I got a little behind on postings... July 13...Another very early start...up in time to make a 7:30 am shuttle bus in Denali National Park. It's the only way to see the park. We had reserved the first shuttle out for an 8+ hour ride through the park to the Eilosen Visitor's Center which is 66 miles into the park. It's a large school bus in which the driver narrates along the way and stops when there's any animal sightings. The park is beautiful. We saw a moose along the road almost as soon as our ride started and later on we saw a few caribou, one up close. Others in the distance. The driver and many of the people on the bus said they saw bears and sheep but they weren't so visible to me. ... read more

Today I am the designated guest blogger. Its the end of another long day traveling through Alaska. Today the six of us went white water rafting on the Nenana River. Some of us were a little hesitant, but all agreed it was great. Tomorrow its a 6:30 breakfast and of to Denali National Park. First a stop at "Subway" for A boxed lunch. Yes, Subway. It is recommended that we bring lunch. So far the trip has been great. Its hard to believe that we are in Alaska. Since it is Friday, it seems that the trip is winding down. We fly home on Monday. From being among glaciers in the rain and on the water and now in the sunshine and warmth, shows the contrasts we are experiencing on our trip . The six of ... read more

July 9th....We're on the road again, driving from Homer to Whittier (185 miles) straight to catch a ferry to Valdez. Whittier is a very small town with a total population of a few hundred people and they all live in the same large apartment complex. It's a harbor town started by the US government during World War II as a secret military installation. At that time 1000 people lived in one set of buildings, now abandoned. It's pretty eirie spot. We had a picnic lunch while waiting for the ferry and then drove the car onto it and settled ourselves on the sunny deck. It's the first time we've felt the sun since we got here and it was great. It's a 6 hour ferry ride, crossing Prince William Sound. The time went quickly as everyone ... read more

We've had two more amazing days since last I wrote. Yesterday we took a 9 hour boat tour from the Kenai Fjords Company of the waters around Seward, Resurrection Bay through the Northwestern Fjords. To say it was incredible is an understatement. The weather was, as it has been until tonight, chilly and rainy. The captain assured us that while people don't like that kind of weather it would be great for seeing wildlife, and it was. We weren't out on the boat 20 minutes when 3 porpoises swam right by us and within a half hour, we saw our first humpback whale! And we saw 3 more during the day...and dozens stellar sea lions, harbor seals, puffins (!), and an amazing array of birds, my favorite being the common murr, a bird that looks like ... read more

No better way to start the day than with a great breakfast, soft music, a fire in the fireplace and a great view. That was this morning at Copper Whale Inn, and lots of interesting conversation with other guests from different parts of the US. Of course, I got up early and had lots of time for all of the above. Cool, rainy weather didn't hold us back. After a leisurely start of the day, we spent time at the Anchorage Museum. There was an exhibit from the Smithsonian on Native Cultures in the Arctic Circle that was amazing. We all loved it. We left there in time to see the 4th of July parade...a true highlight of local warmth....from the Welcome Home Mommy sign on one of the military 'floats' to the midwives marching, and ... read more