Kent Miller's 2008 Alaska Blog

Flying Fish

2011-09-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

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A flying fish skips across the Pacific Ocean near Baha Mexico

Please visit my new blog

2010-04-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Kent Miller • Visual Journalism http://www.blog.kentmiller.com Kent Miller • Visual Journalism http://www.blog.kentmiller.com

New Banner Slideshow of Best of Denali

2010-03-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

To see, please go to my current blog here: http://www.kentmiller.com

Denali Park and Preserve Landscapes

2008-09-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

The most amazing thing about shooting at Denali National Park and Preserve is that there are constant opportunities to make photographs. Wildlife is fun and exciting to shoot. But wait. There's more! The terrain is absolutely magical! Two of the below photos were taken at the same time I was photographing two bull moose hanging out together. The mountains, rivers, tundra, and forest all make for a constant stunning experience. The moments come with weather, light and objects in the foreground.
---Be sure to click a photo if you would like to see it bigger.---A view of the Tundra Wilderness Tour bus turn around at Stony Hill. This is one of the best places in the park to view Denali. The bus goes to Toklat when the mountain is hidden by clouds, and 8 miles farther, when it is visible.
A stream runs off the Alaska Mountain Range near the 64 mile mark approacing Eielson Visitor Center.
Rain moves across the Alaska Mountain Range near as seen from the road to the Wonder Lake Campground.
Jay saw this as we were traveling back from Wonder Lake Campground. He said, "looks like we are in Ireland."
The sun sets behind the hills above Wonder Lake.
The variety of terrain is amazing.
Alaskan Fireweed. By the time it finishes blooming, summer is officially over. It was August 15.
A tour bus winds around a pass as seen from the Polychrome Rest Area. I missed a better shot here. There were three visitors in the foreground to the right of the road (below). I was praying for a bus to happen by then but no luck.Wouldn't it be great if the bus was in this photo?
Rain comes and goes so fast. Here, Wonder Lake get replenished.
The clouds constantly bring isolated rays of sunshine in the park.
A late evening view of the Alaska Mountain Range.
This is the same place and time where the two moose were photographed together. They are in the picture but not visible with the use of a 14mm wide angle lens as opposed to the 600 mm lens used to photograph the moose.
An isolated weather system moves across the horizon near the 80 mile mark. This was also taken while I was shooting the two moose.
A tour bus provides scale to the Alaskan Mountain Range near the Teklanika River.

Bull Moose!

2008-08-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

An amazing encounter

I was hoping to shoot a bull moose since I didn't see one in June. Much to my surprise, Jay and I came across two!
Each took a turn for a dip in the pond.The bull moose on the left is slightly bigger. The moose on the right approached him, lowered his rack as if to attack, thought about it again, and chose to move on. The larger moose just held his ground. The rutting season begins in the fall. During the rut, bull moose fight with each other for dominance and the right to mate with the females in the area.

Grizzly Bears

2008-08-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

One of the most common wildlife sightings in the park are bears. They are putting on the pounds for the coming winter. I think they need to eat 22,000 calories of food per day to prepare for winter hibernation. Biologists determined this by weighing their poop. People call it scat. I guess it is a nicer word...

This bear was busy eating berries. The berry crop was late this season due to unusual cold and rain in June and July.

As I was shooting this one, much to my amazement, he walked right toward me!He stopped at the other side of the road. I was able to get this close up.And then this one.These two were digging up roots at the Kantishna river.
This one was eating berries way out near Wonder Lake. He posed quite nicely for me.

Then he decided to take a walk right in the middle of the road. I could not get too close because you are not supposed to alter their behavior in any way. I followed him slowly for about 45 minutes before he finally headed back into the tundra.
Bears stand up in order to see better. This one was at Sable Pass.

Back in Michigan!

2008-08-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Took the red-eye home last night. Sitting here at Detroit Metro. I didn't have much time to blog as I was in the back country most of the time. Can't wait to share the latest photos and write some stories.

Had a great time back in Denali. Jay wants me to come back in the winter. That would be glorious! It's his (and many other ranger's) favorite time of year.

Photos!

