Extended Family Vacations - 2007: Alaska

2007: Top of the World Highway, 
Alaska - Yukon Border

As our family grew older and our business expanded overseas, our vacation destinations spread further afield. Our family gathered in Alaska, Greece, Norway, and New Zealand. Interspersed with these long distance trips were family vacations in our favorite Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Red Rock Country, plus a Great Western Road Trip. (See separate posts about these vacations.)

This post will cover our 2007 trip to Alaska.

2007 - Alaska

In 2007, we hooked up a trailer to our car and set out to Bozeman, Montana to pick up Dustin and his friend Marjo. The four or us wandered north through Canada's Banff and Jasper National Parks, then drove west along the Yellowhead Highway to Prince Rupert on the west coast. There we boarded a ferry and headed up the Alaska Marine Highway to Ketchikan.

2007 - Heading to Alaska, Mary checks out the trailer.

2007: Osprey nest on a bridge near Castle Mountain, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

2007:  Marmot at Peto Lake, Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada.

2007:  Eagles along the Yellowhead Highway, British Columbia, Canada.

2007: Dustin looks out on a rainy ferry trip up the Inside Passage on the Alaska Marine Highway.

Andrea, Karen, and Becca flew into Ketchikan where we took a boat trip to Misty Fjord National Monument (which was very misty) and Totem Bright State Park. Then we boarded the Alaska Marine Highway ferry and sailed to Juneau, Alaska, where we visited the Mendenhall Glacier.

2007:  Misty Fjords National Park, boat trip from Ketchikan, Alaska.

2007: Becca, Andrea, Karen, & Dustin, Totem Bright State Park, near Ketchikan, Alaska.

2007:  Ferry to Juneau, Alaska Marine Highway.

2007: Karen and Becca stay occupied on a foggy trip on the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry.

2007: Mary, Becca, Andrea, Karen at Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, Alaska.

2007: Dustin and Andrea hiking through the lush rainforest at the base of the Mendenhall Glacier.

We took a short plane trip from Juneau to Glacier Bay National Park. After a night in the park's hotel, we took a boat trip to the end of Glacier Bay. The trip started out foggy, but we were able to see some impressive wildlife. As we approached the end of the fjord, the clouds lifted and the sun came out, giving us beautiful views of the Glacier Pacific at the end of the bay.

2007: Seals in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

2007: Nursing Bears in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

2007: Mother and baby Orca, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

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2007:  Grand Pacific Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska,

Tom taking pictures as we left Grand Pacific Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

2007: Calving Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

2007: Glacier Sculptures. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

2007: Karen, Becca, and Andrea. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.

We flew back to Juneau with Andrea, Karen, and Becca; Dustin and Marjo stayed a second night and  then flew home. We continued on the Alaska Marine Highway to Haines. and then drove north along the Alaska Highway to the Tok Cutoff, where we turned southeast and drove to Valdez. We took another ferry across Prince Williams Sound to Whittier. When we reached the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, we turned south on the famous Seward Highway to explore the Kenai Peninsula. 

2007: Rainbow Glacier (background) and Chilkat State Park (foreground). Alaska Marine Highway south of Haines, Alaska.

2007: Becca and Karen become Junior Rangers at Wrangell St Ellis National Park Visitors Center.

2007: Karen & Becca meet sled dogs at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge,
near Wrangell St Ellis National Park, Alaska.

2007: Mary, Andrea, & Becca enjoy a sunset lighting up Mt Drum in Wrangell St Ellis National Park,
while staying at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge, Alaska.

2007: Andrea, Becca, & Mary at Bridal Veil Falls, near Valdez, Alaska.

2007: Salmon returning to their home - Salmon Gulch Fish Hatchery in Valdez, Alaska.
The net limits the number of salmon that can get into the hatchery. The rest are available for seals, bears, and fishing.

2007: Hubbard Glacier, Prince Williams Sound, Alaska.

2007: Heading south on the Seward highway.

2007: Mary takes a photo of Andrea, Karen, & Becca at the Exit Glacier of the Harding Icefield, 
Kenai Fiords National Park, Alaska.

We headed to Anchorage so Karen could be there as the last Harry Potter book was released, then we headed to Denali National Park. We camped near the park entrance, then took the park bus a slow 85 miles to Wonder Lake Campground the next day. The weather was foggy so we had only a peak at Denali.  After a long bus ride back and another night camping at the Denali entrance, and we returned to Anchorage where Andrea, Karen, and Becca flew home. 

2007: A view of Denali on the drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park, Alaska

2007: The weather did not cooperate during our time at Denali National Park, Alaska, so no views of the mountain.

2007: We got a peak at Denali the next morning. Denali National Park, Alaska.

2007: A family of bears on the bus ride back, Denali National Park, Alaska.

2007: Andrea a d Becca enjoy s'mores at Riley Creek Campground, Denali National Park, Alaska.

