Vacation report - Day 1

[Blue_In_AK]

We're sitting in our motel room in Tok (pronounced "toke" ) and we have Wi-Fi, so I'll tell you about our great first day.

It was raining hard when we left Anchorage, but by the time we got to Palmer it had stopped, and we've had mostly cloudy with some sun all day. The scenery has been stunning - snowier than I was expecting, but still gorgeous. I've got some nice shots, but the absolutely best part of this day has been the wildlife. Right off, we saw a wolf near Matanuska Glacier that kindly posed for me against a snowy backdrop so I could see him in all his glory, close enough that I got a good look at him. Such a beautiful creature.

A while later we spotted a couple of swans in a little marshy spot with a bunch of ducks, and as we were backing up to get a good look, two bald eagles swooped in and perched in a nearby spruce tree, so I got eagles AND swans, all in one stop.

Further down the road we had to slow down so two moose could cross the road in front of us and then we saw two more just a few more miles down the road, and then a young caribou. We've seen every kind of duck you could imagine and some kind of long-billed sandpiper looking things, probably godwits, and all sorts of birds, a couple I got pictures of.

It's been an amazing trip so far, and it's just the first day! The scenery has been absolutely gorgeous.

Tomorrow we're driving as far as Haines Junction, YT, and then Saturday to Haines, AK, where we'll catch the ferry on Sunday afternoon to Juneau. The humpbacks are migrating, so with any luck at all we might see whales, too. You guys are going to love this.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Yay! It's so beautiful up there!

Are you posting to Facebook?

[Blue_In_AK]

7. I haven't yet, but I probably should.

I should take a few pics with the iPad so I can post them instantly.

[NYC_SKP]

8. Enjoy!

Don't let thinking about posting distract you, but do take a few shots to share eventually!

[uppityperson]

2. Sounds like a great trip, are you heading back up after Juneau or putzing around more?

Friend of the family lives by Tok, ham radio operator that was friends with my dad. How fun to see a wolf and looking forward to seeing photos of the trip.

[Blue_In_AK]

6. We're going up to Dawson

and then taking the Top of the World Hwy if it's passable. We're having a very late spring, but we're hoping we can get across.

We get back to Haines on the 27th, then driving over to Whitehorse to spend the night, Whitehorse to Dawson on the 28th, Dawson to Tok on the 29th and then home on the 30th.

[uppityperson]

9. Oh nice. Have a great trip and look out for the mosquitoes.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Sounds fantastic, my dear Blue!

I wonder if you got a pic of the wolf.....they are so magnificent!

But everything sounds really grand.

Looking forward to the pics, whenever you have time!

[Blue_In_AK]

4. I got awesome shots of the wolf.

You can see his yellow eyes and pupils. I do love my 70-200. .

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Very cool!

Can't wait to see them.

[Blue_in_CA]

10. There you are!

I forgot you were on vacation. I called yesterday to tell you that Sofia's pediatrician declared her verbal skills "as advanced as a 3-year old." I knew you would be proud. Sounds like you are having an amazing time. Can't wait to see the pictures!

[Blue_In_AK]

11. Oh, yes, I'm proud!

I loved it when they wished me a happy Mother's Day.