2008-08-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

There is so much to write about but I don't have time right now. I want to get out to shoot more. Here are some photos from yesterday.A detail of the Alaska Mountain Range.
A ranger speaks with the assistant secretary of the interior and his son and son-in-law in from of Denali at Eielson Visitor Center just after the grand opening
I have had two encounters with wolf puppies. Two months ago I believe I photographed this pup's mommy. See post below.
Wildlife sighting!
A sleeping grizzly bear takes a moment to stretch.
Superintendent of Denali National Park Paul Anderson addresses the crowd during the grand opening of Eielson Visotor Center. A perfect day!
Lots of babies around. This is a Ptarmigan.
A fox yawns as it strolls along the roadside.
Moose love the weeds that grow in the kettle ponds.
Another baby. This was one of two grizzly bear cubs that sauntered past our bus.
Denali!
The assistant to the secretary of the interior addresses the gathering during the Eielson grand opening.
You have to see this for yourself. It's indescribable.
A rare day because Denali is rarely visible due to weather.
Another wolf puppy crosses the road behind a visitor bus.
Headed out last night after we got back. I was looking for a bull moose that evaded me when I turned to look down the road and here is what I saw.

Tomorrow

2008-08-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

I was flown out here to cover the grand opening of Eielson Visitor Center. This is happening tomorrow. I leave at 8:15 a.m. I'll be on a bus with dignitaries. Hope to see and shoot wildlife on the way. Please stay tuned.

Jr. Ranger dog sled encounter

2008-08-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

A child enjoys a parka made for winter dog sledding during a jr. ranger program at the dog kennel. At left, educational coordinator for the Murie Science and Learning Center, Christie Anastasia, presents the program.Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, gives his appreciation to children that pulled him in a dog sled.

Alaskan Husky Puppies and VIPs

2008-08-11T21:27:00.000-07:00

Deputy Director of the National Park Service, Dan Wenk, left and his wife Barbara, enjoy an Alaskan Husky puppy after a dog sled demonstration.Lyle Laverty, Asistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, (he answers to the secretary of the interior) hugs an Alaskan Husky puppy.

Close Encounter

2008-08-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

Thank God I had a window seat! As we were approaching the runway in Fairbanks, amazing individual clouds were producing their own rain. The sun was shining behind them. Below each cloud was a site to behold. Remember the light coming down from the alien ship from "Close Encounters"? That's exactly what I saw. I imagined searching souls on the ground looking up to the promise of an alien encounter. Stupendous!

My Cabin

2008-08-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Here's my cabin. More to come as soon as I get time. I'm about to photograph a reception involving big wigs from Washington D.C.H

Ready to go

2008-08-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

All packed. Heading to bed. My flight leaves at 10 a.m. out of MBS. I arrive in Fairbanks at 7:30 p.m. Alaska time. That's 11:30 Michigan time. 4 legs, 13 1/2 hours. It's worth every minute.

Heading Back to Alaska!

2008-08-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

Denali National Park and Preserve is flying me back to the park on August 10 for a week! I'll be photographing the opening of Eielson Visitor Center. There will be lots of dignitaries there. The center is at the 66 mile point in the park. It has a great view of Mt. McKinley. Can't wait.Just for fun, I shot this cicada morphing in my back yard last week with the help of Jenny and Bob Czuprynski. (Click photo to enlarge)

Back to the lower 48

2008-06-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

I'm back here in Michigan. I'll keep posting as I shoot assignments locally. Thanks to all those that have been following my blog.Near the entrance of the park.
I was greeted with a moose and a calf as I was leaving Denali National Park. I had seen this moose earlier by herself. Even photographed her before (see earlier post). I heard she had two calves and that one had been taken by a predator. Somehow the remaining calf and her were reunited. Park officials say this moose most likely was one that had calves in the campground last year and was extremely violent. She was protecting her young with a vengeance. She was known to attack RVs and visitors with no provocation.

Moose actually harm more people than grizzly bears. Visitors to the park have been known to walk right up to a moose to stand next to it in order to have someone take a photo of them together. Once we saw a women get out of her RV to take photos with her pajamas on... Moose, especially those with young do not take kindly to this act of stupidity.

Park Rangers

2008-06-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

I am about to leave the park and head to Talkeetna for the night. Then Thursday, I return the RV in Anchorage and hop on a plane home.

