ALASKA 2011

ALASKA 2011 - Page Text Content

S: Alaska 2011

BC: The End

FC: Alaska 2011

1: EMBARKING ON A ONCE IN A LIFETIME | .This trip to Alaska took lots of planning. It started out as a hunting trip for Jason. He had an opportunity to go on a Dall Sheep Hunt. I decided I was not going to be left behind, so I started to look into Chase and I going. I have always wanted to see Alaska, but not in the same way Jason was planning to experience it. In a tent with no bath was not the way I was going to do it. I mentioned the trip to Purdey and told her that she and Joe should come along. It did not take much convincing and she was on board. Oh and she also ended up with a "Baby on Board." She was 24 weeks pregnant with Baby D during the trip. Purdey and I planned our trip for months. It also happened that Jason and I sold our house and had to close on it while we were gone. Oh...and we also had to move during the trip. The week leading up to the trip was insane. On August 6, Jason, Chase and I finally boarded the plane for Anchorage. Purdey and Joe joined us on the 7th.

3: Our view | from the sky

4: Around Anchorage

6: On August 8th Jason departed for his hunt and the rest of us jumped on a train headed for Denali

7: LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION. | RALPH WALDO EMERSON

8: The train ride was fun. It was a little overcast, but the view was still so beautiful. | This lady lives just off the tracks and delivered the wild willow roses to the conductor.

9: Dall Sheep on the mountain | Beautiful rainbow as we arrived in Denali | Chase and Joe hanging out | Willow Rose Lady | It was a beautiful trip

10: Cabin Nite Dinner Theater It was an interesting night. Let's just say we had lots of laughs and the food was good.

12: Horseshoe Lake

13: We went on a morning hike to Horseshoe Lake. It was really pretty.

15: Denali Sled Dog Demonstration | We about froze to death during the demonstration. I think it was in the low 40s. It was still a fun time and very interesting.

16: We thought we were going to miss getting to see the BIG Mountain, since it likes to stay hidden in the clouds. Luckily, Purdey had the great idea to swing by Earthquake Park on our way to Seward...and there it was..Beautiful Mt. Mckinley!! | 20,320 Feet

17: Mt. McKinley

18: Traveling the Seward Highway

20: Rafting Trip on the Kenai River It was beautiful. Not the most comfortable trip but the scenery was amazing.

22: Joe and Chase's Fishing Trip on the Kenai River Lets just say it is a good thing the scenery was nice. Not so many fish caught:)

25: A GRAND ADVENTURE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN | WINNIE THE POOH | Northwestern Glacier Cruise

26: Orca "Killer" Whales We were lucky enough to get to see two groups of these beautiful whales. One actually went right under our boat...Awesome.

27: Thanks to our wonderful Captain, We got to go way off our route to chase down these beautiful whales. They were huge. Fin Whales are the second largest whale species They exceed 75 feet. It was amazing getting to see them. | Fin Whales

28: Humped Back Whale and a cute little Sea Otter

29: Stellar Sea Lions | This one our Captain said looked like"Bubba jumping in the pool."

30: Northwestern Glacier

31: Harbor Seals on the glacier ice

32: This trip was so pretty, I could not help adding a few more pictures. I think the other three will agree..this day made the whole trip worth it for us. Words can not describe how beautiful and exciting it was.

35: Marine Bird Exhibit

38: Candids go figure...Joe is in most of them

41: Chase had to do a picture when we got back that was themed...your silliest summer story. He chose trying to catch a big salmon with his hands. Purdey, Joe and I cracked up watching all of it unfold. Only my country boy would try something like this

42: Got to spend a whole day with Michelle Summerlin Porter. She was in my class at Lowndes. I think it has been 19 years since I saw her last.

44: At | At the end of the trip Purdey and Joe headed home and Chase and I had a couple of days to continue to check out Anchorage. On our last day Chase begged me to take him to Knights Taxidermy where the Discovery Channel Show "Mounted in Alaska" is filmed. I did not know what to expect, but it turned out to be lots of fun.

46: And now for Jason's adventure... He had a long drive from Anchorage and then got to get in this tiny bush plane to take him to his hunting spot.

49: View from the little bitty plane | “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.” ~ Helen Keller

50: Getting Back To Nature Campsite

54: A Successful Hunt