We drove along the Glen Highway to Wrangell St Ellis National Park, then went north to Tok, where we took the dusty Top of the World highway to Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. Next we headed south on the Klondike Highway to Whitehorse, Yukon, then followed the Alaska Highway to it's beginning in Dawson City, British Columbia. From there it was a day's drive south to Edmonton, then we drove through Saskatchewan to North Dakota and, eventually, home. This was a drive of over 5000 miles.

2007: Another view of Mt Drum in Wrangell St Ellis National Park, Alaska.

2007: After Andrea, Karen & Becca flew home from Anchorage, we drove the dusty Top of the World Highway to Dawson, Youkan Territory, Canada.

2007: The pot of gold was just around the corner on the Klondike Highway.

2007: After we joined the Alaska Highway at Whitehorse, Yukon, we met the Texas 4000 Ride for Cancer. Dustin was one of the originators of this ride when he was in Austin some years earlier.

2007: The Sign Post Forest at Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada, was dense with signs.

2007: Bison along the Alaska Highway, British Columbia, Canada.

2007: Mountain Goats along the Alaska Highway, British Columbia, Canada.

2007: We made our way to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, the start of the historic Alaska Highway.

Extended Family Vacations - Part 1: 2000 - 2006

2005 - Banff National Park, Canada
Andrea & Brian, Karen, Becca, Dustin

As our family grew up and moved away from home, we organized regular family get-togethers. But instead of gathering at our house or a cabin up north, we arranged a trip to some place we'd like to explore and invited our extended family to join us. We tried to plan the trips during our granddaughters' spring break or summer vacation so that as they grew older they could see many corners of the world. We might have glorious sun, or maybe fog and rain, but we either way, we enjoyed unique destinations.

2000 - North Shore

Our first extended family trip was simple - a drive to the North Shore with Dustin, Andrea, 4 year old Karen, and 20 month old Becca. We went to Duluth, Tettegouche State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse, and of course, Gooseberry Falls. 

2000. Dustin, Andrea, 4 yo Karen, and 20 & Becca, driving to the North Shore.

2000. High Falls. Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota.

2000. Mary, Karen, Andrea, Becca, and Dustin along the Baptism River on a hike to High Falls.

2000. Mary, Becca, Andrea, & Karen touring Split Rock Lighthouse living quarters. Minnesota.

2000. Andrea, Karen, Mary, and Becca at Gooseberry Falls State Park, MN.

2000 - Renaissance Festival

True, we visited the Renaissance Festival from home, but I don't get on elephants very often!

Andrea, Becca, Mary, Karen on an elephant at the Renaissance Festival, Shakopee, MN

2001 - Golden Eagle Lodge, Gunflint Trail, MN

See Boundary Waters Canoe Area post.

2002 - Elroy Sparta Bike Trail, Elroy, Wisconsin.

2002. Andrea Towed Karen along the Elroy Sparta Bike Trail, Wisconsin.

2002. Then Karen learned to ride her bike! Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2002. Dustin Towed Becca along the Elroy Sparta Bike Trail, Wisconsin.

2002. Time to walk the bikes. Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

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2002. The girls head toward the light at the end of the tunnel while we get ready.
Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2003 - Lake One Loop, Boundary Waters Canoe Area

See Boundary Waters Canoe Area post.

2004 - Elroy Sparta Bike Trail, Elroy, Wisconsin.

2004. Karen, Mary, Andrea enjoying the Elroy Sparta Bike Trail, Wisconsin.

2004. Becca on the Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2004. Andrea, Karen, and Becca walking through a tunnel on the Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2004. Karen and Becca are both riding bikes. Mary and Andrea in the background.
Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2004 Day 2:  Becca gets a tow from Andrea. Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2004 Day 2:  Mary and Karen walk through a tunnel. Elroy Sparta Bike Trail. Wisconsin.

2004 - Fenske Lake and North Shore

See Boundary Waters Canoe Area Post for Fenske Lake. On the way home we visited Tettegouche State Park, Splitrock Lighthouse, and Gooseberry Falls State Park.

2004. Karen and Becca at High Falls, Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota.

2004.Becca, Karen, and Andrea on a tour of Splitrock Lighthouse, Minnesota.

2004. Becca and Karen at Gooseberry Falls State Park. Minnesota.

2005 - Canadian Rockies

Some of the most beautiful hikes in the Rocky Mountains begin at Lake O'Hara in Yahoo National Park, which is a seven miles from from the parking lot. Space on the bus is limited so these hikes are best enjoyed from the small Lake O'Hara Campground, which is close to the trailhead. In 2005 we were able to reserve two campsites at the campground for a couple of nights.

We met Andrea, Karen, Becca and Dustin in Calgary. On the way to Yahoo national Park we stopped at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. 

2005. Dustin. Moraine Lake. Banff National Park. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Becca and Karen. Moraine Lake. Banff National Park. Alberta, Canada.

Then we headed west to Yahoo National Park and took the bus to Lake O'Hare Campground. After setting up our tents, we headed out for a hike around the lake. Mary, Karen and Becca headed back to camp while Andrea and Dustin wore Tom out taking the Alpine Loop Trail to Lefroy and Oesa Lakes.

