Hiking in Alaska

We decided to get out into the woods and try our hand at some winter hiking. It can be exhausting, walking through snow, similar to when you walk in sand. It was so gorgeous and SO quiet in the woods. It was interesting, because at first Bob and I were commenting on how quiet it was, but then when we listened for a while things seemed very loud-the wind, the trees, the birds. It was interesting how our perspective changed after being out there for a while.

Snow Angel!

This is me (bundled up like crazy).
We hiked back to the woods you see behind me and then explored.

It was fun attempting to walk through this hip deep snow.

It seems there are many parts of Alaska that can only be explored on foot/dog sled/snow mobile. It's really a treat to explore these more remote areas, most of them protected by the Government. The area we hiked is actually a Waterfowl refuge. About 20% of America's waterfowl nest in Alaska. Alaska supports nesting populations of at least 36 species of waterfowl, including many species and subspecies found nowhere else in the United States, North America, or the world. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

What a cool place! We'd like to go back to Fairbanks in the summer so we can see things like this, especially wildlife which normally migrates or hibernates during the winter months.

iz