Out of Alaska

July 2013

Alaskans refer to leaving the State as "going outside."  It is time for us to "go outside."

In May, the Bighorn emerged unscathed from its winter confinement.










We have had such a wonderful time at the Diamond M Ranch, and we are sad to leave this place and these people we have come to love.  The Martin family will always be near and dear to our hearts.  But go we must!!

The freezer is full of halibut and salmon that my great fisherman caught in the wild Alaskan waters!  Our photo albums are full of memories for a lifetime, and our cupboards are full of souvenirs to cherish.  To the lower 48 we go!!

Adrienne arrived in Anchorage

June 2013
Adrienne's visit began with the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage.

On to Denali Nat'l Park for some quality sightseeing.

                                                                                                                                                                     

An enormous blonde grizzly!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

A lucky day for a stunning view of Mt. McKinley.

A quick trip to Homer before we had to say good-bye to Adrienne!

More Alaskan Winter

 Ice fishing at Kelly Lake:

Someone is sensing that no fish are biting. :-)

Nary a track was created by the Tauses truck.  The dually stayed safely on the shore.

 Hiking to a Forest Service cabin on Upper Russian Lake.

Our new friends Terri and Rocko.

Ronna arrived via the frozen lake.

We stuck to the trail!

ONE MORE ADVENTURE

Al was yearning to be just a little bit farther north.

Pipeline over the Yukon River.

WHITTIER, AK

The only way in/out of the quaint fishing village of Whittier is through the one-way railroad tunnel.  Cars take turn with trains.

On May 12 it was still winter in Whittier.

On the way home to the ranch, we stopped to look at the Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, which has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.  The water still looks green even through the ice.

Caribou Hills

March 2013
Courtesy of John and Delores, Ronna's dad and mom, we drove snow machines all over the Caribou Hills...destination, their small cabin perched on the side of a hill in the wilderness.

A cozy cabin for the weekend.

Quiet beauty.

Puffy coats, fleece pants, snow pants, gloves, pack boots, baclava, helmets...

So much fun zooming up the hills!