Tuesday August 26 - Thursday August 28 We arrived in Whitehorse earlier than scheduled due to the flight from Dawson. We took a ride on the waterfront trolly, checked out the visitor center and the local museum. That evening we enjoyed the Frantic Follies. On Wednesday morning we visited a local animal reserve and that afternoon met our friend Charlene who treated us to a tour of Whitehorse. Winter comes early in the Yukon the first snow of the season has already frosted the higher elevations around Whitehorsee. That evening we gathered for our farewell dinner. We said goodbye to Sherrie Moon, our tour director and the members of our tour group. The next day we flew to Vancouver. Our tour of Alaska and the Yukon officially ends with a night at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport. ... read more

Saturday August 23 - Sunday August 24 After one night in Tok we depart at 6 am for a long day of travel to Dawson. Our route is the scenic Taylor Highway with a stop at Chicken for coffee and fresh baked treats. That afternoon at the American Summit we enjoyed a boxed lunch and then continued to Eagle, Alaska's first city now a village of about two hundred. At four we boarded the Yukon Queen ll for a narrated 102-mile cruise up the Yukon River (highway of the North) to Dawson City, Yukon Territory. Dinner is served onboard as we cruised past traditional native settlements and abandoned gold rush towns. ... read more

Tuesday August 19 - Thursday August 21 After a short ride to the Railroad Depot we boarded the luxurious McKinley Explorer for the 8-hour trip to Denali. The weather Gods are with us! The sun is warm and with only a few clouds we have fantastic views of Mt. McKinley starting from 200 miles away as we take in the spectacular scenery along the rails. A plane flight later in the day brings Sylvan to within a half mile of the majestic peak. The next day we were up at five am to meet the bus that took us on the 8-hour round trip bus tour through Denali Park. There is only one road and travel is limited to 30 buses a day operated by the National Park Service. You can hike and backpack almost anywhere ... read more

Friday August 15, Glacier Bay & Saturday August 16, College Fjord The last two days of our cruise north were spent appreciating the beauty of coastal of Alaska. Friday afternoon the sun finally returned after five days of rain and we could see the mountains in the light instead of the grey foggy haze that has followed us so far. The natural splendor that you see as you cruise this rugged terrain is so vast you are unable to capture it through the lens of a camera. A cruise ship is absolutely the ideal format to enjoy coastal Alaska. The first night of the cruise we were very fortunate to join the thermal suite, part of the spa, on the ship, it’s located forward on the Lido deck just below the bridge and provides incredible views. ... read more

Wednesday, August 13, 2008. We wake up in Juneau. Looking out from our balcony and see another cruise ship parking lot. Today eight of our family members are going to Eaglecrest ski area to do the “Alaska Zip Adventure”. We ride out in the van and after a fifteen-minute drive we arrive at the mountain and enter the lodge. The guides begin to explain the procedures for the activity and they have us sign our life away by completing a release form that doesn’t hold them responsible for anything. Because I have ALS this trip to Alaska and the zip line adventure are part of my “Bucket List”. We have been planning this trip for a year and a zip line activity is high on my list. As we line up to get our gear the ... read more