I Can See Canada from Here!

[karlsie]

What do Alaskans do when the snow finally begins retreating and shows a little bit of bare earth? Why, they travel to where there's more snow, of course!



After whining and pouting for two weeks, i finally convinced one of my favorite photography buddies we needed to go up the Richardson Highway. The Richardson is oddly named fella, as it's called the Old Glenn until you dump the bowl of the Matanuska Valley behind you. Once you cross over into Canada, it's called the Dawson. It used to be the only highway into Anchorage until they built the Parks, and it remains the most spectacular.

That first shot was taken just around the bend of some tall cliffs, with the Matanuska Glacier coming into view. Here is a wide angle shot of the full glacier.



Wandering higher up the road, we entered an area called Sheep Mountain. What wonderful things did we behold beyond - Dahl Sheep!



After three hours of steady climbing, we reach our destination at the very summit of the Chugach range. As we trundle over the tundra, Glenallen appears into view, and beyond it, the Alaska Range where it swerves into the Chugach and stretches down into Canada. Glenallen is located one hundred twenty miles from Tok Junction, the last Alaskan stop before crossing the border. Those soaring mountains are the great white wall of Canada. Say, Tony! Is that your house way over there?



Oh! And in case you're wondering, yes, they toke in Tok Junction.

[The Late Mitchell Warren]

What beautiful pictures! Thanks for posting these!

[grainnerhuad]

Karlaie on an Alasan indeew would go looking for more snow after a year like this one. With the easterners still hunkered in.

Beautiful pictures though, happy monday...erm Karlsie Sunday to ya!

[dylan]

Why does the pack mother always forget about me? I went along, too! They could never have made it without me. While she was busy climbing over rocks with that silly, big eyed, flashing box, I was on the alert for trespassers. I just away five wolves, three wolverine and a giant, grizzly bear, honest! Well, maybe just two raves and a squirrel, but if there had been a foest of bears, I would have chased them off, too.

The most exciting part about the trip was my date with Leah. Now, there's a hot dame! Cutest pointed ears this side of the Yukon. I've been trying to impress her from the time I was a two year old, still tripping over my puppy paws. She was a mature woman already, four years old, and found it silly that I played chased the tail and snap at the butterfly. But oh! The things she taught me about digging up old bones and how wonderful she smelled after rolling in a fish carcass. This time, I was determined to show her I was a gentleman, and even suffered the indignity of a haircut just to look sharp.

Check out our first class accommodations! Hubba hubba! Complete with blankets and pillows.



There was one terrible moment. I saw a magpie swoop in too close to darling Leah and i chased off after it into the deep snow. In an instant, I was buried to the neck and the pack mother had to grab my collar and pull me out. I should have known better. Those magpies are tricky devils, always telling you things that aren't so and leading you off into dangerous territory.

When we got back to traveling den, Leah laughed at me! She said I sank through the snow because I was too fat. I think she should start considering her options. She's not exactly a young pup anymore. She's turning rather gray around the muzzle. I should forget about her, but when I close my eyes, all I can do is dream about those wonderful days of sniffing out rotten salmon heads and running freely over the tundra, chasing marmots with golden Leah.

[grainnerhuad]

That Leah is one hot dame. And look at you, all gussied up, the things a dog will do...I think she is interested in you, does not fat=good provider?

[dylan]

I think Leah is just a bit jealous of my successful business front. She got fat a couple years ago and her pack leader put her on a diet. She did lick my nose once and sniffed my tail. That's a good sign, isn't it?

[grainnerhuad]

That is a very good sign indeed! Now how to make the pack leaders spend more time together so you can convince her to cuddle up.

[GoblinQueen]

beautiful shots! Makes me miss the snowy Colorado mountains.

[karlsie]

I've been to Colorado and like it pretty well, but there's nothing like having both the mountains and the ocean. It's the only thing that bothered me about the Colorado Mountains; the ocean was too far away.

[The Late Mitchell Warren]

I've never been anywhere. Ever.