Saturday, October 6, 2007

4-Wheeling on the Tundra


We went 4-wheeling with our good friend Greg Harr and his two sons. It was crazy! David rented a "Rhino." It’s one of those bigger 4-wheelers where you sit side-by-side with the passenger. On the drive there David and Greg took turns sharing stories of how amazing these Rhinos are, how they are able to go where nothing else can. We had only been out riding a few minutes when we came upon an open - very wet - marsh. (You have to remember for this next part that before this I had only been 4-wheeling in the dry Utah desert, which turns out to be very different from the spongy Alaska tundra.) So of course I put the Rhino to the test, I was sure it could take the marsh. I went ahead full speed, and got royally stuck. Long story short, David and Greg spent the next two hours trying to get us unstuck, bringing each 4-wheeler in to help, and getting each new one stuck. There was a point when I was seriously worried; if we couldn't get unstuck what would we do - what could get them out? But thanks to Greg's super winch, and to David's and Greg’s efforts of tearing trees down to put under the wheels - we were freed. The best part was watching David try to keep everyone clean so that we wouldn't dirty his truck!




Hike

Inside Passage












My parent's had a wonderful Alaska inside passage cruise trip planned for over a year. My Dad had been looking forward to taking this trip for many years. As it turned out the their trip was scheduled for the second week David and I moved to Alaska. So I fiqured why not see how much it would cost if tagged along (fun for them, right!). The third person cost was only $99 (they just had to share their room with me, he he). Whahooo!!! Needless to say I went. Here are some pictures of our trip.

Up to Alaska




My parent's weren't too happy to see us head off to the last frontier !



David's favorite stop along the way. We had a steak which was "just barely butchered from a pasture down the road," (in the opinion of David's taste buds)

Our first view of Canada, it was beautiful. Lots of yellow.


The start of the Great Alaskan Highway (in Canada)


My favorite stop, Liard Hot Springs



We ran into David's dental school friend at Liard hot springs, he was on his way to practice in Alaska as well.



Up to Alaska (cont.)

Here are the best videos we took of the trip up...