What a week!
The weather up here seems to be making up for how terrible it was this winter. We have had such amazing, sunshine filled days that I haven't posted a blog in nearly a month for a reason. It has simply been to gorgeous to stay on a computer longer than 15 minutes.
Zelda and I have had so many adventures.We hiked bird ridge last week.
Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles one way Elevation Gain: 3400 feet Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Zelda and I had our first multi-day hiking/camping trip with Caines Head trail.
on a Friday night we drove to Seward,AK (with other friends) and hiked the 2 miles into our first spot for the evening.
The next morning (saturday) we hiked out with a beautiful sunrise to find our next nights's camping spot another 2.5 miles away.
A beautiful waterfall Jeremy, Kevin, and I posed in front of along the the walk to the final camping spot.
Hooray! the next camping spot.
Caines head trail is most noted for the historical army barracks you can see along the trails.
This area of the land actually sank about 10 ft. during the 1964 earthquake.
Hiking along the trail you will find a few monuments to the men who served in this part of Alaska.......
This monument notes:
The 250th and 267th Coast Artillery
"To all the Men who bravely fought the unpredictable and unseen foes of cold and dark isolation, severe weather, impenetrable wilderness and relentless seas all the while defending this country's precious freedom......."
The inside of Fort McGilvray.......a weapons room?
seems a bit creepy....
Once arriving at the Fort McGilvray site; we were overlooking Resurrection Bay.
WORTH IT.
Distance: 4.7 miles Elevation Gain: 3500 feet Difficulty: Moderate
We feel good after a long hike.
When I wasn't on an adventure with Zelda; I was learning some pretty cool things at The AK Zoo. We made homemade paper out of the scrap construction paper cuttings. It was so much fun! First we took the left over colors we wanted from our scrap bin. Then we threw them in a blender and soaked in water for a minute or 2 before blending to one delicious looking construction paper smoothie. Then we poured over a filter in a nice filled in square. Once sponging the excess water out; we allowed to dry for 24-48 hours. Then we simply stenciled on a heart and cut them out. But wait! What's the point of these?
If you look closely notice the bird seed in the paper? Kids can actually take these home and plant them in their garden as is!
The reason for making the homemade plantable paper was for our upcoming event...."International Migratory bird Day" this event focuses on issues such as: how important bird habitats are to our environment, how to properly care for a pet bird, live bird presentations, and so much more!
This fellow posing below was representing The Alaska Bird Club.
http://www.alaskabirdclub.org/aab_main.shtml
Bird Treatment and Learning Center was also doing live bird presentations. Below is a Great Gray Owl.
We even had a guest making appearances throughout the zoo....
No it wasn't me and yes I have already worn this costume. (topic for another blog)
One of my favorite birds (Peregrine Falcon) was also brought in by Bird TLC.
Between hiking, making homemade paper, and International Migratory Bird Day.....oh wait almost forgot....
look closely.....
notice anything that shouldn't be there......
Zelda finally met a cousin of Snickers the porcupine. It wasn't nearly as excited to see Zelda as she was to meet it.
Even the goats were exhausted after this long week.......
Ok so between hiking, making homemade paper, international migratory bird day, and porcupine quills; this past few weeks were so fun and exciting!!!!!
Ready for the summer camps to start at the zoo!
Goodnight lower 48,
Erin
