Totem Poles & Wildflowers

Alaska's wildflowers were peaking in mid July. Summer comes sometime in May and leaves by September, so there is an exuberant bursting during the summer season. Our trip to Denali was so filled with wildlife because the berries were ripe.







A Native American artist at work on totem poles.

Our flight home featured a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier

Inga Shuler in the tundra.









Caribou silhoutted against the ridgeline.









Andrew and Diana check out the weight of moose antlers. You know when the moose sheds his antlers it's gotta feel good - try taking 50 pounds of weight off your head.

Denali Grizzly Bears

We saw 10 different grizzly bears during our day in Denali, none cuter than mama and her twins.









How close were the bears? One sauntered across the road directly in front of our bus. This mama bear was not crazy about our presence, so when we were in line for the restrooms she came up out of the riverbeds and we were all herded back onto the bus. This is her world, we just live in it.








We also saw Dall Sheep, caribou, marmots moose and a variety of other critters.








This squirrel is on the lookout in front of Alaska Fireweed. It is said that when the top of the fireweed finished blooming it is 6 weeks to winter.

Jeff King - 4 time Iditarod Champion

We visited the kennels & traning ground for Jeff King's sled dog team. The first thing they did was let us hold some of their puppies.









Most of the pups were friendly, but some were very wiggly. You definitely had to keep you eye on them at all times.

Patricia's pup loved the velcro on her jacket.

Diana was in 7th Heaven

Native American Village & sled dog training

Andrew & I check out a variety of pelts







This recreates an Athabascan Village after contact with trappers. Befor the 1900s the Athabascan were more nomadic, following the caribou herds.





This is the smart way to fish - a fish wheel that employs the current and a basket system to automatically scoop us the fish. The salmon are then smoke cured. Now a brine of salt and sugar is used to increase the flavor - wonderful stuff.






The river cruise passed Dave Monson's kennels. We shopped fo view how sled dogs are trained in the summer, but pulling ATVs.

Huskys & Native American Village

The Chena River

During our cruise a float plane landed alongside the boat.

Dave Croft enjoys one of Alaska's wonderful beers

Pat Croft samples a caribou hot dog.

Linda & Mary Beth under Fairbanks archway of Moose and Caribou Antlers. What is the difference between horns and antlers! Antlers are shed each years while horns are kept for life.