September 2023 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Recent Comments
Author Archives: Tom
June 13 – Juneau and Whale Watching
Today we visit the capital city of Juneau, where the saying is that you can only arrive by boat, by plane, or by birth canal (the city is on an island with no bridge to the mainland). The city sights … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Travel Photography
Leave a comment
June 12 – Skagway
Today we cruise from Glacier Bay to the Alaskan town of Skagway where we walked ashore and explored the Gold Rush theme of the town. We took a tour of the Chilkoot Trail through mountain passes to the Yukon Territory … Continue reading
June 11 – Glacier Bay National Park
As we entered Glacier Bay National Park we immediately notice the increasing numbers of sea birds surrounding the cruise ship. These birds followed us throughout the park as we explored glaciers near the north end of the Bay. We saw … Continue reading
June 10 – Hubbard Glacier
Today we cruised past the mammoth Hubbard Glacier, one of Alaska’s advancing glaciers. It is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean, and the face is up to 400 feet tall. Icebergs 3 to 4 stories in … Continue reading
June 9 – Wasilla to Anchorage to Whittier
Today we traveled from the Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge to meet our cruise ship at the port in Whittier, passing through Wasilla and Anchorage, then along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet, and finally through the tunnel to Whittier. … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Travel Photography
Leave a comment
June 8- Train to Talkeetna and Mt. McKinley Wilderness Lodge
Today we boarded the train for Talkeetna, AK. These observation cars gave us a great view of the surrounding mountains and, at one point, another chance to view Denali. Unfortunately, the mountain was shrouded in snow clouds as we passed … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Travel Photography
Leave a comment
June 7 – Denali National Park
This day we boarded a modified school bus to travel about 60 miles into Denali National Park. The road extends only 92 miles into the park (it doesn’t go all the way to Denali), but we were able to go … Continue reading
June 6 – Fairbanks
Our first day in Alaska began with a three-hour river cruise on the Chena River into the heart of Alaska where we were introduced to the world of bush pilots, sled dogs, and the Athabascan heritage. The bush … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Travel Photography
Leave a comment
Twelfth Tour with Collette–North to Alaska
Billie and I have just completed our twelfth tour with Collette Vacations—the Alaska Discovery Tour, Including a 7-Day Princess Cruise. Trips with Collette Vacations June, 2006 National Parks Tour January, 2008 Panama Canal October, 2008 … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary
Leave a comment
June 14 – Ketchikan
Today we cruise toward Ketchikan, Alaska’s first city, known as the “Salmon Capital of the World” and the “City of Totems.” Along the way we passed a family of humpback whales. Judging by the backs in view and the number … Continue reading →