RitaB Travels

I have posted new for Alaska Days 13 - 17 and then re-posted Days 18-21 which were previously posted with text but no pictures. The reposting of Days 18-21 include the pictures I couldn't get in while I was there. For those who signed up as subscribers - if you do not want to receive emails anymore as I get the rest of the trip from last year blogged, please send me an email and I can remove you as a subscriber. Sorry it's been taking so long. Hopefully I'll be able to stick with getting the rest of last year's ventures documented here. Thanks for everyone's interest. Rita... read more

This is the last post to be done while I'm still actually in Alaska. I leave for home on a 6am flight Thursday morning after the most incredible 9 1/2 weeks traveling all over this astounding state. It has been a busy yet quite reflective last few days. As I've looked back, I am not even sure I believe all the memories are for real. I have already been asked what was the best and what was the most unexpected and I just can't answer at this particular point. I am still absorbing. Am I ready to be home? ...Yes. Am I ready to leave Alaska? ...No, not really. Such mixed emotions but one thing is very clear - - what I take with me in memories and experiences is almost unbelievable. I will post an ... read more

The SeaLife Center in Seward is extraordinary. Aside from rich informational displays about marine wildlife in Alaska and various educational movies, they have live rehabbed sea lions, birds, and right now had two rescued walrus youngsters. First some marine facts to enrich your day: · Alaska’s coastline stretches nearly 45,000 miles. It is bordered by two oceans, three seas, and the Gulf of Alaska. · Russia and Alaska are only 53 miles apart. The Bering Sea is bordered by Russia, Alaska’s mainland, the Aleutian Islands, and the Commander Islands. At the northernmost part lies the Bering Strait where Russia and Alaska almost touch. · The Bering Sea covers over 885,000 square miles – almost twice the size of Alaska · Over half the fish and shellfish caught in U.S. waters comes from the Bering Sea · ... read more

Just letting folks know I arrived in Seward safe and sound and planning to be here two nights. The drive was absolutely gorgeous albeit a bit long from Fairbanks - otherwise uneventful as in no problems. Actually had sun off and on all the way here. On arrival here they told me national weather service had now put out another wind/rain warning for the area covering tonight and possibly two days which includes potential flooding due to how saturated everything is already from the recent rains. I have a view of the Bay from the room so it'll be pretty to watch if it turns out too ugly to even go out. Hiking might be out but there's other things so we'll see. Have to expect unknown weather this time of year and I'm so grateful ... read more

Hello all from Fairbanks Alaska! I've had a great week that began by meeting up with some folks I had originally met on the Denali excursion who had also continued traveling in Alaska. We all crossed paths again here in Fairbanks for drinks the first evening (Monday evening) and then breakfast/brunch the next morning. They are headed up to see the Polar bears and since they are avid photographers, it will be a great opportunity for them. As for me, I've been to the Visitor Center here in Fairbanks which is really good with some great historical displays. I've been to their Bird Sanctuary, a Pioneer Village (mostly closed but museum was excellent), the Large Animal Station (University of Alaska), drove most of the Steese Highway until I came across snow laden roadway where I decided ... read more