It’s been an amazing experience.

The best part of my time here has been making friends with park rangers. There are common threads that bind rangers together. Their awareness and appreciation for the wilderness is a given. But with that comes a spirit of loving the living. That includes human beings. I have never come across a group so kind and accepting of me as I have these past 12 days. They have taught me so much about what really matters in life.
Jay. Kindred spirits from the moment we met.
World traveller, Frannie (second from left) after winning a beer by throwing a quarter into the mouth of a wolf at The Spike.
Philosopher Allison at her station at Savage Creek.
Jen taught us how to play Mexican dominoes. She makes great cole slaw too.

I should have photographed Brandy...

Owl and Rainbow

2008-06-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

Last night I was throwing away some trash and I saw one of those plastic owls that people put up next to their boats so birds don't come around and poop on their vessels. Then it moved. "Oh my God," I thought to myself. I crept back to my RV for my 600mm lens. It was perched on the volleyball net. This was taken at 11 p.m.
I have seen at least one rainbow every day I have been here.

Another Contest

2008-06-16T19:24:00.000-07:00

I don't know what kind of bird this is so if you can tell me, you get a free print. And no. Barb is not disqualified...

Your comments

2008-06-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

I really appreciate everyone looking and commenting. I will respond to comments when I have the time (which may be when I get back...).

Mommy Moose and Eagle

2008-06-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

I stayed up all night last night because I wanted to catch the early morning light which is at about 4 a.m. I was disappointed that it was raining so I missed the light but got the bald eagle below.

In a few minutes I will go to dinner with Jay. He is taking me to a local place in Healy. I love Alaskan people! I am fascinated with their strength and endurance. This is certainly like a different country.Look buddy. Don't mess with me. I have two calves in here so you better watch it...
A moose calf.
Bald eagle from this morning at 5 a.m. Jay tells me it is rare to see a blad eagle in this portion of Denali.

2 Denali backpackers missing

2008-06-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

I sure hope they find these backpackers. It's national news. Kris Fister, the woman who I wrote about is quoted in this story.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/141838

Reflections

2008-06-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

As I wind down from another day in Alaska, I cannot help but think about a few issues...

1, We are small in comparison to the world and to the environment. Animals and people must co-habitate in a natural and non inhibiting way.

2, Life is not work. Life is not family. Life is not play. Life is everything you encounter! Every moment. Don't waste a single second!

3, I need more comments. Where is the Miller family?

My day off

2008-06-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

Today I pretty much edited, toned, and captioned images. I also drove into a nearby town to get some provisions. I stole away for a few hours to head into the back country (the first 15 miles of course... I didn't get much but here it is...Finally got a moose worthwhile. This one is a cow. It's female. Thus, no rack. I hope to get a bull before I leave Alaska...
The light here in the evening is glorious. This was taken around 10 p.m. Notice the sun is still shining strong?

Barbara Wood

2008-06-16T03:16:00.000-07:00

Barb has not only guessed the correct bunny but she has single handely made the most comments. Barb gets two prints. Yeah Barb!

The Mountain

2008-06-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

There really is a mountain here! One out of three visitors to the park actually get to see the great Mt. McKinley. It is so massive that it has it's own weather pattern. Even with perfectly blue skies, the mountain can get socked in and not be seen. I have seen it just once and quite briefly. Minutes later it clouded up... The foothills in the foreground are huge. Just imagine how big it is in comparison.

What's next

2008-06-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today, I am provisioning for the rest of the trip. I'm also going to be on the lookout for moose. I hear there is one around here with two calves.

Tomorrow, I hope to get up in the air for some aerials of the park. It's all up in the air right now...

Tomorrow night I travel to Talkeetna. There is another ranger station there. I hope get in a plane headed for base camp on Mt. McKinley where climbers begin their journey that takes weeks.

Transportation in the park

2008-06-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

When I first heard that you had to ride a bus to get farther than 15 miles into the park, I thought it was a drag. I have to tell you. It is a great way to see the park and wildlife. The driver stops when wildlife is spotted. Here, visitors get a great look at dall sheep which included several rams. The view is much higher than a car so it is easier to see over brush. There are about 10 to 40 eyes all looking for wildlife. Not much is missed. All a visitor has to do is yell "stop!"
Can you imagine how horrible it would be if cars were aloud past the 15 mile marker? Traffic jams would abound when a bear like this is so close to the road. The bus system is designed to keep human contact with wildlife to a minimum so wildlife can go about their business of being wild and free.

