Finn's prepared...

We're taking the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) to Skagway, AK tomorrow, then driving to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory for a 3-day vacation... Then back down to Skagway where I have a meeting on Friday.  Ferry back to Juneau on Saturday.  Whitehorse has some kind of pool/waterpark and also a hot springs where we expect to be spending quite a bit of time.

Finn just showed me that he's packed and ready to go.  He emptied is pack and showed me all he needs:  2 swimsuits.  1 magic wand.  2 capes.  And 1 pound of twizzlers.   What else could a guy need??

HUGE brown bear

Went along on a cruise yesterday... Still inside Glacier Bay National Park, but outside Glacier Bay proper. This bear was pretty far off, but we could tell it was big... just had no idea exactly how big until I zoomed in after I took the photo. Sorry they're a little blurry, but I was reaching way out there with a 400mm lens. These are zoomed in and cropped so you can get decent look at the bear.This pig probably just emerged from the den just a week, maybe two ago. The size is amazing, and that huge silver head, and the belly nearly dragging on the ground, and the haunches... just amazing. Yes, there are places in the world where creatures like this still grow and ultimately die of old age... There was another large, mature brown bear just a couple miles from this monster.

Bears are out and cruising the shorelines in full force... in just a few hours on the boat, we saw 3 black bears and these two brownies. Plus all the usual whales, otters, sea birds, sea lions, etc.

Finn's Close Call

Riding bikes yesterday out in front of Thunder Mountain High School... As I was recording, I was certain that he would hit the brakes. Instead he nearly face-planted into the side of the open truck door! Watch for him closing his eyes and bracing for the impact at the end... Sheesh... he rode away unscratched and unfazed... Note the teddy bear backpack, too, filled with snacks and - just in case they're needed - bandaids. Lots of 'em.