God Bless America
Before the Snow Flies: Fall Transformations Along the Historic Iditarod Trail
Recent visitors to this historic stretch of the Iditarod Trail include Elder Esplin from Utah and Elder Glossop from Perth, Western Australia, both serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the first frost settles over the path, the region prepares for winter. Once the snow arrives, the trail will renew its century-old cycle, welcoming a familiar winter rush of dog teams, snowmachines, fat-tire bikers, hikers, and skiers.
September 27, 2026
It was wonderful to welcome David P. Swope from Idaho and his younger brother, Jonathan, from Fairbanks, for a visit here along the Iditarod. I have known the Swope brothers and their siblings their entire lives. When David and Jonathan were just boys, their parents sent them up from the Lower 48 as unaccompanied minors to spend a couple of weeks with me, their "Uncle Gary." During that trip, they stayed with me in my Big Lake cabin, and together we explored the Alaskan wilderness—including a memorable day catching salmon on the Little Susitna River.Those two young boys returned today as honorable, successful men. David and his wife, Sarah, are now raising six daughters in Idaho, while Jonathan and his wife, Christen, live in Fairbanks with their son.During their visit, we spent time on the Iditarod Trail and even revisited the exact spot on the river where we fished all those years ago. We may have gotten "skunked" on today's fishing trip, and it was a bit bittersweet to see that the cabin is gone—now replaced by a modern home—but that is completely fine. The memories remain, and those beautiful moments will last forever. -Gary B. Jones, September 17, 2026
Featured below are some of the recent visitors traveling to and from Denali National Park and Preserve. It is always a pleasure meeting and greeting these wonderful folks at the Settlers Bay Lodge near Wasilla!
"ALASKA IS NOT JUST A DESTINATION; IT IS AN EXPERIENCE OF NATURE AT ITS GRANDEST."
Alaska welcomes all the visitors to our great state!
The Moodys, recent visitors to the Denali Wilderness all the way from the great state of Arkansas, are pictured here holding a copy of my book, The Man From Booger Hollow. The book’s main character, Jeremiah Chittleborough, famously hails from Booger Hollow, Arkansas!
-Gary B. Jones
(September 6, 2026)
"Timber" Tina Scheer’s Lumberjack Show returns to Alaska!
"Timber" Tina Scheer: World Champion, TV Pioneer, and Master of the Woods has returned once again to the Alaska State Fair- and as always, was a crowd pleaser!
From competing on CBS's Survivor: Panama and National Geographic's Ultimate Survival Alaska to founding the world-famous Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, "Timber" Tina Scheer is a true logging sports pioneer.
Born into a legendary Wisconsin logging family, Tina became a world-champion logroller and axe thrower before spending decades sharing the rich history, heart-pounding action, and lighthearted humor of the timber industry with audiences worldwide.
It was great watching "Timber" Tina and her crew perform their high energy lumberjack competition with Hobo Jim songs playing with the cheers, laughs and the "Yo-Ho!" as Tina brought her elite skills, explosive energy, and legendary lumberjacks to the center stage at the 2026 Alaska State Fair!
I first met Tina several years ago at the Rohn checkpoint on the other side of the Alaska Range where she served as a volunteer for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race!
-GB Jones, September 4, 2026
During a break from her lumberjack performance, "Timber" Tina chats with GB Jones and Jackie Swope.
September 4, 2026
The Historic Iditarod Trail
Jackie and David Swope
The Iditarod National Historic Trail is a legendary network of winter routes in Alaska that holds deep cultural, economic, and historical significance.
Spanning from Seward to Nome, the trail was once a vital artery for freight hauling, passenger travel, hunting, and trapping. Today, it remains active as a premier venue for winter recreation and elite sporting events, and holds the distinction of being the only designated winter route in the National Trails System.
The trail passes directly through Knik, Alaska, home to the welcoming sign pictured above.