More Wildlife

2008-06-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

A mew gull tries to keep a golden eagle from attacking her young. This is quite a brave gull!Not happy with any moose photo yet. This was taken from the train near Panorama Moutain during an interp program.
A porcupine. These are extremely hard to photograph. As soon as you see one, it scampers into the woods.
Dall sheep. This is a ewe and her lambs.
http://library.thinkquest.org/3500/dall_sheep.html
A mew gull finds a feast from the leftovers of an artic ground squirrel.
The golden eagle is incredibley majestic. It is bigger than a bald eagle and is more pravalent in Denali.A perfect landing...

Eeek, eek, eek...
A beaver in one of the many kettle ponds on the western end of the park.

Contest!

2008-06-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

The first person to figure out the exact name of this creature, gets a print of their choice from my visit.

Kris Fister

2008-06-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is Kris Fister. She is in charge of PR for Denali National Park and Preserve. Kris is extremely kind, hard working and incredibly knowledgeable about the park. She is the reason I am in Denali. I applied through her for a volunteer position as a photographer. She made all the arrangements for my stay here. She also hooked me up with Jay Elhard (see post about Jay).

Interpretive Rangers

2008-06-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

When I thought of park rangers before coming to Denali, I thought of officials taking money at the entrance, enforcing rules and laws, and making sure visitors don't cause problems with wildlife and such.

What most people don't realize is that a huge part of the park ranger system consists of interpretive rangers. The interpretive rangers educate visitors about the park. They help visitors discover and understand the beauty and wonder of the park. The ecosystem, wildlife, plant life, natural & cultural history, and so on. They are all so smart and really care about connecting visitors to the beauty of the park. They usually work in a message about the importance of taking care of our planet and our living resources.

Each ranger brings with them a gift of knowledge and and understanding about the spiritual and physical aspects of the park. I have enjoyed contact with each of these amazing people.

Interp Ranger Elizabeth Beavers and I rode in a van for about 90 miles south to join a train of visitors coming from a Princess Cruise. She goes from car to car explaining the history of transportation in Alaska and to Denali in particular. She also gives passengers an introduction to the park. She does this 5 times for each car on the train. At the end of the run, her voice was gone...
Interp Ranger, Frannie Christensen takes visitors on a "discovery hike." We walked through the forest and then along a river. It was about a 5 mile hike. She pointed out various plant life, traces of wildlife like scat (poop) and animal tracks. Taking a look and discussing a bone on the rocky river.Frannie answers a question from a visitor.
Interpretive Ranger Amy Clary explains the history of the far reaches of the park known as Kantishna which is past Wonder Lake. These visitors travel 13 hours round-trip to hear her program.
She takes them to Fannie Quigley's cabin. Fannie is an historical figure in the history of the park. She was a pioneer miner woman who died in 1944. A view of the restored cabin where Fannie spent much of her life. She lived here without the benefit of roads or trains.

Grizzlies!

2008-06-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all your comments! They make me so happy.

I have been in the "back country" for a couple of days. No access to cell phones or internet.

In the past two days I have come upon several grizzlies. They are such majestic creatures! They are so aloof of humans. Denali National Park is unlike any other National park with regard to wildlife. The National Park Service has taken great pains to make sure wildlife is undisturbed by humans. Bears do not know that humans have food for them like at Yosemite or Yellowstone. They do not come into camps rumaging to fill their bellies. Because of limited contact, they do not bother people. In fact, no person has ever been killed by a grizzly in Denali. Ever. It cannot be said for other national parks.How fun! A grizzy bear walked down a snow covered hill, slipped and had a ride...

What's that smell?
A sow and her two first-year cubs.
The grizzly does not need to worry about predators. They are the king of the all species.
These two mated (I know because a ranger took photos of them copulating). They must be tuckerd out from their fornicational activities...
This one came out into the open for a second before walking away. One moment and it was over.
Don't "F" with these creatures!

