Alaska Trek - Crab Fisherman's Tour

On our Alaska trek we spent a short time in Ketchikan and we took a trek on the Aleutian Ballad. The Aleutian Ballad was featured, and became famous on the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award winning television series, Deadliest Catch. "On season two of that program, viewers watched in amazement as a crab boat was hit by a massive rogue wave, rolling it onto its side during a treacherous storm. That boat was the Fishing Vessel Aleutian Ballad, "

When we visited Ketchikan, Alaska, we took the opportunity to step on board and into the amazing world of Alaskan crab fishing via the "Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen's Tour."

It was wonderful and we experienced a lot of nature, including swooping bald eagles!

On our Alaska trek, this was one of several highlights. Yes, it was overcast, and yes, it did begin to drizzle. But we were under a steel canopy, the seas in the inland passage were calm, the temperatures were mild at 55F. So we had a really enjoyable time on this 3-1/2 hour "adventure."

I've made a brief video of only a small portion of this wonderful, guided tour on a fishing boat which has been voted "Best Alaska Tour."

I may prepare and post a second video, including the eagles and other scenes not included in the first video. A link to the website for the "Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour" is included in the post.

Here's the link to the official website:

http://alaskacrabtour.com/

Alaska - Tracy Arm Fjord

Sawyer Glacier - Our Destination

This is a continuation of treks and things we've done which took us away from our normal lives. I've expanded this in recent years as time and $$$$ permits. We have taken some treks with relatives who are getting older and had expressed a desire to do things they had not yet done. It's good to do these things while we are physically able and with family or friends.

One small group was an Alaska trek which included a cruise up the Tracy Arm fjord to the Sawyer Glacier. This was the second glacier I've seen in my life. I was able to walk on the first one with mountain goats. The trek up the Tracy Arm was a leisurely one on a cruise ship. No hiking required or possible. 

I'll post a video in a few days, but for now here are a few photos. .Update: The video is at the end of this post.

Maneuvering in the Fjord

Early in the morning we continued up the Tracy Arm Fjord to Sawyer Glacier. Sunrise was about 4:00am and I was outside by 5:00 to watch our progress.

As we proceeded slowly into the fjord, we passed waterfalls, floating ice and seals. The scenery gradually changed and we encountered more floating ice as we grew closer to the glacier.

First View - Sawyer Glacier

Seals in the Distance

Here's the video link, uploaded May 31:

Alaska Trek - Whale Watching

During our Alaska trek, we did some whale watching. I was amazed at how 'lush' and vibrant the waters were.

We were not disappointed, and the sea lions cavorted for us. The naturalist laughed at their behavior and said they were like large dogs and love to show off.

Stretching Our Legs - Hummingbird Hawk Moth

While trekking we like to stop from time to time and simply stretch our legs.

State Parks and forest preserves are great places to do this and discover nature. We both like the smell and feel  of the forest.

On one such walk we came upon the Hawk-Moth, which many confuse to be a hummingbird. The video slows down the beating wings so they can be seen. In fact, to the naked eye the wings are a blur.

Warren Dunes May 2015

This year, we plan on spending some time along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. To that end, we visited the Warren Dunes last week. Of course, where we go this summer will be determined in part by the time available. Currently the schedule is busy.

The dunes is a fun spot. It's popular with hikers, bathers and youth groups. According to the Michigan DNR "The rugged dune formation rises 260 feet above the lake and offers spectacular views and excellent for hang gliding. The park has three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails and is open year-round."  Entry via motor vehicle requires a "Recreation Passport" which is $9 daily and $31 annually for non-Michigan vehicles. 

In the Spring there are the swallows. During the fall, there is the migration of Monarch butterflies. Here are two videos. One was made a week ago, the other last fall. 

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Thetford Toilet Repair

Last fall we detected a problem with the Thetford toilet. The following video describes it, how it was a minor fresh water supply line leak and how it was repaired. Having TFE paste and the proper tools were a necessity.

Spring Startup - Oh, Oh, the slide has jammed

We have a long term plan. That includes shorter term components.

We took the RT out of winter storage and moved it to the location we decided upon last summer.

My experiences with a camper van includes two peak periods. One is prepping it for the winter storage and the other is taking it out of winter storage. After that, we enjoy.

Now. I admit I'm new to this. So there are always mini-adventures in taking the RT out of storage. Was anything damaged by the winter freeze? Did anything break or fail? Was my "winterizing" regimen successful?

So, when we power up the RT we check everything and look for issues or problems. As I like to tell my friends, this is like powering up one's home each spring after hibernating for the winter.

This year, we did encounter a problem which I would put in the "show stopper" category.

I check most of the major systems in the fall, make preparations for the winter and then recheck in the spring. I also took the RT to the Chevrolet dealer for the 15,000 mile service, which includes new wipers, replacing the engine oil with new Mobile One synthetic, rotating the tires and a good general check of the entire vehicle. After a clean bill of health by Haggerty Chevrolet in Wheaton, we drove to the location of the RT for the next six months.

Setup was uneventful. But on the morning after, the large slide-out would not open. This is a "show stopper" as opening this slide-out is essential for dumping the grey and black water tanks. Of course, if we can't open this slide-out we can't get to the BBQ, or the lawn chairs and firewood, either!

I was successful in solving this problem. The following video indicates how, and some other spring preparation: