Flattop Mountain (the peak on the right in the back) is the most climbed mountain in Alaska. At 3510 ft and just a few miles outside Anchorage, it seemed like the perfect easy afternoon hike. It was perfect, but it wasn't easy. The trail was a really good workout and exceptionally beautiful, but the final ascent to the summit was something totally different. No trail, just find your way up the rocks. It would be a fun challenge. Add a kid who is terrified of heights, certain he is going to plunge to his death, but determined to reach the top anyway and it becomes an experience that won't ever be forgotten. I have never seen Elliot so terrified, not even close. I have never, never seen the fierceness of his determination like that. When he made it to the summit I thought I'd die of pride. He came down from the mountain a different kid. How cool is that?

Gotta have my science teacher moment: The Chugach Mountain Range is formed from the collision of the Pacific Plate with the North American Plate. Usually oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates and the plunge back into the Earth's mantle to be melted. In the case of the Chugach Mountains, a part of the oceanic plate scraped off and was grafted to the continental plate. From what I've learned so far scientists aren't really sure why. Another cool thing about the mountains is that they supposedly get the most snowfall per year of any place in the world. Michael took advantage of this fact and pummeled me with 3 snowballs!

Anchorage Guest House and Tony Knowles Trail

June 13 - midnight in Anchorage (4 AM Cinti) - arrived at Anchorage Guest House. The picture was taken without flash - sun sets but it never really gets dark during the few hours between sunset and sunrise. Right to sleep after a long day of travel!

Above is Andy Baker, owner of the hostel. Really nice guy -great sense of humor and very playful with the kids. Keeps a very clean place and is really helpful. A Pittsburgh native, he's become the Alaskan outdoorsman with great stories about being chased by moose and encounters with bears. Is a performer too - singer, songwriter, guitarist. Didn't get to hear him play though.



Here is a picture of Michael pointing to some of our destinations on the map hanging in our room.

Hiked part of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. Lots of birds! Below is a Bald Eagle being chased by gulls.
Black-billed Magpies (below bottom left) are all over. They're loud but I thought they were beautiful. We also saw a pair of Red-necked Grebes, Greater Scaup, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs (Lesser is below right) and a Green-winged Teal. My favorite was the Arctic Tern. Watching it maneuver as it prepared to dive for food was incredible. It travels from Arctic breeding grounds to wintering grounds off of Antarctica each year. It may cover 25,000 miles - the farthest yearly migration of any bird.

Alaska is for the Fish!

Waders packed, filet knife sharpened, ready for combat fishing.

Alaska is for the Dogs!

Denali

Moose

As an incentive to come back to Cincinnati these 2 beauties will be waiting for us to officially adopt them from Save The Animals Foundation!

About the Trip

The 'Fellowship of the Birds' (for you Lord of the Rings fans) sets off for Alaska on June 12. We go in pursuit of birds, glaciers, wildlife, volcanoes, earthquakes, and the arctic, but especially to meet teachers and scientists who will become our partners in teaching science. The Fellowship is my sons Michael and Elliot, my husband Scott, Drs. Dave and Jill Russell (our bird experts!), and Professor Jenny Wohlfarth (journalist extraodinaire!). Check in between June 13 and July 4 to see what we are up to!