Alaska Trip

Mum, Ronna, and I just got back from an awesome trip to Alaska. We spent the first part of our trip in Kodiak, on Kodiak Island then went to Anchorage and Port Alsworth on Lake Clark. This was a trip to get to know family, learn more about our Alutiiq heritage, and see the places where my Grandma Benson (Mum's mom) spent time. I'm only posting a few pictures from the trip on the blog, but the rest of the pictures can be accessed on our Flickr photo site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27599627@N08/sets/72157606411186022/

This picture shows why Kodiak Island is called the Emerald Isle. The hills are very lush and dense. They almost looked tropical.

Wild flowers abound. There was such a diversity of plants.

Kodiak Harbor


The king crab was so yummy, fresh, and affordable.


Fishers on the Pasagshak River


There is a heard of Buffalo near Fossil Beach. Ronna thought this guy was a brown bear at first.

Alaska Cotton - the coolest wild flower ever.

Gigantic (and sweet) red salmonberries!

Benny is a celebrity in Kodiak.

This is the church where Grandma and Benny got married.

A beautiful sunny day on Near Island. We saw many tufted puffins and black oyster catchers here. In Kodiak we also saw humpback whales, sea otters, and harbor seals. No bears, but we did see a moose in Anchorage.

Captain cousin Glen is giving us the emergency talk before taking off to Port Alsworth. Only eight people fit on their BIG planes!

View outside my window leaving Anchorage and heading for Lake Clark Pass.

Many glaciers are visible along Lake Clark Pass.

More of Lake Clark Pass

Our family in Port Alsworth were processing their subsistance reds (sockeye salmon) when we arrived. What a treat. We had fresh fish for dinner (better than Copper River salmon).

Salmon being smoked in the smokehouse.

This picture was taken at midnight - notice that it is still light out.

This is a picture of the farm house looking out at Lake Clark and Tanalian Mountain. What a view!

Reflection of Tanalian Mountain.

Me, Mum, cousin Glen, and Ronna. We really enjoyed our trip and were sad to leave.