PCS Day Three

PCS Day Two

Today was one of our longest days of driving.  It took over 10 hours to get from point A to point B.  Fortunately, most of the drive was through my favorite landscapes - tundras, taigas, and alpine meadows. 

The porkies were out in force today, including this massive fellow who made me stop while he crossed the road in front of me, shaking his quills menacingly at me all the while.

We found a few flocks of tundra chickens too.  Don't they look tasty?  This cock ptarmigan tried to chase The Husband away from his hens when The Husband tried to use the outhouse!

We also saw a brown bear cub, but he was just as startled as we were so I didn't get a chance for a picture. Fingers crossed for more bears though, since we're spending tonight on the Chilkoot river!

PCS Day One

Today we launched a month-long journey from Anchorage to Mos Eisely (I'm quite proud of that pseudonym, by the way, it's entirely appropriate).  As we encounter wireless hotspots, I'll try to post pictures from the trip.


This one is a spring picture of the same lake I was ice fishing on three months ago, seen below.  Quite different, huh?

Speaking of which, I realized that I never made a post about that weekend.  Back in March I spent a long weekend in Chickaloon with a few hundred other women taking the semi-annual Becoming an Outdoorswoman Weekend.  It was an absolute blast - I went ice fishing, learned how to cure salmon eggs, started fur sewing, and mushed a dog team on an actual Iditarod sled.  Total fun!

Baby Polar Bear

A month ago, a cub was abandoned on the North Slope, rescued, and brought to the Anchorage Zoo.  Just this week, she's been out for the public to see for two hours a day.  However, she is of the opinion that two hours is not enough, as evidenced by her climbing, bouncing, and clawing at the door to "outside" before she was let loose in the bigger cage!

She has lots of toys to play with, but particularly enjoyed the box and the bowling ball.  I wanted to reach in and give her a huge hug!

Burlap sacks are also pretty fun!

As a polar bear ought, the cub enjoyed frolicking in a tub of water.  By the end of her hour, she was pretty muddy!

Currently, the cub can be seen at the Alaska Zoo from 11-12 and from 4-5.  If you're in the area, check it out!  She's adorable!

Arctic Terns

 The Arctic Tern is one of my favorite birds ever.  They're really amazing, migrating from the Arctic to the Antarctic twice a year - 12,000 miles each way!  They eat bugs, and they are way cooler than seagulls.

 Since we are leaving soon, I really wanted to see the terns again.  Fortunately, they just arrived back in Alaska and we took a trip down to the marsh where they nest today.

 I love watching them swoop around.  They have this weird ability to nearly hover in mid-air.  It's so cool!

The Great One

The Alaska Range overlooks the Anchorage Bowl.  Denali, Foraker, and Hunter loom large on the horizon.

Kenai Adventures

 

Portage Valley

This weekend The Husband and I headed down to the Kenai for a weekend of fun, adventure, and black bear hunting.  We didn't see any bears, but we did see a bunch of tracks, so we were at least in the right place!

Either a good-sized sow or a young boar.  My money's on the boar

 

Even though we didn't get a bear, we did see a bunch of wildlife.  This cock grouse was eager to defend his harem against our intrusion.  I also brought home a snowshoe hare for the stewpot.

After our hike, we made time for a stop in one of our favorite towns, Seward.  It had gotten a bit rainy, and we didn't particularly feel like camping in the rain, so we went on down to the Army Rec camp.  I wanted to see the otters and, as usual, they obliged.  This one gave us a great look as he motored his lazy way along the shore.

 Dinnertime for Otters!

On our way back to Anchorage, we stopped at the Wildlife Conservation Center.  The WCC is a great rehabilitation and preservation center.  I particularly like how the enclosures are large enough for the animals - large enough that visitors may not get to see them, because the animals comfort is first priority.  Despite the large pens though, the grizzlies put on quite a show for us!

 The WCC's first birth of the year, a baby caribou!

When we were unloading the car, a momma and yearling decided to watch.  They actually passed right behind us - less than 20 feet away!  I froze when I saw them so close, but The Husband didn't notice!