Maggy Alaska Trip 2009 - maggyalaskatrip2009

It was a quick trip through Oregon.jpg
It was a quick trip through Oregon.jpg 2009-08-09

Shasta Lake.jpg
Shasta Lake.jpg 2009-08-09

What a great sight.jpg
What a great sight.jpg 2009-08-09

We're OFF the map.jpg
We're OFF the map.jpg 2009-08-08

Near Cache Creek - reminds me of Virginia City area.jpg
Near Cache Creek - reminds me of Virginia City area.jpg 2009-08-07

Farming in Canada.jpg
Farming in Canada.jpg 2009-08-07

First accident we've seen the whole trip.jpg
First accident we've seen the whole trip.jpg 2009-08-07

Log Barn.jpg
Log Barn.jpg 2009-08-07

Last view of Prince Rupert harbor.jpg
Last view of Prince Rupert harbor.jpg 2009-08-05

Watching the crows fly to their roost.jpg
Watching the crows fly to their roost.jpg 2009-08-05

We'll miss the eagles.jpg
We'll miss the eagles.jpg 2009-08-05

A view of Cow Bay from the Crest Hotel Dining Room.jpg
A view of Cow Bay from the Crest Hotel Dining Room.jpg 2009-08-05

Entrance to Crest Hotel.jpg
Entrance to Crest Hotel.jpg 2009-08-05

Waiting for dinner in Prince Rupert.jpg
Waiting for dinner in Prince Rupert.jpg 2009-08-05

Fairview Container Port.jpg
Fairview Container Port.jpg 2009-08-05

Stacking containers on rail car.jpg
Stacking containers on rail car.jpg 2009-08-05

Quite an operation.jpg
Quite an operation.jpg 2009-08-05

Some equipment used in canning operation.jpg
Some equipment used in canning operation.jpg 2009-08-05

Buildings along the cannery boardwalk.jpg
Buildings along the cannery boardwalk.jpg 2009-08-05

Cannery Buildings.jpg
Cannery Buildings.jpg 2009-08-05

Cannery mess hall across from one of the dormatories.jpg
Cannery mess hall across from one of the dormatories.jpg 2009-08-05

Equipment used in canning operation.jpg
Equipment used in canning operation.jpg 2009-08-05

Fish netting building.jpg
Fish netting building.jpg 2009-08-05

I loved this picture of a new forest growing.jpg
I loved this picture of a new forest growing.jpg 2009-08-05

Inside fish netting building.jpg
Inside fish netting building.jpg 2009-08-05

It's seen better days.jpg
It's seen better days.jpg 2009-08-05

Looking toward management homes.jpg
Looking toward management homes.jpg 2009-08-05

Looking toward the cannery operations.jpg
Looking toward the cannery operations.jpg 2009-08-05

NP Cannery small houses.jpg
NP Cannery small houses.jpg 2009-08-05

DeHavilland Beaver.jpg
DeHavilland Beaver.jpg 2009-08-05

Boarding.jpg
Boarding.jpg 2009-08-05

Leaving the dock.jpg
Leaving the dock.jpg 2009-08-05

Taxiing out.jpg
Taxiing out.jpg 2009-08-05

Heading out.jpg
Heading out.jpg 2009-08-05

waterfall from air-2.jpg
waterfall from air-2.jpg 2009-08-05

Waterfall from air-1.jpg
Waterfall from air-1.jpg 2009-08-05

Prince Rupert from air.jpg
Prince Rupert from air.jpg 2009-08-05

Prince Rupert Harbor from air - Nice Yacht.jpg
Prince Rupert Harbor from air - Nice Yacht.jpg 2009-08-05

Taxiing back.jpg
Taxiing back.jpg 2009-08-05

Waiting for bears.jpg
Waiting for bears.jpg 2009-08-03

Intently watching.jpg
Intently watching.jpg 2009-08-03

Grizzly looking for dinner.jpg
Grizzly looking for dinner.jpg 2009-08-03

Chasing dinner.jpg
Chasing dinner.jpg 2009-08-03

Yes it's what you think.jpg
Yes it's what you think.jpg 2009-08-03

Got it.jpg
Got it.jpg 2009-08-03

Second grizzly looking for dinner.jpg
Second grizzly looking for dinner.jpg 2009-08-03

The chase.jpg
The chase.jpg 2009-08-03

Yes it's what you think.jpg
Yes it's what you think.jpg 2009-08-03

John took this snapshot with his videocamera.jpg
John took this snapshot with his videocamera.jpg 2009-08-03

Pond behind overlook.jpg
Pond behind overlook.jpg 2009-08-03

Busy beaver.jpg
Busy beaver.jpg 2009-08-03

Ducks ready to make a mad dash past bear.jpg
Ducks ready to make a mad dash past bear.jpg 2009-08-03

I love the tree stump with the tree topper.jpg
I love the tree stump with the tree topper.jpg 2009-08-03

Kingfisher waiting for dinner.jpg
Kingfisher waiting for dinner.jpg 2009-08-03

Tanker in the distance.jpg
Tanker in the distance.jpg 2009-08-04

A view of B & B from pub deck.jpg
A view of B & B from pub deck.jpg 2009-08-04

B & B at Cow Bay.jpg
B & B at Cow Bay.jpg 2009-08-04

Boats in PR Harbor.jpg
Boats in PR Harbor.jpg 2009-08-04

Breakers Pub at Cow Bay.jpg
Breakers Pub at Cow Bay.jpg 2009-08-04

Cow Bay business-1.jpg
Cow Bay business-1.jpg 2009-08-04

Eagle flying over harbor.jpg
Eagle flying over harbor.jpg 2009-08-04

Hillside of three different kinds of berries.jpg
Hillside of three different kinds of berries.jpg 2009-08-04

I was told these are huckleberries.jpg
I was told these are huckleberries.jpg 2009-08-04

Prince Rupert Harbor.jpg
Prince Rupert Harbor.jpg 2009-08-04

Seven Sisters Range taken from Cassiar Highway.jpg
Seven Sisters Range taken from Cassiar Highway.jpg 2009-08-04

One of many old buildings in Hyder AK.jpg
One of many old buildings in Hyder AK.jpg 2009-08-02

Log cabin on the outskirts of Hyder.jpg
Log cabin on the outskirts of Hyder.jpg 2009-08-02

New Life-4.jpg
New Life-4.jpg 2009-08-03

Boardwalk at Stewart.jpg
Boardwalk at Stewart.jpg 2009-08-03

Fireweed in Stewart.jpg
Fireweed in Stewart.jpg 2009-08-03

Love the grocery carts on top of the store.jpg
Love the grocery carts on top of the store.jpg 2009-08-03

New Life-2.jpg
New Life-2.jpg 2009-08-03

Hmmmmmmm.jpg
Hmmmmmmm.jpg 2009-08-02

Fire water.jpg
Fire water.jpg 2009-08-02

Hyderized.jpg
Hyderized.jpg 2009-08-02

One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-8.jpg
One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-8.jpg 2009-08-02

One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-2.jpg
One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-2.jpg 2009-08-02

One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-3.jpg
One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-3.jpg 2009-08-02

One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-4.jpg
One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-4.jpg 2009-08-02

One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-5.jpg
One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-5.jpg 2009-08-02

One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-7.jpg
One of glaciers into Stewart - Hyder-7.jpg 2009-08-02

Bear River Campground in Stewart BC.jpg
Bear River Campground in Stewart BC.jpg 2009-08-02

There were some SERIOUS cameras waiting to see feeding bears.jpg
There were some SERIOUS cameras waiting to see feeding bears.jpg 2009-08-02

Oregon Junco at Fish Creek.jpg
Oregon Junco at Fish Creek.jpg 2009-08-02

Bird nest on foot bridge at Fish Creek.jpg
Bird nest on foot bridge at Fish Creek.jpg 2009-08-02

Eagle watching spawning fish.jpg
Eagle watching spawning fish.jpg 2009-08-02

Fireplace from a roadhouse used by miners.jpg
Fireplace from a roadhouse used by miners.jpg 2009-08-02

Bridge over the Skitine River.jpg
Bridge over the Skitine River.jpg 2009-08-02

Looking across Kluane Lake Friday morning.jpg
Looking across Kluane Lake Friday morning.jpg 2009-07-31

Kluane Lake Friday morning.jpg
Kluane Lake Friday morning.jpg 2009-07-31

Dease Lake on Cassiar Highway in Canada.jpg
Dease Lake on Cassiar Highway in Canada.jpg 2009-08-01

Heading back.jpg
Heading back.jpg 2009-07-31

Wow, he's pretty close.jpg
Wow, he's pretty close.jpg 2009-07-30

Burwash Landing Museum.jpg
Burwash Landing Museum.jpg 2009-07-30

I think it's Blitzen.jpg
I think it's Blitzen.jpg 2009-07-30

Kluane B & B is across the lake in the center.jpg
Kluane B & B is across the lake in the center.jpg 2009-07-30

Kluane Lake looking the the northwest.jpg
Kluane Lake looking the the northwest.jpg 2009-07-30

Kluane Lake looking to the southeast.jpg
Kluane Lake looking to the southeast.jpg 2009-07-30

Outside Burswash Landing Museum.jpg
Outside Burswash Landing Museum.jpg 2009-07-30

Some of Rudolph's friends.jpg
Some of Rudolph's friends.jpg 2009-07-30

Looks like the Smoky Mountains.jpg
Looks like the Smoky Mountains.jpg 2009-07-29

Road to McCarthy and Kennicott.jpg
Road to McCarthy and Kennicott.jpg 2009-07-28

Kenny Lake campground.jpg
Kenny Lake campground.jpg 2009-07-28

Are they raspberries.jpg
Are they raspberries.jpg 2009-07-28

Before the smoke came in.jpg
Before the smoke came in.jpg 2009-07-28

Cool clouds at Kenny Lake.jpg
Cool clouds at Kenny Lake.jpg 2009-07-28

Kuskulana Bridge sign.jpg
Kuskulana Bridge sign.jpg 2009-07-28

Bridge over Copper River at gorge.jpg
Bridge over Copper River at gorge.jpg 2009-07-28

Standing on bridge at Copper River.jpg
Standing on bridge at Copper River.jpg 2009-07-28

Railroad Trestle in smoky haze.jpg
Railroad Trestle in smoky haze.jpg 2009-07-28

Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Range-3.jpg
Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Range-3.jpg 2009-07-28

Morain left by glacier is beyond the gravel piles.jpg
Morain left by glacier is beyond the gravel piles.jpg 2009-07-28

A better view of the morain that the glacier left behind.jpg
A better view of the morain that the glacier left behind.jpg 2009-07-28

A view between buildings.jpg
A view between buildings.jpg 2009-07-28

A view down the street.jpg
A view down the street.jpg 2009-07-28

A view of the fire from the mine.jpg
A view of the fire from the mine.jpg 2009-07-28

Another look at the morain left by Kennicott Glacier.jpg
Another look at the morain left by Kennicott Glacier.jpg 2009-07-28

Bridge Restoration at Kennecott Mine.jpg
Bridge Restoration at Kennecott Mine.jpg 2009-07-28

Glacier Lodge.jpg
Glacier Lodge.jpg 2009-07-28

Glacier Lodge-2.jpg
Glacier Lodge-2.jpg 2009-07-28

Kennecott Mine-1.jpg
Kennecott Mine-1.jpg 2009-07-28

Kennecott Mine-2.jpg
Kennecott Mine-2.jpg 2009-07-28

Kennecott Mine-3.jpg
Kennecott Mine-3.jpg 2009-07-28

Kennecott Mine Building-1.jpg
Kennecott Mine Building-1.jpg 2009-07-28

Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Range.jpg
Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Range.jpg 2009-07-28

Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Range-2.jpg
Wrangell-St. Elias Mountain Range-2.jpg 2009-07-28

Alaska trip miles as of July 27.jpg
Alaska trip miles as of July 27.jpg 2009-07-28

Worthington Glacier at base.jpg
Worthington Glacier at base.jpg 2009-07-27

This is Gigi.jpg
This is Gigi.jpg 2009-07-27

Gigi.jpg
Gigi.jpg 2009-07-27

Koda and Gigi.jpg
Koda and Gigi.jpg 2009-07-27

Maisy's head Gigi Koda Chloe.jpg
Maisy's head Gigi Koda Chloe.jpg 2009-07-27

New friends.jpg
New friends.jpg 2009-07-27

Worthington Glacier visitor center.jpg
Worthington Glacier visitor center.jpg 2009-07-27

Approaching Worthington Glacier.jpg
Approaching Worthington Glacier.jpg 2009-07-27

Mama Moose and her young'un.jpg
Mama Moose and her young'un.jpg 2009-07-27

Copper River - it was VERY windy.jpg
Copper River - it was VERY windy.jpg 2009-07-27

Copper River - putting salmon wheel in water.jpg
Copper River - putting salmon wheel in water.jpg 2009-07-27

Copper River - trying to move salmon wheel.jpg
Copper River - trying to move salmon wheel.jpg 2009-07-27

Copper River Bridge.jpg
Copper River Bridge.jpg 2009-07-27

Copper River salmon wheels.jpg
Copper River salmon wheels.jpg 2009-07-27

Across the bay from Valdez.jpg
Across the bay from Valdez.jpg 2009-07-26

Alaska Pipeline Terminal property.jpg
Alaska Pipeline Terminal property.jpg 2009-07-26

This is a close as you're allowed to the Alaska Pipeline Terminal.jpg
This is a close as you're allowed to the Alaska Pipeline Terminal.jpg 2009-07-26

Bear warning.jpg
Bear warning.jpg 2009-07-26

Don't know what they are but I like them.jpg
Don't know what they are but I like them.jpg 2009-07-26

Waterfall at Solomon Gulch.jpg
Waterfall at Solomon Gulch.jpg 2009-07-26

Solomon Gulch and waterfall.jpg
Solomon Gulch and waterfall.jpg 2009-07-26

Fish at spawning grounds.jpg
Fish at spawning grounds.jpg 2009-07-24

Pink salmon trying to swim to fish ladder.jpg
Pink salmon trying to swim to fish ladder.jpg 2009-07-26

Solomon Gulch and hatchery.jpg
Solomon Gulch and hatchery.jpg 2009-07-26

Swimming upstream.jpg
Swimming upstream.jpg 2009-07-26

Sad reality - the end of the line.jpg
Sad reality - the end of the line.jpg 2009-07-26

It's pretty clear.jpg
It's pretty clear.jpg 2009-07-26

This warning is a little unnerving.jpg
This warning is a little unnerving.jpg 2009-07-26

Peter Pan Seafood store and dormitory upstairs.jpg
Peter Pan Seafood store and dormitory upstairs.jpg 2009-07-26

Peter Pan Seafood's mess hall.jpg
Peter Pan Seafood's mess hall.jpg 2009-07-26

Peter Pan Seafood Complex with more dormitories.jpg
Peter Pan Seafood Complex with more dormitories.jpg 2009-07-26

LuLu Belle.jpg
LuLu Belle.jpg 2009-07-25

Oscar the harbor mascot seems to be cleaning himself.jpg
Oscar the harbor mascot seems to be cleaning himself.jpg 2009-07-25

Oscar was very entertaining as we waited to leave harbor.jpg
Oscar was very entertaining as we waited to leave harbor.jpg 2009-07-25

Fishing ships in harbor.jpg
Fishing ships in harbor.jpg 2009-07-25

The Kodiak.jpg
The Kodiak.jpg 2009-07-25

Water temp was 33 and air temp 35.jpg
Water temp was 33 and air temp 35.jpg 2009-07-25

Can't approach Columbia Glacier because of floating ice.jpg
Can't approach Columbia Glacier because of floating ice.jpg 2009-07-25

Coming to the big chunks.jpg
Coming to the big chunks.jpg 2009-07-25

Icebergs are getting big.jpg
Icebergs are getting big.jpg 2009-07-25

Interesting shapes.jpg
Interesting shapes.jpg 2009-07-25

Pretty colors.jpg
Pretty colors.jpg 2009-07-25

Saw lots of icebergs.jpg
Saw lots of icebergs.jpg 2009-07-25

Tail coming up.jpg
Tail coming up.jpg 2009-07-25

Tail going down.jpg
Tail going down.jpg 2009-07-25

Tail up.jpg
Tail up.jpg 2009-07-25

This iceberg is about 30 feet above water and about 170 feet under water.jpg
This iceberg is about 30 feet above water and about 170 feet under water.jpg 2009-07-25

This is a far as we went.jpg
This is a far as we went.jpg 2009-07-25

This is what we pushed through.jpg
This is what we pushed through.jpg 2009-07-25

This one gathered rocks and dirt.jpg
This one gathered rocks and dirt.jpg 2009-07-25

This one has lots of rock and dirt it will deposit.jpg
This one has lots of rock and dirt it will deposit.jpg 2009-07-25

Whale tail.jpg
Whale tail.jpg 2009-07-25

Blowin in the wind.jpg
Blowin in the wind.jpg 2009-07-25

I caught the breach.jpg
I caught the breach.jpg 2009-07-25

I could never get tired of spotting and watching.jpg
I could never get tired of spotting and watching.jpg 2009-07-25

It's a pair.jpg
It's a pair.jpg 2009-07-25

Tail coming up.jpg
Tail coming up.jpg 2009-07-25

Thar she blows.jpg
Thar she blows.jpg 2009-07-25

This one was close by.jpg
This one was close by.jpg 2009-07-25

To find whales you watch for circling gulls.jpg
To find whales you watch for circling gulls.jpg 2009-07-25

This is Jan...it's her birthday...this one is for Marie.jpg
This is Jan...it's her birthday...this one is for Marie.jpg 2009-07-25

A RAFT of sea otters.jpg
A RAFT of sea otters.jpg 2009-07-25

Calm waters and beautiful scenery.jpg
Calm waters and beautiful scenery.jpg 2009-07-25

Can you spot the eagle on the tree top.jpg
Can you spot the eagle on the tree top.jpg 2009-07-25

Captain Fred pulled the bow right in this cave.jpg
Captain Fred pulled the bow right in this cave.jpg 2009-07-25

Coastline.jpg
Coastline.jpg 2009-07-25

Erosion.jpg
Erosion.jpg 2009-07-25

I found out puffins don't stay still too long.jpg
I found out puffins don't stay still too long.jpg 2009-07-25

Puffins in the rock crevice.jpg
Puffins in the rock crevice.jpg 2009-07-25

Sea lion cave.jpg
Sea lion cave.jpg 2009-07-25

Sea lion cave where puffins live.jpg
Sea lion cave where puffins live.jpg 2009-07-25

So many Stellar Sea Lions.jpg
So many Stellar Sea Lions.jpg 2009-07-25

Stellar Sea Lions smell VERY BAD.jpg
Stellar Sea Lions smell VERY BAD.jpg 2009-07-25

Taking the side channel.jpg
Taking the side channel.jpg 2009-07-25

Alaska Pipeline Terminal.jpg
Alaska Pipeline Terminal.jpg 2009-07-25

Leaving harbor.jpg
Leaving harbor.jpg 2009-07-25

Looking toward Old Valdez as we leave the harbor.jpg
Looking toward Old Valdez as we leave the harbor.jpg 2009-07-25

Valdez in the background.jpg
Valdez in the background.jpg 2009-07-25

Alaska ferry passes by us.jpg
Alaska ferry passes by us.jpg 2009-07-25

Valdez small boat harbor.jpg
Valdez small boat harbor.jpg 2009-07-23

View of mountains from harbor.jpg
View of mountains from harbor.jpg 2009-07-23

One under blanket...one between pillows.jpg
One under blanket...one between pillows.jpg 2009-07-24

Does he LOOK comfortable.jpg
Does he LOOK comfortable.jpg 2009-07-24

Valdez harbor.jpg
Valdez harbor.jpg 2009-07-23

North Pacific Fur Fish.jpg
North Pacific Fur Fish.jpg 2009-07-24

North Pacific Fur Fish information.jpg
North Pacific Fur Fish information.jpg 2009-07-24

The Perry built in 1930s helped with Valdez clean up.jpg
The Perry built in 1930s helped with Valdez clean up.jpg 2009-07-24

Entrance to Valdez Harbor.jpg
Entrance to Valdez Harbor.jpg 2009-07-24

Fish at spawning grounds.jpg
Fish at spawning grounds.jpg 2009-07-24

Hinchinbrook Lighthouse Lens.jpg
Hinchinbrook Lighthouse Lens.jpg 2009-07-24

Antique Fire Engine at Valdez Museum.jpg
Antique Fire Engine at Valdez Museum.jpg 2009-07-24

1907 Ahrens steam fire engine.jpg
1907 Ahrens steam fire engine.jpg 2009-07-24

Valdez harbor entrance.jpg
Valdez harbor entrance.jpg 2009-07-24

Alaska Pipe Line Terminal.jpg
Alaska Pipe Line Terminal.jpg 2009-07-24

Matanuska Glacier.jpg
Matanuska Glacier.jpg 2009-07-23

A view from the east of Matanuska Glacier.jpg
A view from the east of Matanuska Glacier.jpg 2009-07-23

A different view of Mantanuska Glacier.jpg
A different view of Mantanuska Glacier.jpg 2009-07-23

Worthington Glacier.jpg
Worthington Glacier.jpg 2009-07-23

Approaching Matanuska Glacier.jpg
Approaching Matanuska Glacier.jpg 2009-07-23

Bridal veil falls on road to Valdez.jpg
Bridal veil falls on road to Valdez.jpg 2009-07-23

I liked the different terrain contrasts.jpg
I liked the different terrain contrasts.jpg 2009-07-23

One of a few glaciers we saw on road to Valdez.jpg
One of a few glaciers we saw on road to Valdez.jpg 2009-07-23

Pretty contrasts.jpg
Pretty contrasts.jpg 2009-07-23

Valdez harbor.jpg
Valdez harbor.jpg 2009-07-23

Valdez small boat harbor.jpg
Valdez small boat harbor.jpg 2009-07-23

View of mountains from harbor.jpg
View of mountains from harbor.jpg 2009-07-23

A view of our campground in Valdez.jpg
A view of our campground in Valdez.jpg 2009-07-23

Nap time in Valdez.jpg
Nap time in Valdez.jpg 2009-07-22

Small boat harbor at Valdez.jpg
Small boat harbor at Valdez.jpg 2009-07-23

You gotta love this sign - rarely do you find a road sign that hasn't been shot at.jpg
You gotta love this sign - rarely do you find a road sign that hasn't been shot at.jpg 2009-07-22