The Prize

2008-06-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

You want an incentive? Whoever posts the most meaningful copmments, gets a free 13x19 print of any photo I make. Go to it!

Today I shot mostly park stuff. Exteriors . People doing things in the front country. This kid was so involved with the plastic Grizzly.
This was at a celebration put on by the superintendent.

2008-06-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Here are photos from yesterday. I spent the day in the "Front Country." This is where Park Headquarters is along with learning centers, visitors centers and the like. A young man becomes an official Jr. Park Ranger.
Got the moose right at the entrance to the park. This one had two calves but they are gone. Some suspect a Grizzly got them. She has been known to charge people and RVs... People don't realize how dangerous these moose are. Some visitors actually get out of their cars and try to pose next to them. Not a good idea.
At the Murie Learning Center a child looks at a bird's nest with the help of an educator.
They have periodic dog sled demonstrations.
I spent time with park officials touring a newly renovated residence.

Cannot get photos to upload

2008-06-11T00:58:00.000-07:00

OK so I made it to the big five. I shot a moose today. I can't upload photos for some reason tonight so I will try again tomorrow. The big five are, moose, grizzly bear, wolf, dall sheep, and caribou. The difference between a caribou and a reindeer is that a reindeer flies...

I have also shot: porcupine, fox, magpie (it's a bird) ptarmigan, snowshoe hare, arctic ground squirrel, owl, whale, and black bear.

Today I shot lots of regular assignments in the front country where all the official action takes place. Big shot officials, dog mushing demonstration, and a discovery hike (a ranger takes folks out on a hike and explains lots of stuff about wildlife and such).

Tomorrow I will have a shorter day with just a couple of assignments including shooting backpackers that go out into the back country. The next day Jay and I will head to the back country for a couple of days. We will stay in a camp for employees at Toklat which is half way out. I will be heading to Wonder Lake (90 miles from here at 25 mph) where there are amazing photos to be had of Mt. McKinley.

One of my photos will be on the back cover of a book the park is working on! We hope to have an official website of all my photos soon.

It's 12:15 a.m. and it's so bright out. It was kind of warm today in the low 70s. It gets pretty cold at night. Usually in the 30s or 40s.

Thanks to everyone that has commented on my blog! Barb gets the prize for the most comments. Thanks Barb!

-KM

Opening of Eielson Visitors Center

2008-06-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the opening of the Eilson Visitors Center. It was my first official assignment. It's 66 miles into the park. It takes a long time to get there when you go 20 to 30 miles an hour and stop for every potential photo along the way.The new building is a model of environmentally sensitive construction and sustainable design with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, new exhibits combined with a viewing room, interior eating, and interpretive program space.

The purpose of the new building is to provide for up to 300 visitors, a place for shelter and comfort, a place to get basic orientation information and learn about the cultural and natural resources of the area, and place to eat lunch and explore after a long bus ride. The building also provides refuge for backpackers by providing 24 hour access to bathrooms and shelter.

Source: http://www.nps.gov/dena/parknews/eielson-visitor-center.htm

Get it?
A mom comforts her child after she bumped her head. How many times have we done this?

Jay Elhard

2008-06-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

Jay is a member of the interpretive team at Denali National Park and Preserve. He has been charged with the task of helping me make photographs for the park. We spent 14 hours yesterday in the "back country" which is the road that leads into the park toward Mt. McKinley.

Jay is a very sweet man. He is so patient with me and extremely informative. We looked for wildlife every moment of our trip. He is incredibly knowledgeable about where animals are throughout the park. Along our journey, he had lots of good stories to tell of his experiences hiking and interacting with the land and its visitors. Jay has amazing passion as an interp and media specialist. Jay shoots a lot of video for the park and is working on numerous projects.

Today, he and I spent several hours planning the coming day's photographic activities. Jay is always ready to shoot. Most of the time his camera is in his lap while driving in the back country.

