Shoulder Season? I think NOT!

Wow people! Alaska is still here! And it's magnificent! OK Anchorage looks slightly drab, but don't let that fool you!! Get up in the morning and come see what these pups are so excited about! OK I've used a lot of explanation points so far, but can't you see how excited I am?? This morning on my way to work I could see Mt. McKinley and I was reminded of one guest that is going flight seeing today. She's gonna get the experience of a lifetime! What a beautiful day!

The gray whales are in too - yay! You can take a day trip out of Seward and see these great beasts... quickly while they're still here. Maybe you'll even see some other awesome marine life while you're at it - like sea lions, seals, Otters (I just saw one a few days ago), and lots of sea birds. On the way to Seward you can see moose, sheep, eagles... and I'm betting we're days from tiny baby moose walking around everywhere! I'm so excited!!

A Word on Dog Abuse

Unbelievable! You wouldn't believe the crazy stuff that people are posting on the internet about Iditarod dog abuse. It's complete crazy talk! I grew up in Alaska and have seen many, many different kennels. I've spent significant amounts of time at many of these kennels and I can personally attest to the happiness of the dogs. The Iditarod mushers, although not created equal, have a general sense of well-being and treat their dogs in the best possible manner.

One site states "dogs are forced to pull heavy weight". REALLY?? For one, no one forces these dogs to do anything. They WANT to run. And if they don't, then they don't have to! Yeesh! What about the tiny sweaters on your stupid terrier?? That's forced if you ask me!

This particular site also said that they are forced to swim... oh yes. Dogs hate to swim. Especially if you toss a stick in the lake. They really hate that. Oh man these people are morons.

So guess what folks? Dogs smile. We all know this. And when it's time to hook up to the sled, they are smiling, barking, and ready to roll! They LOVE it!! Woo hoo doggies!

Iditarod IS Amazing!

OK I have a new favorite sport. Wait a minute... does it count if I don't really keep up with any sports to begin with?

Well anyway - MUSHING! I've known for a while that this is one of my favorite things to do... and for several years, Salmon Berry has done dog sledding/mushing tours as well as an annual tour to the starting line of the Iditarod. However, THIS year has been even more fun and incredible than years past. I officially signed up to get the GPS tracker and watched the race hourly on my cell phone. We here at Salmon Berry have been occasionally using Dallas Seavey for dog sledding tours with our guests, and he was running the race, so we even had someone to officially cheer for - with some meaning to us.

Dallas was the youngest person to ever run the race 5 years ago when he turned 18. He is now 23. Last year, at 22 years old, he placed 6th. This year he placed 8th and it was a heck of a race! He was up there with the leaders the entire time and it was great to watch his little tag on my cell phone go blazing by Hugh Neff (sorry Hugh).

For those who are not familiar with the race, this sport is truly The Last Great Race. It's a wilderness challenge for man and his beast (several women have won this race - I was speaking poetically only) that so few can handle. It's a lifetime committment for those who want to be where Dallas and his friends and foes are now.

This race impresses me again and again and I think I am forever hooked. My favorite sport: dog mushing. My favorite annual event: The Iditarod.

Avalanche Zone

Hi all,

Well, it's avalanche season! A couple days ago, Mandy and I were stuck south of an avalanche with only WHITTIER to visit, and we had just been there! When we realized that we were blocked from returning to Anchorage, we stopped at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to visit with our friend Christi and wave at our animal friends. Then we checked the 511 website and realized it was going to be a LONG time! So we went on back to Whittier, where we had been earlier checking out some possible summer operations, to have lunch. Turns out we weren't the only people that figured that out, because it was SO crowded and they were out of burgers, which of course was what I craved at that moment. We considered driving to Cooper Landing, but I really wanted to make it to my dinner plans!

So just a quick note: this is a week of avalanches... be careful snowmachining, skiing, and even driving.

-Candice

Warm and Cozy

Wow, it's SO much warmer today! But not as pretty outside. Sun = cold in the winter, but oh so crisp and lovely looking! That smell of fresh snow is gone but I hear it will snow again. Bring it on!!

The ice sculptures are in town square - they weren't carved yet when I left on vacation so I had sort of forgotten about them. They're so beautiful! Please don't melt! Please don't melt! The Anchorage Downtown Partnership is calling the display "The Crystal Gallery of Ice" and it truly is like crystal! They have colored lights set up so at night it's SOOOO cool. This picture doesn't really do it justice - I need to go take some of my own. But you can see more at http://www.anchoragedowntown.org.

The Smell of Fresh Snow

So after returning from a month's vacation, I was disappointed at the lack of snow. Anchorage looked pretty much like it looked when I left, which was dismal in comparison to my expectations of fluffy snow and a nice winter. Luckily, it started snowing right away, as if to welcome me home.

Last night I went to the birthday party of one of my lovely employees Nicole, who we affectionately call "COCO". As I was leaving the party, the smell of fresh snow hit my nostrils and I said aloud, "Finally! This is what I have been waiting for all winter." For some reason I hadn't found that smell yet this year, even though we've had snow. There's just something about it, you know what I mean? Crisp, clean, and... snowy? Will someone please help me with a more descriptive word?

Many of our guests are quite afraid of the snow. People think "Cold, wet", but not so! In fact, snow can mean warm! It's true! When it gets super cold and dark, it doesn't snow and winter starts to feel long and dismal and the streets look dirty. Then it warms up a little and life looks all rosy and the classic light, large, quiet flakes float to the ground like they did yesterday and all is right in the world.

My First Blog - and of course it's Alaska!

Hello all,

Well, not so true to form, I have decided to follow a trend and start a blog. Is this even "the cool thing" to do anymore?

The truth is, my little business and my tour descriptions just aren't enough! I have more to say! I want to talk about the REAL feelings I get when I enjoy Alaska - the REAL experience and the details that make it all so. I want to share what it's really all about, more than I can put on my tour website (www.salmonberrytours.com). Although that's a place for people to get started on making MY Alaska into their own Alaska, this will be the place to see how my Alaskan day really went and what it is about this place that makes me so happy, contented, excited to show it off.

I'll start by warning: this blog will have photos, personal opinions, personal information, personal feelings, business plugs for my business and others that I support, and links to whatever I feel fits.

Thanks for reading!

Candice