Fireweed in the foreground.jpg
Fireweed in the foreground.jpg 2009-07-22

Nice shot of Palmer and the valley.jpg
Nice shot of Palmer and the valley.jpg 2009-07-22

Hatcher Pass Lodge.jpg
Hatcher Pass Lodge.jpg 2009-07-22

I loved the mosaic pattern of green.jpg
I loved the mosaic pattern of green.jpg 2009-07-22

Arctic Ground Squirrel at Independence Mine.jpg
Arctic Ground Squirrel at Independence Mine.jpg 2009-07-22

Early time condo had four units.jpg
Early time condo had four units.jpg 2009-07-22

Engineering Building.jpg
Engineering Building.jpg 2009-07-22

A view of Palmer from Independence Mine.jpg
A view of Palmer from Independence Mine.jpg 2009-07-22

Flowers at Independence Mine.jpg
Flowers at Independence Mine.jpg 2009-07-22

Hoary Marmot.jpg
Hoary Marmot.jpg 2009-07-22

Hoary Marmot at Indepedence Mine.jpg
Hoary Marmot at Indepedence Mine.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine-1.jpg
Independence Mine-1.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine-3.jpg
Independence Mine-3.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine-4.jpg
Independence Mine-4.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine - falling down.jpg
Independence Mine - falling down.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine Cookhouse 2.jpg
Independence Mine Cookhouse 2.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine No. 1 Bunkhouse.jpg
Independence Mine No. 1 Bunkhouse.jpg 2009-07-22

Independence Mine Superintendent House.jpg
Independence Mine Superintendent House.jpg 2009-07-22

Sparrow on old equipment.jpg
Sparrow on old equipment.jpg 2009-07-22

John hiking around the mine.jpg
John hiking around the mine.jpg 2009-07-22

John taking a hike up to see more of the mine.jpg
John taking a hike up to see more of the mine.jpg 2009-07-22

Old buildings at Independence Mine.jpg
Old buildings at Independence Mine.jpg 2009-07-22

Old buildings through the flowers.jpg
Old buildings through the flowers.jpg 2009-07-22

Pretty little dairy.jpg
Pretty little dairy.jpg 2009-07-22

The muttleys at Independence Mine.jpg
The muttleys at Independence Mine.jpg 2009-07-22

mt marathon 1.jpg
mt marathon 1.jpg 2009-07-22

mt marathon 2.jpg
mt marathon 2.jpg 2009-07-22

mt marathon 3.jpg
mt marathon 3.jpg 2009-07-22

Fireweed on the way to Exit Glacier.jpg
Fireweed on the way to Exit Glacier.jpg 2009-07-19

Gift Shop in Whittier - it was SO cold.jpg
Gift Shop in Whittier - it was SO cold.jpg 2009-07-20

Great little restaurant in Whittier.jpg
Great little restaurant in Whittier.jpg 2009-07-20

Fireweed flowing up the mountain on Seward Highway.jpg
Fireweed flowing up the mountain on Seward Highway.jpg 2009-07-20

Fireweed on the Seward Highway.jpg
Fireweed on the Seward Highway.jpg 2009-07-20

Abandoned building probably from war days.jpg
Abandoned building probably from war days.jpg 2009-07-20

Whittier tunnel - 2.5 miles long.jpg
Whittier tunnel - 2.5 miles long.jpg 2009-07-20

Alaska railway train approaching Whittier Tunnel.jpg
Alaska railway train approaching Whittier Tunnel.jpg 2009-07-20

Alaska railway train entering Whittier tunnel.jpg
Alaska railway train entering Whittier tunnel.jpg 2009-07-20

Almost all Whittier residents live in the tall building.jpg
Almost all Whittier residents live in the tall building.jpg 2009-07-20

Background scenery in Seward.jpg
Background scenery in Seward.jpg 2009-07-20

Directly across from our campsite in Seward.jpg
Directly across from our campsite in Seward.jpg 2009-07-20

Exit Glacier.jpg
Exit Glacier.jpg 2009-07-19

Exit Glacier behind the clouds.jpg
Exit Glacier behind the clouds.jpg 2009-07-19

Exit Glacier Road scenery.jpg
Exit Glacier Road scenery.jpg 2009-07-19

Alaska ferry leaving Whittier.jpg
Alaska ferry leaving Whittier.jpg 2009-07-20

Exit Glacier Road.jpg
Exit Glacier Road.jpg 2009-07-19

Another I don't remember the name of.jpg
Another I don't remember the name of.jpg 2009-07-19

Can't remember what they're called.jpg
Can't remember what they're called.jpg 2009-07-19

Captain Susan.jpg
Captain Susan.jpg 2009-07-19

Exit Glacier.jpg
Exit Glacier.jpg 2009-07-19

Exit Glacier behind the clouds.jpg
Exit Glacier behind the clouds.jpg 2009-07-19

Fireweed on the way to Exit Glacier.jpg
Fireweed on the way to Exit Glacier.jpg 2009-07-19

Exit Glacier Road scenery.jpg
Exit Glacier Road scenery.jpg 2009-07-19

Hello.jpg
Hello.jpg 2009-07-19

John got in trouble for doing this.jpg
John got in trouble for doing this.jpg 2009-07-19

Marine bird habitat.jpg
Marine bird habitat.jpg 2009-07-19

On the road to Seward 1.jpg
On the road to Seward 1.jpg 2009-07-18

Please don't do that.jpg
Please don't do that.jpg 2009-07-19

Research at Ocean Center 1.jpg
Research at Ocean Center 1.jpg 2009-07-19

Research at Ocean Center 2.jpg
Research at Ocean Center 2.jpg 2009-07-19

Research at Ocean Center 3.jpg
Research at Ocean Center 3.jpg 2009-07-19

Research at Ocean Center 4.jpg
Research at Ocean Center 4.jpg 2009-07-19

The Big Guy at the Ocean Center.jpg
The Big Guy at the Ocean Center.jpg 2009-07-19

Resurrection Bay from Miller Landing Road.jpg
Resurrection Bay from Miller Landing Road.jpg 2009-07-19

Sea Life Viewing 1.jpg
Sea Life Viewing 1.jpg 2009-07-19

Seward from Miller Landing Road.jpg
Seward from Miller Landing Road.jpg 2009-07-19

Seward Small Boat harbor.jpg
Seward Small Boat harbor.jpg 2009-07-18

Starfish.jpg
Starfish.jpg 2009-07-19

The Big Guy and the Kid.jpg
The Big Guy and the Kid.jpg 2009-07-19

Puffins.jpg
Puffins.jpg 2009-07-19

The Roaster.jpg
The Roaster.jpg 2009-07-17

Roast Pig Dinner 4.jpg
Roast Pig Dinner 4.jpg 2009-07-17

Roast Pig Dinner 5.jpg
Roast Pig Dinner 5.jpg 2009-07-17

Sockeye Channel.jpg
Sockeye Channel.jpg 2009-07-17

Some of the ladies in camp.jpg
Some of the ladies in camp.jpg 2009-07-17

The Roaster.jpg
The Roaster.jpg 2009-07-17

Almost done.jpg
Almost done.jpg 2009-07-17

Camping friends.jpg
Camping friends.jpg 2009-07-17

Chefs Gary and Steve.jpg
Chefs Gary and Steve.jpg 2009-07-17

It's ready.jpg
It's ready.jpg 2009-07-17

Last look at Kenai in Soldotna 1.jpg
Last look at Kenai in Soldotna 1.jpg 2009-07-17

Our camp hostess Iva on the right.jpg
Our camp hostess Iva on the right.jpg 2009-07-17

Roast Pig Dinner 1.jpg
Roast Pig Dinner 1.jpg 2009-07-17

Roast Pig Dinner 2.jpg
Roast Pig Dinner 2.jpg 2009-07-17

Roast Pig Dinner 3.jpg
Roast Pig Dinner 3.jpg 2009-07-17

John's halibut boat.jpg
John's halibut boat.jpg 2009-07-14

Halibut catch for John and the guys.jpg
Halibut catch for John and the guys.jpg 2009-07-14

Halibut catch for the three fishermen.jpg
Halibut catch for the three fishermen.jpg 2009-07-14

Fishing and camping.jpg
Fishing and camping.jpg 2009-07-13

Mt. Redoubt - you can barely see it out there through the haze.jpg
Mt. Redoubt - you can barely see it out there through the haze.jpg 2009-07-13

Dip net fishing on both sides.jpg
Dip net fishing on both sides.jpg 2009-07-13

Dip netting fishermen.jpg
Dip netting fishermen.jpg 2009-07-13

Dip netting fisherman.jpg
Dip netting fisherman.jpg 2009-07-13

A view of the southeast side.jpg
A view of the southeast side.jpg 2009-07-13

My fishing boat.jpg
My fishing boat.jpg 2009-07-12

Checking in at the Jackpot.jpg
Checking in at the Jackpot.jpg 2009-07-12

Max the Jackpot mascot.jpg
Max the Jackpot mascot.jpg 2009-06-12

Leaving Homer on the fishing trip.jpg
Leaving Homer on the fishing trip.jpg 2009-06-12

Max begging peanuts from me.jpg
Max begging peanuts from me.jpg 2009-06-12

Land ho - the end of the peninsula.jpg
Land ho - the end of the peninsula.jpg 2009-06-12

Max checking out the catches.jpg
Max checking out the catches.jpg 2009-06-12

My two halibut still alive and flailing.jpg
My two halibut still alive and flailing.jpg 2009-06-12

My two halibut.jpg
My two halibut.jpg 2009-06-12

My two are on the left.jpg
My two are on the left.jpg 2009-06-12

Processing commercial fish.jpg
Processing commercial fish.jpg 2009-07-11

A view of the spit as we come back from fishing.jpg
A view of the spit as we come back from fishing.jpg 2009-06-12

Coming back into Homer after fishing.jpg
Coming back into Homer after fishing.jpg 2009-06-12

Crabbie's for dinner.jpg
Crabbie's for dinner.jpg 2009-07-12

Fellow fisherman and deck hand trainee.jpg
Fellow fisherman and deck hand trainee.jpg 2009-06-12

Fog looks like a sea.jpg
Fog looks like a sea.jpg 2009-07-12

Filleting fish at Butt Whackers - don't ask.jpg
Filleting fish at Butt Whackers - don't ask.jpg 2009-07-11

View from our trailer-1.jpg
View from our trailer-1.jpg 2009-07-11

View from our trailer haze and fog.jpg
View from our trailer haze and fog.jpg 2009-07-11

Homer Spit Memorial.jpg
Homer Spit Memorial.jpg 2009-07-11

Processing halibut at Homer.jpg
Processing halibut at Homer.jpg 2009-07-11

Seafarer's Memorial at Homer Spit.jpg
Seafarer's Memorial at Homer Spit.jpg 2009-07-11

The Sea.jpg
The Sea.jpg 2009-07-11

Unloading halibut at Homer.jpg
Unloading halibut at Homer.jpg 2009-07-11

Camping on the Spit.jpg
Camping on the Spit.jpg 2009-07-11

Alaska Ferry leaving Homer.jpg
Alaska Ferry leaving Homer.jpg 2009-07-11

Another load of Halibut.jpg
Another load of Halibut.jpg 2009-07-11

Another view of harbor at Homer.jpg
Another view of harbor at Homer.jpg 2009-07-11

Back at Salty Dawg.jpg
Back at Salty Dawg.jpg 2009-07-11

Boat Harbor at Homer.jpg
Boat Harbor at Homer.jpg 2009-07-11

Homer overlook on a hazy day-2.jpg
Homer overlook on a hazy day-2.jpg 2009-07-11

Fish processing plant.jpg
Fish processing plant.jpg 2009-07-11

Float plane pond overlook.jpg
Float plane pond overlook.jpg 2009-07-11

Halibut are chucked into boxes by size.jpg
Halibut are chucked into boxes by size.jpg 2009-07-11

Halibut boats unloading at Homer.jpg
Halibut boats unloading at Homer.jpg 2009-07-11

Homer Brew in a Sobe bottle.jpg
Homer Brew in a Sobe bottle.jpg 2009-07-11

Homer overlook-1.jpg
Homer overlook-1.jpg 2009-07-11

Homer overlook on a hazy day.jpg
Homer overlook on a hazy day.jpg 2009-07-11

John at the Norman Lowell Homestead.jpg
John at the Norman Lowell Homestead.jpg 2009-07-10

Lilacs Everywhere at Norman Lowell garden.jpg
Lilacs Everywhere at Norman Lowell garden.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell flower garden-1.jpg
Norman Lowell flower garden-1.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell flower garden-2.jpg
Norman Lowell flower garden-2.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell flower garden-3.jpg
Norman Lowell flower garden-3.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell flower garden-4.jpg
Norman Lowell flower garden-4.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell flower garden-5.jpg
Norman Lowell flower garden-5.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell flower garden-6.jpg
Norman Lowell flower garden-6.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell residence.jpg
Norman Lowell residence.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell's Kennicott Mine.jpg
Norman Lowell's Kennicott Mine.jpg 2009-07-10

Norman Lowell's Spirit of the North.jpg
Norman Lowell's Spirit of the North.jpg 2009-07-10

Salty Dog Saloon Eagle.jpg
Salty Dog Saloon Eagle.jpg 2009-07-10

Along the Homer Spit.jpg
Along the Homer Spit.jpg 2009-07-10

Bald Eagle at Salty Dog Saloon.jpg
Bald Eagle at Salty Dog Saloon.jpg 2009-07-10

Bringing in a boat at Anchor Point.jpg
Bringing in a boat at Anchor Point.jpg 2009-07-10

Dinner at Captain Pattie's on the spit.jpg
Dinner at Captain Pattie's on the spit.jpg 2009-07-10

Homer Alaska sign.jpg
Homer Alaska sign.jpg 2009-07-10

Homer and the Spit in the haze.jpg
Homer and the Spit in the haze.jpg 2009-07-10

Homer beyond the lupine.jpg
Homer beyond the lupine.jpg 2009-07-10

Homer harbor.jpg
Homer harbor.jpg 2009-07-10

How they launch boats.jpg
How they launch boats.jpg 2009-07-10

Inside Salty Dog Saloon-1.jpg
Inside Salty Dog Saloon-1.jpg 2009-07-10

Inside Salty Dog Saloon-2.jpg
Inside Salty Dog Saloon-2.jpg 2009-07-10

John at Salty Dog Saloon in Homer.jpg
John at Salty Dog Saloon in Homer.jpg 2009-07-10

Lilacs Everywhere at Norman Lowell garden.jpg
Lilacs Everywhere at Norman Lowell garden.jpg 2009-07-10

More along the spit.jpg
More along the spit.jpg 2009-07-10

Flowers at Erik Hansen Park in Kenai-1.jpg
Flowers at Erik Hansen Park in Kenai-1.jpg 2009-07-07

Flowers at Erik Hansen Park in Kenai-2.jpg
Flowers at Erik Hansen Park in Kenai-2.jpg 2009-07-07

Overlooking mouth of Kenai River.jpg
Overlooking mouth of Kenai River.jpg 2009-07-07

Sparrow at Erik Hansen Park.jpg
Sparrow at Erik Hansen Park.jpg 2009-07-07

Wild Geranium.jpg
Wild Geranium.jpg 2009-07-07

Captain Cook State Park.jpg
Captain Cook State Park.jpg 2009-07-07

Captain Cook State Park 1.jpg
Captain Cook State Park 1.jpg 2009-07-07

Erik Hansen Park overlooking mouth of Kenai River.jpg
Erik Hansen Park overlooking mouth of Kenai River.jpg 2009-07-07

Our fishing guide Val.jpg
Our fishing guide Val.jpg 2009-07-08

37 Pound King Salmon.jpg
37 Pound King Salmon.jpg 2009-07-08

42 inch king salmon.jpg
42 inch king salmon.jpg 2009-07-08

Filleting my salmon.jpg
Filleting my salmon.jpg 2009-07-08

Along the Kenai at our campground-1.jpg
Along the Kenai at our campground-1.jpg 2009-07-07

Along the Kenai at our campground-2.jpg
Along the Kenai at our campground-2.jpg 2009-07-07

Eagle cruising area.jpg
Eagle cruising area.jpg 2009-07-07

Evening hang out area.jpg
Evening hang out area.jpg 2009-07-07

Looking across the river from camp.jpg
Looking across the river from camp.jpg 2009-07-07

Our pick up site for tomorrow's fishing trip.jpg
Our pick up site for tomorrow's fishing trip.jpg 2009-07-07

Downtown Anchorage and Cook Inlet.jpg
Downtown Anchorage and Cook Inlet.jpg 2009-07-05

Downtown Anchorage from Earthquake Park.jpg
Downtown Anchorage from Earthquake Park.jpg 2009-07-05

Eagle hunting at Cook Inlet-1.jpg
Eagle hunting at Cook Inlet-1.jpg 2009-07-05

Bald Eagle Hunting at Cook Inlet-1.jpg
Bald Eagle Hunting at Cook Inlet-1.jpg 2009-07-05

Bald Eagle Hunting at Cook Inlet-2.jpg
Bald Eagle Hunting at Cook Inlet-2.jpg 2009-07-05

Four minutes of violent shaking.jpg
Four minutes of violent shaking.jpg 2009-07-05

AlaskaQuake-FourthAve.jpg
AlaskaQuake-FourthAve.jpg 2009-07-05

Turnagain Heights Slide.jpg
Turnagain Heights Slide.jpg 2009-07-05

Earthquake Park1.jpg
Earthquake Park1.jpg 2009-07-05

Earthquake Park Entrance Sign.jpg
Earthquake Park Entrance Sign.jpg 2009-07-05

Anchorage Market & Festival.jpg
Anchorage Market & Festival.jpg 2009-07-04

Anchorage Market.jpg
Anchorage Market.jpg 2009-07-04

Salmon Quesidillas.jpg
Salmon Quesidillas.jpg 2009-07-04

Cooking Salmon Quesidillas.jpg
Cooking Salmon Quesidillas.jpg 2009-07-04

Grumman Goose.jpg
Grumman Goose.jpg 2009-07-04

Taking the Goose out.jpg
Taking the Goose out.jpg 2009-07-04

Goose heading into water.jpg
Goose heading into water.jpg 2009-07-04

Goose going for a swim.jpg
Goose going for a swim.jpg 2009-07-04

Goose fly by.jpg
Goose fly by.jpg 2009-07-04

Goose landing.jpg
Goose landing.jpg 2009-07-04

Goose coming in from flight.jpg
Goose coming in from flight.jpg 2009-07-04

Grumman Widgeon.jpg
Grumman Widgeon.jpg 2009-07-04

Widgeon Taxiing out.jpg
Widgeon Taxiing out.jpg 2009-07-04

Widgeon Flyby.jpg
Widgeon Flyby.jpg 2009-07-04

DC-3 Fly by.jpg
DC-3 Fly by.jpg 2009-07-04

Fly by 1.jpg
Fly by 1.jpg 2009-07-04

PBY.jpg
PBY.jpg 2009-07-04

T6.jpg
T6.jpg 2009-07-04

Inside Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum 1.jpg
Inside Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum 1.jpg 2009-07-04

Inside Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum 2.jpg
Inside Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum 2.jpg 2009-07-04

Captain Phil and Cornelia.jpg
Captain Phil and Cornelia.jpg 2009-07-04

Salmon Bake line.jpg
Salmon Bake line.jpg 2009-07-04

Boogie Kids.jpg
Boogie Kids.jpg 2009-07-04

This little guy was having a blast dancing and munching.jpg
This little guy was having a blast dancing and munching.jpg 2009-07-04

aflag.jpg
aflag.jpg 2006-07-12

Downtown Anchorage.jpg
Downtown Anchorage.jpg 2009-07-03

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum.jpg
Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum.jpg 2009-07-03

Float Plane 1.jpg
Float Plane 1.jpg 2009-07-03

Float Plane landing.jpg
Float Plane landing.jpg 2009-07-03

Float Plane 3.jpg
Float Plane 3.jpg 2009-07-03

Masks at museum.jpg
Masks at museum.jpg 2009-07-03

Masks at museum 2.jpg
Masks at museum 2.jpg 2009-07-03

Denali on the way to Anchorage.jpg
Denali on the way to Anchorage.jpg 2009-07-02

Glacier.jpg
Glacier.jpg 2009-07-02

Glacier next to Denali.jpg
Glacier next to Denali.jpg 2009-07-02

Denali portrait.jpg
Denali portrait.jpg 2009-07-02

I could never tire of looking at it.jpg
I could never tire of looking at it.jpg 2009-07-02

Another view as it accompanies us to Anchorage.jpg
Another view as it accompanies us to Anchorage.jpg 2009-07-02

Denali Park Sign.jpg
Denali Park Sign.jpg 2009-07-01

Tundra Rose.jpg
Tundra Rose.jpg 2009-07-01

Beautiful McKinley.jpg
Beautiful McKinley.jpg 2009-07-01

Majestic McKinley.jpg
Majestic McKinley.jpg 2009-07-01

McKinley from about 80 miles away.jpg
McKinley from about 80 miles away.jpg 2009-07-01

McKinley with a few clouds.jpg
McKinley with a few clouds.jpg 2009-07-01

Outside Denali Park Entrance.jpg
Outside Denali Park Entrance.jpg 2009-07-01

Lava is a gorgeous dog.jpg
Lava is a gorgeous dog.jpg 2009-07-01

Napping.jpg
Napping.jpg 2009-07-01

Oh that feels good.jpg
Oh that feels good.jpg 2009-07-01

Team Member.jpg
Team Member.jpg 2009-07-01

Team Member 2.jpg
Team Member 2.jpg 2009-07-01

Willow is the old gal.jpg
Willow is the old gal.jpg 2009-07-01

Let us GO.jpg
Let us GO.jpg 2009-07-01

Going after the dogs.jpg
Going after the dogs.jpg 2009-07-01

Hitching up for the run.jpg
Hitching up for the run.jpg 2009-07-01

And they're off.jpg
And they're off.jpg 2009-07-01

Rounding the bend.jpg
Rounding the bend.jpg 2009-07-01

Almost there.jpg
Almost there.jpg 2009-07-01

Coming in to the stop.jpg
Coming in to the stop.jpg 2009-07-01

Gray Jay 1.jpg
Gray Jay 1.jpg 2009-07-01

Caribou next to the road at Denali Park.jpg
Caribou next to the road at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-30

