Seward-Valdez-Skagway-Liard Hotsprings-Jasper-Banff-Yellowstone

We arrived home in Colorado Springs on 8-14-15.  Internet access since my last post has been very sparse and I haven't been able to keep our travel blog up to date until now.  We traveled from Homer, AK. to Seward, then to Valdez, and then caught a ferry from Haines to Skagway, our last stop in Alaska before entering Canada.  While in Canada we spent some time at Liard Hotsprings, Fort Saint John, Dawson Creek, Jasper National Park, and Banff National Park.  After entering the U.S. we stopped for a couple days in Yellowstone.  The trip was fantanstic.  Scenery and animal sightings were awesome.

The roads in Canada needed a lot of work.  Several flat tires within our group and at least two of the vehicles, if not all three, will need to have new windshields installed.  We made it all the way through Canada and Alaska without any windshield damage and then just outside of Laramie, WY. a rock hit our windshield and it caused severe damage to the windshield and will have to be replaced.  We were just greatful that no one was hurt due to flying glass.

We're happy to have made the trip, but now our plans are to see more of the U.S.  We'll spend a few weeks here in Falcon, CO. with our family and then start cruising America.  Hope you all enjoyed our Alaska pictures.  We'll start a new post once we leave Colorado in September.

Seward Pictures:

A fantastic group of travelers.  Love these folks. 

Orca, killer whales, (daddy, mommy, and baby)

Three puffins on the side of a cliff.  Fun birds to watch.

A real high-light on our cruise were these humpback whales feeding.
A very rare sight to see.  The ships captain said they haven't seen this many
whales in a number of years.

The whales would dive deep and push the fish to the surface.
You could tell where they were coming up by watching the seagulls gather.
Happy seagulls feeding alongside humpback whale

Whale diving for more fish

Water coming from the base of a glacier

Pair of otter relaxing along side our boat.  No fear.
They were fun to watch.

One of the larger glacier we cruised right up to.
You can hear it moving and calving.

Lone kayaker watching glacial breakup.  This can
be a dangerous place to be.

Beautiful rock formations all along coast

Sea lions relaxing on a sunny day

Valdez:

Glaciers are everywhere.  Going down to Valdez.

We hiked up to the base of this glacier.

I'm praying the glacier doesn't decide to drop some ice on my head.

Selfie of the three of us.  

Getting ready to go kayaking to a glacier.  We had lunch on the glacier,

Cold and rainy, but too excited to notice.

Kayaking right into a crevasse.

Dressed for the occasion.  Stayed plenty warm except when we
walked on the glacier.  Feet got cold.

Lots of crevasses to worry about.  The glacier is covered with rock
from when it moves downward and receeds.  Made for good traction on ice.

Kayaking around icebergs was fun.

Leaving Valdez, AK.

Beautiful scenery everywhere you look in Valdez

A beautiful picture of the Valdez Glacier

Momma bear and her two cubs.  Very cute to watch.

Skagway:

Flowers were in bloom everywhere along the roadways.

Boarded a ferry in Haines, AK. at 3:00 am. on our way to Skagway, AK.
Driving the motorhome onto the ferry was an experience.  I drove it straight in
but then had to back it all the way to the back of the ship.  Tight quarters for all.

Roberta drove jeep on.  She was the last vehicle to come aboard.

Driving the motorhome out of the ferry door onto the dock.
Coming out was easy since I backed it in going on.

Driving up the ramp.  Tide was out so ramp was steep.

Safely on solid ground.

Enjoying the one hour ferry ride from Haines to Skagway

Arriving in Skagway

On a hike on the other side of Skagway bay.
Four cruise ships were in port that day.

So many great hiking trails

My love against a beautiful green mossy backdrop.

Another picture of Skagway from on top of hill.

Found this old graveyard.

Found this gorgeous lake during one of our hikes.  The water was so blue.
It was 3 miles around the lake and 2 miles back to the car.  Awesome hike.

Roberta enjoying a day on the water.

Roberta talking to her mom from high above Skagway.
Reception is good when you're on a moutain top.

Having fun.

Beautiful lakes everywhere.

 Liard Hot Springs and Dawson City:

Signpost forest in Watson Lake, YT.

Buffalo roam whereever they want to.  This was taken across the
parking lot where we were staying.

Roads suck big time in Canada.  Frost heaves, mud, rock, potholes, and more.  

Took time out to wash mud off jeep.  Motorhome had to wait.
You didn't want to get close to either until they were cleaned off.

Beautiful sunset.

Historic Kiskatinaw Curved Bridge (built 1942-43).  
Last curved wooden bridge on original Alaskan Highway

Another selfie on the Kiskatinaw Curved Bridge.

Very unique bridge

Roberta enjoying time at Liard Hot Springs.  One of her favorite places to be.

Jim Child also enjoying the hot springs.

Dawson Creek,  Mile 0 of the Alaska Highway

Mile Post 0 Marker

Mile 0 Alaska Highway

Jasper National Park:

These guys were just hanging out just outside Jasper, AB.
They were waiting to do a commercial for Cabela's.

So were these Elk.

And so was this big grizzly.

We shared our campsite with a family of elk

Too many waterfalls to mention.

We were here. 

Another day on the lake

Beautiful rainbow from downtown Jasper, AB Canada.

Selfie # 1001

Nice scenery

After 2 1/2 months living in the motorhome with
my sister-in-law, we still liked each other.

One of six sets of red Adirondack chairs in quiet and scenic locations 
throughout Jasper National Park for visitors to enjoy.  We found 3 sets.

Enjoying retirement to the fullest.

Kayaking at its best in Jasper.  Can't beat this scenery

Roberta and Susan enjoying calm waters

Susan getting a picture of Moma elk and her babies.

Banff National Park:

Enjoying a day on the icefields north of Banff AB Candad.
Roberta wants one of these antique snow buggies.

Enoying some time on a glacier.

I want one of these.  Just 1.2 million dollars. It gets you on the glacier.

Took a walk out on the Glacier Skywalk.  Long long way down,
but incredible views of the glaciers surrounding the icefields north of Banff.

The glass floor gives you a real thrill.  Not so if you are afraid of heights.

Roberta and Susan on the skywalk.

Snow on top of this mountain is over 100' thick and it's already August.

The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel.  Very very very nice.

Nice little waterfall on our way to Banff.

The road to Banff is full of glaciers.  It's called the Glacier Icefields.

Tunnel Mountain CG was very nice.

Took a tram ride to the top of the mountain overlooking Banff.

Great view of Banff, AB  Canada

Roberta taking pictures.  Love digital cameras and phones. 

Banff, AB Canada from high on a mountain top.

Yellowstone:

One of many many hot springs at Yellowstone National Park.

An Old Faithful want to be.

Beautiful colors in these hot pools.  Each one had it's own unique color.

Old Faithful doing her thing.

Old Faithful puts on a 3-4 minute show every 1 - 1 1/2 hours.

Grizzly Bear RV Park in West Yellowstone was a beautiful RV park.
Withing a 5 minute walk to downtown West Yellowstone.

Gibbon Falls in Yellowstone.

A beautiful view of Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone, where the dear and the buffalo roam.

Mr. Bison himself enjoying all the attention.

Another beautiful waterfall, called Upper Falls.

The trail leading to the Lower Falls included 328 steps to the bottom of the canyon.

Uncle Tom's Trail leading to Lower Falls.  OK going down.
Coming up is a stairmaster's dream workout.

Lower Falls in Yellowstone Park.

There were so many pictures taken on this fantanstic trip, but pictures don't really compare to actually being there and seeing it and hearing what's going on around you at the time. These are the things that are only captured in our minds.