Denali National Park

After a two day bus trip, stopping overnight in Girdwood, we reached Denali National Park. The following morning, we took the 8-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour to view wildlife and the interesting terrain of the tundra. We were fortunate to see many of the animals that live there, including bears, Dall sheep, eagles, caribou, moose, lynx, wolf, and snowshoe hare. The photos above show a bear and Dall sheep which are perched high on the mountain side.

That evening we took a plane ride over the mountains and through the clouds to view Mt. McKinley (Mt. Denali). What a spectacular ride! We circled Denali and were able to see where climbers trek on their two to three week journey to the top of the mountain.

On our last day. we rode the Alaska Railroad to Talkeetna on our trip back to Anchorage and home.

At Sea, Hubbard Glacier, and on to Seward

Our last day at sea was cool and cloudy. The treat of the day was a sail into Hubbard Glacier. We were the first ship of the season to be able to get in to see the glacier without fear of ice closing us in and making it impossible to sail out again. The glacier was spectacular. Previously, we viewed glaciers on our helicopter trips, but this one spilled into the sea.

A Cold Day in Sitka

After many beautiful sunny days, we had our first real Alaska day in Sitka. As we headed out in a boat to view wildlife,I put on my winter coat, gloves and hat and snapped away at the sea otters, eagles, and whales. The first land view is of Sitka harbor and the other shot of land is islands in the mist. Then there is an eagle and a whale fluke. Let me tell you, getting a fluke up and photographed is some feat! The remaining pics are of sea otters lying on their backs with their big feet in the air.

Another Day, Another Helicopter - Skagway

Next stop on our tour was Skagway where opted to take a Heli-Hike. We flew over more breath taking glaciers before we landed in the mountains next to a railroad track. Our guides outfitted us with packs and snacks and we headed out for a 4-mile hike into the forest and alongside a raging river. On our return to the tracks, we picked up a train which took us through the mountains and back to Skagway.

Helicopters and Sled Dogs in Juneau

We were blown away by our trip in Juneau - helicoptering into the glaciers and landing at a sled dog camp where we drove with the dogs. It was another glorious day and the "mushers" , the young folks who live here in a tented community with the dogs in the summer, were in shorts and t-shirts. The dogs spend their summer in the glaciers so they will have regular exercise and will be lean and ready for the race season in the winter. Our guide was in charge of twenty dogs.

Cruising in Alaska

We came aboard our ship on Wednesday and spent the next day at sea traveling from Vancouver, B.C. to Ketchikan, Alaska. The scenery is out of this world.

In Ketchikan, Dave went on a halibut fishing expedition and Debbie took a boat trip into the Misty Fjords. The weather is perfect with bright sunny days. It was in the 70s in Ketchikan, but cooler on the water. They tell us that this gorgeous weather is most unusual and we are happy campers!

Today, Saturday, we are heading to Juneau. On the way, we took a side trip into one of the glaciers with the temps in the mid-50s.

The photo above is of historic Creek Street in Ketchikan, former home to Ketchikan's many brothels.

Victoria, B.C.

The weather is Victoria is spectacular! They have temperate climates all year and rarely have snow. We've been having days in the 70s since we arrived, and the sun in shining brightly. Dave is ready to move here, bringing along all of his gardening tools. Yesterday we visited Buchart Gardens and found a gorgeous display of rhodendrons and azaleas with colors we just don't see in Maine. The gardens here are beautifully groomed, and there area a variety of garden types, the most interesting being a garden created in a former quarry. Hills abound and flowers and bushes overload your senses. Enjoy the pictures.