Bev Reitz Memorial Float, 2004

On Sunday, 18 July 2004, the Fairbanks Paddlers and other friends paddled and floated the Carlo Creek-McKinley Village section of the Nenana River through Denali National Park. The day was a remembrance of the life and joy of Bev Reitz, who died last year. Bev loved this stretch of river, so our flotilla (about 35 boats, including rafts, inflatables, canoes, kayaks) and about 45 people whooped our way down the river.

We gathered at the bottom of the infamous Elizabeth Rapids for two purposes. First, Bill poured a part of Bev's ashes into the river there, letting us take comfort in knowing that Bev has become part of the river she loved. Second, we collectively decided to rename the rapids Beverly's Delight, or Bev's Delight, in her honor. As you can see in most of the pictures, the day was mostly cloudy, but the sun broke through as her ashes started their trip downriver to the sea.

Click any of the photos for the full sized image. But be careful! Most are pretty big and might take a while on slower Internet connections.

In attendance (updated 7 August; any other corrections?): Alice Mural, Alison Carter, Andy Reynolds, Andy's Nephew, Angela Matz, Bill Moss, Brad Snow, Cara Brunk, Carey OConnor, Carol Stewart, Dan Byrnes, Danny Clautice, Dave Hayden, Dave Payer, Don Kiely, Everett Jorgensen, Gene Laughlin, Jamo Parish, Janet Jorgensen, Jeanne Keller, Jeremy Langton, Jerry Gless, Julie Klaker, Karen Clautice, Karen Schauer, Karl Schauer, Kat Betters, Katie Clautice, Kim Ognisty, Kirk Schwalm, Larry Fogleson, Les Graves, Maria Case, Mary Jones, Pat Fleming, Paul Snarski, Ramona Finnoff, Robin Forster, Shaundra Oderkirk, Shirley Liss, Stan Justice, Steve Taylor, Steven Clautice, Susan DeLisa, Tina McCord, Wilda Laughlin.

Don Kiely

The put-in was a happening place Photo by Don Kiely	Putting on the river at the grassy knoll 35-some boats, including several rafts, had to put-in together. Surprisingly, there was no pandemonium, nor were any kayaks crushed. Photo by Don Kiely	Underway at last! Photo by Shirley Liss	Waiting for the flotilla As you can imagine, it takes quite a while to mobilize some 35 boats, getting them into the water. Lots of folks ferried across the river to wait. Photo by Shirley Liss	Robin naviagating the ledge, with Les's help Photo by Don Kiely	The ledge at low water Compared to last year's flood starge, the ledge was a pussycat much of this summer. I saw rocks I had never seen before! Photo by Don Kiely
Lunch was a busy place and way too much food! Photo by Don Kiely	Lunch scene, from the eddy Photo by Don Kiely	Another view of boats at lunch Photo by Shirley Liss	Surfing at the ledge The wave on river right was the fun one at the ledge, a fun little vee that let you do a lot. Photo by Don Kiely	Les and Boof cutting up the ledge Photo by Don Kiely	Lunch at the Ledge Photo by Shirley Liss
Lunch at the Ledge Photo by Shirley Liss	Poi Dancing Wilda brought along some New Zealand poi dancing balls, which provided plenty of entertainment and head-bonking during lunch! Photo by Shirley Liss	Poi Dancing Photo by Shirley Liss	Poi Dancing Photo by Shirley Liss	Ramona Finoff and Karl Shauer, moving in to shred the wave at the ledge Photo by Shirley Liss	We spent a couple of hours at the ledge, enjoying the different conditions Photo by Andy Reynolds
Lunch was a happening place Photo by Andy Reynolds	A bird's eye view of lunch at the ledge Photo by Andy Reynolds	Gathering at Bev's Delight Below Elizabeth Rapid, newly named Bev's Delight. Photo by Shirley Liss	Gathering at Bev's Delight Photo by Shirley Liss	Gathering at Bev's Delight Photo by Shirley Liss	Gathering at Bev's Delight Photo by Shirley Liss
Bill pouring Bev's ashes into the Nenana Photo by Shirley Liss	Bill and Alice After pouring out Bev's ashes, the sun broke out. Photo by Shirley Liss

Kris Capps wrote this article for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, sharing her memory of Bev, as part of her periodic report from Healy.

Celebration of two lives

21 July, 2004

It has been a heartbreaking week in the Denali area.

The death of Scott Menke, 14, in a four-wheeler accident brought this community to a standstill. On Sunday, hundreds of people crammed into the Tri-Valley Community Center to celebrate the life of this kind and vibrant boy, and to support parents Mark and Peggy Menke and sister Abby.

That same day, a flotilla of friends floated the Nenana River to celebrate another life taken too soon--Bev Reitz of Fairbanks, who died of cancer several months ago. People in Healy don't know it, but Bev played an important role in some of their children's lives by offering advice and ideas for the Motion Sensors Dance Troupe.

On Monday, I drove home from Fairbanks, directly into a brooding thunderstorm that hugged Healy tightly and provided a welcome drenching, the first rain in months. Moments later, clouds cleared and two rainbows topped the valley, side-by-side.

I thought about Scott and Bev.

Both gone too soon. Yet, both still here with us.

Kris Capps is a freelance writer. Her column reporting Denali happenings appears weekly in the News-Miner. She can be reached at kcapps@mtaonline.net .