Totally comfortable with us there.jpg
Totally comfortable with us there.jpg 2009-06-30

Caribou heading toward the bus.jpg
Caribou heading toward the bus.jpg 2009-06-30

Caribou in the snow.jpg
Caribou in the snow.jpg 2009-06-30

Cottonwood everywhere.jpg
Cottonwood everywhere.jpg 2009-06-30

Dall Ewes and lambs.jpg
Dall Ewes and lambs.jpg 2009-06-30

Dall Ewes and lambs at Denali Park.jpg
Dall Ewes and lambs at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-30

Dall Sheep on the mountain-1.jpg
Dall Sheep on the mountain-1.jpg 2009-06-30

Dall Sheep on the mountain-2.jpg
Dall Sheep on the mountain-2.jpg 2009-06-30

Denali Park landscape.jpg
Denali Park landscape.jpg 2009-06-30

Dumb seagulls are even at Denali Park.jpg
Dumb seagulls are even at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-30

Gorgeous morning at Denali Park.jpg
Gorgeous morning at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-30

It's back there - really.jpg
It's back there - really.jpg 2009-06-30

Look closely to the bottom left of outside mirror for golden eagle and raven.jpg
Look closely to the bottom left of outside mirror for golden eagle and raven.jpg 2009-06-30

Majestic Alaska Range.jpg
Majestic Alaska Range.jpg 2009-06-30

Making sure we're okay.jpg
Making sure we're okay.jpg 2009-06-30

Mama bear and cub - obscured - in the road.jpg
Mama bear and cub - obscured - in the road.jpg 2009-06-30

Mama Grizzly and cub.jpg
Mama Grizzly and cub.jpg 2009-06-30

Mama Grizzly and cub snoozing.jpg
Mama Grizzly and cub snoozing.jpg 2009-06-30

McKinley - or Denali - hidden by clouds in center of pix.jpg
McKinley - or Denali - hidden by clouds in center of pix.jpg 2009-06-30

More Denali Park scenery.jpg
More Denali Park scenery.jpg 2009-06-30

Morning at one of the river beds at Denali Park.jpg
Morning at one of the river beds at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-30

One of many squirrels at visitor center.jpg
One of many squirrels at visitor center.jpg 2009-06-30

Our road heading off in the distance.jpg
Our road heading off in the distance.jpg 2009-06-30

Recent landslide.jpg
Recent landslide.jpg 2009-06-30

River bed - tundra - mountains.jpg
River bed - tundra - mountains.jpg 2009-06-30

The road ahead of us - scary.jpg
The road ahead of us - scary.jpg 2009-06-30

Supposedly its there Maybe tomorrow.jpg
Supposedly its there Maybe tomorrow.jpg 2009-06-29

Baby Ptarmigan at Denali Park.jpg
Baby Ptarmigan at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-29

Baby Ptarmigan at Denali Park.jpg
Baby Ptarmigan at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-29

Caribou at Denali Park.jpg
Caribou at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-29

Caribou at Denali Park.jpg
Caribou at Denali Park.jpg 2009-06-29

Cool rock formation.jpg
Cool rock formation.jpg 2009-06-29

Cool rock formation.jpg
Cool rock formation.jpg 2009-06-29

Denali Park Road.jpg
Denali Park Road.jpg 2009-06-29

Denali Park Road.jpg
Denali Park Road.jpg 2009-06-29

Denali Park Scenery-1.jpg
Denali Park Scenery-1.jpg 2009-06-29

Denali Park Scenery-1.jpg
Denali Park Scenery-1.jpg 2009-06-29

Denalil is under cloud cover.jpg
Denalil is under cloud cover.jpg 2009-06-29

Denalil is under cloud cover.jpg
Denalil is under cloud cover.jpg 2009-06-29

Inside Denali Visitor Center-2.jpg
Inside Denali Visitor Center-2.jpg 2009-06-29

Inside Denali Visitor Center-2.jpg
Inside Denali Visitor Center-2.jpg 2009-06-29

Mama Ptarmigan watching me.jpg
Mama Ptarmigan watching me.jpg 2009-06-29

Mama Ptarmigan watching me.jpg
Mama Ptarmigan watching me.jpg 2009-06-29

Ptarmigan 1 Denali.jpg
Ptarmigan 1 Denali.jpg 2009-06-29

Ptarmigan 1 Denali.jpg
Ptarmigan 1 Denali.jpg 2009-06-29

Alaska trip map copy.jpg
Alaska trip map copy.jpg 2009-06-29

arctic circle map.jpg
arctic circle map.jpg 2009-06-28

A view of the Yukon River.jpg
A view of the Yukon River.jpg 2009-06-27

Dalton Highway - gravel road.jpg
Dalton Highway - gravel road.jpg 2009-06-27

Dalton Highway - paved portion.jpg
Dalton Highway - paved portion.jpg 2009-06-27

Dalton Highway and Alaska Pipeline.jpg
Dalton Highway and Alaska Pipeline.jpg 2009-06-27

Dalton Highway and Alaska Pipeline cross Yukon.jpg
Dalton Highway and Alaska Pipeline cross Yukon.jpg 2009-06-27

Dalton Highway and Pipeline cross.jpg
Dalton Highway and Pipeline cross.jpg 2009-06-27

Dalton Highway tundra.jpg
Dalton Highway tundra.jpg 2009-06-27

More tundra.jpg
More tundra.jpg 2009-06-27

Dropping down to the Yukon.jpg
Dropping down to the Yukon.jpg 2009-06-27

Field of fireweed - wildflowers.jpg
Field of fireweed - wildflowers.jpg 2009-06-27

Field of fireweed with pipeline in background.jpg
Field of fireweed with pipeline in background.jpg 2009-06-27

Five hours later here we are.jpg
Five hours later here we are.jpg 2009-06-27

Heading back at Yukon River Bridge.jpg
Heading back at Yukon River Bridge.jpg 2009-06-27

Mighty Yukon on the road to the Arctic Circle.jpg
Mighty Yukon on the road to the Arctic Circle.jpg 2009-06-27

Yahoo - almost there.jpg
Yahoo - almost there.jpg 2009-06-27

Just around the corner.jpg
Just around the corner.jpg 2009-06-27

We made it.jpg
We made it.jpg 2009-06-27

John at the Arctic Circle.jpg
John at the Arctic Circle.jpg 2009-06-27

Me and my Disney World sweatshirt at Arctic Circle.jpg
Me and my Disney World sweatshirt at Arctic Circle.jpg 2009-06-27

Right there.jpg
Right there.jpg 2009-06-27

We made it to the Arctic Circle.jpg
We made it to the Arctic Circle.jpg 2009-06-27

Dont know him - Ernie Boone you next.jpg
Dont know him - Ernie Boone you next.jpg 2009-06-27

Who knows - but its pretty.jpg
Who knows - but its pretty.jpg 2009-06-27

Looking north from Yukon River bridge.jpg
Looking north from Yukon River bridge.jpg 2009-06-27

Alaska Iris.jpg
Alaska Iris.jpg 2009-06-26

Alaska Pipeline behind flowers.jpg
Alaska Pipeline behind flowers.jpg 2009-06-26

Alaska pipeline support.jpg
Alaska pipeline support.jpg 2009-06-26

View of Alaska pipeline.jpg
View of Alaska pipeline.jpg 2009-06-26

Alaska Pipeline Visitor Center.jpg
Alaska Pipeline Visitor Center.jpg 2009-06-26

Alaska pipeline with some ominous clouds in background.jpg
Alaska pipeline with some ominous clouds in background.jpg 2009-06-26

John at Pipeline.jpg
John at Pipeline.jpg 2009-06-26

Mileage post.jpg
Mileage post.jpg 2009-06-26

More pipeline.jpg
More pipeline.jpg 2009-06-26

No problem I got it.jpg
No problem I got it.jpg 2009-06-26

House and deck.jpg
House and deck.jpg 2009-06-26

Even the North Pole has police cars.jpg
Even the North Pole has police cars.jpg 2009-06-26

OMG Poor Santa.jpg
OMG Poor Santa.jpg 2009-06-26

Pigs in the pipeline.jpg
Pigs in the pipeline.jpg 2009-06-26

Retired Pig.jpg
Retired Pig.jpg 2009-06-26

Stay off.jpg
Stay off.jpg 2009-06-26

Daylight hours.jpg
Daylight hours.jpg 2009-06-26

Who knows what the poles are about.jpg
Who knows what the poles are about.jpg 2009-06-26

Does he look worried.jpg
Does he look worried.jpg 2009-06-26

Alaska outhouse.jpg
Alaska outhouse.jpg 2009-06-26

Indian Mask.jpg
Indian Mask.jpg 2009-06-26

Indian Masks.jpg
Indian Masks.jpg 2009-06-26

Gold displays at UAF Museum.jpg
Gold displays at UAF Museum.jpg 2009-06-26

OMG its Rudolph - kidding Mia.jpg
OMG its Rudolph - kidding Mia.jpg 2009-06-26

View from University of Alaska.jpg
View from University of Alaska.jpg 2009-06-26

View from University of Alaska Fairbanks.jpg
View from University of Alaska Fairbanks.jpg 2009-06-26

Leave me alone.jpg
Leave me alone.jpg 2009-06-26

At Canada-Alaska boundary Top of the World Hwy.jpg
At Canada-Alaska boundary Top of the World Hwy.jpg 2009-06-24

First view of Alaska Pipeline.jpg
First view of Alaska Pipeline.jpg 2009-06-25

Who can tell me what it is.jpg
Who can tell me what it is.jpg 2009-06-25

Alaska Pipeline.jpg
Alaska Pipeline.jpg 2009-06-25

Big guys in the background.jpg
Big guys in the background.jpg 2009-06-25

Hidden in the clouds.jpg
Hidden in the clouds.jpg 2009-06-25

Mountains and River.jpg
Mountains and River.jpg 2009-06-25

Plane landing at Eielson AFB.jpg
Plane landing at Eielson AFB.jpg 2009-06-25

Resigned to the gypsy life.jpg
Resigned to the gypsy life.jpg 2009-06-25

Custom Agent Quarters at Top of the World Hwy.jpg
Custom Agent Quarters at Top of the World Hwy.jpg 2009-06-24

Customs in the distance.jpg
Customs in the distance.jpg 2009-06-24

Endless mountains.jpg
Endless mountains.jpg 2009-06-24

Ferry at Dawson City.jpg
Ferry at Dawson City.jpg 2009-06-24

I can see forever.jpg
I can see forever.jpg 2009-06-24

International Boundary Line at Top of the World Hwy.jpg
International Boundary Line at Top of the World Hwy.jpg 2009-06-24

It goes on forever.jpg
It goes on forever.jpg 2009-06-24

It was chilly.jpg
It was chilly.jpg 2009-06-24

Looks like it goes over the end of the world.jpg
Looks like it goes over the end of the world.jpg 2009-06-24

Magnificent.jpg
Magnificent.jpg 2009-06-24

Can you see the road go on forever.jpg
Can you see the road go on forever.jpg 2009-06-24

Ferry back to Dawson City.jpg
Ferry back to Dawson City.jpg 2009-06-23

Crossing Yukon River on Ferry-1.jpg
Crossing Yukon River on Ferry-1.jpg 2009-06-23

Crossing Yukon River on Ferry-2.jpg
Crossing Yukon River on Ferry-2.jpg 2009-06-23

Crossing Yukon River on Ferry-3.jpg
Crossing Yukon River on Ferry-3.jpg 2009-06-23

Yukon River Dawson City at midnight.jpg
Yukon River Dawson City at midnight.jpg 2009-06-23

11 pm Dawson City.jpg
11 pm Dawson City.jpg 2009-06-22

11 pm Dawson City Fire Hall.jpg
11 pm Dawson City Fire Hall.jpg 2009-06-23

Can we go home now.jpg
Can we go home now.jpg 2009-06-22

Dawson City campground at 11 pm.jpg
Dawson City campground at 11 pm.jpg 2009-06-22

Dawson City Yukon River at midnight.jpg
Dawson City Yukon River at midnight.jpg 2009-06-23

Inside Dredger 4-3.jpg
Inside Dredger 4-3.jpg 2009-06-22

Dredger #4.jpg
Dredger #4.jpg 2009-06-22

Dredger #4-1.jpg
Dredger #4-1.jpg 2009-06-22

Dredger #4-2.jpg
Dredger #4-2.jpg 2009-06-22

Dredger Trommel.jpg
Dredger Trommel.jpg 2009-06-22

Dredging buckets 4600 lbs each.jpg
Dredging buckets 4600 lbs each.jpg 2009-06-22

First Bull Moose we've seen.jpg
First Bull Moose we've seen.jpg 2009-06-22

Hello Mama Swallow.jpg
Hello Mama Swallow.jpg 2009-06-22

Inside Dredger 4-1.jpg
Inside Dredger 4-1.jpg 2009-06-22

Inside Dredger 4-2.jpg
Inside Dredger 4-2.jpg 2009-06-22

Yukon River in Background.jpg
Yukon River in Background.jpg 2009-06-21

Dawson City 2.jpg
Dawson City 2.jpg 2009-06-21

Dawson City 3.jpg
Dawson City 3.jpg 2009-06-21

Ferry at Dawson City.jpg
Ferry at Dawson City.jpg 2009-06-21

Mighty Yukon at Dreaded Five Fingers.jpg
Mighty Yukon at Dreaded Five Fingers.jpg 2009-06-21

Mighty Yukon at Five Fingers.jpg
Mighty Yukon at Five Fingers.jpg 2009-06-21

Yukon River.jpg
Yukon River.jpg 2009-06-21

Yukon River at Five Fingers.jpg
Yukon River at Five Fingers.jpg 2009-06-21

Wine Delivery.jpg
Wine Delivery.jpg 2009-06-20

Bald Eagle Preserve Haines Hwy.jpg
Bald Eagle Preserve Haines Hwy.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 1.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 1.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 2.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 2.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 3.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 3.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 4.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 4.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 5.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 5.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 6.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 6.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 7.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 7.jpg 2009-06-20

Haines Hwy Scenery 8.jpg
Haines Hwy Scenery 8.jpg 2009-06-20

Kluane B & B view.jpg
Kluane B & B view.jpg 2009-06-20

Kluane B and B.jpg
Kluane B and B.jpg 2009-06-20

Kluane B and B cabin.jpg
Kluane B and B cabin.jpg 2009-06-20

Taking it easy 2.jpg
Taking it easy 2.jpg 2009-06-19

Fort Seward Lodge and Restaurant.jpg
Fort Seward Lodge and Restaurant.jpg 2009-06-18

View from Fort Seward.jpg
View from Fort Seward.jpg 2009-06-19

Cruising above us.jpg
Cruising above us.jpg 2009-06-19

Flying above us.jpg
Flying above us.jpg 2009-06-19

Fort Seward 1.jpg
Fort Seward 1.jpg 2009-06-19

Fort Seward 2.jpg
Fort Seward 2.jpg 2009-06-19

Fort Seward Building 1.jpg
Fort Seward Building 1.jpg 2009-06-19

Fort Seward Building 2.jpg
Fort Seward Building 2.jpg 2009-06-19

Fort Seward Building 4.jpg
Fort Seward Building 4.jpg 2009-06-19

Haines Pier.jpg
Haines Pier.jpg 2009-06-19

Haines View 1.jpg
Haines View 1.jpg 2009-06-19

Immature bald eagle.jpg
Immature bald eagle.jpg 2009-06-19

Immature feeding and Mature eagle flying.jpg
Immature feeding and Mature eagle flying.jpg 2009-06-19

Koda Hikes.jpg
Koda Hikes.jpg 2009-06-19

Looking for food.jpg
Looking for food.jpg 2009-06-19

Maisy thinks she should hike like Koda.jpg
Maisy thinks she should hike like Koda.jpg 2009-06-19

Sharing lunch with the ravens.jpg
Sharing lunch with the ravens.jpg 2009-06-19

Swallow.jpg
Swallow.jpg 2009-06-19

Finally on our way to Haines.jpg
Finally on our way to Haines.jpg 2009-06-18

More cruise ships at Skagway Harbor.jpg
More cruise ships at Skagway Harbor.jpg 2009-06-18

On the way to Haines.jpg
On the way to Haines.jpg 2009-06-18

Our transportation to Haines.jpg
Our transportation to Haines.jpg 2009-06-18

Start of the WAIT.jpg
Start of the WAIT.jpg 2009-06-18

Passing by Haines.jpg
Passing by Haines.jpg 2009-06-18

The mountains are magnificent.jpg
The mountains are magnificent.jpg 2009-06-18

Another view from Haines.jpg
Another view from Haines.jpg 2009-06-18

Could you tire of the view.jpg
Could you tire of the view.jpg 2009-06-18

Cruise Ship heads south.jpg
Cruise Ship heads south.jpg 2009-06-18

Cruise ship peeking around the corner.jpg
Cruise ship peeking around the corner.jpg 2009-06-18

Koda is a bad dog.jpg
Koda is a bad dog.jpg 2009-06-17

Trail of 98 Gold Rush.jpg
Trail of 98 Gold Rush.jpg 2009-06-17

11 pm.jpg
11 pm.jpg 2009-06-16

2 Cruise ships skagway.jpg
2 Cruise ships skagway.jpg 2009-06-17

Back in the USA.jpg
Back in the USA.jpg 2009-06-17

Cruise ship skagway.jpg
Cruise ship skagway.jpg 2009-06-17

Emerald Lake.jpg
Emerald Lake.jpg 2009-06-17

Magnificent.jpg
Magnificent.jpg 2009-06-17

Scenes from White Pass train ride 1.jpg
Scenes from White Pass train ride 1.jpg 2009-06-17

Scenes from White Pass train ride 2.jpg
Scenes from White Pass train ride 2.jpg 2009-06-17

Klondike Paddle Wheel.jpg
Klondike Paddle Wheel.jpg 2009-06-15

Used 1 cord an hour downstream, 5 upstream.jpg
Used 1 cord an hour downstream, 5 upstream.jpg 2009-06-16

1st Class Dining Area.jpg
1st Class Dining Area.jpg 2009-06-16

Boiler.jpg
Boiler.jpg 2009-06-16

Firebox.jpg
Firebox.jpg 2009-06-16

Provisions & firewood area.jpg
Provisions & firewood area.jpg 2009-06-16

Provisions and fire wood.jpg
Provisions and fire wood.jpg 2009-06-16

Stone sheep 2.jpg
Stone sheep 2.jpg 2009-06-14

Are we there yet.jpg
Are we there yet.jpg 2009-06-14

Bison1.jpg
Bison1.jpg 2009-06-14

Bison2.jpg
Bison2.jpg 2009-06-14

Bison3.jpg
Bison3.jpg 2009-06-14

Moose Cow.jpg
Moose Cow.jpg 2009-06-14

Signpost Forest.jpg
Signpost Forest.jpg 2009-06-14

Signpost Forest 2.jpg
Signpost Forest 2.jpg 2009-06-14

Stone sheep 1.jpg
Stone sheep 1.jpg 2009-06-14

Bijoux 1.jpg
Bijoux 1.jpg 2009-06-12

Alaska flowers.jpg
Alaska flowers.jpg 2009-06-12

Mile 1-2.jpg
Mile 1-2.jpg 2009-06-12

Alaska 012a.jpg
Alaska 012a.jpg 2009-06-12

Alaska 013a.jpg
Alaska 013a.jpg 2009-06-12

Bijoux 1.jpg
Bijoux 1.jpg 2009-06-12

Bijoux 3.jpg
Bijoux 3.jpg 2009-06-12

Maisys trip to Alaska.jpg
Maisys trip to Alaska.jpg 2009-06-12

Mile 1-1.jpg
Mile 1-1.jpg 2009-06-12

My two halibut.jpg
My two halibut.jpg 2009-06-12

8/14/2009 5:57:43 PM - 002016321096
Thanks for all the memories, I am going to miss this every morning...

8/8/2009 12:12:52 AM - 001078684282
I'll miss doing the journal every day...it's been a great way to keep in contact with everyone. I'm glad you've enjoyed it...now, who's going on the next vacation? I'll show you how to set a journal up!!

8/7/2009 9:32:30 PM - 002074879548
Me to........I start my day through you eyes with the photos and the blog. I am going to be a sad as you guys. But I cant wait to see you. Travel safe

8/6/2009 2:41:13 PM - 002016321096
I am sure going to miss starting out my day with a cup of coffee and this great vacation I have been on with you. Thanks for the journal Susan. Carol

8/4/2009 3:04:17 PM - 002074879548
Hello Sister, somethng interesting. I was watching the History channel night before last and they had on the Ice Road Truckers show and they were showing the road to Deadhorse. It was the pictures you took of the Dalton Hwy with the Alaskan Pipe Line next to it and I thought I have seen that picture or area before somewhere. It was your pictures of that portion of the Dalton Hwy but it was in the dead of winter. Cool stuff.
Miss you guys.
Travel safe.
Love you Brother

7/30/2009 3:43:12 PM - 002070676626
Hi Susie, uploaded some pics for you to see. Beautiful day to get married.
Love you and see you soon
Karen

7/29/2009 4:24:04 PM - 001078684282
Hi Carol...Yep, it's there! Glad you're enjoying the vacation!

7/29/2009 1:55:35 PM - 002016321096
I think I added the deer pic, at least it shows on my computer. Carol

7/29/2009 1:51:23 PM - 002016321096
Sure enjoy starting out the day with your travel logs. Loved the updated map. Saw your pic with the fish on the KCRA site, under Ca wildlife, I have one on there with the baby deer in the fountain. Starting to cool down a bit here. Just wanted to let you know I sure love how you have taken us all on vacation with you. Be safe... Carol

7/10/2009 11:05:03 PM - 002072546018

And where was the image of John's fish? Yours was a piece of work and must have been oh so much fun to hook into and land! And the "eating" of the fish, after the fact, has been great or will be soon.
I am sure that you both are having the time of your lives and seeing things that many of us will never!
Travel safely and enjoy the remainder of the adventure,
Jerry


      

7/10/2009 7:40:59 PM - 002069879601
Ok Score 1-0 susan on catching salmon, tell john that he better catch one next week, or the gun club guys are going to harass him,wish i was there..have fun ..
steve

7/10/2009 5:54:52 PM - 002070363484
30 days on the road and still having fun. Sounds and looks like your having a great time. Scrath an X on the road in the places I should visit when I go. Then I'll have something to look for. Have fun.

