After Gold Panning

We went to Elderado Gold Mine. Every one was guaranteed to get gold or to get acertaim amount of gold. Between the two of us we got 30 dollars worth. I had them put into a pendant and ear rings. When we got done there and started back to the RV park it was raining again. I am going to a paddle wheel boat ride, Dick is going to get the oilchanged in the MO HO. In the afternoon we have free time. We will do something a surprise.

The day after Barrow

Yesterday was an awesome day. We have not flown in years. It was a great flight both ways. Flying over the Artic Ocean was amazing. Some of the water is still frozen. The Tundra is so unusual. No trees. Barrow has no trees. All of the roads are dirt. The homes are all built on stilts because the houses are warm and they sink into the permafrost. They have at least r33 insulation on all six sides. They look really junky from the out side because they have to be made of natural wood so that they water can permeate it. Other materials besides metal cannot with stand the temperatures. It was 39 there but the sun was shining and there were local kids playing in the sand with just short sleeve t shirts. I had cuddle duds under my shirt and a heavy jacket. Three from our group put on bathing suits and took a dive in the Artic to get a polars bear certificate. They did not tell us that we could do this so we did not bring suits. Really I'm glad I did not.
We are going gold panning today. I am hoping for a nugget but will probably be happy with a few flakes. We toured the city of Fairbanks today and saw the Alyeska Pipeline up close and personal. Fairbanks has a College with a museum of Alaska histor the is unbelieveable. We really enjoyed the visit there.
Well, guess I better get on my gold paning clothes. Let you know what happens

Fairbanks, AK

We arrived here today. My Birthday. It was sunny allday and it was so hot here at 10:00pm AK time thaat it felt like you could get a sunburn. The country side change on the way here. Still trees and trees but a different kind. The frost line is 2000 feet. We are not high above sea level but we are in the permafrost.
Last Thursday we toured Denli National park. We went in to the park 63 miles. We barely schatched the surface when you consider that the park is 6 milion sq miles. We saw moose caraboo, wolfs grizzley bears. We were on a bus and they were quite far from us. Some times I guess they come close to the road. You can hike it the park but you must get a permmit and have exensive training on how to avoid animal contact.
We will be flying to Barrow tomorrow. It could be 50 degrees there. We could get socked in and have to stay over night. Guess we will have t0 be suprised.
Still having rouble with the pictures. At least I am on line.
Love to all

Pic's From Alaska

Finally back on line

We are in Homer. We have been on the go since my last note. Some times we have WiFi but I have not been able to connect. I don't know what is my Problem. To day I am logged on with ethernet. The scenery up here is trees and more trees and some times the mountains look like they are covered with moss.

We went on an all day cruise to the glaciers When we were in Valdez and I have not sent any Pics so hope to day I can get some of them on this publish. I'm stillhaving trpuble with the Pictires.

One hundred miles od wash board dirt road 50 in Canada and 50 in Alaska Then the town of Chicken. When we got to the RV Park We all went to the wash rack. This was all on the way to Valdez

Valdez,AK

I am haaving trouble getting my pictures on the blog again. I may have too many pics on the computer and not enough memory to up load them. To day we cruised Prince william sound for 110 miles. We went to The Colombia glacier and the Mears glacier. We really got up close and personel with the Mears. We saw all kinds of wild life and among them several hump back whales and puffin birds. They fed us 2 meals on the trip. I was very lucky, the water was like glass. I have lots of pics. Maybe i can get them on the blog next time. We have a free day here tomorrow then head toward Ankorage. When we get there I will be able to get on line again.
Besides the Exon Valdez oil spill this area experienced an earth quake 9.2. We had tour guide who was living here then 1964 she was 12 years and still has vivid memories of the quake. Her family have lived here since the 1920s. When the devries was cleared up they burned the town down because it was a dangerous area to rebuild in. The built the current town 2 miles down the road.
Our RVs are parked on the waters edge. The fireboats did a parade spraying water for about 10 mminutes they said something about fireworks at 11 pm. It is 20 to 10 and it is still day light. Some one said that they save the fire works for New years because it gets dark then.
I wont bore you with any more stuff for now.
will try for pics next time