Scenics

2008-06-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

June 8
Here are more photos from yesterday. Denali National Park and Preserve is amazingly beautiful. The weather changes constantly. Most of theses photos were taken after 8 p.m. on our way back to park headquarters.A mountain range coming back from the "back country". I live in the "front country" which is about 100 miles from Mt. McKinley. The mountain has it's own weather pattern so even on a sunny day (like yesterday) you may not see Mt. McKinley.
A striking scene where the sun opened up for a short time in a narrow passage of trees.
I am lucky to have a Park Ranger driver named Jay Elhard. We had ample time to pull over and shoot whenever the moments arrived. Most visitors must ride buses because of limitations on human contact with the park.
The rainbow came first then a short rainfall.
Beauty abounds!
I call this "God's Light."
Thanks for visiting!

Wildlife in Denali National Park

2008-06-09T02:53:00.000-07:00

I am in paradise! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be here! This is truly an amazing place. You all must come here some time in your life.

Artic Ground Squirrel...
Grizzly Bear!
Wolf!
An owl feeding her baby...
A fox carting off an arctic ground squirrel...
A snowshoe hare changes color with the season becoming white in the winter.
The state bird. The Ptarmigan (the p is silent). Ptarmigan look just like small grouse.
Caribou have large, concave hoofs that spread widely to support the animal in snow and soft tundra. The feet also function as paddles when caribou swim. Caribou are the only member of the deer family (Cervidae) in which both sexes grow antlers. Antlers of adult bulls are large and massive; those of adult cows are much shorter and are usually more slender and irregular. In late fall, caribou are clove-brown with a white neck, rump, and feet and often have a white flank stripe. The hair of newborn calves is generally reddish-brown. Newborn calves weigh an average of 13 pounds (6 kg) and grow very quickly. They may double their weight in 10-15 days. Weights of adult bulls average 350-400 pounds (159-182 kg). However, weights of 700 pounds (318 kg) have been recorded. Mature females average 175-225 pounds (80-120 kg). Caribou in northern and southwestern Alaska are generally smaller than caribou in the Interior and in southern parts of the state. Source: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/pubs/notebook/biggame/caribou.php)

My RV

2008-06-08T00:06:00.000-07:00

My RV is like a moving apartment.
This is home for the next 11 days. I have a spot with hook-ups right in the Park Headquarters. This photo was taken about 30 minutes ago. About 10:45 p.m.!
I know this looks bad but it is clean now Jessie...
This was last night at 2:00 a.m. in Talkeetna. So amazing to have light all the time. The best time to shoot is actually from around 9-10 p.m. and from 3-4 a.m.

Tomorrow: Off to the first day of a new visitor's center. Stay tuned. Comment often!

Mt. McKinley Mountain Range

2008-06-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

June 6 and 7
Talkeetna
I stumbled on this beautiful mountain range as I came into Talkeetna. I stayed here last night at an RV park. Talkeetna is where most mountain climbers hop on bush planes to take them to the summit of Mt. McKinley. Lots of planes flying overhead this morning. I'm about to head up to Denali. It's about two hours away. I'm so excited! Stay tuned...

Hubbard Glacier

2008-06-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

June 5
Hubbard GlacierThis was the view from our deck!Glacial calving occurs when ice breaks off the face of a glacier and falls into the water. Sounds like a cannon going off...

Humpback whales

2008-06-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

June 4
Hoonah
Whale watching in Icy Pointe near Hoonah. There is an amazing feeding ground here because the tides bring in all sorts of marine life. The whales have a field day eating plankton and schools of fish.
The whales point out to the fishing boat where the goods are.Next? A huge spash.

Black bear and her cubs

2008-06-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

June 3
Skagway
We rented a car and took the kids to the Yukon Territory. Along the way, we saw this car pulled over. We slowed down to see what was up. Oh my God! There they were. A mother and her two cubs.
Don't you want to just snuggle up with her?

Uh. Oh. Jessie is screaming, "Get back in the car!"

Glacier Hike

2008-06-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

June 2,
Juneau
This was one of the best excursions ever. Jessie and I hiked on Mendenhall glacier near Juneau. Mendenhall was the government official that surveyed the land between Canada and Alaska in the early 1890s.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/mendenhall/faq.html Us with one of the guides and another passenger.
We had a 30 minute magnificent helicopter ride before settling on the glacier (above).
It was surreal. So foreign it's like walking on the moon. Don't you think this is where they should have filmed some of those old Star Trek episodes?
Our tour guides took us on a two hour walk. With every step, ice crunches under your feet.
We chose not to do this more strenuous hike...
North Star Trekking: http://www.northstartrekking.com/content/ provided jackets, boots and leggings. The clamp-ons made it possible to walk.
Jessie and I drank water straight from a glacier stream. The water is so good! It's pure because it is filtered by the glacier.

