Summer Dog Sled Ride - June 20

These are the dogs of 

Mitch Seavey, the 

2004 Iditarod Champion.  We got to pet them as the mushers prepared the dogs to pull the sled.  All the dogs barked and jumped around hoping it was their turn to pull the sled!  

As soon as the sled left, they all quit barking and settled down.

While waiting for our turn to ride the sled, we played with the puppies and learned about all the equipment used for the Ididarod Race!

The workampers of Diamond M Ranch Resort enjoying the summer sled ride.  The sled dogs had to take a rest several times during our ride.

We walked through a beautiful rainforest as we left the sled dogs and headed back to the parking lot.

Wilderness Hike

June 13, 2011

LOOKOUT TRAIL on SKILAK LAKE

Charlie went fishing with a group today, so I went hiking with some of the Martin Family and a few campers.

The beautiful purple flowers along the trail are 'lupines'!

Our group made it to the top and this was the awesome view!

This is called watermelon plant!  When there is a touch of red at the top of the bloom, it has a touch of watermelon taste!  We tried a few on the hike!!

Raft Trip

June 8, 2011

We had a great trip rafting down the Kenai River.  It sprinkled a little so we put on raingear, but it turned out to be a beautiful day!

This is Gabe our guide.  He was fun and we enjoyed learning about the area as we floated down the river!

While floating under the bridge above, we saw several people gold panning along the river.

Above is where the Russian River merges into the Kenai River.  This is a great fishing area when the red salmon head up the Russian River.  They call it 'combat fishing' with so many fisherman lined up along the river.   Maybe I will have a picture of that later.  The ferry below takes fisherman across the river so they can fish from both sides.

Ducks along the river!

We saw this bear at the very end of the raft trip. He never turned around to get a  good picture!

What a relaxing and enjoyable day! 

Prince William Sound Glacier Cruise

June 7, 2011 

Major Marine Tours from Whittier, Alaska

A tunnel through the mountain!  We had to wait our turn to drive through and arrive in Whittier on the other side!

Coming out of the tunnel, you can see the railroad track that the cars drive over as well!

Emerald Sea, the boat we took for our cruise.




Below are the workampers from Diamond M Ranch Resort!  Another wonderful experience!

We have entered Blackstone Bay!  One of the first glaciers we saw was Tebenkof  Glacier.
This is a hanging glacier because it does not come down to meet the water.

SEA OTTERS, such special creatures in this part of the country!

This is Beloit Glacier and is called a Tidewater Glacier because it goes into the water!

Mother Nature's glorious ice sculptures!!

These icebergs are 15% above the water and 85% under water!  You can partially see this amazing fact!      

We spotted lots of Harbor Seals on the ice near the glaciers.

We listened to the Blackstone Glacier  crack and groan!  Then sections of ice would calve off and splash into the bay!
Waited and watched, with the camera ready!

More animal life, sea kayakers and a stellar sea lion!

The tunnel allows vehicles to go through one direction on the hour and the other direction on the half hour.  

Sometimes there is a delay because trains get to go first!!

The end of the day completes another fantastic adventure!!

Clamming

June 1, 2011

CLAM GULCH - Our first experience at digging for clams!

Charlie, Rich, and Steve headed out to dig for clams!

I didn't get a fish license so I walked and hunted for the dimples in the sand.  Then Charlie dug as quickly as possible!
Fun Day!

Razor Clams must be cleaned!

We made clam chowder and fried some!

Excellent!   Our first experience at cleaning and eating clams!   Don't want to dig too many, they are a lot of work!

Can you believe the trees behind our trailer have an eagle nest and we see the bald eagle soaring in the wind overhead??
It's true and Charlie took these pictures to show you!
TWO SYMBOLS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!!!!