Alaska 08 - Day 5 Denali to Fairbanks

With the train portion of our trip over, we loaded unto a bus and headed northeast again for the 4 hour drive to Fairbanks.

Along the way the bus stopped and we got an up close look at the Alaskan pipeline.

After a lunch break in downtown Fairbanks, we boarded sternwheelers for an afternoon riverboat trip.

Along the way, we were given a float plane demonstration.

and a riverside visit to a sled dog training ranch.

The highlight of the riverboat trip was a visit to a native Alaskan village.

There were demonstrations of native dress, agriculture and even animals.

We were begining to feel a little native ourselves.

Alaska 08 - Day 4 Denali

On day 4 of our Alaskan adventure, we went on a safari, traveling deep into Denali National Park, a 6 million acre preserve. It was difficult for our minds to comprehend that much open space but we appreciated the vast beauty everywhere we looked.

Along with this 3 pack of moose, we saw Grizzly, Dall sheep, Caribou, Ptarmigans, marmots and a Linx, along with numerous birds and squirrels.

Always fun to watch the young buck take on the old bull.

Alaska 08 - Day 3 Talkeetna to Denali

What a way to start day 3! An amazing sunrise on the "Great One" with not a cloud in sight.

Truly a promise of a great day to come.

The entire AK mountain range bathed in the early morning pink glow. WOW!

After a morning hike, it was back on the train for a 4 hour ride to Denali.

Around every turn was beauty in nature.

The town of Denali

Bears seemed to appear everywhere and were much friendlier than we had read about. Later that evening we all attended a salmon & rib BBQ and enjoyed some down home Alaskan entertainment.

Alaska 08 - Day 2 Anchorage to Talkeetna

Day 2 began early as we left downtown Anchorage and headed for the train station to begin the first leg of our Alaskan adventure, a 3 hour train ride northeast to the town of Talkeetna.

All aboard!
The view from the glass domed cars was spectacular.

Great scenery and better company.

Our first moose sighting. (It appears to be local)

We took an afternoon jet boat tour up one of the 3 rivers that meet in Talkeetna.

Beautiful country from the land and the water.

During the jet boat tour, we stopped to visit an old trappers cabin and learn how it used to be done.

We stayed at the Talkeetna Lodge and enjoyed the view of the "great one", Mt McKinley.

At over 20,000 feet it is beyond description.

The entire Alaskan mountain range! We were told the mountain range is only clear about 10% of the time and had been socked in for the last 3 weeks prior to our arrival. Timing is everything!

A midnight sunset on the mountain. What a day!

Alaska 08 - Day 1 Anchorage

Our Alaskan adventure actually started Sat. afternoon with a flight from Boise to Seattle and then on to Anchorage, arriving around 8pm Alaska time. We got settled into the downtown Marriott, excited for all that lay ahead of us for the next two weeks.

Sunday morning, we met Gary, Judy & Gma Florence in the lobby and they took us to a nearby fellowship meeting. A wonderful way to start our trip. After lunch, we explored downtown Anchorage.

There were flowers everywhere.

Even the totems were smiling.

We visited a art/crafts market which included local furs and carvings on moose antlers.

and fur hats of all types.

Our first grizzly encounter! Both kids survived.

North to Alaska!

The countdown has begun for our major trip this summer. On August 9th, we will be leaving for 2 weeks to Alaska. The main purpose of the trip is to celebrate my parents 40th anniversary and we will be traveling with my Grandma, parents and sister. We plan to spend the first week exploring Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks and several other parts in between. Then on week 2, we will board a cruise ship and visit numerious ports on our way to Vancouver, BC. The final weekend will include time in Seattle with Shelly's family.

I will do my best to post photos of our adventure shortly after our return on 8/24.

Bon Voyage!

Summer Camping - Part 2

The only thing better than camping in Idaho is camping on back to back weekends. A couple years ago, we discovered this primative campsite a couple hours east of Boise on the middle fork of the Boise river.

Our campsite was perched above a beautiful sandy beach with the crystal clear river and 100 ft granite wall as a back drop.

Our own private beach and swimming hole.

Looking down river at the other half of the beach. We also discovered another natural hot springs directly across the river in the middle of the rocky area. Our days started with a quick paddle across the river, to enjoy a morning coffee while soaking in the hot springs on the edge of the river. Perfect in my book!

The crew afloat!