Another day, another uniform

We also saw a revolutionary marching band at the Old State House.

A year ago

I really liked the comparison of these photos. Grant sitting on the fountain, reading a book with a sleeping Xan on his back.


August 2010


July 2011

Where it all began

235 years ago, on July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed. What better place than Boston to celebrate our nation's birth, where so many events of the Revolutionary War took place.

Jaretta, Floyd, Grant, Xan and I are here, in Boston. Exploring many of those sites



U.S.S. Constitution (and the boys in uniform)





Copps Hill cemetery

Alaska TOP TEN

10. Whittier tunnel




9. Fight seeing into Denali

8. Cruise ship room

For those of you that have been on a cruise before, you know that the rooms are miniscuale at best. The Disney rooms where huge by comparison and so comfortable! I want to cruise with them again for the rooms alone.

7. Movie theater on ship

6. Wild animals in Denali

5. white mountain pass railroad trip

4. Savage River hike in Denali National Park

3. Glacier cruise on Prince William Sound

2. Disney cruise

1. Xan's behavior

Back to the Ice Age

After 14 days in Alaska, we finally had a classic rainy, cold day. But, we didn't skip a beat. After getting some great recommendations from the other guests at the Highland B&B (which is awesome, btw) we headed to Whittier and Prince William Sound. This day turned out to be so exciting!!!

First stop, the Wildlife Conservation Center. Home to wounded or orphaned animals.










Next, a 5 hour glacier cruise in the Prince William Sound.
















What an awesome day!!!

Hairy Otter

Hairy Otter is the official mascot of the Alaskan Scallop Surprise. Not really. We just couldn't pass up the shirt.

Co-Pilot McNutt

Depending on your point of view our flight seeing trip into Denali could be considered a bust or an adventure. The weather kept us from seeing much of the mountains or glaciers. On the other hand, Grant got to be the co-pilot for our flight. (In other words, he sat in the right hand, front seat.) He said he didn't touch the controls but a few times, I felt the plane lurch. Grant did have a great view of what we could see. The company chose to give our money back since the flight didn't go as planned. I would call it an adventure.









You may notice my face looks a little dirty. Well, we had a some engine trouble and I helped with a little maintenance before we headed back.

Kidding. Actually the story is considerably less glamorous. The ink rubbed off our boarding pass while playing peek-a-boo with Xan. . . And no one told me! Grant said that the pony tail threw him off and he couldn't tell. What does that even mean!?

How to change a diaper on a mountain side

We were on the look out for animals as we started our first hikes in the Denali National Park. Although, with the amount of noise Xan was making, babbling and singing to himself, he probably scared them all off. Xan really enjoyed being outside but who wouldn't? It was absolutely beautiful.















About 1.5 miles from our car and up a steep slope in the off trail section, we had a diaper changing emergency. I managed to find a semi-flat area to clean Xan up and thank goodness he cooperated. He did eat a few sticks while lying there. Oops.

Wildlife sightings

This moose was right next to the road and our car. While Grant and I found this very exciting, Xan feel asleep.






The adult moose is easy to pick out but her two babies blend in very well. Can you see them?


A snowshoe hare


A very unafraid moose


A beaver dam, but no beavers


And a monkey

Last night on the ship

It was sad to leave the ship. They had definitely spoiled us. Xan has gotten used to getting lots of attention. We will be back!!









Mosaic in Triton's restaurant.

Xan's first lobster

He really liked it!!

Ketchikan

Grant and I had a massage this morning so we headed into town later than the crowd. Xan slept until we headed back on the ship to watch us pull out of port.








Xan met a girl on deck that evening. She chased him around until dinner time.