Here's the Scoop

2008-06-06T21:40:00.001-07:00

June 6

OK. So here I am parked in my RV next to a Microtel outside of Anchorage. My first internet connection in days. This is the first opportunity I have had to post because we disembarked today. Jessie and the kids are flying back to Michigan right now. I miss them already. The last three posts are an attempt to catch up. I have much more from the last several days including a close encounter with a mother bear and her cubs, a walk on a glacier, whales, and a driving trip to a small town in the Yukon Territory. Please stay tuned!

Zip Line

2008-06-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 1.

I'm back!

Jessie and I zip lined through a temperate rain forest in Ketchikan. It was a blast! However, Jessie kept telling me, "Why did I sign us up for this when I am so afraid of heights?"
Here she is hugging a tree hundreds of feet up in the forest. Yes my friends. She was freaking out.
She didn't mind the foot bridge too much...
We loved the zip line. We were strapped to the line with a harness. You stand up, lift your legs and off you go. When you need to put on the brakes you just apply pressure to the lowest line above. If you don't make it to the next platform, you have to pull your way up.
We had several zips. This was the last. Going through two huge trees. Great fun!

Love

2008-06-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

May 31.

I'm repeating myself but I really like shooting people rather than sunsets or anything that is inanimate.

A couple were so drawn to this sunset. No cameras to alter their experience.

Just the two of them...
A few minutes later I found a moment just inside the door...

"Love is all you need" -The Beatles

Photography and Sunsets

2008-06-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 31

People are intrigued by sunsets. They love to photograph them. Not many succeed. It is the process of trying to capture a beautiful moment that is so motivating.

Some professional photographers scoff at shooting sunsets. "It's trite," they say. I don't feel that way. Every sunset is unique especially if you are out on the Inside Passage in Alaska.
To me the people shooting the sunset were more interesting than the sunset itself.

This one was not all that interesting but I cannot discount the draw a sunset is for most people including me.

Frustrated

2008-06-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

OK. I cannot upload photos while I'm onboard. Something about bandwidth. Please check back tomorrow when we are in Skagway...

Jessie

2008-06-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Jessie loves cruising. She has spent the last several months doing research and speaking with her cruising buddies in chat rooms. Thank God for Jessie. I would not be here if it were not for her.

Formal Night

2008-06-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

Still Saturday May 31. Formal night on a crusie ship is not my favorite but it does allow us to get dressed up for a family photo. This was the view from our balcony at the stern of the ship on the seventh floor. Still sailing along the inside passage.

Swimming in Alaska!

2008-06-02T18:17:00.000-07:00

OK so it is catch up time. Later that day on Saturday, we decided to go swimming...

Notice the folks with coats on in the background. Obviously not from Michigan...
Ca ca ca ca COLD!!Jamie stayed in the hot tub while Betsy stretched out with towels and blankets.

Early Morning Inside Passage

2008-06-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Jessie and I awoke at 4:45 a.m. to an amazing morning glow. The sunrise is getting earlier and earlier... -KM

Vancouver Aquarium

2008-06-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

On Friday, before embarking on our cruise, we went to the aquarium in Stanley Park. This guy Stanley (last name) was very wealthy and donated the area to Vancouver. He also started the Stanley Cup! We all had a blast! The kids were enthralled. -KM

Vancouver

2008-05-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

Jessie, Betsy, Jamie and I went for a walk in downtown Vancouver. Took an Aquabus to Granville Island along False Creek south of downtown. An Aquabus is a small boat that is enclosed and carries passengers just like a bus. Had dinner at "Bridges". Granville Island is quite a cool attraction that has lots of restaurants and shops. The photos above were taken right after we got off the Aquabus. We saw a seal and a loon just hanging around a marina!

Vancouver Arrival

2008-05-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Arrived in Vancouver today. The cruise to Alaska starts tomorrow. We are all excited! Kids are going nuts so we gotta get outta here and explore the city!