Alaska: Seward Alaska Sealife Center

So this summer, while commercial fishing John was part of the rescue of a baby beluga whale. Check this out here: Race to Save Baby Beluga Whale | Video - ABC News Anyway, I couldn't wait to go to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, AK where it was being kept.  However, I found out when I got to AK that shortly after the airing of the above news clip, the baby beluga died.  However, we still went to the SeaLife Center.  I learned SO much about salmon, got to feel pelts of seals, sea lions, and otters, and got to be in the same room as several puffins and other arctic birds.  

the please touch tank

love those spindly star fish! 

the young salmon

Those are eggs in the octopus tank... 

 

Jellies

the view from the porch

  

Alaska:Russian River Falls

We decided to do some hiking along the Kenai River country.  It is SO pretty and after talking with my cousins and their kids we decided the Russian River Falls hike wasn't bad "a walk" they said... about 15 minutes on a bike, they said.  Well, when we got there we noticed signs saying it was 2.8 miles one way.  We figured it must not be too hard so we braved it anyway.  There were a few times along our walk when I wondered if we were ever going to make it.  But we did make it and about 3 minutes after arriving it all became worth EVERY single step!  

Lots of little waterfalls along the way. 

Primroses

Definitely a gorgeous view!

Everything was SO green! 

First view of one of the creeks that feed into the Russian River.

Apparently, over this bridge and through the woods in the other direction is a cabin you can rent and stay in! 

These mushrooms remind me of Mario Kart on the Wii.  I know, I'm weird! 

We made it!  Look at those salmon jumping upstream! 

No wonder the salmon spawn out!  They have to swim up this! 

AND THEN THESE GUYS APPEARED!!! 

It was like my very own in person view of Brother Bear!  

  

AHHHHH!  Those are REAL bears!  I can't explain the feelings of awe and inspiration I felt in this moment.  

Mama bear caught a fish!!! 

Step one get to drier ground.

Step two skin fish. 

Step three eat and enjoy! 

Step four share with kids. 

Or at least the one who won't try fishing by themselves! 

 

 This was one of the single most memorable moments of my life! 

We went down to the bank to get a closer look.  

Where we saw the most salmon trying to swim up stream.  Some were already spawned out.  

fireweed is everywhere! 

Alaska Part 1

This summer John headed to Alaska in June and was there for 42 days before I got to go up and join him and some of my extended family.  Over the next week I plan to upload some of our favorite experiences! Here are a few from my first few days :)  

Together again at last... It's been a LONG 42 days!  John has grown a lot of new facial hair! 

View from the deck of my cousin's house

Out on the river boat on the lake 

John's become quite the multi-talented guy!

Looking at my cousin's house from the lake.

This is what it looks like outside at 9:30 pm on a cloudy day in the middle/end of July in Alaska.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

I'm so thankful for a day off of school!  It allowed us to have an extra low stress day.  It was lovely!  We slept in, ate a yummy breakfast, got in some game playing, laundry, exercising, blog reading, and yes I even did some things for school.

However, I'd be remised if I didn't express gratitude for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  As I've taught my third graders about this man and his dreams for America over the past week which will continue this week.  It has been interesting discussing segregation, civil rights, and equality and hearing their points of view.

While I do believe the simple version of Dr. King's dream has come true... I do still believe we have a long way to go as a society to accomplish the real intent I heard when listening to his speech in its entirety today for the first time.  So, let's keep moving towards the end goal.  I know its attainable if we can put our pride aside.

Also, to the state of AZ... I'm disappointed you've renamed the holiday Human Rights Day.  Give Dr. King some credit!