Just a short one today as we are in library and have just a few minutes left on the computer before the session runs out.

We survived and greatly enjoyed our birding ordeal at St. Paul Island. We birded through mist, fog, rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow with temperatures never exceeding 40 degrees and the wind chill 10 to 15 degrees colder. There is nothing like the sound of ice coated grass crinkling under your feet as you walk toward the sea cliffs.

We saw a number of extremely rare birds including a great knot and smew on this patch of tundra in the Bering Sea. Also cliff nesting species including puffin and auklets.

[img_assist|fid=1092|thumb=1|alt=Going into the Yukon|caption=Arriving in the Yukon Territory with Minnie.|width=100|height=75]

[img_assist|fid=1098|thumb=1|alt=RV Park Haines Junction, Yukon Territory|caption=Our RV Park in Haines Junction was typical of establishments in small towns. It had everything: clothes, convenience store, gas, and great for us- a terrific view of the mountains and access to a nature trail. You may notice that gas was $1.15, that is per liter, and works out to just under $4 per gallon, US currency.|width=100|height=75]

Well, we are international travelers sort of. Our Alaska adventure began with the ferry trip to Haines. There we enjoyed coastal scenery and many many sea birds. Trees were leafing out and snow was receeding.

On our last day we drove about thirty miles up the Haines Highway and found nesting trumpeter swans and enjoyed a "33 burger" at a country restaurant and gas station at mile-post 33. The road followed the Chilcat River that yielded sights of moose, dozens of eagles, and our first arctic terns of the year. The valley was beginning to show signs of spring, but several feet of snow remained around the thawing marshes and rushing river.

We have arrived. Our mobile home is parked in a tiny RV Park on the waterfront along the Lynn Canal Fjord. Paved but rough Front Street behind us runs along the shore. A gravel road leads up through town. Snow covered peaks penetrate the sky through bare trees above house roofs. The small boat hrbor with its fishing and recreational craft is next door. We will watch there for fishermen returning with their catch.

In front of us is the arm of the sea. Across it is "Santa Claus" Mountain and the rest of the Boundary Range. Its slopes extend vertically above the water a few thousand feet and then slope back several thousand more feet up to the peak. Dark trees cover much of the lower slopes. Little snow clings to the sheer walls, but whiteness reaches the water line in a few notches. Above the vertical walls the powder becomes dozens of feet deep and forms pure white barrens. In places these appear soft and cottony. In others avalanches have given it a wrinkled appearance.

Another rainy day on the Washington coast, but aren’t they all? We enjoyed a mid-day window when the sun almost shone to visit a state park near Blaine. A walk through deep forest rewarded us with views of giant cedars and spruces and a multitude of mosses and ferns that thrive in this moist climate. Winter wrens rattled the woods with their chatter, but there is still no sign of the warblers and flycatchers that we had hoped to see arrive. They have one more day to get here.

Friday is departure day and we will focus on the loading of our vehicles. Anticipating higher gas prices in Alaska we will top off both the motor home and auto tanks. We also will refill the propane tank. Heat will likely be necessary in the 50th state. A check of the Weather Channel finds that the forecast for Haines is similar to that for Bellingham. Cool and wet. Inland at Tok, the forecast is sunny but with freezing nights. The sunshine could be welcome after a week at Haines.

We are in the Tacoma area this morning visiting old friends and enjoying the tulips and dogwoods under the always somewhat cloudy skies. We have been here two days and have yet to see Mt. Rainier. The western sky has remained a jumble of ominous gray clouds that completely hide the white colossus. It may yet appear in the remaining 24 hours of our stay.

During our visit here we are staying in a guesthouse. Minnie sits quiet and cold in the driveway. We both enjoy the spaciousness of the house and miss the familiarity of our cozy road abode. This morning we stepped back into the RV to retrieve various items, including the Mac on which I prepare this statement. Tomorrow we will have to make several trips to return our paraphernalia before departing.

Western Oregon is cool and damp and glowing with spring green. We are here primarily to visit family and are enjoying our stay, and finding the change of weather refreshing. We traveled from a Death Valley that was heating up to a Mammoth Lakes where spring was scarcely to be found. From there we crossed the Sierras to the Central Valley where spring had sprung and the farmers were busy planting rice and harvesting strawberries. Rain arrived as we left and it followed us across the Trinity Range and past magnificent Mt. Shasta to Oregon’s verdant land of pastures and great forests. Here the cherries are in bloom and the grass is growing faster than the cattle can eat it.

[img_assist|fid=1045|thumb=1|alt=Anne, Chuck, and Marta on top of Mammoth Mountain|caption=You can be a little short of breath at >11,000 feet!|width=100|height=75]

We have been somewhat incommunicado, but are now blessed with both cell phone and internet access for at least a few days. We have traveled far since our last message.

We arrived in Las Vegas and found it big and gaudy but also welcoming. Our reunions with Chuck’s nephew and his cousin were wonderful. One treasures family and seeing those with whom you share a common thread.

We camped at Sam’s Town RV Park, cruised the big city, and visited surrounding “birdy areas” including Red Rock Canyon, Mohave National Preserve and Desert National Wildlife Range. On our last evening we walked part of the famous Las Vegas strip. Caesars’ Palace is grand, the Bellagio has fountains, and thousands of tourists stream beneath the bright lights.

Early afternoon. We have lunched and I just turned on the air conditioning. The temperature will be in the 90s again this afternoon. Cooler tomorrow and we are heading north toward Las Vegas on Wednesday. Last week may become our hottest of the year!

Yuma is a border town in more ways than one. Mexico is not far south and California is just west across the Colorado River. It is around Yuma that the great river is sucked dry. Some of the water is conveyed by a flume, the "All American Canal" to Mexico. Most of the balance is similarly transported to the farmlands that now comer its former floodplain in Arizona and California. With daily sunshine and usually warm weather, the desert becomes a vegetable factory.