7/6/2009 1:43:25 PM - 002070676626
Hello Sister Sue,
Looks like you two are having way too much fun, the trip of a lifetime. All is well here, we will be heading out Wed. morning for the coast. Things are going pretty smoothly so far, praying they continue thru the wedding and all. Everything had come together nicely, will miss having you there, but will share pictures when you get home, sounds like dinner and wine to me. Mikes decided to golf the Bodega course with the guys on Thursday, should be fun.
You guys continue enjoying and be safe and I'll touch base with you when we get home.
Love you much,
Karen

7/4/2009 11:03:03 AM - asanborn77@...

7/4/2009 1:49:38 AM - 002069879601
Did you guys have anything to do with sarah palin resigning today???

6/30/2009 12:11:58 AM - 002072546018
You two are not missing anything down this way as yesterday broke century old records! 111 in EG; 114 in Folsom! So, enjoy the rain drops and the coolness! Wish I was there as the images are great!
Such memories the two of you will have, and have.
Take care and love to you both,
Jerry

6/29/2009 2:44:51 PM - 001078684282
Well I know one who lived here, but now she's working down there! She would love to be back up here!

6/29/2009 5:21:23 AM - 002069879601
Where in the Heck is Mosquitoe Abatement when you need them? They must all have retired and are vacationing in Alaska..

6/29/2009 4:52:58 AM - 002073532692
Susan,
Thanks for sharing your photos! Jesse & I have been following your trip, beautiful country side. As you are posting it feels like we are traveling ourselves. We do similar things when we travel...got to stop and take a picture. Keep enjoying your trip...we will be in touch soon.
Monica & Jesse Mijangos

6/27/2009 12:02:03 PM - asanborn77@...

6/26/2009 4:56:04 PM - 001078684282
I found some Sailor Boy Pilot Bread (crackers) at Fred Meyer yesterday. I remember eating them in the past, but I haven't seen them in years. Anybody else remember them?

6/26/2009 4:54:32 PM - 001078684282
Hey Steve, I haven't had any Alaskan vino yet, but I hear that they're sweet because they use mostly berries as grapes don't grow well here. If they have any grape wine it's made from imported grapes, or juice I guess. There's a winery out of Homer I want to check out. They make blueberry, wild cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, raspberry, and fireweed honey wine. I bought two bottles of Canadian red wines but I haven't opened either yet. I like their Yukon Red beer!

6/26/2009 4:25:05 PM - 002069879601
Looks like you guys are having a lifetime of memories, wish i was there, susan how's the Vino in alaska? tell john hello..
steve

6/26/2009 2:01:18 PM - 001078684282
No Northern lights...I wish, but I sure thought of you when we had all of the eagles soaring over us. I knew you would have loved seeing that!

6/26/2009 1:38:45 PM - 002016321096
Wrong time of year but are you seeing any of the Northern Lights? Carol

6/25/2009 2:54:59 PM - 002075866978
It looks so beautiful. Glad you are having a good time. Be safe and ENJOY!

6/25/2009 2:05:01 AM - 002075361233
Hey Suzanna and Johnny,
Wow, what a wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing your pictures, I want to go now, It looks magnificent. I'm so happy for you guys.
New stories around the camp fire at good ole Green Acres. Stay safe, be happy. Claire

6/25/2009 1:56:28 AM - 002075461080
I will bet this is everything you imagined, plus more. What a wilderness it is, you are in a area, we have not traveled, I bet you have no cell phone..Drive carefull, you might meet one of those ice road truckers!!!!!

6/24/2009 10:48:36 PM - 002072546018
Susan and John, the images that you have sent suggest a magnificent trip. And I am sure that the remaider will be that much more so.
Thanks for all the images and you two enjoy,
Jerry

6/24/2009 4:07:22 PM - 002075700561
Gosh, you should have called me or maybe turn on the computer. I couldn't sleep last night either. That doesn't happen often but I guess I was hungry. So at 1:45 AM I raided the refer. Hope you sleep tonight. Miss you, Kass

6/24/2009 2:20:52 PM - 002070676626
Hi Sister Sue and Uncle John, so wonderful to view your trip as you go. It sounds so fabulous, wish we were there. All is well here, so far. Leaving in two weeks to "put on the wedding" - still haven't seen or talked to the bride to be, 6 weeks now, but will not be moved by her behavior. Going to celebrate out 5th anniversary on Friday, Yippey!! Still on our honemoon :-) Continue having a great time and take care of each other.
Love you both, Karen

6/24/2009 1:23:02 AM - lrs33@...

5/24/2009 3:12:07 PM - 002070363484
Waiting for pictures from your "Big Adventure"

5/18/2009 3:08:21 AM - 002069879601
pretty cool site,great job mrs maggy

You said Alaska is big.

How big IS it?

Well, you could put Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut in it and still have room for New York and Pennsylvania.  And STILL have room for California.  AND STILL have room for Texas! 

OK, I didn't believe it either, so I looked up each state in the encyclopedia, added up all the square miles for all of them and the total came out just a little under Alaska's area!!

Thought you'd like to be the first kid on the block to know that!

Dad

Orientation… It’s amazing what you forget in two months! I couldn’t remember where the potholders were or where we keep the toothpaste! John forgot the safe combination. We’re enjoying Mia and Thomas, and we’ve been slowly cleaning out the trailer. Don’t like the heat!! We called the fish processing place in Soldotna yesterday and our fish arrived this morning (Wednesday)! The dogs are really enjoying being able to run free. When we first got home, Koda jumped out of the truck and was bounding around like a deer. Thanks for coming along on our trip…it was a lot of driving, but then Alaska is a very big state. We both got testy at times, but we’re still married! For those of you who haven’t been to Alaska, I hope you have the opportunity to see it some day. One warning, though. Protect yourself from No-see-ums. Somewhere around Stewart I found out what they’re about. Lordy God do they itch!! I still have welts from them. Ciao!!

We left Turner (Salem) at 7:15 this morning intending to stop somewhere around Redding for the night. We later decided if we stopped we wouldn’t get any sleep waiting for morning, so we beat feet for home. We stopped in Williams to pick up Thomas and Mia, and we made it home just before 7:00 p.m. It feels SO good to be home. I’ll post some tallies tomorrow, but our mileage from start to finish was 10, 276 miles!

We hit the U.S. border in Sumas at 8:30 this morning. The agent was a nice young man; asked what I had to declare from Canada…I said a few souvenirs and three six packs of Canadian beer. He asked me if it was any good, welcomed us home and off we went. I wanted to say yes, but their wine is crap, but I didn't want to chance the possibility of him having a Canadian girlfriend! Boy did it feel good being back! We stopped at Cabela’s in Lacey to shop a little and for lunch, then we hit the road again. I drove all day, and I opted to go through Seattle and Portland instead of taking the bypass freeway. I love Seattle and I like seeing the bridges in the Portland area. We pushed it to 5:30…we’re in Turner, just south of Salem. We’re aiming for the Red Bluff area tomorrow. Koda’s really squirrely…I’m convinced he knows we’re headed home. No pictures today, and nothing exciting to report.

Sorry I couldn’t get yesterday’s journal out…I couldn’t get on the internet, but it’s great tonight…We shoved off at 7:30 this morning, but it didn’t take long to come across road construction. There were a few areas along the way that slowed us down, but the longest was a traffic accident. A truck went off the side of the road. I got a picture of it as we went by. John was driving at that time; later I got a picture of the Cache Creek area as I was driving. As far as I was concerned the only neat thing about the area was following the Fraser River, where there were some pretty wicked rapids and gorges. There were train tracks on the other side of the river and I saw some very cool train tunnels. They were on John’s side and since he was sleeping I didn’t get any pictures. We drove 402 miles today; we’re at Hope Valley Campground tonight…nice place. We’re about 60 miles from the U.S. border!!! Not sure where we’ll land tomorrow afternoon, but I found that driving that long makes me a little testy…just ask my dogs!! I hope I’m not being presumptuous since we still have a couple of days on the road, but I think for being together in such close quarters for so long, the fact that we’re still married, and never even once mentioned the D word, we’ve done pretty darn good!!

Well I told you it would probably be nothing but a blur, and it was! We traveled 448 miles today from Prince Rupert to Prince George. It was a long haul, but there was some pretty scenery at least for the first half. The second half was farming country, which was nice to look at, too. Coming into town we spotted a Boston Pizza, so guess where we had dinner? We also went to the Costco and they have a lot of food stuff we don’t have; mainly seafood types of food. We’ll see how early we can get out of Prince George tomorrow. Our plan was to make it to Cache Creek, but we’re going to try to get farther down the road.

We had our final vacation dinner at the Crest Hotel. We both had Salmon Remoulade and it was fabulous! Alaska King Crab and Shrimp stuffed wild salmon with a lemon/dill cream sauce. Yoweee it was delicious! We took a few last pictures from the dining room and from the parking garage. Tomorrow begins the furious drive home! Probably won’t be lots to report because it will most likely be a blur of asphalt and trees!! Thank God we’ll be towing our toilet because when John has his mind set on getting home I might play heck trying to get him to make potty stops!

We decided to splurge on a yummy Dungeness crab dinner last night, since we only have one more day of eating fresh seafood! They kill them and cook them right there, and it was good! This morning we started out by going to the overlook of the shipping container terminal. It was really interesting to watch the efficiency of the place…quite an operation. They were off-loading a ship right then. A crane picks up the container, sets it on a trailer which is driven to the train. A huge forklift-looking piece of equipment picks up the container and stacks it on the train car. They just keep going round and round…looked like an ant farm! As a side note, we heard the trains coming there and all of the other noises from there all night. I couldn't figure out what the noise was until we went to see the terminal. Next we went to the old North Pacific Fish Cannery which is now a museum in Port Edward. Again…very interesting. We jumped in on a tour that was already in progress. This place was a self-contained village on a boardwalk. Until 1908 the only way in was by boat, then the railway was put in. They didn’t build a road out there until the 1950’s. The workers were mainly Chinese and First Nation people. They had bunkhouses, separate houses for managers and other high rank positions. There were also one-room houses, side by side, for families. They had a store, a mess hall, they had dances and get-togethers in the fish netting building. The equipment looked like it was pretty dangerous to operate and of course they had children doing some labor. Some of the buildings are in poor condition but there is an ongoing restoration in process. I was disappointed that they didn’t have any pamphlets or other type of literature on the place. Hopefully someone is working on some. Next we drove to see the float plane harbor. We walked into Inland Air Charters to see what kind of flights and prices they had. They had a half hour tour that John was interested in, but they needed a minimum of two people or you get charged for two, so we gave the lady my cell number in case someone came in wanting to take that flight. We went to a Canadian Casino on the water and had an awesome seafood chowder out on the deck. The chowder had everything in it, including mussels in the shell and whole shrimp, halibut, salmon, cod, clams, and most likely oysters. We also had some spectacular entertainment when eagles flew overhead scouting the water for lunch. Just as we finished our lunch, my phone rang. They had another person who wanted to go up, so we went to the campground, picked up the dogs, and went back to the harbor. I took pictures of the plane leaving and returning, and in between the dogs and I sat in the shade and watched other planes take off and land. Tonight John and I are going to have our last vacation seafood dinner. Tomorrow we head for home!! We’ll stay at Prince George tomorrow night, then maybe Cache Creek area, then somewhere south of Seattle…maybe Cabela’s parking lot in Lacey again, and the final night somewhere around Eugene. Keep the cool weather on hold until then for me, will you??? If not, I’m going to melt!!

On the way back to the Cassiar Highway I took some more pictures of glaciers. As we drove south on the Cassiar I noticed leaves on trees starting to turn yellow. Well, it IS August. I also noticed when I rolled the window down that it even smells like autumn. We reached Highway 16, the Yellowhead Highway, and headed west to Prince Rupert. The highway follows the Skeena River. The First Nation people (native Indians) gave the river its name…it means River of the Mist. Salmon are obviously running now because we saw lots of fishermen. There’s a spectacular mountain range on the highway…it’s called the Seven Sisters Range. I was able to get a picture of it from the Cassiar Highway. The river widened, and it reminded me of the Carquinez Strait. We reached Prince Rupert in the early afternoon, found our campground and then went to check out “Cow Bay”. We went to Breaker’s Pub for a brew and sat out on the deck and watched some people cleaning their catch of salmon. Pretty soon here comes two eagles toward each other. Have you ever seen eagles come at each other, latch on and do a spiral? Quite impressive! When they got close to the water the separated and flew away from each other. Cow Bay is a colorful place.

Stewart has a boardwalk that goes out over the marsh area at the end of the Portland Canal. We walked out to the end in the morning…it was a beautiful morning, except smoke was filtering in from Alaska fires. Who would have thunk that ALASKA could have so damn many forest fires??? In the afternoon we went for a drive up Glacier Road…the one that Fish Creek is on. It’s also the one that’s washed out a couple of miles beyond Fish Creek bear overlook. It was obvious that there weren’t any bears feeding at that time (not enough people crammed in one area with cameras in hand), so we kept driving. Just past the overlook I noticed some wet tracks going across the road…yep, bear tracks!! And then a little farther we found bear scat! We didn’t see that bear, but on the way back into Hyder we saw a bear cross the road in front of us. After dinner we decided to go back one more time to the overlook…by the way, it’s not free. You have to pay $5.00 to go out onto the boardwalk. This time we lucked out…we saw two grizzly bears go after fish. You should see the reaction the fish have when a bear starts its charge…all of a sudden there’s a school of fish zipping through the water to get away! A while later I heard ducks, and here comes a mama duck and about a dozen babies. When they spotted the bear they too beat feet across the water. I’m not sure what kind of ducks they were…maybe mergansers…I’ll have to look them up to see. Then I decided to take some pictures of a pond behind the overlook…it had a bluish colored water and a fog was forming over one end of the pond. All of a sudden a kingfisher came swooping down after fish, and then two more kingfishers followed. Right when I was finished taking pictures of birds and the pond, here goes a beaver swimming across the water with a branch in its mouth for its den. So we had a good day of seeing wildlife. And I stayed away from the bar in Hyder!

Thank our lucky stars the rest of the Cassiar Highway to the Highway 37A junction was very decent. Along the way we saw a mama porcupine and her young’un. They were on the other side of the road, mama was leading baby across the road, but baby was being stubborn so mama turned around to see what the problem was. Good thing, too, because if she had kept going, the oncoming car would have got them! This was a time when mother did NOT know best! We weren’t sure what to expect of the highway into Stewart/Hyder, but it was recently re-paved and it was great! It didn’t take too long before we started seeing glaciers, and they were pretty impressive. The water in the rivers, creeks and lakes were cloudy, as they were being fed by glaciers. We got to our campground - Bear River Campground – at a decent hour, got set up and went for a drive to check out the two towns and go out to watch the bears feeding and up to Salmon Glacier overlook. What we discovered is Stewart is the more populated town, yet there are closed signs on many buildings. We went on to Hyder, and there are even more closed signs there. In fact, there are darn few businesses at all. It touts itself as the friendliest little ghost town, and that’s really what it’s become. No paved roads in Hyder and most of the homes are run down, but there are a few quaint old buildings. We found out at our campground that we weren’t going to get to see Salmon Glacier overlook because the road to it is washed out, but we could go as far as Fish Creek, where there is a boardwalk over the creek to watch bears feeding on spawning salmon. What we saw were lots of people and some pretty serious camera equipment! We waited, and waited, and waited. Finally a black bear came out from under the bridge and walked a short distance on the creek, then went under the boardwalk and off into the woods. Fortunately I saw it, and John got some video footage of it. You should have seen the people flock to that end of the boardwalk when they heard there was a bear at that end. Later someone spotted a black bear crossing the creek at the other end of the boardwalk and you guessed it, there was a rush to that end. It was quite comical! After a couple of hours we headed into Hyder. We went into an establishment that was a bar/restaurant. Another one of those places where there are dollar bills ALL OVER the walls! As we walked in, I noticed a sign that said “Have you been Hyderized”? We moseyed up to the bar and ordered a couple of Alaska Ambers. I saw another sign at the bar that said “I’ve been Hyderized in Hyder, AK” so I asked the bartender what it was about. She says “Oh, just a shot”. Now I’m curious…I say I want to get Hyderized. I watch her pick up a paper bag wrapped bottle and pour a shot of it into a glass, then pour a glass of water. She brings them over to me, sets them in front of me and says, “Here are the rules. You can’t smell it, you have to chug it and you have to keep it down or you buy the bar a round”. Blink, blink. “What’s the water for?” I ask. “Just in case” she says. Blink. Look down the bar to see how many people there are. Hey, I can do this! I pick it up, toss it back and chug it. She lights a match and puts it to the empty shot glass…it burns for a while. So does my throat and very soon my stomach! I ask if I can have my beer now. Sure, she says. Drink my beer, drink the water. She gives me a card saying I have been Hyderized. As we leave, I’m thinking I will never again taste or feel anything going down my throat. We go back to the trailer, fix dinner, eat, clean up, and my throat is still traumatized. What WAS that stuff? I didn’t dare ask, but I’m thinking one of three things. Moonshine, gasoline or turpentine. But hey, I’m pretty cool!! As we head back to Stewart I realize we have to go through Canada customs and I’m breathing fire and driving! I hand over our passports, the she-agent asks if we’ve been up watching the bears, and I say uh-huh, and off we go! I REALLY AM cool!!

It wasn’t too long after leaving Whitehorse that we had beautiful scenery, but we also ran into some heavy smoke from a nearby fire. It was pretty nasty, and it lasted about an hour. We would again come across smoke from another fire down the road. We finally made it through that and after a long morning reached the Cassiar Highway. Within ten miles we were contemplating turning around and going down the Alaska Highway instead. I’m glad we didn’t because we would be in for some gorgeous lakes and mountains, but the first forty miles or so was really torn up from construction. We decided to camp at Dease Lake, and at the rate we were going the first part of the highway I figured we wouldn’t reach the campground until 9:00 or so! Fortunately the road got better and we were able to pick up speed. The highlight of the day was we got to see a bull moose! Finally!! He was trotting along in the brush by the road. We saw a number of beautiful lakes, and some rivers and creeks that made you want to stop and toss a lure out. The water in the rivers and creeks is cleaner than most we’ve seen to this point. Dease Lake is a huge lake…unfortunately we can’t see it from the campground! When we leave tomorrow we’ll drive about 150 miles and then take a spur road down to Stewart and Hyder. Stewart is in Canada. Hyder, which is only a couple of miles from Stewart, is in Alaska, so we’ll get to enjoy Alaska one more time! We plan on staying at a campground in Stewart for two nights. There are glaciers and bears feeding on salmon to see.

When we went to the Burwash Landing Museum we were given an information pamphlet that we didn’t read until that night. It has some interesting history I’d like to share with folks back home. Ray Allinger had told us that he had relatives that lived in Burwash Landing…at least he told us about one cousin who no longer lives there. Well, here are some excerpts from the pamphlet: Burwash Landing Resort Lodge…The original building can be seen in the low hip roof, small windows and oak flooring. Eugene Jacquot owned and operated the Burwash Lodge until his death in 1950. Leland Allinger, a renowned wrangler, took over the business and built a large barn near what is now the parking lot. The remains of an underground barn, one that housed 50 head of cattle, can be seen on the road to the lodge. Burlbilly Hill Cabin…Arnold Allinger built this little log cabin in the 1950s and, after his death, it became Burwash Landing’s first museum. Kluane Lake Boats…There are several boats on the beach behind the Burwash Landing Resort. The “Josephine” was built in 1931 by the Jacquots and named for one of Louis’ daughters, Josie Sias. Josie is married to Dick Sias’ brother Frank. Pretty neat, in fact the whole pamphlet is interesting to read. So…we woke up to a windy day, as you can tell by the morning pictures I took of Kluane Lake. We made our way over more frost heaves to Whitehorse, and got there at a decent hour. After unhooking we drove into town to have an oil change on the pickup and to get supplies. Later we had dinner at Boston Pizza, which we found out did NOT originate in Boston, but in Edmonton, Canada!

What I WON’T MISS: Frost Heaves!! It didn’t take us long to find the section of highway that we’d heard others talk about. This is one strip of the Alaska Highway that we missed going in because we went up to Dawson City and across the Top of the World Highway. I have no doubt Thomas and Mia would love it…it’s like a rollercoaster. I’d say at least 60% of the highway was damaged. My eyes are tired and my nerves frazzled after dealing with it. I was very amazed that things weren’t strewn all over the trailer. I figured the contents of the refrigerator and cupboards would have been back on the bed! To add insult to injury we are still dealing with a little haze from the fire. And we traveled some 220 miles south! The good news of the day is we didn’t have any issues crossing the border into Canada. We might have, but the border agent had other things to deal with and cars were backing up behind us so we didn’t get grilled this time. We cruised into Burwash Landing just as the fuel light came on…filled up for a little over $100, then went to the Burwash Landing Museum. We continued on to Cottonwood, where we’re staying the night at a campground on Kluane Lake. It’s pretty warm now…it’s 80 degrees inside the trailer at 6:00 and we can’t use the air conditioner because they only have 15 amp service. They have generated power here. From our campsite we can see the little buildings of the Kluane Bed & Breakfast where we visited Dick Sias’ brother and his wife on our way in about six weeks ago. This is a lovely lake, and it’s BIG. The campground was deserted when we got here about 3:30, but it’s filling up this evening. Not a lot of places to choose from around here! We could have continued on to Haines Junction for the night, but I refused to stay at that campground. Tomorrow we’ll pass through there on the way to Whitehorse. If you remember when I talked about scrambled brains on the highway, that’s the one we’ll be taking again. I am SO NOT looking forward to that one, especially after today. We’ll stay the night in Whitehorse tomorrow, pick up some things at Walmart, then catch the Cassiar Highway, which will be new to us. I have a few pictures to upload, but the service here is painfully slow so I'll wait until Whitehorse tomorrow.

