Alaska Leaves Me Speechless
Mari
Over the past several weeks, I’ve written more than a dozen blog posts… …in my mind! I wanted to try and convey the incredible, profound, spiritually-awakening experience of Alaska.
Yet, words simply cannot do this gorgeous part of the world justice. Nor can pictures or videos. You’ll just have to come see for yourself when you can!
Meantime, I’ll do the best I can with words, pictures and videos to convey my experience. Let’s start with this short montage of pics taken on our trip north along the Haines Highway and Alaska Highway from Haines to Tok (like toke) through the Yukon. (Make sure your speakers are on to enjoy the music clip!)
On one of our Inside Passage ferry trips, a member of staff gave a talk on Alaska. She shared a great quote: “You simply have to experience Alaska later in life or you’ll be spoiled!” Hm, we tend to agree… though I’m only a spring chickie in my early 40s. So, as author Tim Ferriss says “Don’t wait. Do your dream now.”
[Iceberg from South Sawyer Glacier, Tracy Arm, nr Juneau; North Sawyer Glacier]
[Humpback whale fluke; gray seal. Both at Tracy Arm, nr. Juneau]
[Kenai Lake, Kenai Peninsula; Mt. McKinley (Denali) view from Talkeetna]
Alaska is a feast for the senses; a grand display of the beauty and power of mother nature. It’s a wilderness beyond the wildest imagination just waiting to be explored.
Yesterday, we enjoyed an all day trip to discover Denali National Park. I can sure see why this vast (SIX million acres) breathtaking wilderness area is so protected.
Though the weather was wet and foggy (Denali the mountain is only visible 30% of the year!), we were able to see bears, moose, caribou, red fox, and dall sheep. And, on the return journey to Talkeetna (where most flightseeing trips depart from), the climate was quite different at the 15,000 feet level and we actually saw patches of blue sky! [Denali means "The Great One." It's the tallest peak in North America at 20,320' above sea level.]
By the way, locals tell us this is the worst summer they’ve had since the early 1970’s. Eeek! 
It’s been unusually cold (highs of mid-50’s most days) and copious rain to the point of serious flooding. (Makes for fun white water rafting!) Hm, we thought this was normal Alaska weather. Lol. We’ve gotten lucky with some lovely warm sunny days though.
Okay, I’ll save more for the next post!
Have you been to Alaska before? If so, what did you enjoy most? What do you wish you would’ve seen? If you haven’t yet experienced Alaska first hand, what are you most looking forward to now that you’ve decided to come visit?! 
Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Posted on: Friday, August 1, 2008 at 6:56 pm 
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I have seen a tiny little part of Alaska and Yukon, and so much wished to venture further. The Alaska Highway is in fact the only place where I’ve ever been stopped for speeding, but didn’t get fined. I so wish to go back one day. Your photos are keeping the dream alive, thanks for sharing all that beauty!
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 amHi Mari and Ty,
It is my husband and my dream to explore Alaska like you two are doing. We are drooling and gnashing our teeth, just kidding!
You do a fabulous job of selling Alaska, I can’t believe there are not a little trail of Smithettes traipsing right up there after you!
I know you guys have great senses of humor too, even though I am a new fan….I know what it is like to share RV square footage….it takes a special breed!
Looking foreward to more posts!
Catherine
http://howtomakeyourmanperfect.wordpress.com
Catherine Behan’s last blog post.. Why Doesn’t He Listen When I Tell Him I Need Him
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:57 pmTy and Mari,
Keep the updates coming. Safe travels!
Geoff
August 5th, 2008 at 8:00 am