Above, our first (and only) view of Mount McKinley.  This was made from inside the observation center.  You will note that the mountain is not visible, but, etched on the glass is a representation of where the mountain would be, if visible.  "How Thoughty of 'Em!"

A Grizzly Bear as seen from the bus.  We saw what must have been the same bear, in exactly the same location, twice, with at least 7 or 8 hours of touring in between.  Dick posited that perhaps the spot was "salted" with Jack Daniels on a regualr basis.

Nice view in the backcountry.

A group of Caribou in the Savage River, about 15 miles from the main gate.

Don had noticed a crack already developing in the newly-repaired tow bar, so we took it back to the welder and he agreed that it was incorrect and promised to have it back to us on Wednesday June 27.  He performed as promised and the tow bar is nicely reinforced.  With that in hand, we departed
Anchorage on Wednesday for Denali National Park and arrived there on Wednesday PM.  Along the way, arranged for Backcountry Adventure for Friday, all day, 13 hours.  We spent Thursday messing around in the park, viewing the dogsled team, etc., as shown below.



Above, Don with sled dog, Gator (no doubt runs behind, lead dog Tide).

The dog sled demonstration.

Friday, we did the long tour and saw some interesting stuff, as follows:

Above, a fly, doing what comes naturally.

Above, an Arctic Ground Squirrel, along the path.

A "braided" river in the backcountry of Denali N.P.

 On our return from Alyeska, above, a view across Turnagain Arm and below, a favorite hangout along the Turnagain Arm road.

 Also at the Alyeska, a parasailer who flew down the mountain 5-6 times and each time, ran to catch the ski lift to go back for more.

 Above, Barbara and Dick.  Below, Barbara and Don.

Dick's

friend, Guy Marvin, told him months ago that he should contact Guy's old friend, Barbara Purbaugh-Ruckman while in Alaska.  Well!  Dick sent her an email today, Tuesday June 26, and she called immediately and arranged to meet Don and Dick for Dinner at the Alyeska Lodge, a 2 hour drive for her and 1 hour for us.  We shared a nice cocktail hour and a long dinner and parted as old friends.  You just never know what's around the next bend in Alaska.

Made it to Homer AK on another beautiful drive this time on the Kenai Peninsula. Got up this morning to be at the docks to leave on charter at 6AM. Dick could not go because he had a pulled muscle in his back and very painful, could hardly walk. Better today though. I had a great time on boat with Capt Norm and caught the biggest Halibut at around 60lbs. Brought back our limit of two per person and should be bring back lots of halibut, frozen of course. 

But got back from fishing and hear the news that Jerry's wife Barbara passed away at around noon Sat. It is a shock to all so pray for Jerry and family for God's peace and comforting hand.  



IT COST $230 AND TOOK FOUR DAYS TO FIX THAT?????  We know how tired you guys must be of hearing about our tow-bar travels.  Imagine how tired we are of waiting to get it back.  Anyway, leaving Anchorage tomorrow, 6/22, for Homer, AK, hopefully for several days of all kinds of fishing.
Continuing to pray for Barbara and Jerry.

Land of the midnight sun.  This photo made at 11:40 pm local time in anchorage on June 17.

The face of a tidewater glacier.

Harbor Seals lounging on a small ice floe in Prince William Sound.

Sea Otters at play in Prince William Sound, photographed from the Klondike Express.

Cruisin' and feelin' all patriotic aboard the Klondike Express.

Our first view of a glacier, near Whittier, AK.  On Sunday, June 17 (Dick's 17th anniversary) we drove about an hour south of Anchorage, through "the longest shared hiway/railroad one way tunnel in North America" to Whittier, AK to board the Klondike Express for a 145 nautical mile, 36 glacier, 5 hour tour.  The tour was expensive, but delightful and worth every penny.

Entering Alaska near Tok, AK on Friday June 15.  Dick was driving the car following the motor home as the tow bar had broken.  We hoped to get it repaired in Tok bit that was not to be.  We went on to Anchorage in convoy on the morning of June 16 and found that there was not a new tow bar to be had in town.  Monday morning we went to a welder and he agreed to repair ours by Wednesday.   NOT!!  As we write this, it is Wednesday the 20th, longest day of the year and it seems even longer because we can only play so much golf and we spend the other 18 hours of daylight cooling our heels.  The tow bar is promised for tomorrow.
Jerry went home yesterday, leaving at 8:30 PM AKDT and arriving Jax at 10:40 AM Wednesday.  We continue to pray that he will call with good news about Barbara's condition.

There were other folks arriving at Whitehorse, Yukon Territory at the same time as the 3 amigos.

The Saturn that we are towing at the end of the day that included snow, rain, dust, rain, dust, rain, dust etc.  Dick had to be quick to take this photo as Don was standing by immediately upon arrival in Teslin, YT, to wash the car.

 Above and below, views of the washout that closed the Alaska Hiway between Watson Lake and Teslin, YT.  By the time that we got there, the backup had disappeared and we went through without stopping.

Nice view from the RV park where we stayed in Iskut, BC, Canada.  It was 41 F the next morning and snowed on us very lightly as we traveled toward the Alaska Hiway.

Entered Canada at the Sumas, Washington crossing on Friday June 8.  Spent that night in Cache Creek, BC and played golf at a pretty good nine-holer.  Played around twice after 4:30 with plenty of light left to spare.

After one night in Eugene, Oregon, we left for Wasington where we were unable to play golf because of rain on  the 2 days that we were there.  Stayed that night in Everette, WA, just North of Seattle.

Above, entering Oregon on Friday June 8.

Been awhile since a post but here we are now stopped in Kitwanga BC near intersection of Canadian Hwy 16 and BC Hwy 37. We have had snow capped mtns most of the way today from Prince George BC  to Kitwanga. All the rivers we have seen up here are very high because of huge rain falls and melting snow according to the locals. Because of the rainfall amounts we have found out the Alaska Hwy is closed between Waton Lake and Teslin Yukon because of mudslides and washouts. The good news is it is still going to take a few days to get there so hopefully the road will be "rehabilitated" as we seen signs telling us along the way starting in California.

Photo above and the 3 below, scenes from Redwoods National Forest and the northern California coast on Tuesday June 5.  BED SWAPPING DAY!!!  We complete three weeks today and have been changing beds on Tuesdays.  Dick moves to the private bedroom, Jerry to the portable bed and Don to the fold-out sofa.  Golf in the afternoon at Eureka muni.  Very wet from rain yesterday and last night, but fun, except that Don twisted his ankle and was unable to finish.  He's resting now and we plan to go out for Mexican in a few minutes.

The first fish that Dick caught with his new fly rod, a nice Rainbow Trout, from Walker Creek near Bridgeport, CA.

We arrive at the Pacific on our 21st day.  Humbolt Bay, Eureka, CA.

Our first day of rain, Monday June 4, between Redding and Eureka, CA.

Bicycle race on the highway around Lake Tahoe.

Dick took a busman's holiday in Bodie.

Jerry on Fuller street in Bodie.

Ghost town, Bodie, CA.

Half Dome, Yosemite.

Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite.

El Capitan, Yosemite.

Wildlife in Yosemite.