We woke up this morning and the sky was smoky like I’d never seen. I managed to sit outside on the diner deck long enough to download the journal entry, then it was pack ‘em up and get out! Unfortunately the smoke followed us. It’s not too bad in Tok this evening since the winds came up, but along the way it was not good. It was pointless to try to take pictures. You know the roadside stops where they have a sign of a camera to let you know there’s a good photo up? Yeah, gray sky. You had to imagine what was in the background. This is all from the same fire in the Wrangell/St. Elias Mountains. I think we should be driving away from it tomorrow. When we got into Tok the first thing we did was go to the gift shop, then to the campground we stayed at on our way here. We walked next door to Fast Eddy’s for their salad bar and halibut strips. On the trip today I was thinking about things I’m looking forward to when I get home, and things I’ll miss here. First it will be good to see our neighbors, then it will be heavenly to take a shower in our spacious shower! I’m also looking forward to fresh veggies…squash, tomatoes, corn on the cob. I never did find a place that had decent zucchini. I’m sure the dogs are going to love taking off their harnesses and being able to run free. I’ll miss the fresh seafood, that’s for sure, and the snow-covered mountains and waterfalls. I’ve really been impressed by the flowers, especially the fireweed. I bought a package of seeds but I doubt they’ll do well at home. I really enjoyed fishing and meeting so many wonderful people. I truly hope we’ll have the chance to do this again. Oh yes, and we found another Schnauzer today!

Suffice it to say my day was uneventful at Kenny Lake. I did trailer cleaning and laundry and hung out with the dogs. As planned, the shuttle van picked John up a little after 8:00 to go see Kennecott Mine. Around 9:00 or so I could see (and smell) smoke and at first thought someone had a fire going in their house. Within a half hour it was pretty thick and I found out at the store that there is a fire up by McCarthy, where John was headed. Fortunately it didn’t affect road travel, but unfortunately for us the wind had shifted and now the smoke was drifting our way. So much for sitting outside and enjoying some sunshine! We figured out that we hadn’t seen any sun for ten days. The smoke did finally lift, but not until late afternoon. There’s a big grassy area here where we can walk the dogs. I discovered some little tiny berries growing close to the ground. I think they’re wild raspberries…at least that’s what they tasted like. It would probably take you a week of picking to get enough for a pie! It smells good just walking out there. There are some other berries growing amongst them. I’m not sure, but they could be salmonberries. I understand they’re in season now. John got back at 7:00 and quickly shared his experience at the mine with neighbors who are going up there today. He said the smoke got really heavy on the way up there (which you’ll see in his pictures), but once there it was clear and warm…he figured around 80 degrees. We’ll be breaking out the warm weather clothes again for the rest of the trip. You’ll also notice in John’s pictures that there’s a lot of restoration work going on at the mine. Some of the restoration is due to flooding in 2006. That’s about all I know about the mine…since I didn’t go, John can tell you all about it after we get home.

I posted an updated trip map today so you can see where our travels have taken us. Tomorrow we head back up to Glennallen and to Tok, where we'll spend the night. Then we head southeast through Northway and maybe as far as Destruction Bay. From there it's on to Haines Junction and then east to Whitehorse and south not quite to Watson Lake where we'll go south to Hyder and Stewart. Not sure if we're going to go to Prince Rupert. Then east to Prince George where we catch the trail home! Planning on being home around the 8th.

We left Valdez this morning about 8:30. I remember a very long descent when we came into town, but I didn’t check the mileage to see how long it was. It’s SEVEN miles straight of about 6% grade. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced one that long. When you reach the summit you’re at Worthington Glacier, which I took pictures of from the road when we went into Valdez. This time we took the road to the visitor center, where you can walk pretty close to the glacier. Our trip today was only about 100 miles. At mile 83 we took the road to McCarthy/Kennicott. Seven milee down a permafrost-ridden road we came to Kenny Lake, which is nothing more than a small RV park combined with a small grocery store, gas pump and diner…I’m still looking for a lake! I have a feeling it’s going to be very quiet here tonight. We went from mid-50 degree temperatures to upper 60 degrees. It was like a heat wave! John will catch the van to the mine tomorrow morning in front of the grocery store. The dogs and I will hang out…maybe there will be some sunshine to sit out in and enjoy! After we got set up here we took a drive to Chitina (pronounced Chit-na) to see the Copper River and watch the salmon wheels. Only native Alaskans are allowed to operate the wheels in rivers. They’re really quite interesting to watch…we saw a video at one of the museums that gave us a close up look at them. There’s no power involved…the river current turns the wheels. They catch sockeye salmon mostly as they make their run up river. We crossed the bridge over the Copper River and drove down to a rocky beach. It was in a very open area where the wind blew SO HARD!! John got out and took some video of a couple wheels that were close by and operating. We passed by a few pretty little lakes…saw a moose cow and her baby at one of the lakes. When we got back to the campground we decided to take a nap. When we woke up there were some trailers parked next to us. A lady came up to our door and started talking to one of our dogs…turns out they have a a10-month old female Schnauzer named Gigi who except for hair a bit lighter could be Koda’s relative! We were outside with the dogs when a man came out of the trailer next to theirs with yet another Schnauzer! She’s black and her name is Chloe. Koda was feeling pretty good with all of the ladies around him! After they got acquainted by smelling butts, they all settled down. We got some pictures to add to our travel collection. I didn’t think we were going to have internet here, but I hear the next door neighbor was on line over at the diner, so I’ll go check it out.

We were so beat last night after our cruise! We were crashed within a half hour of getting back to the trailer. When I got up I had lots of picture downloading to do. I took over 100 pictures yesterday! Fortunately for all of you I didn’t upload all of them to the journal. Today we visited two museums. One museum had an awesome movie on the 1964 earthquake. They interviewed a few residents, so it was a first hand description of the day. It was a terrifying experience for the survivors. You really need to try to imagine almost FIVE minutes of the earth moving beneath you. It’s almost incomprehensible. These people were SURVIVORS. They ended up moving the town to its new location, which in some instances meant they had their homes physically moved. Others chose to rebuild. About a year after the earthquake there was a ceremony of sorts…the remaining buildings were burned. It was a sort of cleansing. A new beginning. When you look at current day Valdez it’s hard to imagine what took place. After visiting the museums we went back to Peter Pan fish market to buy more goodies, then we took a drive out towards the Alaska Pipeline Terminal. There’s a fish hatchery right before the terminal where we stopped to watch the pink salmon returning to spawn. There are warning signs about bears and of the dangers of a dam break upstream in the event of an earthquake. Kind of gives you the creeps! It was sad to realize that this was the end of the line for many salmon. There were quite a few people checking out the stream, and lots more fishing along the banks of the bay…successfully as we noticed. On the way back we stopped to get fuel and some groceries since we’ll be leaving tomorrow and won’t be near a big town for a while. I was going to buy a couple rolls of paper towels until I saw the price. Two rolls of paper towels were $7.29!! We can wait! When I checked email this morning I had a message from my new friend Debbie reminding me to have dinner at the Halibut House. We went there for dinner, and while it’s not an upscale restaurant the food is every bit upscale! I had the halibut basket, John had the salmon wedge basket, and we each got a cup of clam chowder. First of all, the “cup” was more like a bowl, and it was very good. The fish was lightly breaded and fried and it was superb! I don’t know which I liked better. I know I’d like to try to make the salmon wedges at home. So to Debbie…THANKS for the suggestion! I think John and I need to take a trailer trip to Texas…we’ve never been there. I know she and her hubby are people I’d love to visit again! So we’re on the move again tomorrow…I hope for Koda’s sake it’s not raining. Speaking of Koda…the score is now 2-1 on falling off the bed. Maisy has fallen twice and Koda took his first spill last night. Koda wins on the THUD scale! Hey, maybe it knocked the fear of windshield wipers out of him. The bunnies paid a visit to the campground this evening…they both saw them. In fact Maisy got pretty close to one on our walk…I think she started drooling! I know she lost focus of what she was supposed to be doing. It’s been drizzly all day here, but not too cold…mid 50’s. I hope you have cooler weather in the valley this week. I truly don’t miss that! By the way, we’ll probably be away from internet service for a couple of days. And...FYI...we've now traveled 6,612 miles since June 8! Cheers!!

I’m excited…this is the day I hopefully will see PUFFINS!! We had to wait all morning…the boat doesn’t leave until 2. The weather was looking pretty good for us. We finally boarded…there were about 40 people total. As we waited in the harbor we were entertained by the antics of a sea otter who we found out later is Oscar, apparently the harbor mascot. He rolls and somersaults and appears to be preening himself. Finally we shoved off and were introduced to our crew. Captain Fred immediately started giving us information about Valdez. He is loaded with information that he shares with us throughout the day. Many people were outside looking at the scenery, until we picked up speed and we realize that it’s COLD out there! And it’s WARM inside, so most people headed inside. We saw lots of sea otters in groups…we were told it’s called a “raft” of otters. Next we saw a beautiful waterfall. I took a picture…see if you can spot the bald eagle on the tree top. We found a group of Dall porpoises. They played around by the boat for a little while. They look like miniature killer whales. As we learned more about the Valdez area we finally came to an area where there are MANY Stellar Sea Lions and puffins. Captain Fred put us right up into a cave, but no puffins. We found another area where there are puffins flying all over the place and we spotted a cave where a couple of them were standing on the rocks. We pulled up close for pictures. For the most part they flew away from their resting spots when the boat got close. The sea lions smelled very bad…I was glad to get away from them! One of our crew members was up in the crow’s nest watching for signs of whales. She finally spotted gulls circling, which is a sign that there are schools of herring, which is what whales like to eat! For the next hour or so we moved around following the birds as we watched the humpback whales come up. Once in a while they will breach…coming straight up out of the water catching fish AND maybe a seagull! I managed to get one shot of a breaching whale. I also got a few tail shots…they don’t always flip their tails. When we were all satisfied that we had seen enough whales, we headed toward Columbia Glacier. Unfortunately we couldn’t get up close to see the glacier because of all of the ice that’s breaking off of it. We pushed our way through quite a bit of ice…to the extent that some people were a little freaked out! I was amazed at the noise the ice makes. It’s kind of like a giant bowl of Rice Krispies! We pulled up next to an iceberg that was about 30 feet out of the water. We were told that it goes down under the water about 170 feet! It was VERY cold outside…35 degrees, and it started sprinkling. Captain Fred said the water temperature was 35 degrees. After pushing through ice for a while we finally headed back to Valdez. On the trip back most people were inside and getting to know each other. We had a three-year old girl and a toddler girl who provided entertainment for us. Oh, and we had a birthday party on the way back! It was Jan’s birthday…she was taking the cruise with her husband and their grandkids. She and I had spent some time on the bow while we were looking at the puffins. This was a return trip for her, as it was for some others. Her husband had snuck a cake on board to share with everyone. All of the crew members were great…friendly, informative and fun! And the girls made some awesome brownies in the galley! Their boat is smaller than the other tour boat, and I think it was more personable because of it. Also, the captain and his wife (who works in the office) built the boat and he seems to love doing what he does. In the fall they take the boat down to Washington where they spend the winter months. The captain does not watch the clock…they say the trip is 5 ½ to 7 hours long. We got back about 9. We got some tips on some things to do tomorrow from the captain and from a couple of people on board. Enjoy the pictures…I didn’t post all that I took!!

Okay, first thing…I have to admit that Valdez is not as big as I thought it was. Don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s definitely small. I heard that cruise ships stop here, but I can’t see what they would do with all the people. I know some would go on excursions, but there aren’t the number of shops there are in Skagway, which is also small…smaller actually, but stuffed with tourist shops. There is no doubt, however, of the beauty of Valdez. It is primarily a fishing town and of course there’s the APL…Alaska Pipe Line. The weather was somewhat better when we got up this morning…note the clouds in the pictures. After checking email we had a pancake breakfast at “home”, then went wandering. First thing we did was book our boat tour for tomorrow…supposed to be better weather. Then we took a drive out to where the pink and chum salmon spawn. It’s a pretty shallow creek, and we got to watch a few working their way up the creek. Next we went out to “Old Valdez”. You have to imagine what happened on that day in 1964, and realize the devastation it caused. There is NOTHING left where the town was, but as I said yesterday, what was left was either condemned or moved to the new location. Then we went to one of three museums…we’ll catch the other two on Sunday. Nice museum; very informative and lots of good displays. Be sure and check out the picture of the North Pacific Fur Fish! We also went out to the Peter Pan Seafood store and bought some canned salmon…one is smoked. A little sticker shock…a 6.5 ounce of canned (jar) of smoked sockeye salmon was $10!! I took it home and made a dip out of it for tomorrow’s trip. It turned out to be quite delicious, so we’ll probably go back and get at least one more jar for Labor Day. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s trip. We had a nice visit with one of the owners of the boat. She and her husband own it. They stay here during the summer and in September they cruise the boat down to Washington. That’s their vacation…they work seven days a week when they’re here. She told us that they’ve been seeing lots of marine wildlife and assured me I would see plenty of puffins. YAY…PUFFINS!!! She also said that commercial fishing is not good here this year. Peter Pan Seafoods is a big company, and they usually have lots of employees who come from all over the world. She talked about a couple of men who came from Ghana…they had to pay their own airfare and work permits, which added up to a few thousand dollars. The fishing has been so poor that in a couple of months they only earned about $1,000, so they took the loss and went home. Peter Pan has quite a complex out by the harbor. Besides the retail store they have a few dormitories, recreation hall, a building with showers, a mess hall, and an area for sports activities. The bad thing is many workers have left, and if there happens to be a good day (or days) of fishing, they don’t have the crews to process it. As a side note, last night at dinner our waitress was Turkish, and the other ones in the restaurant all had accents. I didn’t ask if they were also from Turkey, but they could have been. John booked his trip to Kennicott Mine…he’s going to take the shuttle van from our campground in Kenny Lake. It’s about 80 miles to McCarthy from our campground in Kenny Lake. From there they walk across a bridge and catch another shuttle to the mine. It will be an all day trip for him…close to 12 hours from the time he leaves the campground. It seems like a LONG day, but you know John and gold!!

Weather doesn’t look too promising, but who knows? I’m guessing it will be worse in Valdez. The first leg takes us east on the Glenn Highway toward Glennallen. Very pretty drive, with the Chugach Mountains to our north as we follow what I believe is the Matanuska River. Along the way we see the Matanuska Glacier. A few of the mountain tops have obviously received an overnight dusting of fresh snow. At Glennallen we head south on the Richardson Highway which will dump us into Valdez. For a while we lose the snow-peaked mountains, but not for long. The road begins to offer some beautiful scenery and turns spectacular with glaciers, cascades, and waterfalls. It has started to rain…there goes Koda with his nose in the corner of the back seat! We no doubt missed some views because of the clouds, but we found Worthington Glacier with no problem! And then we found Bridal Veil Falls and Horse Tail falls in a canyon. The descent into Valdez is one of the longest I’ve ever been on. Not that it was so steep, but it was LONG! Valdez is definitely a beautiful little village. If the clouds will go away I’m sure it will be even more so! After we settled into our camp spot at Bear Paw we drove around a little to check out the lay of the land. We had a bite to eat, then walked around some in the rain. We’re going to take a day cruise in the next day or two. It really doesn’t sound like the weather is going to get much better in the next few days. There are a couple of museums to check out, too. Here are a few facts about Valdez: It’s in the N.E. section of Prince William Sound, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains, which are the tallest coastal mountains in North America, rising from sea level to an elevation of 7,000 feet. The range is also the most heavily glaciated range in the Northwest. There are also tidewater glaciers and rain forests, along with abundant marine and land wildlife. It is a premier fishing destination. With some 600 inches of snow, Valdez is well known for its winter adventures such as helicopter and snowcat skiing and snowboarding…some of the best in the world, ranging from intermediate to extreme. Cold temperatures serve to freeze waterfalls around Valdez, providing unparalleled ice climbing opportunities. Valdez hosts the Valdez Marine Terminal, which is the southernmost end of the 800-mile Alaska Pipeline. On a sad note, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. On March 24 (Good Friday), the tanker Exxon Valdez struck Bligh reef, approximately 25 miles outside of Valdez causing the largest oil spill in North American history. It caused an influx of people to Valdez to help with the clean up efforts. During this time new buildings were erected. The building that housed the command center is now one of seven hotels. Another historical event was the 1964 earthquake. On March 27 (again on a Good Friday) at 5:36 p.m., a 9.2 earthquake lasting over four minutes struck 45 miles West of Valdez. The quake triggered an underwater landslide creating tremendous waves that washed away the Valdez waterfront, drowning 30 people on the dock and three men on the steamer Chena. The town was later condemned and was relocated. Fifty-two buildings were moved four miles east to the current location. There’s your Valdez history for the day! We’ll hope for clearer weather tomorrow so we can view some more mountains and glaciers and get some good pictures to download to the journal!

Only in Alaska, ay?? No, they don’t drop moose from the sky, nor do they drop real moose droppings. It’s actually a raffle. Shellacked and numbered moose poop is hauled up in the air in a net and then dropped on a bullseye. Raffle numbers correspond to numbers on moose poop. Winners include the closest and farthest from the bullseye. Sounds like not-much-fun but it is a highlight of the day! From what I’ve read it can be a pretty rowdy day in Talkeetna!

We spent last night in Palmer, which is in the Matanuska-Susitna (MatSu) Valley. It includes the communities of Palmer, Talkeetna and Wasilla (think Palin). Palmer sits on the Matanuska River and is bordered by the Talkeetna Mountains to the north and the Chugach Range to the south. The area is a farming community and fishing is popular here as in other areas of Alaska. We went to Independence Mine this morning, which is an abandoned mine some 15 miles north of Palmer. It is somewhat reminiscent of Bodie, but with a better access road with some beautiful scenery along the way. I found some information on Independence Mine to share with you: GOLD! A magic word that time cannot tarnish; a soft metal with the strength to forge history. Gold was the magnet that drew thousands of adventurers to the last frontier. Though most Alaskans recognize that gold played an important part in Alaska's history, they normally think first of Nome, Fairbanks, or the Iditarod country. But even before a quarter-of-a-million gold seekers began their stampede into those famous areas, gold was discovered just southeast of Anchorage in 1886. From there prospectors spread into the Susitna and Matanuska river basins, testing the creeks in the nearby mountains. They found hard rock (lode) gold scattered in quartz veins throughout the granite in the Talkeetna Mountains. These veins were created by hydrothermal action that filled fractures in the rock. Erosion loosened flakes of gold, and flowing water eventually washed the gold-bearing gravel into a stream. Throughout the history of gold mining, placer mining has preceded lode mining, and this area was no exception. The rough-textured gold found in the bottom of pans and sluice boxes hinted at something more: a nearby source, or mother lode. Robert Lee Hatcher discovered and staked the first lode gold claim in the Willow Creek Valley in September 1906, and others soon followed. But lode mining was expensive for an individual operator; it required elaborate tunnels and heavy equipment, so companies merged to pool resources and reduce expenses. What is now called Independence Mine was once two mines: The Alaska Free Gold (Martin) Mine on Skyscraper Mountain, and Independence Mine on Granite Mountain. In 1938 the two were bought together under one company, the Alaska-Pacific Consolidated Mining Company (APC). With a block of 83 mining claims, APC became the largest producer in the Willow Creek Mining District. The claims covered more than 1,350 acres and included 27 structures. In its peak year, 1941, APC employed 204 men, blasted nearly a dozen miles of tunnels, and produced 34,416 ounces of gold worth $1,204,560; today $17,208,000. Twenty-two families lived in nearby Boomtown, with eight children attending the Territorial School in the new bunkhouse. By 1942, the United States had entered World War II, and the War Production Board designated gold mining as nonessential to the war effort. Gold mining throughout the United States came to a halt, but Independence Mine continued to operate because of the presence of sheelite. Sheelite occurs in some of the quartz veins along with gold, and was a source of tungsten, a strategic metal. But because Independence Mine's scheelite production was low, the exemption was short-lived. In 1943, Independence Mine was ordered to close. The wartime ban was lifted in 1946, but gold mining was slow to recover. After the war, gold could be sold only to the U.S. government at a fixed rate of $35 per ounce. Postwar inflation raged, and gold mining became an unprofitable venture. Finally, in January of 1951, after mining nearly 6 million dollars' worth of gold, Independence Mine was closed by APC, and a chapter of Alaska's gold mining history came to an end. In 1974, Independence Mine was entered into the National Register of Historic Places, a list of cultural resources significant to American history. In the late 1970's, 271 acres of land were donated to the Alaska Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation for establishment of Independence Mine State Historical Park. On January 16, 1980, title to the acreage was transferred to the State of Alaska. By the looks of the buildings, workers there had a pretty good life compared to some of the other folks who came to Alaska looking to make a fortune. Most ended up working for a living and often times under very poor conditions. The weather is still cloudy although we haven’t had much more than a few sprinkles since yesterday. However, the wind has made up for it! Last night reminded me of the trip we took to Boomtown…I thought all of our trailers were going to lifted and blown to the Land of Oz! We’re here in Palmer for another night, then onward to Valdez.

Something else I forgot to mention about Seward…The Annual 4th of July Mt. Marathon Race. Here is what wikipedia says about it: The race begins downtown, on Fourth and Jefferson, in front of the First National Bank, and ends a block south of where it began, on Fourth and Adams. The halfway point is a stone marker atop Mount Marathon, 3022 feet above sea level, and a mile and a half from the finish line. The total race course distance is about 3.1 miles (5 kilometers). Leading racers will typically reach the peak from the starting line in 33–40 minutes, and reach the finish line from the peak in 10–15 minutes. Average speed uphill is 2 mph. Average speed downhill is 12 mph. It is not uncommon for the racers who finish to cross the finish line injured or bleeding and covered in mud. The first race was run in 1908 on an informal bet between a local bartender and a geologist. The bartender's challenge was to run from that spot, to the top of — what was then Mount Isabelle — and back, in under an hour. His finishing time of 62 minutes didn't win him the compass and map he'd wagered for, but they carved his name on the wall and challenged anyone in town to beat him. Mt. Marathon was first run as an organized race in 1915. The 2007 running was the 80th Mount Marathon Race. The Mount Marathon Race is one of a number of races believed to be the second oldest footrace in America. The mountain was just behind our campground. I found some pictures on the internet…check them out!

