of a happy season!

Alaska Beachcomber

See more images of the Beaver in Flying in a de Havilland Beaver