beentouring's Guestbook

Alaska
After checking some old back up files we discovered that our trip to Alaska was at exactly the same time as yours. Only we flew to Fairbanks, took the train to Denali, then to Anchorage for the cruise back to Vancouver. We were told it was one of warmest summers in Alaska then. We didn't kayak to the Mendenhall Glacier but did see it. We've seen pictures that have shown how much it has receded since 2004. Yes, Juneau was a tourist trap, but very pretty. By the way, did you notice that Hurricane Ian passed over western Cuba, including Vinales. We haven't seen any pictures showing impacts.. Bravo to the Cubans for approving same sex marriages..

I'm glad to see that you had ideal kayaking conditions - calm seas and blue skies - especially considering this was ocean kayaking, albeit in a harbor. A worthwhile excursion. For my money, kayaking is just the right height above the water, and far easier than canoeing. (It seems to me that I remember you doing some paddling on another trip, but the specifics are now foggy.) Your beer-in-every-port tradition was a good one, and a good reminder that our pleasures don't have to be super expensive or complicated.

Thanks for the timely reminder.

Your reminiscences illustrate how much better it is to travel with someone we know well and also share interests with. Sharing the experience adds to it, especially when there's no tension. In other matters, is Ruth wearing a "top" that you made, by any chance? The fabric reminds me of the silks you've brought back from your various trips.

I've often considered taking this cruise, so will look forward to your experience of it. And lovely, too, to think about Ruth. You sound like excellent travel companions.

Further to the previous discussion, in just 2 months (I think) we've gone from brown to full-on green. You'd think winter and the dreary transition from winter to spring had never happened. Love the featured shot and the meandering creek.

Well, there's this to be said for that time of year: you can see well into the woods, and the shapes of things stand out. It's impressive how quickly it "flips" into visible spring. Love the signs.

I don't believe I've ever seen a porcupine in the wild -- and I'm impressed that you saw this one. It blends-in nicely. Funny to see those icicles with rushing water underneath. I bet they didn't last long.

Boy, another still day! Great shots of reflections in places many would not notice. Love the shot of the Canada goose and magpie, and the over-your-head shot of the aspens. And, of course, bridges . . . :-)

It's funny, but I know more about the birds in Phoenix than in Calgary. Not sure I knew that there were blue jays, for example. Love the shot with the beaver lodge. You had a very still day.

I had to look up Weaselhead to see its derivation. Looks like it's a Blackfoot name of a chief at the time of contact. There's also a fellow by that name who was a chief and is now (?) Chancellor of the UofL. That, of course, doesn't explain the name in itself, but at least it situates it. :-) Love your oxbow photo of the Elbow and (as always) the mountain shot.

Love your two photos with mountains, especially the one in the body of the post (Alberta Ranch Habitat). That's beautiful country west of Calgary and you've captured it well.