Day 7 - Heading to Homer

What a drive!!! Wow, the scenery keeps getting better and better.

Picture driving down a gently rolling road along side wetlands.  Then you head down further beside the body of water called Turnagain Arm.  We were struck by the blue colors coming through the clouds that sat on the mountains as the early sun tried to gleam through.  This road took us further down to the Kenai Peninsula.  As we went through Sterling, AK, we saw the signs warning of the high number of moose killed by cars each year(no mention of the drivers...I'm sure they were OK....oh yeah, we saw no moose there)....we went on to Homer where you come down the mountain to look out over the Kachemak Bay at Cook Inlet.  Across the water we saw a the Kenai Mountain which were ice covered and included three volcanoes.  The people are great, and we caught maybe what the locals referred to the fifth day of summer. (It has been a record-cold and wet summer.)  

We played for the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra Summer Concert Series, where we met another couple from Virginia.  We have had someone from Virginia in every crowd on this tour!  Small world.  It was there I met the bassist from the original run of the production "Up With People." We also got to meet the wonderful owner of the hammered dulcimer that we were provided with for the tour. By the way, if you ever make it to Homer, AK, make sure to go to the the Pratt Museum.  It is wonderful!!!

Day 6 - Back to Anchorage

Just now getting settled in with a hotel room and wi-fi.

Now I can update yesterday's photos.

Hope you enjoy.

Jeff

P.S. that first photo....trust me....do what they say....long story.

Day 5 - Leaving Denali July 30, 2008 

Leaving Denali and headed back to Anchorage

Dear diary, today has been the coldest morning yet....upper 40's and very damp.

I didn't layer quite as much as I should have.   We went to see the dogsled demonstration while Jack and Becky went whitewater rafting.  I'm not sure how we'll meet up with them again....man I should have worn more layers...

The dogs pulled a sled around a gravel path with ease, as if if on on snow....I MEAN THIS IS REALLY COLD!!!

....is this the published blog page??? OOPS!

Today was the last morning to take in  a bit more of Denali before heading back into Anchorage.  We were glad to have had enough gas to get back without refueling there.  The gas prices in Cantmore were the highest yet...$5.649/gal !!!

A mama bear and two cubs jolted out of the woods attempting to cross the road, but saw the cars and darted back in.  We Celtibillies stopped to see if they tried for a second attempt.  We saw the mother poke her head out of the woods and then went back in.   While we stared as hard as possible with cameras focused on that spot, Jack noticed out of the corner of his eye, they had cut around beside us to dart across a driveway.  Clever girl!  They were too quick for us.  

Also not included in our photo montage was the elusive Alaskan husky ATV 4-wheeler.  That's right....a dog team hooked up to a four-wheeler for summer training.  By the time we stopped and got the cameras out, they were off into the woods.  Maybe we'll be quicker next time.

Later, we arrived in Anchorage and went to dinner with a friend who lives there.  Coincidentally there was an informal Celtic music jam going on.  Jack sat on on fiddle for a couple of songs.  When we explained we were in town to perform for the "Out North" concert series, they exclaimed..."Celtibillies?"  We were pleasantly surprised.

For now we are settling down for a quiet rest of the evening.  It's 10:30PM and the sun is low on the horizon.  Tomorrow there will be a radio interview followed by our concert later in the evening.  Thanks to everyone who is following along on our trip, and thanks for the wonderful comments  Don't hesitate to add something.  We love the support.  More to come soon.

Jeff

Day 4-DENALI !!!

Wow! We were fortunate today.  The sun came out. We had nice weather for viewing lots of amazing animals and mountains.  Here's a few of them.