White water rafting!! My dad and I rafted the Nenana River today. We drove down to Denali Park and went on a 2-hour rafting trip through rapids such as Knife Point, Coffee Grind and Train Wreck. Hmmm, I think they could name the rapids a little better so that they didn't sound so frightening.  

Gavin prepares to jump off a 100 foot cliff (a 2-foot drop off the side of the couch) with his sidekick/parachute monkey.  

Gavin give grandpa some kisses. In case you're wondering, Gavin is wearing a monkey backpack. We got it for him last weekend and he insists on wearing it every waking moment.  

At home on the nature trail -- Gavin and mama going for a walk.  

Gavin has become very adventureous and climbs on top of everything!!  

Valdez bound

Well...
Sorry for my ignorance. I have been lazy and have not updated my blog in forever. Shame on me. Anyway.
My parents took the train up from Anchorage August 9 and arrived in Fairbanks that evening. We hit the ground running and have not stopped since.
We took a quick 6-hour drive down to Valdez, Alaska, and went on a 7-hour sightseeing cruise aboard the Stan Stevens "Valdez Spirit."
It was great, despite the rainy weather. We saw everything from sea otters and bald eagles to ice bergs and sea lions.
No whales, but still a good trip. We have a lot more planned so stay tuned and I'll be updating this more regularly. Thanks

~ Justin

Our nation's bird. A bald eagle, one of many, flaps his wings to try and dry off after a short rain.  

It was 54 degrees today and my parents were cold. It's like they live in Africa or something...Oh wait, they do.  

Here is a beautiful waterfall called Bridal Veil falls.  

Sea otters playing in the ocean. They can dive down 300 feet to grab clams, crabs and oysters off the floor bottom. They then bring them up to the surface and use rocks to break them open on their bellies.  

Another lazy day--This looks like the life. Sea lions resting on a buoy.  

Success! Hundreds of silver salmon flopping around on the deck of the fishing boat. I'll take two please. 

They just about have the fish in.  

Here is a salmon boat pulling in a load of silver salmon.  

I'd like that with ice please. Here is Jen, Gavin and I outside of the cruise ship next to the Columbia Glacier. Well ... at least some pieces of it.  

Maiden voyage--Aye, it's the captain and his first mate. Mom and dad had a great time on the cruise, despite the rainy day.  

The fog was setting in as I took this picture. Nice setting for a scary movie.  

The Gavinator--He's getting big!! We stopped for a picnic on our six-hour drive home. He is a jedi master and challenges anyone to a stick fight.  

Ice ahoy! The captain of the ship was great. He sailed in and out of these like a pro.  

Valdez--Here is one of numerous Ice bergs floating in the sea.  

Worthington Glacier, August 12. We got to hike up to a glacier today. Glaciers filter out every color but blue in the ice.  

Valdez, Alaska-- Here is a ship in the harbor at Valdez.