2005.Karen, Becca, Mary, Andrea (and Teddy Bears). Hiking around Lake O'Hara,
Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

2006. Andrea and Dustin on the Alpine Loop Trail, Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

2005. Tom at Lefroy Lake. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

 

2005. Dustin and Andrea at Oesa Lake, Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

The next day we climbed above Lake O'Hara to the Opabin Plateau. Andrea and Dustin hiked all the way to Opabin Lake, while Mary, Karen and Becca took a shortcut back to camp, where the girls enjoyed playing with some campers their own age.

2005. Karen and Becca. High above Lake O'Hara. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

2005. Opabin Plateau Hike. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

2005. Dustin at Opabin Lake. Opabin Plateau Hike. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

On our last day, McArthur Lake was the destination for Andrea, Dustin, and Tom. Mary, Karen, and Becca joined them for the first half of the hike.

2005. Andrea, Becca, and Karen. Lake McArthur Hike. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada.

2005. Andrea and Dustin at Lake McArthur. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada

Before we left Yahoo National Park stopped at beautiful Emerald Lake and stunning Takakkaw Falls.

2005. Becca and Karen at Emerald Lake. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada

2005. Mary, Andrea, Karen, Becca at Takakkaw Falls. Yahoo National Park, British Columbia, Canada

We drove back to Banff National Park where we said goodbye to Dustin and met Brian. 

2005. All together for a short time - Tom, Dustin, Brian, Karen, Andrea, Becca, and Mary.
Vermillion Lakes, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Tom, Mary, Karen and Becca stayed at Castle Mountain Campground while Andy and Brian had access to electricity at nearby castle Mountain Chalets. We took a couple of hikes, visited Lake Louise, and checked out the Bow Valley Parkway.

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2005. Mary, Andrea, Becca, Karen, Brian and his Birthday.
Castle Mountain Campground, Banff National Park. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Mary Brian, Andrea, Becca. Karen. Hiking in Banff National Park. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Karen enjoying Lake Louise, Banff National Park. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Becca at Sherbrook Lake. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

2005. Becca and Brian, Bow Valley Parkway. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

After Brian headed home we drove north on the Icefields Parkway and camped at waterfowl Lakes Campground. The next day we toured the the Athabasca Glacier and stopped at Peyto Lake and Bow Lake. Then it was time to head back to Calgary where we dropped the Gilberts at the airport, turned  in the U-Haul trailer, and started our two day drive home.

2005. View from Waterfowl Lakes Campground along the Ice Fields Parkway. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Becca & Karen. Columbia Icefield Tour,  Ice Fields Parkway. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Karen at Peyto Lake along the Ice Fields Parkway. Alberta, Canada.

2005. Bow Lake along the Ice Fields Parkway. Alberta, Canada.

2006 - Pacific Coast

In 2006 we spent a few  days in Eureka, California visiting Dustin at Humboldt State University in Arcata California, where he was teaching. Since Humboldt Bay and Arcata Bay are a critical stopover for birds during spring migration, we probably saw more birds three days than before or since. 

2006. Dozens of Long-billed dowitchers land at The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, California.

2006. Long-billed dowitchers at The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, California.

2006. Great egret at The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, California.

2006. Migrating Birds gather at the beach which helps form Humboldt Bay, California.

After a couple of business engagements on the west coast, we flew to San Francisco to pick up Andrea, Karen, and Becca. Over the next week, we would drive north along the coast to Portland, Oregon, (re)visiting Dustin on the way.

2006. Karen and Becca at the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California.

2006. Becca, Karen, and Dustin. Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California.

2006. Mary, Karen, Andrea, Becca, Dustin in front of the Founder's Tree.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California.

Dustin, Andrea, Karen (hidden), Mary, Becca, wading up Fern Canyon,
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California.

Karen, Andrea, Mary, Becca, in Fern Canyon, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California.

2006. Becca, Dustin, and Karen. Redwood Creek. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California.

2006. The scene at Redwood Creek, Prairie Creek Redwoods, state Park. California.

2006. Becca and Karen exploring the Sumeg Village at Patrick's Point State Park, California.

2006. Patrick's Point State Park, California.

2006. Andrea, Becca, Dustin, Mary. In Dustin's office. Humboldt State University. Arcata, California.

2006. Becca, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Redwood National Park, California.

2006. Big Tree. Prairie Creek State Park. California.

2006. Mary, Karen, Becca, Andrea, Battery Point Lighthouse. Crescent City, California.

2006. Becca and Karen rock scrambling near Crescent City, California.

2006. Karen on Mill Creek Trail. Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, California.

2006. Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon.

2006. Becca & Karen in an Emigrant wagon. End of the Applegate Trail
near Grave Creek Covered Bridge, Sunny Valley, Oregon. 

2006. Becca & Karen at End of the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center, Oregon City, Oregon.