First thing this morning I drove to the Sea Bean internet café for a coffee and to check email. I was able to download the journal and a couple of pictures but about that time the ISP went into slow motion so I gave up (I finished downloading the pictures this afternoon). On the way back to the campground I noticed a whole bunch of domestic rabbits at a house by the campground. I had seem a really darling little rabbit hopping around by our trailer two days in a row. Yesterday we saw some on the other side of town. Evidently someone had a couple of cute little rabbits and ended up with a herd of them! I’m tempted to write to the Chamber of Commerce and find out what’s up with the bunnies. So we moved north to Palmer with a stop at Costco in Anchorage and a stop at the Visitor Center in Wasilla. I doubt that Sarah was home since it’s her last week in office. She’s probably down in Juneau cleaning out her office. We were just going to make this a one night stop, but I think we’re going to stay two nights so we can go to Independence Mine. Didn’t take any pictures today…weather is still kind of cruddy. Maybe tomorrow. I had a note from my Texas friend Debbie, who is still in Soldotna…she read my journal about the eagle eyeing Maisy and she said the same thing happened to her the other day. An eagle at their campground was eyeing her schnauzer Sharkey! She said it was kind of creepy…indeed it is when you realize what’s going on. I must say we were warned! Debbie’s husband Jim and friend Don are really catching the sockeyes. Back to eagles, I talked to Jeffrey today and he saw a couple of bald eagles in a tree while he and a friend were kayaking last weekend. I thought maybe it had something to do with the Tecates he said they were drinking, but he took pictures and there’s no mistaking what they are. I heard another funny about Whittier today…Alaskans must have lots of these that they pull out of their hats. “Everything's shittier in Whittier”. Not my words, Mia. Ciao!!

Before I talk about today I have to tell you the story about the internet café. We went into the café to check it out…I figured I’d go back this morning and do email and the journal. As I was waiting to talk to the barista there was a man in line waiting for ice cream cones for him and his wife. We said hello, talked about the cool weather, and I said I’d rather be here than at home where it’s 106 degrees. He asked where that was and I told him I had spoken with my son in Colusa, but it was also hot at home, near Sacramento. He said they were from Placerville, so it must be hot there too. John came up about that time and the man said he knew someone at the Colusa Agriculture’s Office, because he works (or worked) for the El Dorado Ag Office. John caught that and asked if he knew Edio Delfino…come to find out he took over Edio’s job when he retired. And his wife has worked at Kid’s Inc. for the Delfino’s at Apple Hill, and he knew Ezio, too. So now, everybody hum it…It’s a Small World After All…oh crap, that’s going to be with you all day! Okay now…today we took a drive to Whittier. Some Alaskans refer to people in Whittier as Whittiods. You’d be strange if you lived there, too. To get to Whittier by car you have to go through a one lane 2 ½ mile long tunnel, and pay $12.00 to do it. It’s very small but a few cruise ships come in occasionally. There are very few shops, a few eateries, kayak rentals, glacier boat tours, and …well, that’s pretty much it. The Alaska Railway passenger train comes in every day, and it also uses that tunnel. So you get to the tunnel ticket booth, pay (they only charge you going into Whittier), then proceed to a staging area. There are lanes for passenger vehicles, RV’s, buses, and trucks. This is a VERY narrow tunnel with tracks down the center and rock walls. We had to wait for about 45 minutes for our direction of traffic to be released. We waited while oncoming vehicles emerged from the tunnel, then we waited as the train went through to Whittier. Finally it was our turn. It’s a slight bit unnerving because it’s so narrow. Before we went into the tunnel it was starting to rain lightly and it was kind of cold. When we got out of the tunnel the wind was blowing like mad, the rain was coming down horizontally, and it was cold even for me! I’d say it was about 50 degrees cooler than your weather at home (it was 54 degrees). We had the dogs with us and since it was raining we had to use the windshield wipers…most of you know what that did to Koda…he is terrified of them. We left the dogs in the truck while we went into a funky little restaurant and had a warm bowl of clam chowder and fish (ling cod) and chips. It was all very tasty. We didn’t stay much longer since it was so miserably windy and wet. I found out that most people who live in Whittier live in the same big building that also houses a grocery store and a medical center. There’s a tunnel that leads to the school so kids don’t have to go out in the snow in the winter. There’s also a tunnel that goes under the tracks from the building over to the harbor area where the small businesses are. The weather cleared up considerably on the way back to Seward. It’s done some sprinkling, but it’s not windy so it’s quite a bit warmer…it was 63 when we got into town. Tomorrow we’ll most likely spend the night in Palmer as we make our way to Valdez, where we’ll spend a few days. I hope the weather cools down some for you.

Woke up to the sound of raindrops on the trailer, and it pretty much continued throughout the day. We went to the Alaska Sea Life Center this morning…very informative and they had lots of live critters. Kind of like going to Monterey Bay Aquarium, but I enjoyed this one better. There was a sea lion there the size of a house! I learned a lot about the different types of fishes in the area, and I got to see a real live PUFFIN!!!! I’ve wanted to see a puffin like forever! I’m really looking forward to going on the Prince William Sound cruise so I can see some in nature. Did you know they shed their beaks every year? Natives used to find them lying around and make rattles with them. We did some shopping on the main street…not lots of shops and most of them were the same old stuff. We found a place that serves gelato, and it looks wonderful, so we decided that after dinner tonight we would go check it out. That’s when I’ll check out the internet place, too. We also went to see Exit Glacier. It’s a beautiful drive out there, but since it was 56 degrees and showering we didn’t take the walk to it. It’s about a one hour hike. Hey, there’s plenty more glaciers we’ll be seeing! On the way back we stopped by Safeway to see if they had a Starbucks inside with wi-fi. The Starbucks was there, but no wi-fi. I looked around a bit and checked some prices…Holy *�!...think steep! A bag of prepared salad, like Caesar, or Salsa salad? $5.79. Same for a pound of strawberries. Glad I stocked up in Soldotna. Tonight we’re having crab-stuffed salmon and some of our leftovers from last night. They’re in the oven now, warming up the trailer! Jeffrey told me it was 106 degrees in Colusa today…50 more than here! I think it’s supposed to be the same here tomorrow. Those who know me know that I’m loving this weather!! Happy Sunday!!

We said our goodbyes after we went into town to the Moose is Loose for a pastry. Couldn’t leave without one more cinnamon roll for me and apple fritter for John. We weren’t 35 miles out of town when the Low Fuel light came on. We suddenly realized we were almost out of gas, and we were together the day before when we filled the tank. Since there didn’t seem to be a leak, we were painfully aware that someone had siphoned gas from our tank the night before! It almost seemed incomprehensible in such a small place that someone would be so brazen…but that’s exactly what had to have happened. We figured they got about 20 gallons…not too shabby! Fortunately we had two 5-gallon gas containers in the back so we pulled over at the first pullout and poured one. That got us to a gas station at Cooper’s Landing. You really just have to shake something like that off…it was just very disappointing that it happened at Iva’s Place, where we felt so comfortable that we didn’t lock our doors. We continued on to Seward, and the scenery was wondrous; snow-covered peaks, trees, and lakes. And the clouds that I had been hearing about! By the time we got to Seward it had started to sprinkle, but fortunately for Koda not enough to warrant turning on the wipers. We found a city run campground on the beach. Basically it’s a gravel and rock covered parking lot with RVs parked side by side. We’re one row up from the water…we have water and electricity; the first row doesn’t. Consequently we’ve been listening to generators all afternoon and evening! It hasn’t rained much; mostly just drizzle. We went to the harbor for dinner and it was fantastic! Yep, more fish and seafood! The Captain’s Platter…lightly breaded pan-fried halibut, with lightly battered prawns and scallops, and a side of two Alaskan king crab legs. Needless to say we both brought home half of our dinner. It also included rice pilaf and carrots. Oh yes, and we had a cup of seafood chowder! I know…oink, oink!! Like last night’s dinner wasn’t enough. Wait…that’s not the end…we later checked out a creamery for a scoop of ice cream…now you can say it! Tomorrow we’re going to do some sight-seeing in town (not a lot here) and go out to see Exit Glacier. As we get ready for bed the sky is still pretty dark, so no telling what tomorrow will bring. I’m going to have to find someplace that has wi-fi too…none here at the campground. I saw a coffee shop that had a sign in the window that says they have internet, so I’ll check it out. I have to tell you about the dogs’ potty walk tonight. As we were walking the dogs an eagle flew towards us and came down a little too close to Maisy…he was without a doubt checking her out as an entrée, and as he swooped over us way too close for comfort I swear I saw him drool!! Maisy had no idea how close she came to taking an unscheduled flight over Seward!

Well bad news, folks. Today was NOT a day for catching King salmon…not for us, not for about 95% of the people fishing the Kenai River for Kings. It was depressing, but whatcha gonna do? I’d be very unhappy if we were watching other boats hauling them in, but we only saw one come in. It was still nice being on the river…being on it or sitting next to it is therapeutic. The funny thing was every time we passed by our campground we watched the guys from the campground catching Sockeye like crazy. There were people all up and down the river fishing for them. Some people are out in their waders, others fishing from the bank. Everywhere we saw people fishing we saw some being reeled in. We didn’t try fishing for them when we got back to camp…we were tired from getting up early and being defeated! Instead we napped and ran some errands. Later of course came the delicious roast pig dinner. OMG that pork was juicy and tender, and you would not believe the number of salads and hot dishes that were there. And then the desserts!! I’m quite sure these ladies made more than one dish to share. Showing off their talents! We made the rounds saying our goodbyes. I truly hope we’ll get to come back here in the near future. So we’re sending home almost 60 pounds of fish. When we get home we’ll call them and it will be shipped overnight express to us. Now we’re ready to head off to Seward for a few days. Weather isn’t real promising, but we’ve had beautiful weather for quite a while, so we can’t complain.

Wake up, wake up, you sleepy head! We got our butts up early and headed down to the river with poles in hand and attitudes set to positive. Of course there were others who beat us down there and already had fish. Within a short time I had one hooked on, and it was a fun fight! A couple of times close to the shore and the net…it was a NICE one, and then WHOOSH…it was gone. Oh well…what I don’t bring in I don’t have to clean, right? Some time later John had one on and he brought it to shore. It was big enough to fill four quart bags of fillets…three for the freezer and the rest we’re eating tonight. We went back a few times today to try our luck…John lost one; I got nothing. My mind was on watching those boats out in the river catching Kings…I really can’t wait until tomorrow. Even if I don’t get anything it’s so wonderful being out on the water and watching all the wildlife and the boats. I’m looking forward to seeing more eagles…I could never tire of watching them. I think the dogs have come to the conclusion that this is their home now, after getting groomed on the table outside the trailer. I think they’ve become accustomed to this place, too. We’ll really mess them up when we pull roots on Saturday! Barbecued the Sockeye for dinner…it was really tasty. Now it’s time to go back down to the river and try again for a Sockeye.

I woke up early to go do laundry, got back around 9 and the campground was hopping. The Sockeye are here! There were already six caught by the time I got back. John went into town to get some fishing gear. I watched one of the ladies try her luck last night. Not much to it…a couple of small sinkers and a hook. Some people use a hook with a yarn fly, others use gummy bears (not the edible kind Mia) on the hook, but basically you’re snagging the fish and it better be in the mouth or you have to release it. You pull out about ten feet or so of line, cast and let it float down river. You don’t reel in, just pull the line back and do it again and again until one hits. I guess the fish are around 5 – 15 pounds. I’ll go sit and watch John try his luck when he gets back. I’m sure there are a few people down there by now. After I finished laundry I stopped by The Moose is Loose Bakery. That place is the Cadillac of bakeries! I don’t know about moose being loose, but you definitely drool when you walk in. Wonderful breads, pastries and cookies. I’ll have to stay away from there! So fish were caught all afternoon but neither John nor I managed to get one. I had to break away for awhile to give the dogs their dreaded baths…what they don’t know is tomorrow I’m going to groom them outside the trailer. After dinner John went back to fishing and I took a drive to find my new friend Debbie (from Texas) who we met in Haines. I didn’t have any trouble finding her at the Diamond M RV Park…she and her husband and I had a nice visit. Debbie gave me some travel tips for the areas we’re heading next. There’s a slight chance we might meet up again in Valdez as they’ll be heading that way to fish the silver salmon. We’ll be saying goodbye to Harley and Wesley tomorrow…Wesley wants to go fish for graylings.

John added 25 pounds of halibut fillets to the salmon and halibut cache. Everybody on his trip limited out fairly quickly today, nothing enormous, but nobody wanted enormous…just some good eating halibut. The dogs and I kicked back, then I cleaned house (trailer?) before we went into town to check email and download the journal. Internet service was painfully slow, and I tried two different places. Supposedly I had an excellent connection, but that must be in Alaska measurement. I got frustrated and quit, came back and spent some time reading my book. Later I went for a ride to the fabric store in Kenai with one of the neighbors. Mt. Redoubt was exceptionally clear so I’m really glad I went. The next two days will be kick-back with some sight-seeing and mentally preparing ourselves for our last fish trip on Friday. It would be nice to ship 100 pounds home! Camping neighbor Wesley caught a 40 pound King today…he’s very stoked! It turned out to be a beautiful day today; I had my doubts since it was overcast and cold this morning. Everybody is still waiting for the sockeyes to start running here.

It’s nice to be back in our comfy little campground, even if we don’t have wi-fi. There’s always Starbuck’s to do email. We took my halibut to the fish processing place where they’ll cut, vacuum pack, and later ship it home for us. We took a drive to Kenai to watch how dip-netting for Sockeye (reds) salmon is done. It’s quite interesting. It takes place on both sides of the mouth of the Kenai River, and I guess at the Kasilof River too, and it requires a special permit. The nets are HUGE. People walk out waist to chest deep in the river with their nets. On the Kenai the hours are 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. On the Kasilof they can fish around the clock. John walked down to the beach and took some video and still shots of the procedure. There were lots of people down there, although a local told us there are usually more. People are allowed to camp on the beach in tents. The city brings in a row of porta-potties. There’s a road down to the beach, but it’s only for loading and unloading…there’s a parking lot a bit further up the road where you pay $15 to park your vehicle. I guess people up river get pretty excited about opening of dip-netting season, because it means that the reds are on their way up. In a day or two they should be running here where they’re mostly caught with flies…I know the guys at our campground are anxious! When we arrived back at Soldotna it was foggy, but by the time we drove to Kenai it had cleared up. We even got to see Mt. Redoubt! That’s the most recent active volcano here. There was some action in April, but it’s been kind of quiet since. When I was on the halibut trip I saw Mt. Augustine; I believe that’s an inactive volcano. There are three over there in a row. Mt. Iliama is in the middle of the others. From the bluff at Kenai we could also see where the fires are still burning at the south end of the peninsula. We cooked up some of my halibut for dinner and shared some with the Vermont guys. Harley and Wesley…Harley is Wesley’s grandpa…were here last week and we thought they would be starting their trip back to Vermont. When we pulled into the campground today their camper was here. I guess they’ve enjoyed the fishing as much as we have, because Harley booked Wesley on another king salmon trip. Wesley went out with the same outfitters we did last Friday. He caught a sockeye but no king. Cross your fingers John catches a couple of nice halibut tomorrow (Tuesday) and with a little extra luck maybe some ling cod!!

I went on my first halibut trip today! The boat, The Jackpot, left the harbor at 12:30 this afternoon. It can hold 20 fishermen, but there were only five of us who were paying customers. In addition to us there were two young local boys; one was obviously in training to be a deck hand, the other was his friend who went along for the ride. Then there was a local young man who recently graduated from University of North Dakota. He’s home for the summer and he was evidently friends with the crew. He had a pole out, as did the trainee. Everyone had their limits within an hour and a half. Nothing huge, but nobody seemed to want huge…just some good eating halibut. The first one I caught was about 20 pounds, the second was maybe 25 pounds. I can’t say that they’re an exciting fish to bring in…not a lot of fight. More like dead weight, and that made it hard! I’m actually glad I didn’t catch anything bigger. There were a couple a little smaller and one a little larger, but we were all happy. The captain helped me quite a bit…turns out his sister used to live in Galt. It’s a small world after…oh, crap!! Stuck in your head all day now!! We saw lots of sea otters, sea gulls, and a bird I have to look up in the bird guide. It was foggy when we left Homer, and pretty much stayed that way until we got out to our destination. We were at the end of the Kenai peninsula and it was Beautiful!! And sunny. As we headed back we got back into the fog, but not bad. When we got back John and I went to the Salty Dawg yet again, but this time I ordered a Salty Dawg, then we went to dinner and had a scrumptious halibut meal. When we came out of the restaurant the fog had lifted and you could see the mountains across the bay. The glaciers are quite a sight to see. By then I was beat so it’s early to bed tonight. Tomorrow we head back to Soldotna.

I would never have imagined what a beautiful place Homer could be. I remember my cousin Paula moving up here sometime around the 70’s because her husband was a commercial fisherman. At the time I felt so bad for her; I figured she was in some God-forsaken frozen tundra land. Boy was I wrong! Now I don’t doubt that the winters can be severe, but during this time of year this is a wondrous land. First thing this morning John took the mondo-binoculars out to the bluff and we watched boats going out, some loons, and lots of sea otters swimming around. We watched bald eagles…actually had one fly directly over us pretty low, on his/her way to meet up with another eagle. Later we took a drive up to an overlook and got some pictures of Homer. Once again I have to say that it was hazy from the fires, but it was nonetheless a stunning site. We watched some float planes take off from the float plane pond. On the way down the hill we saw three sand hill cranes fly by. Next we went to the Islands & Ocean Visitor Center where they had a great film about a marine research ship, and some pretty neat displays. Next we went out to the spit again to see the seafarer’s memorial and watch some halibut being processed. Wouldn’t want the job, but it was interesting to watch. Then it was back to the Salty Dawg Saloon…I misspelled it in yesterday’s journal. I tried a Homer Red brew. They bottle it in recycled Sobe bottles!! After visiting with the bartender for a bit before it got really busy and buying some shirts there, we came back and hung out with the dogs for a bit and had some smoked halibut and cheese for lunch. Next came a quick snooze, and then back for more looking around town. We went to the Pratt Museum, and I have to say that was the best museum we’ve been to in all of Alaska. Lots of practical information about the area. Downstairs they had a big screen showing a live grizzly webcam set up at a small waterfall on a river. There were four bears there waiting for fish. I never saw a bear catch one, but I saw fish jumping. The museum also had a gut-wrenching photo display and journal on the Exxon Valdez spill. It’s the 30 year anniversary of the spill. The museum also had a small botanical garden. After that we went to the Homer Brewery, where we did a little tasting and I bought a couple of bottles of beer. I guess you can only buy it there and it comes either in growlers or 20-ounce Sobe bottles. I bought a Porter and a Red. So now we have dinner in the oven, which is a good thing because it’s pretty foggy outside and the heat feels good! I can’t even see the water from here right now. Wish me luck on my fishing trip tomorrow…I’m pretty excited about it. We saw some halibut that came in today from charters.

Time to leave our cozy little spot in Soldotna, but we’ll be back next week. Homer is about 80 miles from Soldotna at the end of the Sterling Highway. It’s a pretty drive, kind of reminiscent of driving between Fort Bragg and Caspar. Lots of lupine lines the highway…it’s quite tall here, too. There’s been lupine and fireweed in much of the areas we’ve traveled in Alaska. I’m trying to figure out why the Forget-Me-Not flower is the state flower. I finally saw some a couple of days ago. We arrived in Homer about 11 this morning, found a campground in town rather than on the spit. I’m glad we did, because it’s been pretty windy today…it was pretty cold when we got here. And I have to say when we finally took a drive out to the spit I wasn’t impressed with any of the campgrounds. We have beach access here and a view of the Cook Inlet and the mountains. The wind blew some of the smoke away…there’s a fire in this area, too. Homer, the surrounding mountains and water, are really beautiful. After we got settled in we went for a drive back to Anchor Point, about 15 miles, to see Norman Lowell’s gallery. We’d heard it was quite impressive, along with his old homestead and gardens. It’s true. His gallery consists of a number of rooms. He and his wife were both there…he greeted visitors and she tended the gift shop area. They’re both lovely people and the gardens…oh, WOW! The lilacs are HUGE and they’re everywhere! Not only do they have flower gardens, but a beautiful vegetable garden. I had never heard of Norman Lowell…he has some nice paintings, mostly of the Alaska area. John ended up buying a print of the Kennicott Mine. It will frame up nice and will look perfect in the house. After we left there we went to Bear Creek Winery. They have some pretty unique wines. They’re made from grapes from areas in California and other places, and many of them are infused with different local berries and fruits, such as rhubarb, blueberries, raspberries, and such. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice most of them were. Fun place, too! The gal that was pouring for me was fairly young, just moved here from Fairbanks because she’s training for the Iditarod and she needs hill experience. She also said the snow is better here…more of it than in Fairbanks. After leaving there we went to the spit, parked and walked around. We had dinner at Captain Pattie’s Fish House. Good food…awesome food, actually! After dinner we went to check out the Salty Dog Saloon…I guess it’s a have to see place, kind of like going to Hussong’s when you’re in Ensenada, Mexico. The place is a rustic little joint that looks kind of like a lighthouse. As we got near we noticed a bald eagle on top of the lighthouse. At first we thought it was fake until it turned to look around. We got a couple of pictures, went inside to look at the place, and when we walked out the eagle was gone. The Salty Dog is kind of a combination of Giusti’s and Al’s Place décor. There are dollar bills tacked on the ceiling and walls…LOTS of them…TONS of them! We didn’t stay and have a drink because we were stuffed from dinner. Maybe tomorrow. I’m going out on a half day halibut trip on Sunday afternoon…wish me luck. Also with a little luck the air will be cleared up by tomorrow so we can get some good pictures. This place has some breathtaking views!

Today was a day of rest…sort of, at least after we went to breakfast and after laundry was done. John booked another salmon trip with Val’s guide service for a week from tomorrow, so it looks like when we get back here on Monday after our journey to Homer, we’re going to stay through Saturday. That’s okay be me. Everything is wonderful here except the air. At times it’s brown from the fire that’s burning to the south of us. They’re letting some of the fires burn because (1) they’re not endangering any homes or structures, and (2) the fires are burning the dead trees caused by the borer beetle. Maybe once we get to the south of that fire we’ll see blue skies on down the peninsula tomorrow. I’m anxious to see Homer…sounds like it’s a nice little place. I forgot to download the pictures of Kenai that I took a couple of days ago. We plan to go up there again next week to watch people dip-netting for sockeye salmon. Dip-netting season there starts tomorrow. From what I’ve heard and pictures I’ve seen, there are massive numbers of people and tents on the beach. The dip nets are huge…five feet in diameter! The Costco in Anchorage was selling them, along with hip waders…fishermen stand out about waist deep in the water. I also want to watch bank fishing for the reds that will be coming through Soldotna next week. People around here are anxiously awaiting their arrival! We barbecued a piece of my salmon for dinner last night…Oh, YUM! Want more!!

