Totally Tripped Out

Where we've been the last 15 days:

Alaska

It is a loooong way from Texas … and much bigger than Texas.

(Alaskans continued to remind us of this fact all along the way!!)

What one picture can possibly describe Alaska?

                I don’t think any one picture can. But this is what I expected to see,

and I wasn’t disappointed.

Modes of transportation

Holland American
Ms. Zaandam

 











(and various other types of boats, trains and planes)

Standing on the dock of the bay
in Vancouver waiting to board the ship

Places we stayed

And on the ship for seven days

The McKinley Chalet at Denali

(and other lodges and hotels along the way)

Things we saw

Are you kidding me?

To think that I could tell you all we saw?

Mountains, rivers, glaciers, waterfalls, flowers, wildlife,

whales, sea lions, porpoises, bears, elk, caribou,

lynx, eagles.

Doesn't look real, does it?



(I have a good video of these whales,
but can't get it to work on here. Anyone have a tip on that?)

Humpback salute! ;-)

Things we did

Here are a few of our fun experiences.

Took a flight in a floatplane over the Tongass National Park.

Went to a crab feast.

Whalewatching and saw the Mendenhall Glacier.

An hour ride on the fjords between one beautiful mountain after another,

then hiked through a rainforest (crazy wild mosquitoes) to a river

where we canoed to sit directly in front of the Davidson Glacier.

Glacier Bay, Broadway show onboard the ship, comedienne Julie Barr.

Enjoying the scenery as we sailed, read, slept, walked.

Cabin Nite show at Denali (very fun historical musical about the gold rush).

Jet boat ride down Nenana River.

Panned for gold (came away with $24 worth).

Denali Wilderness Tour for a glimpse of Mt. McKinley

and saw plenty of wildlife on our way.

 What We Ate

Uh, can we skip that part? I'm a little embarrassed to share here.

But I did bring about 8 pounds of it home with me

and now I will be trying to get that off over the next few weeks.

You know how your jeans stretch as you wear them more than once?

Well, my body adjusted as we went! LOL!!

Who We Met

Lots of friendly people from

lots of different places.

Some Things We Didn't Know

Alaska is bigger than Texas. ;-)

Hmmmm. Only a native Alaskan can own a reindeer.

And it is a reindeer when in captivity.

If in the wild, it is a caribou!!!

I enjoyed every minute of this trip!

Smooth flights, smooth waters, great tour.

Everywhere we went, we were blessed with great weather and great sights.

But it is still so good to be back home again.

Even if it is 50 degrees warmer here!!!!

And here is the video. Will see if it works!