July 30-31, 2011 HOUSTON TO DENALI, AK. Unfortunately the weather was cloudy and rainy today so there was no chance of seeing the vast Alaskan mountain ranges. One of the best views of Mt. McKinley can be seen from Mary’s McKinley View Lodge but we were not able to see the mountain at all because of low cloud. However, Dwain was able to capture a picture of the view on a clear day from the photos on the wall!! This was a good place to stop for a cup of coffee and a delicious pecan roll fresh out of the oven. Then it was on to Denali RV Park and Motel where we parked for the next two nights. This was another short drive so we were able to relax in the afternoon after getting settled ... read more

July 27-28, 2011 SEWARD, AK Rugged, snowcapped peaks in a landscape that includes alpine valleys, blue glaciers and the deep waters of Resurrection Bay encircle Seward. This is the gateway city of Kenai Fjords National Park and has some of the most stunning scenery in Alaska. Once again we were able to view blue glaciers close up. Not far from our campground was Exit glacier where you could take a short hike right up to the glacier ice. Our second day started off with a visit to the Alaska Sea-Life Center and aquarium featuring displays of the marine life found in the Gulf of Alaska. Then we strolled around the small township of Seward which has retained many of its original turn-of-the-century buildings. You will notice in the pictures a children’s playground and skate-board park in ... read more

July 21 -22, 2011 VALDEZ TO ANCHORAGE Once again we were most fortunate to get a clear, sunny day for our trip to Anchorage, stopping for one night at Mendeltna Lodge, along the Glenn Highway. The main lodge was a very interesting log building with a rustic interior. We were treated to a Pizza dinner that night by our hostess. There were many stops along the way either to snap pictures of the beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes and glaciers, or to wait for road construction!! One of our interesting stops was at a little “hole in the wall” place called Brown Bear Rhodehouse. Here we met the owner, cook, hostess and waitress who is also known as “The Hunter”. Cindy Rhodes, 4ft. 11inches weighing 91lbs. shot a Kodiak Brown Bear that was 10ft. 6inches tall and ... read more

July 19, 2011 VALDEZ, AK It’s hard to find a prettier place anywhere in Alaska than here in Valdez (pronounced Val-deez) situated on a fjord in Prince William Sound and surrounded by mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife. In the year 1964, the Great Alaskan Earthquake and accompanying tidal wave destroyed the original town of Valdez. The town was moved to a new and safer place so many of the buildings are quite new. We enjoyed our free day just wandering around the town and along the wharf to the ferry terminal. On the path up to a lookout spot in the middle of town we met an Animal control officer who warned us that a mother Black Bear and her cub had been sighted on the hill, so it was not a safe place to wander. ... read more

July 17, 2011 DESTRUCTION BAY, YT TO TOK, AK Tok was the site of one of the largest construction camps during the building of the Alcan Highway in 1942. So much money was spent on it that it earned the nickname “Million Dollar Camp”. The actual name of the settlement was “Tokyo Camp” and the nearby river was called the Tokyo River. However, during World War II the name was shortened to “Tok” because of sentiments against the Japanese. Today we traveled over some of the roughest roads we have encountered so far on our trip. The severe winters here cause huge frost heaves in the roads and all summer road crews are working to straighten and repair the roads. We traveled many miles of loose gravel where you need to stay back from the vehicle ... read more