Hanging out on the wildside

The sun was really up all the time so we could lots of walks as long as it wasn't raining. So we just "hung out" and enjoyed the wild life.

This tree is on their property. It is bound and determined to find the sun. Their property is beautiful. When we working in the yard the last day of our stay, we saw the prints of moose at the edge of the spot they hope to someday be a large garden plot.


During one of our walks we came across this jet! People seem to collect lots of stuff and keep it on their property. On our cruise the guide mentioned that having stuff in the yard was a sign of prosperity. During the cruise we saw different types of homes--small boats, train cars, buses, etc. Perhaps someday this will be turned into a home or a business.

We went to a bird sanctuary which used to be a large daity farm. The major resident population consisted of sandhill cranes. Thomas, we loved how well our camera zoomed in to get these shots!

Of course, my favorite wildlife site to "hang out" at was the TURTLE CLUB.

"We were cruising along..."

Monday, Dennis and I went on the boat cruise Dennis and the boys went on when we were in Alaska for the Kayak Trip. At the beginning of the trip we visited by camera a pilot in a float plane. He took off right past us, flew overhead, and then landed next to us. I thought about how much my grandchildren would have enjoyed seeing the plane. Then when we got to the point where the 2 rivers meet, we saw another plane land on a sandbar. Aaron, this is at the point where you saw the marriage of the rivers. In the last 3 years the water was lowered and the silt has settled that a large sandbar has diverted the river. They had to move the docking for the village experience and moved the fish trap, too.

The lady has died who owned this dog sled homestead, but her husband carries on the tradition along with their children. It was so much fun to see how excited the team got when they realized they were going out for a demo! They were so hot when they returned they ran straight for the river. Normally a fence keeps them in the area, but the water being so low gives them an escape route and a couple of the dogs head out in the direction we travelled. The one daughter got almost across where the 2 rivers meet before she headed back, unfortunately, without a dog. We assume he trailed back on his own.

Sharing information about influence of the European. Talking about the various furs and which were the most valued. Mink was the least valued.

The lady who manages the fish village and demonstrates beading also keeps the gardens. We took this picture to give Bobbi and Robbie some ideas about how to deal with their critters invading their gardens.

Dennis couldn't resist!

Ice Hotel

"Let's get going."

Arthur enjoys riding in the car and usually falls asleep. Saturday we went to Chena Hot Springs and the Ice Hotel. You can stay the night in the hotel for $575 per person per night. Not very many people who try to spend the night make it through the night.

On our way to the hotsprings we saw this yearling moose.

The Ice Hotel is inside a refrigerated building kept at 30 degrees, I believe. They offer you coats if you come unprepared. Bobbi carried Arthur in the front pack with a coat over him to keep him toasty warm. The creators of the Hotel were there making martini ice glasses and refurbishing one of the bedrooms.

Venus at the entrance to the great hall.

In front of the joustlers without flash. Same picture with flash.

Enjoying the "fireplace" in the dining room next to the ice bar. How about some couple time in the igloo?

Chest, anyone?

Looking down the hall from the bedrooms. The pillars on the right lead up to the wedding chapel.

A bear bed.

The skins on the bed were wet and cold. BRRRRR.

The Alaskan Duffy's

Oldma and Oldpa were excited to be in Alaska to meet our newest grandchild. It was fun to finally see Robinson and Bobbi in their home. Bobbi composts and even suggested giving Dennis worm castings for Father's Day. :) The weather was beautiful so we were able to explore and work in the yard.

Sometimes Arthur would get fussy because he was very tired. So Daddy would hold him like this and stick his thumb or a pacifier in Arthur's mouth and Arthur would quickly fall asleep.

Mommy and Daddy playing with Arthur, yes, on a Darth Vader blankie!

It was amazing to see how much Arthur changed just in the few days we were there. We even saw the beginning of some smiles towards the end of our stay.