The dog-less trip to Alaska. Ed and I left Seattle EARLY in the morning May 20. Roger and Ed's son Andrew will join us in about a week and a half. It was a beautiful flight leaving Seattle.

... and flying into Anchorage

Shortly after we landed, we picked up our baggage composed of four large bags and two bike boxes. This is in addition to our carry-on and "personal item" (in my case, the laptop. (We travel light). Then we had to put our bikes together. We found a quiet corner of the airport and set up shop.

We checked the remainder of our bags and then headed out on bikes. We encountered a bike path as soon as we left the airport. In fact, there are bike paths everywhere in Anchorage -- it's fantastic. We biked 15 to 20 miles, skirting town and biking along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. We even found some neat mountain-biking paths.

Our first view of wildlife ... this fellow was ambling across the trail -- not a good creature to meet on a bike!

View from the coastal trail

We biked to the rental car place, where we picked up our mini-van. Then we returned to the airport to pick up our bags. Next, we dropped off our bike boxes at the bike shop in town that had generously agreed to store them for us. With our administrative tasks accomplished, we decided to go for a hike!

We chose Flattop, a mountain right outside of town. It's a good workout with incredible views of the inlet and mountains.

Sufficiently exercised, we made our way north towards Willow, stopping in Eagle River at the Sleeping Dog Cafe for a latte. (Like bike paths, espresso stands and cafes have sprung up everywhere.) We arrived in Willow at 8 PM and finally sat down to dinner with Natalie, family, and friends, at 10 PM at night -- under bright sunny skies.