September | 2012 | Papamikeonatrike

Well here we are back to riding again after a wonderful month off in Alaska, traveling with Helena and visiting Uncle Jim and my Sister Gail.

Dropped the rent car off near downtown, not far from the Capital Mall. A little while to get the Bike set up and away I went. There is an interurban bicycling and walking trail connecting the major towns in this county. Really a beautiful ride. Interstate 5 down to Centeralia, Wash is is 30 miles by the bike path and back roads it is 50. Worth the extra miles. I am feeling pretty fit, no major aches or pains. The rest did me well.

: Here is the ICE Trike all ready to go with the Burley trailer in tow once again. The rent car in behind it.

: This is the way to start off again, off the main road and just easy pedaliing along. I pleasantly surprised how good I feel physically and relaxed after just a couple of miles.

: Starting from the Olympia the capital of Washington, really perfect weather the goal is to my sister Frances and her Husband Jerry home in Portland. Hope to visit my cousin Lawrence Welsh as well

: 08-24 Fri The Bed&Breakfast is a lot nicer than the tent or Hostil – Up early and rode the bike and traler to the trainstation while Helena took a cab with her luggage

: On the trin out of Fairbanks to Anchorage Alaska.

: The view across the Borel forest

: The view of Nenanna from the railroad bridge Last week I was here over the car bridge and caught the train here back to Fairbanks.

: Yes it is cool and we are having a grand time. I like this train riding with passengers.

: The from the open air viewing platform on the railcar. How cool.

: River Rafters down below.

: yet another bridge crossing on the the way to Denali

: A short short stop a Denali National Park – The clouds covered Mount Mckinly – the Dome train car is the way to travel through here.

: Looking down as we cross one of the Bridges.

: How about that we went through Wasillia – almost as usual it is not a remote small town it is depicted to be in the press – a modern suburb of Greater Anchorage.

: There was some time for reading and napping during the 12 hour train ride. Did you hear Alaska is BIG.

: End of the line – Beautiful Train ride.

: Info center in downtown Anchorage, Ak

: Let go for a bike ride. -They don’t have a recombent trike

: Anchorage has miles and miles of

: You know this Vacation in a Vacation is really nice with the right people. We are having fun.

: Some of the sea life out here.

: This may be another adventure – Sea Kayaking along the Alaska, Canada coast for a few months.

: 08-26 Sun This picture does not due the enormity of this glacier Justice.08-26 Sun This picture does not due the enormity of this glacier Justice.

: 08-26 Sun The views are spectacular and the weather is cool

: View from the Bus of some Glaciers – Alaska has more Glaciers than the rest of the world combined. You tell the Glacirer by the blue Ice and it moves down hill.

: Taking the bus for a boat trip to the Glaciers – we stopped along Turnaround Bay(named by Captain Cook) to view some Bulega Whales going by.

: 08-26 Mon The Ice Trike and wagon are loaded – The suite case goes to the cabin for the next 4 and half days.

: Mon Whitter – this is where the Cruise ships and the Ferry come in and out – Built by the Military in 1942 as alternative to Anchorage because has deep harbor and rains most of the time(and not today) They picked it because when it is cloudy the bombers back then would have a hard time seeing it. There is very cool Train/Car one lane Tunnel 2 and 1/2 miles long through a mountain to get here as well.

: 08-26 Mon Morning and it is off to the tran again for a short trip to Whittier to catch the Alaskan Ferry.08-26 Mon Morning and it is off to the tran again for a short trip to Whittier to catch the Alaskan Ferry.

: 08-28 Tue A stroll on the deck windy and cool, The Alaskan Ferry is the way to travel. Once the the folks we meet are great.

: 08-28 Tues and for a nice comfortable warm view you have the inside lounge.

: Tues the views from the deck are wonderful.

: An Otter in the bay where we pulled in for a few hours.

: here is a great shot of the Eagle.. Funny not many people noticed him until I started taking a couple of pictures – Then we saw the other one eating.

: Caught an Eagle having some lunch

: Here is the other one on the railing.The ravens like to follow to pick up some scrapes and will harass one until the eagle leaves.

: rolling along the inland passage

: Along the Inside passage of Canada

: is this heaven or what.

: The last night on the ferry and the sun is setting – A Really great ride. Best of all I didn’t get seasick.

: 09-03 Monday Out for an overnight sail on Puget Sound with my Uncle Jim and Helena. Things just keep on getting better all the time.

: The view of the Seattle skyline from Puget Sound.,

You can take a vacation from a vacation.

Helena joined me in Fairbanks and together we rode the Alaska Railroad Train 12 hours to Anchorage, Alaska. The railroad views and comfort are spectacular. Dome windows and outside viewing porches. (reminded me of the days riding freight trains from California to Virginia.)

In Anchorage there was sightseeing and rented bicycles for a ride along the coast – great paved bike paths in Anchorage.

Took a tour bus trip and Glacier Tour Boat to Blackstone Bay. Whales, porpoise and seals. There was a group of Kayakers out on the bay(this might be a next adventure)

We boarded the Train again in Anchorage for the short trip to Whitter, AK to catch the Alaska Marine Ferry to Bellingham, Arrive Whitter at a at 12:15PM and spend the day in a very small town. Loaded onto the Ferry at 10:00PM with a sail out at 11:45pm( still daylight)

We will do the Ferry ride again 1620 miles down the inside passage over 4 1/2 days. The people you meet and talk with are fantastic. The Views of ocean, shore, mountains, glaciers are immense. The sunsets (finally) are beautiful. The whales, sea lions, Eagles are wonderful.

All just this shows us there is beauty, safety and love in the world, and God is in the whole of His creation.

Upon arriving in Bellingham, Helena and I rented a car and drove to Edmond Washington to visit my Uncle Jim Welsh and Colleen.

Again Family ties are strong and long lasting, regardless of time and distances that may separate for awhile.

Uncle Jim has a 42′ sail boat, which he graciously took us out on for a day trip to introduce us to the Irish Merger. The next day we left for an overnight trip on Puget Sound.

Need I say now we want to get a sail boat.

Again another wonderful time visiting and living in Edmonds.

My sister Gail and we had dinner on the water the night before we left for Seatac airport. Again family and time and distance are close.

Funny how we all share many of same mannerisms, speech patterns, looks and views, mostly unconscious about each other. Yet anyone who had never meet us, sees them in us immediately

So now I am posting mostly untitled pictures, of nearly a months vacation to have you see only a very small picture of the largeness that Helena and I experienced.