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Green Ski Trails in the Summer

A virtual tour with Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT

I'm not a skier, so I can't judge the skill needed to maneuver these hills in winter -- with two thin boards stuck to the bottom of my feet. And since I'm not as flexible as I once was, I doubt I could make it all the way down in one piece. Look at all those trees you have to dodge!!

Nope. As much as I like new experiences, I'm satisfied to watch the trails from solid ground. Of course, the "ground" on which I was standing when I took this picture was a couple hundred feet in the air, since I was standing in a cable car. The slopes below us are a good representation of many of the mountains in the area after the snow has melted from the lower elevations, while remaining higher up.

When we got to the top, we had lunch overlooking these mountains and a delightful discussion with a family who were taking the same tour we did but in reverse order, from Fairbanks to Ketchikan. We crossed paths because their schedule had them joining our Alaska Sightseeing group for this one day as they headed south. He is a very busy doctor and takes a month off each year to recharge his batteries, bringing his wife and children with him all over the world.

As we shared our impressions of what we had all seen so far, the teen-age daughter said she was disappointed in the Denali wildlife tour. She had seen many more animals in Kenya. And a lion is admittedly more exciting than caribou munching on grass. But since I haven't been to Kenya, I figured Denali, which we would see the next day, would be just fine with me, at least at this stage of my world travels.

Continue the tour with My Favorite Alaskan Train Picture

© Copyright 2000, Revised 2002, Arlene F. Harder, MA, MFT