July 28, 2025
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, USA
I always wanted to try a
dog sled in Alaska, but heard that the romantic notion of them cruising over the snow was interrupted by the reality that the dogs poop was flung back at you, as they raced! So this outing seemed perfect, an elevated sled and they advertised puppies! This devoted couple were truly passionate about their business. His great grandfather was involved in the evolution of the
Iditarod and it has been the family's business for years. They have 15 dogs of their own, he does the racing, she does the training.
We met at Tozier track and their office also serves as the museum to all things Iditarod.
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Enjoyed the sled dog ride with (L to R ) Paul, Holly and David.
We got up at 6:45am to get to National Park Forts Walk trail in the hope of seeing koalas . Prior walkers mark trails with tree branches pointing in the direction of their sighting and we were luck enough to see 3 markers in our first hour of hiking. It is so stinking hot and humid the success we had made it bearable. The koala population on the island started with 20 brought over in 1930, to escape fur hunters. Today, the island boast 800 to 1000, and they are so cute and drowsy. They need 20 hours of sleep a day! The early morning is when they are the most active.
Just off the coast of Townsville, Australia is a special little island (that used to be part of mainland, hundreds of thousands years ago). The island was formed by molten granite that was pushed to the earth's surface with volcanic force.Over time the volcanic overlay weathered away leaving an extraordinary landscape of rounded domes and boulders, many as big as a house and spectcularly perched. Over Seventy Percent of the center of the Island is a National Park. There is lots of wildlife here too - koalas, rock wallabies, snakes & birds.
This is my third time in CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA and I really enjoy how walkable, clean and charming it is. The waterfront esplanade and lagoon area is a nice walk day or night. We had 2 nights here in the waterfront Shangri La Marina Hotel while waiting for the Ship to arrive and then 2 additional days in Port.