Lake Lucille, Wasilla, AK July 4, 2010
One of the float planes we flew from Wasilla to Talkeetna, AK. July 4, 2010.
Landing apparatus on the float plane. Lake Lucille, Wasilla, AK. July 4, 2010
Float plane coming in for a landing on Lucille Lake, Wasilla Alaska, 7/4/10
View of the glaciers on our float plane trip from Wasilla to Talkeetna, AK July 4, 2010
"Medial moraine" A ridge of accumulated glacial debris formed when two glaciers meet and the debris on the edges of the adjacent valley sides join and are carried on top of the enlarged glacier. As the glacier melts or retreats, debris is deposited and a ridge down the middle of the valley floor is created. Viewed from our float plane from Wasilla to Talkeetna, AK. July 4, 2010
Blue meltwater pools on the surface of the glacier. Float plane trip from Wasilla to Talkeetna, AK. July 4, 2010
Glacier forms a silty river. View from our floatplane. Susitna River Valley, AK. July 4, 2010.
Glacier viewed from our float plane. Wasilla to Talkeetna, AK July 4, 2010
Bald eagle. We all spotted this bird on our jet boat excursion on the Talkeetna, Susitna, and Chulitna Rivers. July 5, 2010.
Alaska Railroad train that we boarded for our trip from Talkeenta to Denali National Park. Talkeetna, AK. July 6, 2010.
A beautiful sled collage at the Husky Homestead. Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
A Husky Homestead trainer hands out puppies to visitors to help with the dogs' social training. Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
Entrance to the Husky Homestead Lodge owned by Iditarod Champion Jeff King and his wife, artist Donna Gates King. Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
A Husky Homestead trainer holds Alaskan Husky puppies. Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
A carved Alaskan Husky howls with the mountains of Denali National Park in the background at the Husky Homestead. Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
Trainer with "Salem," the now-retired lead dog of Jeff King's 2006 Iditarod win. Jeff KIng calls Salem one of his "great ones." The carousel in the background is one way the dogs exercise in the summertime. Husky Homestead, Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
Jeff King talks to our group about his life experiences. Husky Homestead, Denali, AK. July 6, 2010.
A Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) leads her chicks out of the shrubs to feed. A third chick also emerged shortly. Denali National Park, AK. July 7, 2010.
Grizzly (brown) bear (Ursus arctos) in Denali National Park. It appeared to be grazing among the low shrubs. July 7, 2010
Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) on a mountainside. Denali National Park. July 7, 2010.
A caribou (Rangifer tarandus). Our guide told us that during the summer male caribou are solitary travelers. Denali National Park. July 7, 2010.
Grizzly (brown) bear (Ursus arctos) resting on a mountain side in Denali National Park. Our guide told us that the grizzlies in the park were light-colored, or "blonde." July 7, 2010
Arctic ground squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) surveys the landscape. These animals hibernate more than half the year. Denali National Park, AK. July 7, 2010.
A pair of Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) in Denali National Park. We saw a number of these little creatures, along with snowshoe hares (who did not hold still for the camera) on our ride through the park. Both animals are very important food sources for predators. July 7, 2010
Mt. McKinley (aka, Denali) in clear view. North America's highest peak. Denali National Park. July 7, 2010
Clouds partially envelop Mt. McKinley's (Denali's) peak. Denali National Park, AK. July 7, 2010.
