Back from Alaska

I got back to Nashville after 6 days in Alaska. It went great except for one thing---I did not see the northern lights. That was because there was a full moon the night before I left, otherwise I would have continued on to Fairbanks. Some people said they saw the lights, but I never did. I was out in the night and toward morning. Got to beware of grizzly bears! Denali Park and Mt. McKinley were the best. We drove 63 miles into the park and were there over 9 hours. We saw wildlife: grizzlies, moose, wolves, caribou and Dall sheep. I ate caribou meat. I rode the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Denali. It was a 7 hour train ride and quite scenic. We crossed many rivers created by glacier water. Alaska is a big place. I learned there are no snakes. It was about 50 degrees in the day and 30 degrees at night. I came back to Anchorage for my last day and did the town. I went to the Museum of History and Art. There are exhibits about native culture, local artists and Alaskan birds. Alaskans are friendly.

JIM COLYER http://www.jimcolyer.com