Des and Maree

These early morning flights are killers. Leaving Anchorage like leaving darwin at 2 in the morning. We have had such an emotional sendoff: sad to leave Lisa who has been such a fantastic host, elated to have just seen bears and not only one but four, must local local would never have such an experience; sad again because we have come to the end of our Alaskan adventure so jam packed with heart stopping moments and as Maree said " I have never had such a sustained good time in my entire life"; but once again prepared for new challenges and more adventures. Through boarding security "You have been selected (once again) to participate in our increased security measures......come this way". It Maree's bloody hair, I am sure. Again everything off . Answer their questions. My ... read more

We interrupt the chronological order of the blog is issue a news alert. We spotted BEARS. Everyone in Alaska is so keen to point out their special animals and is so proud that Alaska still has these wild animals (some so keen they clame a permanant reminder). The other amazing thing is that these wild animals (Moose, Caribou and Bears) are still found in or very close to town areas. Lisa for example has had bears rifling through her garbage and moose are commonly seen every day as we drive from her place to school all through built areas. Howsomever, in all our travel the prize spotting of a bear has eluded us. So we visited the zoo etc to see one BUT, on our last night, we had dinner right in Anchorage and afterward to ... read more

At school. We are welcomed so warmly that we feel like royalty. Everyone is so helpful and keen to talk, check out what we have been up to, or plan to do etc. The school day starts at 9am with bell and welcome message, which included any announcements, happenings, a cheerful hello and any reminders from Lisa or others needing to convey messages to the whole school. The pledge is recited. This week the Kindergarten class led this out… very cool. I then get to read the lunch menu, just so everyone can enjoy the accent. Lots of fun! It makes me think of reinventing our Radio Show. We wander through all the classrooms saying hello. Lisa has a great sense of humor and has made use of my pink strip as much as possible. Lots ... read more

Untitled Mother's day is kinda special here in the good old US of A. So our host Lisa had stayed up late into the night preparing breakfast for her Mom who came with dad, little sister, Kellie, her husband and baby. Big tuck in Then with Lisa's two boys as well we all headed out of town to a horse show which is her Mom's favourite thing to do on Mother's day. The horse and riders were all magnificantly groomed - the girls were particularly impressed with the tightness of the jodpurs of one gentleman rider. We did not stay long as our hosts considered it too cold and windy. We then went to various observation spots to take in the great views, a Muskox farm and to finish the day we stopped at a ... read more

UntitledAfter another fabulous breakfast with Mary, who now has 9 other guests. We head off to the airport with Jim and Lisa. Our expected tour over the Artic Circle and onto Coldfoot has to be abandoned explains Robert from the North Alaskan Tour Company on account of its snowing and visibility is down to 200 feet - a bit low for flying. Instead of going home our alternative destination could be a native village at Beaver on the Yukon River followed by a flight slightly north so we can cross the imaginary Artic Circle line and therefore attain our official certificates. We all agree, that included another couple from Utah and pilot Pete. Little planes can be a little daunting, we sit in the back seats so that our view is unobstructed by the wings, ... read more

It's day number... I don't really know but wake about 5am, Tuesday 8 May Ummm daylight. Des writes up the diary, wakes me and we join Mary for breakfast. Guests Jim and Lisa have arrived from Philadelphia. They decided to join us for the much anticipated (by Maree anyway) Artic Circle trip tomorrow. Breakhast is delicious but way too much... but should keep the fires buring until tea time. We wander downtown to the visitors centre where we are advised of local attractions and how to get there. After some discussion of possibilities we make a scramble back down a few blocks to the bus terminal -- our distination Fairbanks University where the museum is located. En route of notice apart from the thrid world look of the place (junk everywhere) is the piles of ... read more

Now back at Honolulu Airport. Have a beer........ have another beer, only so we can view the fascinating garden at the airport right next to where the beer is. Maree goes off to take photos of the garden (which you will probably see on our return or here if we can get it working .. looks just like home only more established and trimmed to perfection). Meanwhile Des has a snooze, sort of, nearly falls off his chair (now does that sound like Des?). Anyway the slip attracts the attention of the couple at the next table who turn our to be Victorians doing the same Canadian Tour as we will be, only backwards. Nice couple. 9pm Again Sunday AGAIN/STILL. NorthWEST Airline - squeeseee 3-3 plane not even leg room for us!! Des Row (can't remember), ... read more