Juneau

Oh well... our shore excursion on the helicopter to the top of the glacier and the dog sled ride got cancelled. It was sunny and beautiful at sea level in Juneau, but the mountain tops were covered with fog, so all flying got cancelled for a couple of hours. We couldn't take the next available tour, because we would not get back to the ship in time to leave at 3:30. So Evelyn and I walked down the streets of Juneau and shopped. When we got done, I enjoyed the hot top for awhile and laid out on the sun deck. We may have missed our excursion, but we got one of the four days of sun in Juneau (that's the average for the month of August).

I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the balcony and enjoying the sites. I even watch a seal swimming around the harbour.

Tonight was our second formal night. After we finished eating and we were still sitting at our table, next to our window, I finally saw a group of whales swimming the opposite direction.

We are now headed to Ketchikan, where I hope to take my seaplane ride. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Skagway

Ok... we went on our first shore excursion. We took the White Pass Railroad and went through the path used by the gold stampeders back in 1896. We got off the train in Fraser, Canada. Then we boarded the bus and continued a little further down the road to the Suspension Bridge. It is located close to the beginning of the Yukon River.

Glacier Bay

As we sailed down the 12 miles of glacier bay, it was a colder day and more rain. but we did not let it dampen our spirits. When we reached the end, at Marjorie Glacier, the ship did another 360 degree turn. I stood aft of the ship on the top deck so I could enjoy the view for one hour. It was beautiful. I even saw a bald eagle, but I couldn't see the Puffins (the Ranger said that there was a group of 12, but they we too far away and small).

Whittier to Hubbard Glacier

We sailed all night to get to Hubbard Glacier... I didn't even feel the ship move. In the morning we woke up to COLD and a little rain, but we stayed out on the Lido deck so we could watch as we came up to the glacier.

Toast to my first cruise

from our balcony / deck. Sorry, Evelyn... I'm trying to remember... it is a balcony, NOT a deck.

The ship... the ship

I love the train!!!

Train ride from Denali to Whittier

And then Evelyn taught me how to use my camera & the zoom

Dall Sheep

One lonely wolf

Nap time

It's a grizzly...

no... it's two grizzlies.

Denali National Park

Believe it or not, that's Mt McKinley behind us... above our heads... in the clouds...

Native village

Part of the Riverboat Cruise

Fairbanks

Riverboat Cruise

The Hot Spot

The BEST cheeseburger and milk shake!!!

The Artic Circle

Coldfoot Camp

Rating -1 stars... not really. This was in front of the module that we stayed in.

More Ice Road Truckers

Starting on the Dalton Highway

aka... The Haul Road

Hand in the Arctic Ocean

Arctic Caribou Inn

Starting with hotel rating 0 stars... yes, this is the building we stayed in.

Prudhoe Bay

Sooooo busy

We are having such a GREAT time, that I have not been able to update my blog. So I've decided just to add some pictures now and add the commentary later.

Flight to Prudhoe Bay

Except for the time our morning started, it was a good flight. We flew on a huge 737 aircraft, but there were only 72 passengers in the back of the plane. The rest of the plane was blocked off and filled with cargo. We had one stop in Fairbanks, took on a couple more passengers then headed to Prudhoe Bay. We were met at the Prudhoe Bay Airport by our driver and new best friend Chuck Bulter. We got on the bus, all 37 of us, and Chuck gave us an overview of our next three days. While he was talking, I noticed that right outside our window was the Prudhoe Bay Hotel used by the Ice Road Truckers.

Then Chuck drove us over to our new "home"... The Arctic Caribou Inn. This is one of the many places that the folks that work at Prudhoe Bay when they come to work their two week shifts.

Portage Glacier

Up close and personal... what a view!! Then back to Captain Cook Hotel. Set the alarm clock for 2:30 AM in order to catch the 6:00 AM flight.

Day 2 - Anchorage and Portage Glacier

What a day!! So surprised when we work up to sunshine, so we walked around downtown Anchorage. Found a spot that had a great view of Cook Inlet, then walked to Westmark Hotel to meet our tour bus. The bus took us down Seward Highway and follows Turnagain Inlet for the hour drive to Portage Valley.









Our first stop was Begich, Boggs Vistor Center, which had a beautiful view of Portage Lake. Then we boarded a boat for an hour long cruise of the lake and got upclose-and-personal with Portage Glacier. The glacier is about a half a mile wide. They said that we were 300 yards from the base of the glacier, but it looked like we were a whole lot closer. Since it was a cloudy day in the valley, we could see the blue color in the ice. They said on a sunny day, you can't see the blue coloring.

After lunch and another hour long drive back to Anchorage, we checked into Captain Cook Hotel and checked in with Princess Cruiselines where we found out that we are supposed to be downstairs at 4:00 AM to start our tour and fly to Prudhoe Bay.

Morning start smoothly

... then we boarded our next plane ... and sat for 2 hours... and moved only 100 feet. Then it was back to the gate for 30 minutes before they told everyone to get off the plane while the mechanics fixed the plane. Real encouraging isn't it? Of course it is Friday the 13th. The good news is we finally took off and arrived in Alaska three hours late. But we are here now, and our adventure beings.

Day 1 of our adventure

OK....
Packed (3 times) - check
Woke up at 3:00 AM - check
Sam (aka wonderful neighbor) drove us to Airport - check
Check in 4 bags of luggage (for both of us) - check
Made it through security - check
Waiting to board the plane - check

WE ARE ON OUR WAY!!

Trip of a life time

I wanted to be sure to thank everyone that has been counting down the days with me and listening to me talk about it. A special thank you to the friends that loaned me their Netbook and to the ones that are house-sitting,dog-sitting, being my back-up, and to my family for their support. Love you all!!

Ice Road Truckers

on tonight... I'm going to take notes. Gotta get ready for my trip down Dalton Highway.