I CAUGHT A KING SALMON!! A 37-pound, 42 inch beauty. We didn’t have high hopes when we went out because there haven’t been many caught this week, and it wasn’t looking good this morning either. We didn’t see or hear of many being caught, and it was three hours into our half day trip when BOOM! At first we thought it was a small fish because of the way it was acting, then it put up a fight. We were all pretty excited about it…I know our guide Val was since it was her boat that caught one of the few for the morning. She’s a great guide…I’d highly recommend her! So it was worth the 4:30 a.m. wake up; and we got to see more wildlife! We saw three moose, a number of eagles, including two nests (one with mom in it feeding her babies), Arctic terns, a few seals, and a couple of Stellar Jays. So now John has to go get us a big halibut next week! He’s booked for a Tuesday trip with the guys from the campground, out of Ninilchik. In the meantime we’ll stay here a couple more days, head to Homer for a few, then be back here for the fishing trip. Also in the meantime the Sockeyes should start their run through here so maybe we can fish for them when we get back. Those you fish for from the bank, right here along the river…basically you snag them, but if they’re snagged anywhere other than the mouth they must be released. We left the fish at a processing place where they’ll cut it, vacuum pack it, and freeze it for us. If it doesn’t fit in our freezer we can have it shipped home…for a fee of course! We kept a piece of it for dinner tonight…can’t wait to taste it. Weather is still warm here…record breaking temperatures. It was 78 degrees here yesterday, 74 forecast for today and 72 tomorrow. A wind picked up this afternoon…skies are still very hazy. There’s a fire nearby, and others all over Alaska. I really hope it will clear up soon.

The scenery was jaw-dropping gorgeous on the way here…UNFORTUNATELY it was very hazy so pictures wouldn’t have done it justice. I think there’s a fire or fires nearby causing the haze…we noticed it in Anchorage this morning. The snow covered mountains and glaciers were awesome. I’m just hoping it’s clear on the way home! We noticed a huge plume of smoke to the south of Soldtona this afternoon…at first we thought maybe Mt. Redoubt was spewing again, but I believe it’s to the west of us. So the campground that we found is just perfect. It’s small…maybe a couple of dozen trailers could fit here, but there are only about half that. It’s at the end of a quiet street, nestled right up on the Kenai River. The people…the owner and the campers are all friends and they’re so nice. This is like their summer family…I think all of them stay here during the summer months. The only problem, they say, is small pets need to be kept on a leash because there are three bald eagles living right here that are eyeing some of the small dogs here! We don’ have internet service, but I can go sit at a table at Starbucks in Safeway and do my email and journal updating. Sounds good to me! We bought 14-day fishing licenses, and 3-day king salmon stamps. We’re set to go salmon fishing on Wednesday at 5:30 a.m.! Fingers crossed everyone. We don’t have plans for tomorrow so I’ll take some pictures of the area. It is SO peaceful here! P.S. We sat out with everyone last night along the river…everyone is so friendly. They told fishing stories, and how they ended up coming here every year from various locations. There’s one couple from Carson, CA. We watched the eagle(s) cruise by us a few times looking for some dinner. There are baby sandpipers and ducks along the riverbank. The guys invited John on a halibut trip next week. Unfortunately we’re planning on leaving Saturday, but who knows…maybe we’ll leave a couple of days earlier, head to Homer for a few days, then come back here for another few days!

Happy Sunday! We went for a drive this morning to scout our exit for tomorrow, then we took a drive out to Earthquake Park. We went on the self-guided walking tour that had interpretive signs along the way. The 1964 Alaska earthquake, also known as the Great Alaska Earthquake, began at 5:36 P.M. on Friday, March 27, 1964. Across south-central Alaska, ground fissures, collapsing buildings, and tsunamis directly caused about 131 deaths. This Alaskan earthquake is also known as the Good Friday Earthquake. Lasting nearly five minutes, it was the most powerful recorded earthquake in U.S. and North American history, and the third most powerful ever measured by seismograph. It had a moment magnitude of 9.2 and an 8.4 to 8.6 on the Richter magnitude scale. The powerful earthquake produced Earthquake liquefaction in the region. Ground fissures and failures caused major structural damage in several communities, much damage to property and several landslides. Anchorage sustained great destruction or damage to many inadequately engineered houses, buildings, and infrastructure (paved streets, sidewalks, water and sewer mains, electrical systems, and other man-made equipment). Two hundred miles southwest, some areas near Kodiak were permanently raised by 30 feet. East of Anchorage, areas around the head of Turnagain Arm near Portage dropped 8 feet, requiring reconstruction and fill to raise the Seward Highway above the new high tidemark. In Prince William Sound, a 27-foot tsunami destroyed the village of Chenega, killing 23 of the 68 people who then lived there; survivors out-ran the wave, climbing to high ground. Post-quake tsunamis severely affected Valdez, Whittier, Seward, Kodiak, and other Alaskan Communities, as well as people and property in British Columbia, Oregon, and California. Tsunamis also caused damage in Hawaii and Japan. This was the earthquake that caused so much damage to Crescent City. It’s mind-boggling to try to imagine an earthquake lasting four minutes! I remember some from my very young days in Southern California, and later the Oroville earthquake and the October 17, 1989 earthquake (my 40th birthday!). It’s utterly amazing that there were only 131 lives lost here that day. We kind of have a plan for the rest of the week. We’re going to stay at a small campground right on the Kenai River in Soldotna. Yesterday at the Market I bought an Italian charm bracelet of Alaska charms from a very nice young lady. We talked about our plans and she recommended this place…her mom owns it! I made the reservations with her Mom this afternoon, and John talked to a lady who Ray had recommended for a guided salmon trip. We will most likely both go out on a half day trip on Wednesday. The cool think is they’ll pick us up right at the campground! We’re going to talk to her about a halibut trip on a different day. So it sounds like we’ll be there for five nights or so. They do not have wi-fi service at the campground, but I’m sure I’ll find a place to check in daily and post the journal. I’ve been writing it on Word and putting the pictures on PhotoShop, so all I have to do when I get on the internet is download the text from Word and the photos onto the Shutterfly site. Piece of cake!! Wish us luck with the fishing. If we catch any sizeable amount we’ll have it packaged, frozen, and shipped home!! Sounds like a party to me…YES???

I’m so glad we’re in Alaska and not Canada today! I hope everyone had a Happy 4th. We had a good day; started out by going to the Anchorage Market and Festival, which takes place every weekend during the summer months. It’s like an upscale Galt Flea Market, and it’s very clean. Mostly Alaska made things for sale, and lots of food booths. We had salmon quesadillas…very yummy! They chop up the salmon, then mix it with grated cheese before adding it to the tortilla, which was huge. John and I split one. They only had a couple of veggie booths; the zucchini caught my eye and I was just about ready to buy one or two when I saw the price...$2.50 per zucchini!! We bought some other goodies there, then headed back to the trailer to spend some time with the mutts. We drove out to the Aviation Museum around 2:00 and stayed there until 6:30 or so. There were lots of people, but it was comfortable. We looked around at the different displays, the restoration building, and then the fly-by’s started. There were various planes doing fly-bys throughout the day. They had two Grumman planes parked at the museum…a Widgeon and a Goose, that they fired up and took out for a spin and a fly-by. Grumman's are amphibious airplanes...they're fun to watch drive on and off a ramp and even more fun to watch taxi and take off! As a side note, Jimmy Buffett owns a Grumman Albatross. It sank in the Florida waters a few years back, but I believe he still has the same one. I heard from one of the museum guys that Jimmy comes by once in a while to visit the museum. If you'd like to learn more about Grummans...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibious_aircraft. Anyway, about then it was time to get in line for the salmon bake. They had hamburgers and hot dogs and salads, too, but I didn’t drive this far to eat a stinking hot dog! Gimme the salmon, and lots of it!! Oh my, it was delicious…so much so that a couple of hours later John and I went through the line again just for salmon. They held an auction for rides in the Goose and Widgeon. There were five seats available on the Goose…the winning bidder ($450), had the option of buying all five seats and he did. Don’t remember what the Widgeon seats (4 of them) went for, but it was less. I later had the chance to talk to the guy who bought the Goose ride and he and his wife said it was an awesome ride…like a Cadillac they said. There were a few vendors there, including about four authors who were doing book signings. We bought some books and other goodies before leaving. Oh yes, for those of you who watch Deadliest Catch, Captain Phil Harris & Cornelia Marie were there doing an autograph session. I wasn’t standing in line for an autograph…that line was almost as long as the food line! You’ll have to settle for the picture I took of him! The weather was absolutely gorgeous all day. I heard some locals talking about it being a scorcher, and that it was for here...I'd say it was in the high 70's!. Now we’re back and it will be interesting to see how much noise takes place here tonight. I know they have fireworks at different places but I don’t get how they see them when it’s not dark! Well, it gets a little dark here…more so than up in Fairbanks. We’ll be here another day…not sure what’s on tap for tomorrow. Monday we head to the peninsula. I think we’re going to Soldotna. I’m looking forward to it…maybe John will catch some salmon!!

I couldn’t believe it when I woke up and looked at the clock. It was almost 9:30…what’s up with that?? Actually it was kind of nice, except I had big plans to wake up early and do some laundry before we went touring Anchorage. Plans changed…we grabbed a quick bite then headed into town. First stop was the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. As we walked in I noticed a poster on the door advertising a big event tomorrow…salmon bake, auction for plane rides, museum tours and other festivities. So we could pay $10 each today for just the tour of the museum, or $25 each for tickets for tomorrow. Guess what we’re doing for the 4th? Added attraction…the museum is next to the float plane pond, so we can watch the planes take off and land all day, and it’s a very busy place!! Next we spent some time at the Anchorage Museum, then we went downtown, which is kind of like going to Fisherman’s Wharf. We shopped a little, and as we were cruising around I overheard one man say to another, “but why would she resign?” I have no idea, but I immediately thought of Sarah Palin. When we got back to the trailer I checked email and sure enough I read where she had resigned. Now I want you ALL to know that we had NOTHING to do with her resignation, okay?? I got laundry done when we got back (what a pain), then we walked over to the “Pavilion” where the USAF Northern Lights Band (5-piece) was doing a free show for the campground. There were 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet and 1 trombone. We hung around for a while then headed home for a late dinner of crab stuffed salmon…Yum! We wish everyone a wonderful 4th of July. Please stay safe!! Love to all of you…

Today was road trip day to Anchorage. What we didn’t realize was Denali would be accompanying us much of the way! Along with many other RV’ers we made a number of stops to take more pictures because The Great One was out of the clouds again in all its glory. I feel like I’ve had a spiritual encounter being at Denali Park and observing the mountain. All of today’s pictures are of the mountain. We didn’t do anything else except drive here! Tomorrow we’ll check out some museums and other places in Anchorage. We’re planning on four nights here, but this campground leaves a lot to be desired so we’ll see. I checked it out in a couple of books before we came here, but I’ve come to the conclusion the campgrounds put the information in the books and most likely pay a fee. This place sounded like a five star place…far from! At least the laundry room looks clean because I need to do laundry tomorrow. Sorry if I’ve bored you with more Denali pictures.

What a glorious day! We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and it was slow-paced so we could really enjoy it. We slept in until 7:15 (woo-hoo), then had a leisurely breakfast in our rolling home. Went into the park around 10:00 and drove out to the first turnout with a view of Mt. McKinley. I was crossing my fingers that it would be out of the clouds and I wasn’t disappointed! John set up the tri-pod and his mondo-binoculars. It’s really intriguing to think that there are currently 201 registered climbers on the mountain! More info at www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/current-statistics.htm. Climbing season is just about over…I think our bus driver yesterday told us that right about now no more climbers will be allowed to start a climb because as it gets warmer the snow becomes unstable and dangerous. Climbers take enough supplies for three weeks. So the mountain allowed us to take some beautiful pictures and enjoy looking at it through the binoculars. A number of people stopped while we were there so we shared the binoculars with them and enjoyed visiting and sharing stories about our trip. When we left there we went to do some shopping at a couple of souvenir shops. While we were in the shopping area we got to see the Alaska Railroad train winding its way on the mountainside. Unfortunately we had left our cameras in the truck! Next it was time to go wait for the bus to the dog sled demonstration. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was really impressed with the whole thing…the kennels, the dogs, the demonstration. While Ranger Jamie was giving the presentation a very noisy gray jay flew to a nearby tree, so I was able to get a couple of pictures of it. The presentation and demonstration were wonderful. The presentation lasted about 20 minutes, then Jamie said he was going to get the dogs...as soon as he said that, the dogs started going nuts, barking and jumping around. They knew what was happening and they were READY to show their stuff! The sled dogs of Denali have been important to the park for so long that they have become a part of the resource, and a cultural tradition worthy of protection. The dogs and the kennels where they live represent important pieces of American history: cultural and native significance, the pioneer experience in the far north and the history of Alaska’s first national park. These are the only sled dogs in the United States that help protect a national park and the wildlife, scenery, and wilderness therein, and it has been this way since the park’s beginning. Learn more about the dogs at http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/kennels.htm. Check it out! So now we’re back at the campground getting ready to pull stakes tomorrow. I truly hope that some day Jeff and Marie and the grandkids (and ALL of you) will have the opportunity to visit Denali…it’s such a grand place.

Well, maybe not lions and tigers, but we definitely saw bears today! What a great day!! We headed to Denali Park for our 9:00 a.m. departure on a nine-hour bus ride to Eielson, which is 66 miles into the park; 35 miles from Mt. McKinley, or Denali as the Athabascan Indians called it. Along the way we visited with other tourists on the bus, stopped a couple of times. On the way out there we saw some grizzly bears, caribou, a golden eagle, some dall sheep, a hoary marmot, ground squirrels, and arctic hares. The driver would stop so everyone could get pictures and have a look. She also gave detailed information on the park and its inhabitants. The weather was beautiful, and there were times we thought it might be clear enough to see Denali when we got closer. What I found out is the mountain is SO big it makes its own weather. When we got to Eielson we had a great view, and at one point you could see the top of the mountain, then the bottom half, but the entire mountain never really exposed itself. It sounds like the weather pattern will repeat itself tomorrow, so it will be doubtful we’ll see it, but who knows! The park is awesome and it is HUGE! There’s a lot of programs to take in, some of which we’ll do tomorrow. What I really want to share is our trip back to the visitor’s center. It started when our driver slowed to a stop for an oncoming bus. At the same time, someone on our bus saw a golden eagle straight ahead of us. The other bus came to a stop in front of us and all of a sudden the eagle swooped down between both buses. Right then John said there was a dead squirrel under the other bus. The eagle knew it and it wanted it! After a minute or so the other bus took off, exposing the dead squirrel. In an instant the eagle came back, swooped in front of us, grabbed the squirrel, and flew off with a raven in pursuit! Well that pretty much made MY day, even though it was tough to get a picture. See if you can find the eagle in the picture I posted. A little way down the road the driver came to a quick stop because there was a grizzly sow taking a nap right in the middle of the road! What we didn’t know until later was that she had a cub on the other side of her. We sat there for a while, until the bus behind us pulled up next to us. The drivers talked, then our driver said she would attempt to go around her. As soon as we began to pass the bear she got up and that’s when we saw the cub. She was so close if the driver had opened the door she could have boarded the bus! At that point everyone on the bus was pretty happy, although we hadn’t yet seen a wolf. Lo and behold down the road what do we see walking on the road towards us?? Yippee! So here was the tally for the day…9 grizzly bears, 4 caribou (two right on the road next two us), 2 golden eagles, 6 Dall sheep, 1 moose, 1 hoary marmot, a bunch of ground squirrels and arctic hares, and one lone wolf. The trip was long, but it was worth it!! Tomorrow we’re going to see the sled dogs they have at the park. They use them during the winter when the park rangers go out to check on things in the park. During the summer they keep them busy by having free demonstrations of how the dogs work. We’ll probably take another drive in as far as they allow vehicle traffic, then check out some of the shops. Weather wise we had a perfect day…on the way back we had some drizzle. Early to bed tonight and hopefully I’ll sleep in a little in the morning!

We’ve been on the road THREE weeks today and we finally made it to Denali Park! We checked in at Denali RV Park (outside the park) around noon, set up, had lunch, and headed to the Park. We bought tickets for the 8-hour Eielson tour tomorrow. The bus goes 66 miles into the park…ours leaves at 9:00 a.m. Would have liked earlier, but they were filled. The RV park has a dog walking service, so they’ll take Maisy and Koda for two walks while we’re gone. After we bought our tickets we drove into the park…they only let you drive 15 miles into the park. On the way, John’s eagle eye spied some caribou (FINALLY) by the river (or creek) down below. We stopped, took out the binoculars and had a look. That’s all it took for every car and bus behind us and oncoming to stop! We found a good pullout and set up the tripod. Some people from England stopped and all of them had a look through the binoculars. There were four caribou. You should be able to see them in the pictures. We went to the turn around and there was a Mama Ptarmigan with four babies right by the road…we watched her and took pictures. Ptarmigans are the State Bird of Alaska. She was cautious, but not too concerned that we were there. The babies didn’t mind either. We stopped by the Visitor’s Center on the way out…beautiful place. We watched a movie and saw the displays, then checked out the book store. After dropping some cash there we headed back to have dinner in our mobile abode. The wind had picked up and there was cottonwood EVERYWHERE!! It was on the ground and flying all around! We’re looking forward to our tour tomorrow…hopefully we’ll have pictures of more animals and maybe Denali will be visible. It was not today; covered by clouds. I hope it cools down for you this week…we’ve been in sweatshirts all day. Keep hydrated!!

Nothing but rain and reading to report today! We went to breakfast this morning and when we got back it started raining and didn't quit for about four hours. We took advantage of the break to rearrange some "stuff" under the bed and sofa so we would have more room for souvenirs! Got some reading in...finished my book "I Married the Klondike". There's a pot roast cooking in the oven and I'm enjoying a glass of wine. Tomorrow we pull stakes and head to Denali. I'm hoping we get to see the "Big One". Many don't...it has cloud covering most days. I had nightmares last night about killer mosquitoes after the hordes we encountered at the Arctic Circle! I hear you're having a scorcher of a day today...what a contrast to our rain and 50-something degree weather. I miss all of you, but NOT THE HEAT!! Ciao until Denali...

Up and at ‘em bright and early…out of the park before 8:00 a.m., heading North to the Arctic Circle, hoping to see caribou, moose, lynx, wolves, bears…HOW EXCITING!! The road is not near as bad as we anticipated. It starts out paved, then gravel, then smooth dirt. Some of the areas of gravel got a little scary when meeting trucks, and there were plenty of them…obviously having taken supplies to Prudhoe Bay. Most of the truck drivers are considerate enough to slow down, as are most other drivers. We made it through the day with no chips or cracks in the windshield, so we did good. We saw a number of rabbits along the roadside, and that was it until the trip back. When we were nearing Fairbanks we saw a moose next to the road. There were a number of motorcycles on the road. We played leap frog with two guys, at one point one of them was stopped along the roadside relieving himself; then when we stopped for gas about halfway there, they were in the restaurant having lunch. I went inside to check out the gift shop and they saw me. I heard one telling the other I was the one in the pickup who passed him as he stood on the roadside. I walked back to use the restroom and I said hello and asked them if they were having a good trip. They both said yes, then one said, “Until you caught me taking a whiz”. When I was paying for my souvenirs there was another biker who said he had driven all the way up to Prudhoe Bay. He said it was about 30 degrees up there, with a 35 mile wind, and rain. He said his bike will never be the same, but he’d do it again! On we went, heading north again with the Alaska Pipeline along side us for much of the way. There was so much fireweed and other wildflowers along the road and in the tundra areas…some of the fireweed patches were brilliant. So five hours from when we started, we pulled up next to the Arctic Circle sign, ready to take pictures and have some lunch. As soon as I opened the door there were easily 30 mosquitoes inside of the cab. I shut the door and realized that I was walking in a sea of mosquitoes! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We grabbed the repellent, doused ourselves, took some quick pictures, and as we were heading back to the pickup some other people stopped. We took pictures for each other, got back in the truck, took off up the highway with the fan blasting and the windows down. We finally got rid of most of the little buggers. We went north for a short while, then turned around and headed south. We stopped about ten miles down the road and ate our lunch. We finally got back around 7. We walked downriver (Chena River) a bit and had dinner, and now we’re all exhausted and ready to sleep in tomorrow. If you’d like some info on the Arctic Circle…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_Circle.

The day started early with laundry at 6:00 a.m., followed by some housekeeping. John tackled a leak in a hose fitting under the sink in the “bedroom”. Then we were ready to check things out. Our first venture was backtracking to North Pole, and yes, we got to see Santa while we were there. Here’s the bad news…I got to take a picture on Santa’s knee, and since he charged by weight, no one gets any souvenirs because I went broke. Too bad, because there were lots of goodies at Santa’s House! It was a very happy place. We had lunch in North Pole and while tailgating with our lunch I noticed a North Pole Police Car. Had to get a picture of that! Next we headed to find the Alaska Pipeline. We had a glimpse of it on our way into Fairbanks on Thursday, but we got to see more of it and learn some interesting facts about it at their visitor’s center. One of the young ladies working at the center asked where we were from. I always say Sacramento…she said she’s going to Sacramento in August for knee surgery, and she has an aunt who lives in Elk Grove. She’s a guard at Mule Creek Prison. Yeah, yeah…small world and all that. If you’d like to learn more about the pipeline, check out http://www.valdezalaska.org/history/transAlaskaPipeline.html. We were going to see another gold dredger, but it’s closed this season, so we headed back to the trailer. After almost three weeks our dogs were smelling pretty “doggie”, so they had their first bath in the trailer shower. Later we went to the University of Alaska’s Museum. Lots of wonderful information about the people and wildlife of Alaska. In addition to all of the permanent exhibits, they have a special exhibit right now…The Last Polar Bear: Facing The Truth of a Warming World. The synopsis: The polar bear - an icon in the struggle against climate change - and other ice-dependent species face a precarious future as their Arctic habitat melts away. This exhibit features 45 photographs by Steven Kazlowski, with images taken along the Arctic coast from Canada's Hershel Island to Point Hope, Alaska. Follow the path of these alpha predators, learn about the unique biology of the polar bear and the Arctic web of life to which they belong. Intimate images portray the bears' annual cycle of life from mothers with cubs, to adolescents at play, to adults on the hunt. The pictures were incredible, and they had a great video presentation. On our way back to the campground we stopped at The Great Alaskan Bowl Company. I had seen their sign the other day…John tried to tell me it was probably a bowling alley, but I knew it was a place to SHOP!! They had beautiful wooden bowls…all sizes and shapes. Between their shop and Santa’s House, we helped out the local economy a bit! I wasn’t crazy about the laser engraved stuff…I like the natural look. You can check them out at http://www.woodbowl.com/logo/. Tomorrow we venture to the Arctic Circle. This could be a very exciting adventure from everything we’ve heard and read about the road. Wish us luck…hopefully we’ll have pictures of us at the Arctic Circle sign to download on the journal tomorrow!