(September 4, 2026)
Christen and Jonathan Swope
The Grateful Sled
Located inside one of Alaska’s finest restaurants, The Settlers Bay Lodge near Wasilla, and displayed high above the bar is "The Grateful Sled." This remarkable sled completed the entire Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Crafted from Michigan ash in Chickaloon, Alaska, by a master builder operating under the business name "The Grateful Sled," it truly lived up to its name. The sled endured the grueling 1,000-mile race, powered by a team of 16 Alaskan huskies pushing through some of the state's most punishing terrain, extreme Arctic winds, and sub-zero temperatures. Photographed here alongside the legendary sled are Jonathan and Christen from Fairbanks, GB Jones, and Jackie and David Swope from North Carolina.
(September 3, 2026)
Congratulations to Luke and Megan Everett who were married in Palmer, Alaska on July 18, 2026!
Two beautiful hearts, one incredible future. May your wedding day be just the preface to a lifetime of unmatched joy and shared dreams.
A Salute to a World War II Veteran!
Today at the lodge, I had the opportunity to meet people from all over the globe. One of the best conversations of the day was with Charles Johnson from Phoenix, Arizona, who just turned 105 a couple of weeks ago and is up here visiting the Denali wilderness. Mr. Johnson served in the U.S. Army during World War II and is truly the "real deal"—a man of immense humility, deep gratitude, and someone who simply refuses to act his age! The state of Alaska, our country, and the entire free world owe Mr. Johnson a debt of gratitude for his service. Here’s wishing this soldier of yesteryear a wonderful and memorable time up here in Alaska!
-Gary B. Jones
July 12, 2026
Check this article out regarding Mr. Johnson:
The Sycamores OF Heaven
$20.00
The Sycamores of Heaven
A gripping story of hardship and reward, life and death, and the ultimate journey to find oneself.
About the Book
Four childhood friends growing up in 1950s Appalachian America make a sacred pledge: if any of them should die, he must return to tell the others what life is like “on the other side.”
The Sycamores of Heaven follows these boys as they drift apart into adulthood. Though separated by time and distance, their friendship remains unbreakable, and the oath made in their summer treehouse is never forgotten.
This novel is a powerful reflection on life, endurance, and the hardships that shape us. May your own journey be defined by wise choices, and when you reach the final page of your "book of life," may you look back and say, "Wow—what a great read."
Book Details
- Length: 118 pages
- Features: 11 custom illustrations
- Author: Gary Bryan Jones
- Copyright: 2026
How to Order
Get your copy delivered straight to your door. Select your preferred shipping method at checkout:
- $20.00 – Includes standard Media Mail shipping
- $25.00 – Includes expedited First Class shipping
Publication Information
- Softcover ISBN: 979-8-9987576-1-7
- Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN): 2026905158
The man from booger hollow
$20.00
Beyond the Sycamores The Man from Booger Hollow
A powerful new novel of endurance, destiny, and the human spirit.
About the Book
Born into poverty and crippled by self-doubt, young Jeremiah Chittleborough faces a childhood of severe hardship in his family’s backwoods cabin in the 1960s Arkansas Ozarks.
At age 17, determined to change his destiny, he sets off on a daring journey. Completely penniless, Jeremiah hitchhikes all the way to Alaska with nothing but his only friend—a live mule gifted to him.
Along the treacherous road to the Last Frontier, Jeremiah discovers something far more valuable than gold. In the process, he finally uncovers the true identity of a mysterious stranger from his past. The Man from Booger Hollow is an inspiring story about the hardships that shape who we become.
Released in 2025, this novel is the latest release from prolific Alaskan author Gary Bryan Jones, adding to his growing collection of acclaimed fiction and non-fiction works.
Book Details
- Length: 269 pages
- Features: 17 custom illustrations
- Author: Gary Bryan Jones
- Copyright: 2025
How to Order
Get your copy delivered straight to your door. Select your preferred shipping method at checkout:
- $20.00 – Includes standard Media Mail shipping
- $25.00 – Includes expedited First Class shipping
Publication Information
- Softcover ISBN: 978-1-6657-8134-3
- Ebook ISBN: 978-1-6657-8135-0
- Alternative ISBN: 979-8-9987576-0-0
- Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN): 2025915187