Greetings from Tok, Alaska. I'm at a RV park that has free wireless so I thought I would do another post.
From Haines I took the Haines Highway over the Haines Summit. The road is very beautiful, especially as it passes through British Columbia. I went through the area a few years ago in the fall and it was really spectacular then. I'm going to try to come back this way again toward the end of August or early September to get some fall color shots.
Kluane National Park, in the Yukon, is another beautiful place along that road. I spent a night at a campground there on Kluane Lake. I got some nice photos the last time I was there and the sky looked like it could be interesting so I staked myself out along the shore.. God blessed me with calm water and beautiful skys so I took a ton of shots as the light and clouds changed. I didn't leave until the sun went at around midnight Yukon time.
I even got some rainbow shots.
I felt kind of funny standing in a ditch with all my camera gear as cars zipped, but I'm pretty happy with the results. The wind made it hard to get a nice sharp shot but kind of like it soft anyway.
Here's the first Grizzly of the trip.
And here's the first Moose.
This morning I plan to go to Tok Baptist Church. It's a little bitty church to go with this little bitty town. I won't have much choice for churches when I'm away from larger towns. That applies to most of Alaska, but I could find larger churches in the Anchorage area and near Fairbanks.
I'm heading for Anchorage next, and I plan to be there next Sunday. I need to be at the airport in Anchorage this Wednesday so I can get on a plane to St. Paul Island, one of the Pribolof Islands. Yes I've gone and spent another bundle of money. I went back and forth on this decision for a long time, but I finally bit the bullet a few days ago. I'm not going to pretend I'm comfortable with the decision. I'm suffering from buyers remorse. I'm already over budget for the trip, but I've wanted to go to the Pribolofs for a years. I guess it could mean going home earlier than expected but oh well... I can't get my money back now. I just hope I can make the most of it. I return to Anchorage on Friday and I should be able to update you this coming weekend. Take care till then.
Steve
18 comments:
Steve -
Beautiful pictures again! Someday I hope to see the beauty of Alaska myself, but until then I'll enjoy it thru your camera lens. Thanks for taking the time to post these updates and share your photos. I hope the plane trip to St. Paul is well worth what you paid and your buyer's remorse will disappear. Enjoy it and take care!
Kathy VS
Hello Steve.
Do you need funds wired to you? There is no point in coming home early. As a matter of fact, I was going ask you if you plan on coming home at all. You seem quite content in Alaska? Maybe, you'll meet some beautiful Alaskan Christian woman to spend the rest of your life with.
Those people in the cars zipping by you while taking pictures in the ditch must've thought you were with National Geographic or Discovery Channel.
Have a Great Week.
Jen
Beautiful shots by that lake again Steve. I think I remember it from your last trip? Maybe not. The colors are cool. Should be beautiful in the fall if you get back there.
Try not to be such a a Maier, and enjoy your trip to the island. Its only money! ;-)
Hey Steve, you'd have more remorse later if you missed your chance to see something you've always wanted to see, when you're this close! It's less expensive than making a whole other trip up there someday to see the islands you missed.
You're taking such great shots, you'll sell enough of them to make up the difference :)
Steve-
You can always live off the land. (Are the salmon running yet?)
I was just looking up info on the "Gold Rush Trail" I didn't realize how touristy it was.
You made it out of the west just in time to escape the heat.
Enjoy Alaska!
~RV
Hi there everyone, I'm at a library in a library in Anchorage trying to get ready for my trip to St. Paul tomorrow. This morning I went for a little hike. I leaned my camera/tripod against a railing, took a look over the railing and the tripod fell over smashing my $200 filter!#@*. The lens seems to be fine and the body seems fine except that the screen will only display for a fraction of a second and then go dim. I'm thinking I should get a new body, but the tought of it makes every Maier gene in my body cry out in anguish. There's a slim chance that my insurance will cover it. Pray hard.
Steve
Definately lose that buyer's remorse!!! You can't take the money with you when you go - enjoy it while you have it and do things that you've never done before - that's what this trip is about right?? Doing something you've never done before and taking pictures along the way??!!! All of use sitting at our desks at our workplace are envious you've been on this trip and the sights you've seen and shared with us. Don't leave early - THAT will cause remorse for years to come!!!!
Steve,
I'm SO sorry you had that happen. I thought I was having it rough when I dropped my lens cap over the railing in the San Diego Zoo koala bear display!
Keep us posted on the injured equipment. I'm sure miraculous healings occur even in Alaska!
We are still keeping you in our prayers.
Barb P
Hi again. I am back at Anchorage airport, as predicted. The only problem is I haven't been to St. Paul yet. We took off on Wednesday after three and a half hours of delay. Then we stopped in Dillingham to refuel and went on to St. Paul. We circled the Island, turned around and landed in Cold Bay to refule before returning to Anchorage. Too foggy. I ended up with a seven or eight hour air tour of western Alaska. They could reschedule me for today so I'm trying it again. Hopefully this attempt will go better than the last. If it fails I'm all done. I should be back Sunday night. I'll update soon after that.
Steve
Steve is in St Paul, surrounded by fog. He has seen some rare birds and seals, but he's not sure he can get off the island. He wanted to let every one know he made it to the island and he's sleepin in a real bed and taking lots of pictures. Steve's Mom
Well, good, he made it...And if he can't leave for a while he might just find a job there. A web search for the island turned up a Naturalist job opening.
Alaska Birding guide job
Interestingly, the job description includes this statement: "Applicants must be willing to work in adverse weather conditions. Normal conditions are overcast with drizzle, rain, or fog. The average high temperature for the summer is only 47 F and the average wind speed is about 15 mph." Sounds like he hit the normal conditions right on. :~)
John B.
Don't listen to him, Steve, we want you back!!
"Aw, c'mon", it's only a summer job! He'd be done in time for that Haines Highway color tour on his way back to the lower 48.
J.B.
Well, OK, a summer job is fine. Who I'm I talking to JB?
I meant to whom am I talking to.
I just got off the plane from St. Paul. I asked for a one day extention and the next two days were too foggy to get a passenger plane in. Today they put seats in the cargo plane that comes in the morning, and I got on that flight. So I ended up doubling the trip I wasn't sure I wanted to take in the first place.
What a trip it turned out to be! I have a ton of photos (that's really saying something considering that they're all digital) but I haven't had time to process any yet. That means you'll have to wait just a bit longer for my next post. Take care till then.
Steve
Hey, Steve, glad you made it back. No fun walking around in a fog all the time.
Say, Steve, do you know who that anonymous poster is who wants to know who I am?
Kind of like "the pot calling the kettle black", isn't it?...Anonymous asking anonymous "to whom am I speaking"? At least I signed with my initials. :~)
No offense to anyone, I just prefer not to have my full name & personal information here on the open internet. I think I've left plenty of clues...
John B.
Steve,
Glad you made it can't wait to see the pictures. Your blog is great and the comments are fun too! You keep us coming back for more. Keep up the good work! That goes for all the commenters (is that a word?)too!!
Barb H
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