Top left picture: Ken and I on top of a hill in Denali NP. We signed up for a ranger's hike - along with 12 others. Our ranger, Greg, from Texas (who is a middle school science teacher when he's not being a Ranger) wanted to hike this particular area and we were there with him on his exploration. The ground was a challenge to walk on - have you ever heard of permafrost? For 3 hours we did not have stable ground beneath our feet! For several minutes we were in brush over our heads, waving our hands above heads and bush shouting, 'Hey Bear!' (We were instructed several/numerous times to never startle a bear.) What a view from the top - and with about 20 feet of scree to maneauver around. We ate lunch with the group before heading back. Top middle picture: flowers in downtown Haines, AK (SE section of the state - in what they call the 'rain forest.'). Kathy fell in love with Haines, and is still thinking about getting back to see the eagles in late fall (some day!). Top right picture: Moma grizzly bear with her 3 cubs. Having triplets is not common - and these cubs are so cute! Here's the story: they were in the process of digging up a bush - but to their surprise found some stinging insects. Moma bear left quickly, but the cubs kept going back (for food and 'ouchies'!). (Picture taken from the tour bus, but we were close!) Bottom left picture: Ken and Kathy at the 'end' of the Alaskan Highway. We made it! These pics are not in order.....our visit to Haines was after the end of the AK Hwy. We crossed the Canadian border a total of 5 times. Never had any problems (we did take our passports with us, but customs never stamped them!)....

Alaska is soooo big!

We were in Denali National Park for 10 glorious days. We were able to see Mt. McKinley (known also as Denali; the high one....Athabascan name) clearly for several days - which is not common, we hear. And, also not common is to see a Dahl Sheep up close, as this guy came very close to us on our Savage River trail. We no sooner crossed over the bridge when he came over the hill and down the walking path! The Dahl Sheep are of great significance to Denali National Park - they are the reason why the millions of acreage were set aside for the National Park! Denali is the highest peak on the North American continent - second only by Mt. Logan, located not too far away in SW Yukon, Canada. No, we did not even think about climbing the mountain....but we did extend our stay at Riley Creek Campground for a few more days! A bit of advice for those who wish to travel (via RV) to Alaksa - consider more than a 3 month round trip - we'd do it again for a 5 month trip (so what if it snows!;-) And....try to reserve a campground further into Denali NP - you'll see more wildlife.

More Pics of AK!

Sea kayaking in Seward.
Seward
Ninilchik, AK - Russian immigrant town.

July '05 More AK Pictures

Just some of the pictures from our trip. Click on the sign photo (to zoom) - see 'Standing Your Ground' and read the far right column....when the bear is preditory and they are reaching: it means, 'Human, you're in deep doo-doo!' ;-) The first glacier we saw in Alaska was just a short drive from Tok, heading southwest. Mantanuska - lower right hand corner. We got to walk on that one! (and hear the word 'cravass' pronounced correctly!) If you zoom on this pic you should be able to see the blue between the cravasses. The upper glacier was seen on our tour of Kenai Fjords National Park, a boat tour from Seward.