Portage Valley Glaciers and some random pictures

Middle Glacier, Byron Glacier, Portage Glacier, BurnsGlacier and Shakespeare Glacier ... oh my.

Random:

Denali in all her glory

 Finger Lake (where I am currently camped)

 This is another picture of the cotton that "snows" ...

 When the Lupine die, they are "replaced" by this Fireweed.  Rumor has it that when they are done blooming and the seeds "fly" there is 6 weeks 'til winter

 I spent a pleasant day at the Alaska Wildlife Conservatory ... I learned that Muskox are the meanest animals and that the Alaska/Yukon Moose are the biggest in the world.

 I also spent a day at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.  Well worth a visit!

 This map shows the 4,527 miles I have driven since crossing the Canadan border on April 3rd.

There are no roads to the West of where I've been; I am currently headed Northeast to the Arctic and Yukon Territory, before moving South to the lower 48.  I've been here 3 1/2 months with 2 more months to go!

Some of my take-aways:
- Alaska is huge and there is SO much to see.  People who come for a couple of weeks (some even less) and say they "saw" Alaska didn't.
- It is a beautiful state; the flowers are amazing, as are the animals who consistently make sure you are aware they were here first
- Alaskan highways are not the nightmare of legends.  I have driven on worse in the lower 48
- Yes, the mosquitoes are terrible
- There is a "special" dirt here ... full of clay that is unlike anything I have previously encountered.  It covers everything and you can't get rid of it.  I have had to change the air filter in my Jeep twice and I have never had dirt in my coach bays before, but everything is filthy.
- It is expensive to live here.  In the winter it can cost $16 for a gallon of milk.
- The constant daylight has not been a problem and I rather enjoy it
- If the temperature gets above the high 60's it's too hot
- As many Californians live here as do "native" Alaskans
- It is probably the most RV-friendly state of all and the people can't be nicer or more helpful

I forgot to mention that people surf the wave of the bore tidal change and sometimes it bring in a buloga whale with it.