Day 29!!

We have finally arrived to our cabin!! YYEEAAAHH!!!
But first, we left Anchorage at about 9 this morning to make the 40 mile trip to Girdwood. Only once we were on our way did we realize that we might not be able check in until 3pm. We quickly realized that this was going to be the case. We let the office know that we were here and if the cabin was available earlier then all they had to do was call us. We went to do a little sight-seeing, but we have to be careful not to see too much before Sheila gets here on Tuesday. So we went to see Portage Glacier and to the town of Whittier. Both only being about 12 miles from our cabin. The glacier and lake were spectacular!! From there we had to pay $12 round-trip to go to the town of Whittier. The only way to reach it is by boat or through a one lane tunnel that is almost 3 miles long. The tunnel was our only option. FREAKY. It was really only one lane. They have to manage the traffic on either side to alternate directions every half hour. It was bright and sunny on this side of the mountain where we saw the glacier, but once we exited on the other side of the tunnel it was a whole different story. It was cold and raining. I was hoping for a beautiful view of Prince William Sound, but all I got was dark rain clouds. Oh well, maybe we'll try again once Sheila is here.
The cabin is great. It has 3 levels. The bottom level and entry has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and the washer and dryer. The second level has the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a huge deck. The third level accessible by ladder has a little loft reading area. It also has some great mountain views in all directions and a small stream running through the backyard. We are very happy with the place.
-Jason
Turnagain Arm.
The Portage Glacier Waiting to go through the tunnel.
Looking outside to the deck from the living room.
Briana up in the loft. Briana Michelle, get down from there!!!!!
On our cabin's deck!!

Day 28!!!

We got up early today to make it to the Anchorage weekend market and to join in in some of the festivities downtown. The market was full of all kinds of unique Alaska treasures and some DELICIOUS food. Briana and I shared a fresh salmon quesadilla (YUM) and mom and dad had an elk burger and a reindeer burger (also yummy). We then headed up the hill to check out the firefighter challenge. Pretty cool.
After a couple of hours, we headed back to the hotel for a little rest and then we went out for dinner. Then dad wanted to just drive around the Anchorage streets for a while. I took him towards the Army Base where he proceeded to tell me where to turn. We started going up a dirt road going up the side of a mountain. At first i was freaking out because I thought we were on Army property and were going to be stopped any minute by the MPs. Dad wasn't too worried.....because it would be me going to jail and not him!! Anyway, needless to say, I am still a free man and we ended up at the ski hill where he learned to ski way back when!!! That was pretty cool and not mention, what an amazing view down on the city!
-Jason
The weekend market!
Eskimo girls. Watching the firemen. A few of the firemen. They were here from all over the country competing.

View up at ski area. View of Anchorage from above in the Chugach mountains.

Days 26 & 27!!!

We have been hanging around Anchorage for a couple of days now. We have gotten to know our way around here pretty well. Briana and I have taken walks along the waterfront. We went to the Alaska Zoo this morning. Not one of the best zoos we've been to, so I would not recommend it to anyone visiting. We all actually went bowling today and out to dinner at a really neat place called Sourdough Mining Co. Little did we know when we planned our trip that Alaska is in the middle of celebrating their 50th Anniverary of statehood. There are festivities all weekend long. Tonight both of The Judds performed at the Airforce Base!!! We are going downtown tomorrow to the street fair and to the Elmendorf Airforce Base to see the airshow. It should be pretty cool.
I also haven't mentioned that I have gained all of us access to tour Ft Richardson, the Army base where dad was stationed here. I got in contact with the Public Relations Director and explained our situation and he was more than happy to accomodate us and we are also invited to stay on the base for lunch!! Dad is really looking forward to this.
-Jason
Look at how much snow are on the mountains in the background. bbbbbrrrrrrr!!
Honoring Captain Cook.

Day 25!!!!

We arrived in Anchorage this morning without a hotel reservation.......apparently not good. We probably called 10 or more hotels and homes for rent before we found something. We knew that it may be fuller here than elsewhere, but we had really no idea that it would be this full. At least we have a room. Today was kind of a lazy day. I cleaned out the car. We went to do laundry and then we just kind of explored downtown a bit doing some shopping for a few souviners. Who knows maybe you are the one we were buying for??!! And then again maybe not.
We went to the salmon viewing platform on the river....but saw none. Better luck next time. We have some fun things planned for tomorrow so let's hope that the weather cooperates.
-Jason
Salmon? I don't see no stinking salmon.
The 49th state.

Day 24!!