One last push and we made it to Fairbanks! We had a nice evening last night at the campground listening to some neat folk songs and stories about Alaska. The trip to Fairbanks had plenty of gorgeous scenery, and one moose feeding in a bog. We couldn’t stop at North Pole because of road work…exits on that side were closed, but we’ll go back so we can see Santa. We have a list of things we want to see and do. We’re here for four nights, so we should get everything in. We went for a drive around town…found ourselves going in circles! As we left the campground on our drive, we realized that we must have seen rigs from at least half of the U.S. states! Really impressive. The weather is perfect…hope it stays that way. It gets around the mid-60’s during the day; nights are chilly. We are camped on the Chena River…as with many rivers we’ve seen it’s a muddy red color. I suppose that it clears up later? Haven’t noticed many mosquitoes here yet…some in the shaded areas. Can’t wait to make the trip to the Arctic Circle!!

Yeeeehawwww…what a ride! Very few vehicles on the road, and now I understand why. You have to be a bit brave…or crazy…to drive it, but you definitely get your money’s worth in scenery. Sometimes it feels like you’re going to drive off the face of the earth; the road ahead just seems to disappear. At other times you scale one mountain only to see the highway for MILES ahead! The road wasn’t too bad on the Canada side, but once we drove through customs it went to hell. Must make a note to make Sarah aware of that. Driving was slow…either that or the trailer would have split into pieces and been jettisoned over the mountain. It was really cold at some of the view areas we stopped at; between 44 – 46 degrees. We stopped in Chicken for lunch…a bowl of broccoli potato soup. It was hot and delicious! We forged on to Tok, where we are now at a very nice campground; rested a bit then walked over to Fast Eddy’s for dinner. It had been recommended to us by Dick Sias’ brother and his wife. Good choice! The campground has entertainment at 7, so we may walk over and check it out. The trailer…inside and out…got pretty dusty from the trip today. Tomorrow we boogie to Fairbanks!! Along the way we MUST stop at North Pole. If I see Santa I’ll tell him you all are being nice! We’ll be staying for a while in Fairbanks…lots to see. I hope the weather stays nice. I see where there may be some triple digits in the coming days for the Sacramento Valley. I definitely don’t miss that!! BTW, we've now traveled over 3600 miles.

We have figured out that there is no DARKNESS here in the summer. Between the two of us we were up most of the night and we’ve concluded that the most darkness you get is pretty much what twilight would be at home. People were up and about visiting after midnight. Today (Tuesday) is overcast but it will still be fairly warm. We’re going to take the ferry across the river and check out some things on that side. Tomorrow morning we’ll take the same ferry as we leave and head over the “Top of the World” Highway. We’ve been told it’s a slow go since it’s gravel for 40 miles. The worst part is meeting oncoming traffic and hoping they’ll slow down so you don’t end up with a chipped windshield. As I said before, there’s lots of history here in Dawson City. If anyone is interested in reading about it, I’ll include some links. Monday was National Aboriginal Day. I just read what that was about…Native Indians are called First Nations. Together they are referred to as Aboriginals. http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ap/index-eng.asp. For some information on the big Klondike Gold Rush, check out http://www.questconnect.org/ak_klondike.htm. It’s quite interesting and was much more grueling of a trip than that of the California Gold Rush. Filled up with fuel today…Holy Moly that was a shocker! I think we paid $1.28 per liter. There are two grocery stores here in Dawson City…how would you like to pay $2.99 for an avocado? How about $8.00 for a gallon of milk? I have to admit I don’t know what a gallon of milk costs at home; I buy it by the half gallon and really don’t pay attention to the price, but I’m thinking it’s not $4.00. Dawson City is quite busy with tourists; lots of B & B’s, Inns, Hotels and Hostels, and a few campgrounds. Lots of younger people who can openly partake of cannabis evidently…at least that’s the way it seems. There’s a huge canoe/kayak race starting tomorrow, from Whitehorse to Dawson City, and a motorcycle rally this weekend. Plenty of motorcycles already here. We’ve heard German spoken quite a bit, as well as French of course. We took the ferry across the Yukon today for fun, which didn’t turn out to be such fun for me. The ferry turns sideways on the river and messed with my equilibrium! Tomorrow we get to take it pulling the trailer as it’s the only way to get to the “Top of the World Highway”.

What a nice break from the rush to get to the next place. Had a nice leisurely breakfast, then toured some of the town including the visitor center where we watched a couple of films, and did a little shopping. Later we went out to tour Dredger #4, the largest wooden dredger in the world. Quite impressive…can’t imagine what living conditions must have been back then…winters were brutal here. Came back and enjoyed a visit with the folks in the trailer next to us…a couple from Whitehorse. Barbecued some chicken and now it’s time for some reading up on literature we’ve picked up. John plans on taking some video and pictures at midnight tonight. I’m longing for a dark night…this midnight sun stuff is getting old. The dogs and I are thoroughly confused!

We decided to push it today. We were going to go about half way to Dawson City, but when we looked at the time and we were almost half way to Dawson City we decided to go for it. We arrived in Dawson City about 4:30; unhitched and set up, then went into town for some dinner. John had the salmon dinner, I had the halibut. Both were delicious and just enough, since we each only had one piece of fish. That left room for an ice cream cone afterwards! The road here was pretty exciting. When they tell you to watch for the permafrost heaves in the road they MEAN IT!! Gas is very expensive up here. We’ve traveled 3,411 miles now, and it feels like it! I’m surprised the trailer held up through today. Hell, I’m surprised WE held up through today. Happy Father’s Day to all of you Dads out there!

Time to leave Haines. It’ overcast this morning, but there are some blue skies in the direction we’ll be heading. That crab dinner last night was absolutely scrumptious! We decided to forgo the all-you-can-eat crab after we found out the size of the crabs up here. Good choice…I brought almost half of mine back to the trailer. Instead we started out with crab cakes; so tasty. The crab dinner…we have never had crab SO SWEET. They serve it warm, because it was just cooked of course, and it was huge and incredibly sweet! We found out that they prepare their crab differently up here than we do. They clean the crab before they cook it. I would have thought the meat would fall out of the body section but it doesn’t. So off to Haines Junction we go this morning; don’t know when we’ll have wi-fi again, but we’ll check in when we do! Happy Saturday! Today there is a BIG bike race from Haines Junction to Haines, so we passed hundreds of bicycles and their support vehicles along the highway. After we passed the tail vehicle we noticed a cyclist headed the other direction. As we approached him he stuck his thumb out for a ride! Guess he’d had enough of that race and he was heading back to Haines Junction! Once again we traveled through some magnificent country. At one point we were at the summit, the terrain was tundra-like, and there were MANY little prairie dogs (or something similar) all over the place. They were hanging out by the sides of the road, we think licking salt off the road. We’ve seen other animals doing it, so why wouldn’t the little varmints? They were so cute, but sometimes a little too brave running across the road. Fortunately I didn’t get any but there were some close calls. When we got to Haines Junction we unhitched, fixed some lunch, and headed to Kluane Bed and Breakfast to complete our mission of delivering a bottle of wine to Dick Sias’ brother Frank. We visited with his daughter-in-law Cecile for a while because Frank’s wife Josie was gone and Frank was taking a nap. Cecile took us on a tour of their B & B and we talked about living in such an isolated area. They have no electricity…they generate their own. The view of Kluane Lake and the mountains is killer. There were some deteriorating small log buildings we passed on the gravel road in to their place and she explained that they had been built for the gold rush. Josie finally got home and we went in to visit with her until Frank woke up from his nap. Josie is an absolute sweetheart…the kind of person you just immediately take a liking to and want to spend time talking to. Frank finally woke up and we completed our mission! We had a very pleasant visit with the two of them and then took a picture of him with his wine, standing next to the BROWN picket fence. Dick had told us to go to the house with the white picket fence, so we’re not going to let him live that one down! Dinner will be in tonight…we’re barbecuing steaks. Kind of slumming it after our divine crab dinner last night! Hopefully I’ll get this online tonight; not sure what kind of service they have here. Next stop…somewhere between here and Dawson City.

I LOVE Haines! There is not one boring view here. This morning was laundry and housekeeping time. Throw the clothes in the washers, walk outside the laundry, do a 360 and let your jaw drop! And the EAGLES!!! After taking care of chores we bid our Texas friends goodbye as they headed north, then we threw the dogs in the truck and took a drive to town. Went to the Sheldon Museum and lo and behold, there were the Texas friends! They were just leaving the museum. Lots of great Tlingit artifacts and some fabulous baskets and woven blankets. We learned a lot about the area. Then we took the dogs for a walk around Fort Seward…it was really a nice fort with some beautiful buildings. Some of the buildings are commercial now…restaurants, B & B’s, and there’s one building where they demonstrate how totem poles were made. A few of them are private residences. Went to the Visitor’s Center where we met a couple of very nice ladies who told us about the Fort Seward Lodge & Restaurant’s all-you-can-eat crab dinner. Guess where we’re having dinner tonight? The crab will have been brought in today from right here in the bay. Is your mouth watering yet? We also checked out Dejon Delights Smokery where we purchased some smoked king salmon and halibut. We brought it home and had some of the salmon for lunch. It was the best we’ve ever had…will probably pick up some more before we leave. Tried some of the locally made fireweed honey (got a jar for Mia and Thomas), and some very interesting syrups. Ever heard of salmonberries? The only one I wasn’t too crazy about was the birch syrup, but even that was okay. I also bought some salmonberry jam. It’s called salmonberry because the berries look like salmon eggs…not too sure about that! When we left there we drove toward the dock and there were eagles soaring above the water. We stopped to take a look and some pictures. There was a fish next to the water and they were swooping down on it. Only one eagle…a juvenile just starting to change color was sharing the fish with a number of ravens. At one point I counted 12 eagles flying over us…talk about breath-taking! And I love their whistle sounds! After lunch we had a nice nap…God this is rough! Tomorrow morning we leave for Haines Junction, to the north. We’ll find a campground, unhitch, and then take a drive to Kluane Lake and drop off some Bogle Old Vine Zin to Dick Sias’ brother Frank. It’s going to be tough leaving here, but I hear that the Haines Highway is a beautiful drive, AND I have Valdez to look forward to. BTW, we've now traveled 2,763 miles!

OMG, I am SO writing a letter to Sarah Palin! I want her to be told to arrive two hours early at the Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal and then have to sit there another hour wondering when boarding will begin and why no one has the courtesy to tell people the reason for the delay or even half way apologize for the delay! We ended up departing 1 ½ hours late. I asked one terminal employee what the delay was and he told me he just woke up and everything kind of blended (what?); at first he didn’t think we were late, but when he looked at his watch and his schedule after I told him what our departure time should have been he said, “Oh yeah, I guess we are late”. And I thought our local government could be inept! FORTUNATELY we had a beautiful view as we waited, and even watched a sea gull chase a bald eagle around. When we finally shoved off it was cold, rainy, and windy. John and I went out on the deck to try to get some video and pictures but the wind was so strong I couldn’t keep the camera still enough! I got some pictures from inside the ferry, and when the wind and rain let up later on we were able to get some shots from outside. The trip to Haines only took an hour. Haines is much quieter and more relaxed than Skakway. There are some shops which we’ll check out on Friday, but there are museums and other attractions to see. Hopefully we’ll see more bald eagles here. In the fall this is the bald eagle capital, when over 3500 congregate here! Wouldn’t that be a sight to see! The campground we’re staying at is very nice…lots of nice green lawn with spacious sites. Unfortunately I only counted eight rigs here last night and they have some 90-something spaces! I fear this is going to be the case in many of the places we visit…good for us, bad for local economy. While we waited in line at the ferry terminal we were able to meet some nice folks from all over, including two couples traveling together from Texas. This is their 10th trip to Alaska; they journey here every year and spend the summer fishing on the Kenai. They were towing THREE small freezers to take their catch home in. They’re staying at the same campground but only for one night. We had a nice visit with them yesterday afternoon. One couple has a bulldog with them, the other has a Schnauzer who looks very much like Jake. John and I went to the local American Legion Hall for their Thursday night Hamburger Feed and it was yummy! After dinner we drove out by the docks and watched one of the monster cruise ships from Skagway make their way south. Hope everyone has a great weekend…Ciao for now!

What awe-inspiring scenery on the trip from Whitehorse to Skagway this morning! It rained most of the way over so we were occasionally in the clouds. We saw some magnificent mountains and water falls/cascades. Then we got a glimpse of the fjord at Skagway and the FOUR cruise ships docked there. Multiply 2800 times 4, then imagine that many people shopping in a town the size of Sutter Creek. The funny thing was to watch all the men hanging around outside the stores while the wives shopped! Okay, we did the customary shopping and had halibut fish tacos at Skagway Brewery. Good food and even better beer! Went back to the trailer for a bit then took a walk with the dogs. We boarded the White Pass & Yukon Route train at 4:30 p.m. and had a beautiful ride up the mountain…three hour trip. Our narrator, Darla, gave us some very good history on the mountain pass. Came back to the trailer to find Koda had removed my reading glasses from their case and completely chewed the ear piece ends up. Bad dog! When I scolded him he ran into the “bedroom” for cover…see picture of bad dog. Tomorrow we line up at the ferry terminal at 9:15 for our 11:15 trip to Haines. We’ll spend two or three nights there and do some sightseeing and relaxing. Please look at the picture I took in the campground last night at around 11:00 p.m. That’s how light it is! See you all in Haines!

Rain is good for the fires, rain is good for the fires, rain is good for the fires. It was starting to rain when we woke up, and it’s still raining at 5:00 p.m. We started our rainy day with a nice breakfast in the trailer, then made our reservations for the White Pass & Yukon Route train ride tomorrow and our ferry ride from Skagway to Haines on Thursday. Hey, that means we’ll be back in the good old U.S. tomorrow! Temporarily, anyway. So the weather was wet and cold today…easily 20 degrees down from what we’ve had so far. It’s probably in the low to mid 50’s right now. We went into town and toured the Klondike paddle wheel and saw a very interesting film at the Visitor’s Center on the history of the Klondike Gold Rush. Since the weather wasn’t going to cooperate we had lunch at A & W…yes, they have the real thing here, then we went to Walmart to shop and have the oil changed in the truck, and made a quick stop at a liquor store where I bought a couple of bottles of Canadian wine and beer. No beer for me right now, I’m having a cup of hot cocoa! So it’s off to Skagway tomorrow and then Haines for a couple of nights. I’m looking forward to seeing more eagles there. I’m also planning on dragging John to the Skagway Brewing Co. for samples and maybe dinner. The good thing about the cold rain is that it’s keeping the mosquitoes away! As for gas prices…we’ve been paying about $1.07 (Canadian dollar) per liter. The highest was about $1.17. You figure it out…I gave up. It will be interesting to see what happens in Alaska. Logic says it should be cheaper…I mean they DO have that monster pipe thing. By the way, I woke up at midnight and looked outside…I could see everything that I could see during the daytime hours. Talk to you tomorrow, ey?

We started right off seeing a fox, then a black bear and then it got boring! We were back to the less exciting scenery, except for the rivers, creeks and streams…they were beautiful…pristine. Later on we saw another rabbit, two hawks and an eagle. Pulled into Whitehorse around 2 p.m. LOTS of campers here. Our pickup and trailer are FILTHY!! We got into some areas of construction today that had us driving long distances in dust and wet gravel roads. Went into town for a Boston Pizza…very good. Then did some grocery shopping at a store similar to Winco. Shelves are pretty sparse. We’re staying here for two nights…Yay…it’s time for a little rest! Only problem is our space is so far away from the office the wifi signal is too weak so I’ll have to run up to the computer room in the office. Hope all is well at home…we haven’t seen much news since we’ve been gone…although I saw a tabloid at the grocery store that had the headline “I killed Mary Jo”…he says on his deathbed! Hmmmmm! Ciao!

Now we’re talking scenery and wildlife! I was reminded of my trips to Glacier National Park. When you think the scenery can’t get any better you round another corner and it is. The mountains are breath taking. Unfortunately we also saw remnants of the recent fires. Some areas were still smoldering. Interestingly though, the fire didn’t take everything in its path. There were still a lot of green trees in with the burned ones. We started seeing more wildlife, too. Finally saw some moose (meese?), including one cow with her young one, buffalo and a whole lot of buffalo pies along the roadside, a rabbit, and many stone sheep. At one point there was a herd of them on the road. Rams, ewes, and lots of babies, some nursing on mom in the middle of the road! We arrived in Watson Lake and walked to the Signpost Forest. There are some 66,000 signs on posts…actually 66,001 because we saw some folks putting theirs up! This place is so massive I lost John. We split off soon after we got there and didn’t realize how big it was until I realized I had no idea where he was. They had a great information building there…I gleaned bunches of travel information. After I finally found John we walked to the Northern Lights Show across the highway. It was okay but way too long. Starting to get used to the long days with light. It was still fairly light at 11:30 p.m., and when we woke up to a thud at 3:45 a.m. it was light! Oh, the thud was Maisy falling off the bed. We put her back on the bed, fell back asleep and I didn’t wake up until 6:30!

I thought about just leaving the daily journal at that...are we there yet? But then I wouldn't be able to tell you that we saw our first moose today. Nothing else exciting about the day. We're in Fort Nelson tonight. More beautiful RVs at the campground, most with U.S. plates and all headed to...yep! We're told that there are fires ahead of us and we may delayed as they've been closing the highway on and off as the fires spread. We'll cross our fingers and hope we make it through. Lots of bugs up here...our windshield proves it! More yellow butterflies on our grill. Ciao...maybe some pictures tomorrow, if we stop anywhere!

We took a little drive into Prince George last night, mainly to gas up the truck and get some groceries. At 10:30 p.m. it was still fairly light...weird. Get used to it! Up and out of Prince George by 7:30 this morning, heading for Dawson Creek. Now we start seeing wildlife. First eagle was exciting...Oh, LOOK! Second one was cool...LOOK, another one. Third, fourth, fifth...Yep, uh-huh, another one. I spotted a black bear lying next to the railroad tracks...we later saw three more adults; one of them was a mom with TRIPLETS walking across the road in front of us. Cute little guys. All but one we saw were black. We also saw some kind of chukar (maybe) and some deer. No moose, elk, or wolves yet. We stopped at Bijoux Falls Provincial Park...see photos...a nice little park with lots of pretty flowers. This is also the blooming time for lilacs in Canada, and they're everywhere...lots of places use them as hedges. We landed in Dawson Creek fairly early...good thing because there has been a steady stream of RVers filing into the campground...many with California plates, lots with other US state plates. Some have Alaska Bound, or Alaska or Bust signs written on their vehicles. Lots of old people...oh wait...that's us, isn't it?? Went into Dawson Creek to take the required milepost pictures and to check out the museum. We had a nice steak dinner at Mr. Mike's. Good beer, too! Dawson Creek is definitely not a place to write home about, but it is what it is...Mile 0 of the American Pilgrimage. Onward to Fort Nelson tomorrow...passing through Fort St. John, where Dick and Donna Sias met and fell in love some 50 years ago!! Ciao!!

Up and out of Cache Creek early. Countryside is getting pretty again, except for the dead pine trees. It's the saddest thing you've ever seen...evidently pine borer beetles have infected them...actually decimated the tree population. Looks like perfect fodder for a huge wildfire. No sight-seeing today...we're focused on getting to Dawson Creek, which won't be until Friday. We're staying at a park in Prince George tonight where fortunately the wi-fi works great! Hope to do some looking around tomorrow along the way to DC. As I write this we're getting some thunder and a very little bit of rain. Ciao! Oh yes, and there are MOSQUITOES!! Already!

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Took a while getting out of the Tacoma/Seattle area since we pulled stakes at 6:45 a.m. What we thought would be an uneventful day ended when we reached Sumas...the Canadian Border. After a few quick questions (including do you you own guns) we were asked to continue to the secondary area and go inside to an agent with our passports. Okay, now I'm nervous because I lied about having any alcohol or vegetables. I didn't care if they took my vegetables, but NOT MY WINE!! Inside we were first questioned together, then split up and questioned separately. It was those stinking guns!! We had a hot-shot young Canadian agent who seemed to take pleasure watching us be nervous. We were finally set free...no physical inspection of truck or trailer. Then the real fun began...We drove right into the BIGGEST and LONGEST hail storm we'd ever seen. We couldn't hear each other talk...even when we yelled at each other...unless we were face to face. I was freaked out...so was Koda. Maisy was cool as a cucumber. Most everyone pulled off of the four-lane highway to the side of the road. Finally a road worker with flashing lights escorted us out. God was I glad my wine hadn't been confiscated! We stayed the night in Cache Creek...which can only be described as being in the Nevada desert with the added attraction of strong winds and about 10,000 cottonwood trees! Lovely!

Stayed overnight at Cabela's parking lot. No hookups, but it was very pretty there. The drive there was uneventful until the last five miles before our exit off I-5. An accident up the road caused a huge back up. That five miles took all of 1/2 an hour to drive!

Day One was pretty much uneventful. Lots of pretty wild flowers along the road sides. Drove right past Del Rio Winery; of course there was no way John was stopping. I'll beg on the way back. I had some of their wine at a wine-tasting event that Marie and I went to in Colusa and it was yummy! At the time I was bummed when I found out it was way up in Oregon. I looked hard for an eagle's nest...about the only wildlife I saw were vultures and one upside-down raccoon on the side of the road. We stayed at 7 Feathers Indian Casino at their RV Resort...and boy, was it an upscale RESORT! It even had a beautiful grassy enclosed area for the dogs to run. When we first got there I walked Maisy in and she immediately peed. Koda was right behind her. He was so excited he peed right where she did...unfortunately I was still standing right there so he peed on my pants and shoe! We had a nice dinner at the casino...shuttle service picked us up at our camp site.

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