After our visit to the zoo, we drove out to Beluga point to wait for the tide to come in. I hoped to see a Beluga, but ended up seeing birds and Dall sheep instead. I also took one of my favorite photos of Pedro from the entire trip. They say that true love waits. …
Alaska Adventure
What Happens to the Cygnets of an Injured Swan?
Cygnets in Unexpected Places Throughout our entire trip to Alaska, I had wanted to get good photos of Trumpeter Swan cygnets. We saw some from a distance on our Nabesna Road adventure, and I took better photos of Tundra Swan cygnets on a canoeing adventure. But I really wanted closer-up photos (I know better than …
Your Point of Focus Determines the Quality of Your Experience
Our Last Days Together in Alaska After our Denali adventure, we stayed at Red Eagle Lodge for a quiet weekend before bidding Sarah goodbye. I would see her one last time before driving home, but Pedro had to catch a plane in Anchorage. For the third time during our trip, we stayed at a campground—this …
To Eat Near the Foot of Denali
Shuttle vs. Tour We set up camp and turned in early after our visit to the sled dogs of Denali National Park. After all, we had to pack lunches to eat on the shuttle bus, break camp, and leave for the park by 5:30 the next morning. I hoped that the weather would cooperate, although …
The Surprising Beauty Tip I Learned from Sled Dogs
Sled Dogs of Denali The next morning we made it to Denali National Park in time for Pedro to have good cell service. Unfortunately, vacation is also a relative term when one works as a school principal! Sarah and I went off exploring while Pedro conducted a phone interview via a conference call. We purchased …
The Treats of Traveling the Denali Highway
An Opportunity to Travel the Denali Highway So far in our journey, we hadn’t had time to visit Denali National Park. Since Sarah didn’t have a vehicle, part of our adventure included taking her to see the sights as well. This plan looked great in Arizona whilst perusing maps at the breakfast table. In reality, …
The Second Visit to Alaska Opens My Eyes for the First Time
Seeing Alaska for the First Time I didn’t realize that our trip to Alaska would open my eyes to all that I missed during my first visit to that beautiful state. When I traveled to Alaska the first time, I came away remembering two mountains. I vaguely recall a mountain towering behind the Alyeska Glacier. …
What Mayme Taught Me About Beauty
O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us! ~Robert Burnes, ‘To a Louse’ We spent the rainy afternoon driving to Cooper Landing, the tiny town where I spent the summer of my 16th year. I remember the summer well—how I needed a job to help pay for my Christian high school. …
Six Unforgettable Lessons I Learned From Sea Otters
After a picnic lunch at Miller’s Landing we headed towards the Seward Harbor. Along the way we went past the local Department of Motor Vehicles where I got my first driver’s license the summer I turned 16. Pedro needed to answer emails, so he dropped me off near the harbor and went to find a …
What’s YOUR Reaction to Disaster?
Looking for Birds We didn’t expect the next leg of our adventure to teach us a lesson about handling disaster. Our trip led us to the port town of Seward, AK. I took my first driving test in Seward back in 1982, and came away a happy 16-year-old with a driver’s license. After breakfast we …
