Trails and puppy dog tails

If this blog title would have sounded good with bison tails in the title I would have added it.  However, it just couldn't roll of the tongue.  May 1st brought us our first calf of the season!  Since then we have had at least 13 Wood bison born!  luckily we don't have to bottle raise these critters.  Their moms do a great job.  We just sit back and literally watch.  We are expecting around 40 calves this summer!

                                                       PHOTO CREDIT:DOUG LINDSTRAND

 Meanwhile the new interns have started rolling in.  Kara was showing newbie intern Jeremy Brooks how to walk a reindeer.

Jeremy is from Montana.  We also have interns this summer from Ohio, Florida, Minnesota, Georgia, New York, and even one from Canada!

I left a few states out but off the top of my head that's all I can remember.

PHOTO CREDIT:DOUG LINDSTRAND

 The black bears are finally awake!  These 2 slept in for nearly 6 months!  I was actually surprised at how long they slept since we didn't have much of a winter.

They must have really liked their new dens.

Kuma was enjoying his view from the top of one of his dens when Doug Lindstrand snapped this photo.



This is a view of one of the bison herds we have here at AWCC.  This herd consists mainly of pregnant females.                              PHOTO CREDIT:DOUG LINDSTRAND

 Meanwhile I still needed to have some summer adventures with the puppy.  The weather we have been having since nearly Easter has just been amazing!

It has been in the high 60's nearly the past 2 weeks!

Zelda and I have really been enjoying the trails opening up early this year with there being hardly any snow on the trails.

You can sort of see the mountain fading out behind us in this photo.

On monday we packed my truck full of backpacks, interns, water, food, and 1 dog; and set forth to conquer Bird Ridge trail.

This 5 mile round trip trail proved to be worth the work when you get paid in views like these!

This photo on the right shows Turnagain Arm directly behind Beth.

2 newbie interns Connor and Jeremy also joined Beth and I on their day off.











 Don't worry she isn't a close to the edge as she looks.....

On wednesday I wanted to stretch my legs on my day off.  I also was VERY sore from that Bird Ridge hike 2 days prior.

After having some coffee I took Zelda out with Tug (my bosses dog).  They immediately jumped into Placier River.  Did I mention that we don't have sand beaches.....they are mud flats!  So I had one dirty dog!

After cleaning Zelda off we loaded up a vehicle once again and went to do a short but scenic hike over in Whittier,AK.  Other than me the other 4 people on the hike had never been to Whittier.

You literally drive through a one way tunnel to enter Whittier.  The tunnel only opens on the half hour to enter.  It opens on the hour to leave.

Talk about literally getting stuck in a town!  the tunnel closes every night at 11PM.

Well we couldn't leave without getting a group photo!  Portage glacier is directly behind us.

We were lucky enough to even see the glacier calve 3 times!

What is calving?  Calving is basically when a glacier has pieces of ice break off it into the water.





Before we even left Whittier; Zelda was passed out in the car and ready for a nap.  We both were!
Tomorrow all the interns and I are off to Seward,AK for some interpretation training.  we only have to leave at 6AM!

I better go get some shut eye!
Goodnight lower 48,
Erin and Zelda