September in Alaska #15 -- Last Day, a Sun Day

After rain and mist and snow and clouds, the weather finally cleared. It was a gorgeous day on the Kenai ...

The Kenai in early fall

... possibly the clearest I have ever seen in Alaska ...

Pretty vistas

I was so gorgeous, I called Alaska Airlines to see if we could extend a day or two.

Glacier near Girdwood

But, unfortunately, the only seats left on any flights out were first class and expensive. It was beautiful, but not worth over $1,000 for a few more hours.

Trumpeter Swans

So, we headed north to Anchorage, repacked our gear, picked up some halibut to go and headed home with some great images and memories.

This is soooo Alaska!

People often ask us why we go to Alaska so often (that, in addition to asking if we are going on one of those ginormous, impersonal cruises - yuck).

It's because it is so big and so primal. While there is civilization ...

Petersburg

... most of Alaska is truly unspoiled wilderness ...

Somewhere in the Lake Clark wilderness

The mountains are big ...

Denali

The oceans are big ...

Eldred Rock Lighthouse

The rivers are big ...

Denali National Park

The glaciers are big ...

Glacier Bay

The animals are big ...

Coastal Brown Bear

The landscape is magnificent ...

Hatcher Pass

It's also a bit risky ...

Moose at close range, Denali National Park

With your ability to see what you want to see dependent upon weather ...

Haines

Scientific phenomena ...

Soldotna aurora

Luck ...

Red Fox, Denali National Park

Persistence ...

Humpback Whale, Frederick Sound

And, yes, money ...

There is cost to this

We love its vastness ...

The middle of nowhere is everywhere

Its solitude ...

The Brooks Range

Its uniqueness ...

Polar Bear, Kaktovik

And, the thrill when it all comes together.

Young Brown Bear, Brooks Falls, Katmai National Park

Unfortunately, Alaska is addictive. I am already thinking about the next trip.

Keep Exploring!

Trip date: September 10-21, 2015