After the helicopter dropped us off at the top of the glacier, we had a real adventure.
We got up to about 17 miles per hour on our sled ride!! You have to lean as you go around the corners, and say "gee" to go right and "haw" to go left. It's a much different experience in August than in March, when the Iditarod run actually happens... it was warm, sunny and short compared to the 1,100 miles they run on the Iditarod.
We were the only visitors up on the glacier along with the dogs owners, so we got to spend about an hour playing with the dogs. These Alaskan huskies are pure muscle, and bark like crazy but they are so sweet and friendly.
Riding a helicopter through the glaciers in Seward, AK
It was a magnificent clear day to see the glaciers, which were glistening with melted ice on this 70 degree day. We even swooped down to check out mountain goats on our way up to check out the Iditarod dog teams.
These reindeer (actually domesticated caribou) are smaller than you'd think. Or maybe Santa's sleigh is smaller than I think it is... In any case, they have beautiful soft velvet on their antlers that we could actually touch. Apparently, reindeer antlers are not designed for attacking but for pushing aside snow to forage for food. This one looks like Comet to me, what do you think?
Here's the clan, ready to raft on the Lower Salmon in Grangeville, Idaho. On the right are Bruce and Jeanne Howard of Idaho Afloat, a great outfitter that we've used for years. What a trip!!
We almost made it to the finals in the horseshoe competition... not bad for a couple of cowhands dressed from the thrift shop in Sun Valley! Check out my $8 boots...
Yes, there was a campfire, which got a little out of hand. Cowboy Mike was a little overzealous in encouraging our host to pour gas on the fire. The neighbors had hoses going, and the fire department showed up just as we were leaving. No damage done, thank goodness!
Along the shores of Lake Washington, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels thrilled the us along with the rest of the crowd. It was fast, loud and unbelievable precision flying!!
The ultimate high tea (ok, outside of England) is at the Fairmont Hot Springs in Banff, Alberta. Check out that view of the Bow Valley!
We have very specific rules for high tea... 1) the pinky finger must be extended at all times while holding the tea cup 2) speaking is not allowed until the other person is finished - no interrupting 3) no talking with even a morsel of food in your mouth
Think it's easy? Try it at your next meal. That's why we only do it for high tea :)
At 7,000 ft, this is the top of Little Behive above the Lake Louise Lodge. You can see the lake below, a silky pale turquoise color from the glacial silt in the runoff that creates the lake. The air was thin, and this hike had a steep incline. Lucky for us, at the top was a little teahouse with no power, but propane stoves to make hot tea and biscuits. What a treat!
