Bearfoot Burnsides: Another great adventure

Pretty soon these days are going to all start to blur together. We have already had so much fun and adventure, even from the top of the world, or at least the top of Anchorage. I like to give Troy a hard time because someone has to try to slow him down, but I did really enjoy our rock climbing adventure up to the top of Flat Top. If you ever find yourself in the Anchorage area I am sure you will see it. You can look around at all the mountains that surround the city, but there is one that looks as though the top peak has been cut off. This is Flat Top, and if you are up for a good 4 miles hike this is just the one for you.
Early Monday morning we headed to the train station. The rest of the gang did not get into Anchorage until Monday night, so we took the opportunity to take the train down to Seward and do a glacier cruise. We had a blast and so a lot of beautiful country on the way. The train actually stopped so that we could all get pictures of the doll sheep climbing around on the cliff side as we traveled by.

For a while we were off the road system and back into country no one else gets to see. We saw glaciers, and mountain valleys and streams. I have always known we live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, but know we got to see even more beauty. This trip really gave me more of an appreciation for the great State of Alaska. We had a lot of fun on the train with the kids too. We were ale to take them upstairs to a small section of the train where we were see a little bit better. Here we played games with the kids, had our picnic lunch, and took lots of pictures.

The boat was nice and relaxing so Kaylin and I took advantage of a little nap time.

On our cruise we went out to Fox Island where we stopped for an hour and were provided with a lunch buffet including salmon and prime rib. Lunch was great and it gave a little time for the kids to run around before getting back on the boat. We had a forest ranger start out with us on the cruise who gave the kids some workbooks to work on becoming junior rangers. At the end of the lunch all the kids were able to have their book signed and they received Junior Forest Ranger badges. Connor made sure to wear it every day of the vacation. It was a really special treat for them.

After lunch we again boarded the boat and cruised around the little protective islands that surround the Resurrection Bay. Even though it was an over cast day we were able to see some great sea life. We saw hundreds of puffins. I always thought they were bigger that they are, they were just little birds diving into the water. We saw sea lions tanning on a rock. And we saw a hump back whale playing along the shore.

We really had an enjoyable time, and then it was time to head back to the harbor and get back on the train to Anchorage. It turned into a long day, and another late night, but we had a great time. I am so glad that Aspen and Troy came into town early and that we were able to spend another great day together.
Kaylin enjoyed time with her cousin. Elden may not have enjoyed it quite so much.