Valdez
Glacier in the distance on the road to Valdez
Distant mountains
Worthington Glacier
Bridal Veil falls
Salmon spawning in a stream no deeper than 6”
Spawning chum salmon stacked up against a fish wier
Juvenile black bear taking advantage of the recent salmon bounty
Finishing his meal
Sunset over the port of Valdez
Neighboring mountains
Sea Otter having breakfast
View from the stern
Ian with a silver salmon
Me with a healthy male silver salmon. This fellow put up quite a battle!
Blue water and snowy mountains
The day’s catch along with Jim and Paul; thanks for all the hospitality guys!
Ian alongside the Worthington Glacier
In an interesting ice formation; almost a door into the glacier
Rock worn smooth by the glacial passing
Wrangell- St. Elias
The Kennicott Mine in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Steam rising from the river bed
Sky reflected on the river
Near the Alaska/Canada border
National Forest rest stop complete with amazing deck
Mother Grizzle and one of two cubs
The two cubs, or fuzzballs
Skagway
Looking towards Skagway
Downtown Skagway back dropped by mountains
This fellow is what we believe to be a coyote/fox hybrid. Larger than a fox, but slender. The most amazing thing was that he showed absolutely no fear and hunted for mice right along the road side.
Return Trip Home
Nairn falls
Somewhere in Wyoming
Along the outskirts of Boulder, CO
The famous flat irons of Boulder
And so the trip comes to an end. It made for an amazing journey through some glorious scenery. Two best friends were able to spend good time together outdoors, and manage not to kill each other after 2.5 months, a feat unto itself. It’s odd how adaptable humans are. It began to seem normal to sleep in a tent every night. You naturally assume the rhythm of the day. Camp became home. My therma-rest and sleeping bag became as comfortable as any bed. And camp food tasted gourmet.
Things also start to make sense out in nature. I came back more clear and focused than I’ve been in some time, and I suppose that above all else is worth a great deal. In a way time stood still while out. Only after returning home did I realize just how much time had passed. Soon I’ll return to the trials and stress of a working life, but I’ll always carry this trip and Alaska with me. Places like Denali and Seward root themselves into your soul, always calling for you to, one day, return.
