Stay in your car

The Glen Highway is refreshing.

Anybody have a clue what these tall steel structures that line the road are? Well they happen to be guides for snow plows in winter!

This might look like any other mountain shot but it is home to extreme skiing in Valdez. This incredible topography of interconnected peaks coupled with the immense amount of snow is the pinnacle of  winter recreation! The only way to reach the top is to be dropped off by a helicopter, not for the light hearted for sure!

The first warning as we approach our predetermined camp area!

Stay in your vehicle and do not approach the bears! This grizzly mother came to fish every night. Her marksman like skills shamed even the best fisher person.

She watches with intensity as she trains and feeds her hungry cubs.

This move scattered the crowd. She raised on her haunches, ears back and fur rigid. She is clearly aggitated because a person lacking intellectual sharpness decided that they would share the beach with this beast. One thing you learn fast in bear country....do not run from a grizzly! It prompts a rapid forward  rush in assault pursueing their natural hunting instinct.

It's a fish buffet for these sea lions as they gather near the hatchery. Folks...those are pink salmon fins in the water!

Every animal loves the salmon that are spawning. This immature eagle is eyeing a prey.

Coming in for a catch....

One of the most exciting activities we conquered was our courageous paddle to the toe of the Valdez glacier! The constant sounds of dripping water and falling glacial stones was more than amazing! To be gliding in and through the midst of thousand year old glacial ice was breath taking. Picking the ice from the murky silt lake topped the adventure!

Closer and closer to the toe, the danger mounts!

Surviving our escapade we returned to camp, where I am constantly reminded of how blessed we all are to live in this beautiful country. Rugged and wild yet delicate and soothing.