Just FYI - I am where I am supposed to be (Sitka, AK) after a wonderful week to the far reaches of northern Alaska. I will do a quick update in the morning before joining the Wildlife/Glacier Cruise here. Just wanted to let those tracking closely know that I'm OK - just too tired tonight to post but will have some time in the morning to do so along with at least some pictures. What a crazy, wonderful week!!... read more

I was in Talkeetna until noon and now in Fairbanks. Talkeetna is a small town with true Alaskan spirit. I had splurged to stay at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge with mountain view. Unfortunately, the mountains never showed due to clouds and rainy weather but I certainly can't complain at all. I had two and a half days of seeing Mt McKinley and the whole Alaskan Mountain Range from within Denali. I feel sorry for the cruise line folks and others who were there in Talkeetna for a day or two and that was their only chance to see those mountains. I'm sure they are quite disappointed. I feel so very fortunate since they estimate only 30% of the people that come to Denali or the area actually see Mt. McKinley (formally named Denali in the State ... read more

Alaska Update – Day 29 (8/20/12) Greetings All (especially family so you know I’m OK). I just posted the written part of Days 18 – 21. Unfortunately, I was not able to get any pictures to post from this hotel. I know the pictures work the best for everyone and not sure why I couldn’t get any to upload last night but now, I’ve got to get moving on so just getting at least the story out and this update so all know I’m ok. Sorry that my delay might have started concern. I need to remember there is a reality out there even if I’m seemingly lost to it. As I posted last week – I spent the week at three different wilderness lodges – a fully guided trip. It was an absolutely incredible week ... read more

Breakfast is going to give us all a kick start for our hike - eggs, bacon, cereal, juice, bagels or toast, and more. We’re going to need the hike to walk off the calories. We load in vans to our starting point about a half hour away. Bear and group hiking directions are given and we are off. Anna stops us quite a few times to point out and have us experience different plants, berries, trees, and lichen. Luke reiterates or adds clarity to the lessons for those of us nearer the back. There are two toxic or poisonous plants in abundance that gets pointed out to us and they make sure we all can identify them so we stay clear of them. Liam and Carina do a great job of yelling back to the group ... read more

Had to set an alarm this morning so I’d get up early enough to get some wash done and pack up for the week long adventure to go to three different wilderness lodges across the seven days. Since I’m used to simply taking from the car each night whatever clothes I need for the very next day, this requires some thought I haven’t had to do thus far. Listening and going by the weather reports up here is worse even than in Wisconsin. Bottom line is whatever the weather looks like at the moment, it could be completely different in just a few hours. I decide not to take my winter coat along but do tuck in the long underwear just in case. I also take one pair of shorts just in case. Who knows what ... read more

There is an almost rainbow outside my window this morning. I don’t know how much rain there was last night but it is drizzling yet this morning. I keep watch on the almost rainbow for it to become a full-fledged rainbow but that never happens. It is beautiful all the same. Breakfast is yet another delight – pancakes, sausage, and fruit on yogurt, coffee, and juice – virtually any benefit of hiking to weight loss is unfortunately offset by the wonderful food served every meal with very generous portions. Kate cooks, Jason serves and they work in succinct harmony accomplishing everything else. It has been my pleasure to get acquainted with them and a delight to partake in their food handiworks. Everything is packed up and I am ready to take on the Denali Highway. I ... read more

The morning started cloudy but pretty quickly began to clear - kinda. I take the beautiful drive back to Delta Junction. It is always nice to go back the other way because it is so different looking at the other side of the mountains and hillsides. The people at the Delta Junction major petro stop at the intersection of Alaskan and Richardson highways were very friendly and all accommodating. I sat and used the faster Internet which allowed me to get pictures uploaded for the couple days I had managed to catch up. It was almost like a little Internet Café and they had no problem with my sitting there for as many hours as needed with great coffee. One of the new road side signs on the way to Delta Junction Fort Greely showed “Caution ... read more

I continue to run a week behind and doubtful I will catch up any time soon. So, I am doing the "what I did on my summer vacation" format for the last week in order to be able to blog real time again. Since most of my time in Valdez was on Glacier cruise, I was able to take lots of notes and can update by day later on - probably when I get home. Same for Tok. This will bring you current as to what I've done and where I am. I would have to just do blogging the next 3-5 days to catch up and I have a date with Rowdy the dog for a hike yet this afternoon. No pictures to this because the pictures just take so much time. Sorry to disappoint ... read more

I woke up this morning a bit groggy, a little achy, and to a cloudy (like actually in the clouds) morning. Not sure if it’s the weather or if I’m just truly over-taxing this body. It wasn’t raining though, so that was an improvement from yesterday. At breakfast, I met Alana and Russ from Flagstaff, AZ here celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary and also a newlywed couple from Germany on their honeymoon. All great people and it made for great breakfast conversation. Rose prepped a wonderful breakfast – blueberry muffin tops for which we were the taste testers, fruit salad with homemade yogurt, individual baked egg special recipe, coffee, juice, cereal – all excellent. We all chatted about what we’d already done and what was still to do on our trips. Then I found out earlier ... read more