We were a bit more adventurous today and decided to go about an hour outside of Fairbanks and take a look at the Ice Hotel/Museum. WOW!!! That's all I have to say. What an amazing creation. The artwork and enginuity that goes into making such a thing is unfathomable. Oh, and mom and I had to have the obligitory Appletinis in an ice martini glass at the Stoli Bar!!!
Because the weather wasn't cooperating, we decided to go ahead and drive on to Anchorage. We tried to stop in Denali for the night, but there was not a room to be had. And besides there were like hundreds of tour buses and we did't really feel like dealing with all of the crowds. We have already seen some amazing wildlife and expect to see a whole lot more once we get to our cabin!!
We stopped just outside of Anchorage in the town of Wasilla for the night. We pulled in at around 8:30pm, but because the sun was still shining it did't feel nearly that late. Our bodies told us otherwise. That was another 400+ miles we drove.
-Jason
In front of the Ice Hotel outside of Fairbanks.
The elk-skinned covered ice beds.
Inside the Ice Hotel. Inside the Igloo....it's a bit cold too. DELICIOUS!!! The igloo. These are actually life-size. The lounge area with "fireplace" I don't know if I have to "go" that badly. The Bar.

Day 23!!!

Well.........we're in ALASKA!!!!! Yes we have finally crossed the border. First of all mom and I went out last night to the Diamond Tooth Gertie's. It is a small casino/saloon/burlesque theater. We had a blast!!!! We met quite a few cool people too. Like Jacob, the New Zealander gold miner and the girls, Alana and Kristi who happen to be year-round residents of Dawson City. It was a really cool night out. We told Briana that we would be home by dark..........oops, my bad. I completely forgot that it doesn't get dark. heehee.
The day started off really warm and beautiful as we were leaving Dawson Creek and Canada behind, but unfortunatly, once we got into Alaska it rained and rained and rained. We decided to go ahead and drive the over 400 miles to get to Fairbanks. We have already driven over 5000 miles so far on this trip and we aren't even half way through yet!!!!
-Jason
The Top of the World Highway.
YES!!! We made it!!!
The hills are alive with the sound of music.



Look at the ice in the river!!! This is at 2:30 am!!!!!!

Day 22!

Today was a lot of driving. We drove to Dawson City today. The town is set up to look and feel like you are back in time. The roads are dirt, there are carriage rides, and the buildings look the part too. It is very cute. Jason and I even took a walk down to the river where we put our feet in the Yukon river. It is now 11 o'clock and still as bright as noon, is that not crazy. Also what is crazy is that we are just a few hours from the Artic circle and it is warmer than California.

~Bre~
Beautiful Yukon!!
The flower children.
Welcome to Dawson City. Yukon Pa. Tilting. The former commisioner's residence.
Don't fall in the Yukon River, Jason!!!!! Our hotel. I don't see any beer!!

Day 21!!!

Hey, it's me again,there's not much too say today, we made it here to WhiteHorse. We went to see a follies show, it was really funny. We all enjoyed it. We did think we were going to have to keep driving today because we had a hard time finding a motel, everything was full, but luckily we found one. We called ahead for the next two nights just to be sure. It's really funny it seems like were traveling with this large group because we see the same people at every stop. We've talked to some really nice people. Were heading for Dawson City tommorrow. Talk to you all tommorrow.
Jan
What an AWESOME show!!! Just thought this was cute!!

Day 20!!!

Hi everyone,
Did we ever have a great day today. This was my favorite so far. We have seen just about every animal I wanted to see on this trip already and we haven't even got to Alaska. Today on the Alaskan Highway we just got on the road for maybe and hour and we saw some stones mountain sheep, right along the side of the road, then not for up the road we saw some moose, right along the road, then would you believe the next thing we saw were buffalo? Yes buffalo. I didn't even know they had them here. They were really pretty, they were so close we could almost pet them out our window. Well thats not all we saw today on our most exciting day so far. We saw bears, yes, yes, yes, we saw black bears and brown bears, we even saw two baby bear cubs, and of couse they were on my side of the car so I had to take the pictures and I got so excited I couldn't take the picture before the little ones ran off. oops. But I got to see them. Yeh!!!! We crossed into the Yukon Territory today. We stopped for the night in a little town called Watson Lake. We can't wait for tommorrow to see what we might see. Well Gotta Go. See You Later
Jan
p.s. Larry is doing good.
The sheep posing for us!! OOHHH!!! The cute baby. What a moose?!? Buffalo walking next to us. Our first bear!!!!!
Our tenth and last bear! for now! Wear on top of the world.....almost.
Just look at that view it is just pure amazing!
Is that rushing water or is that rushing water?
Smile as I push you into the whirlpool Jason.





aw good smile pa!