2012-7 Alabama, Georgia, Alaska
Hello
All,
While on our trip to the Panama Canal we received a phone call advising that one of our adult daughters in Alaska was in the hospital in intensive care. She was paralyzed from the waist down and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. We were in a state of shock trying to figure out how our daughter, a perfectly healthy woman, could become inflicted with something that we knew nothing about and could hardly pronounce the name of it.
Upon arriving home in Alabama we knew that our top priority was to recuperate from our trip and then go north to help out our daughter in Alaska.
The early season flowers in our yard were starting to bloom. We do love Mother Nature and all her beautiful colors so of course we made time to record the elegance of the iris and clematis.
While on our trip to the Panama Canal we received a phone call advising that one of our adult daughters in Alaska was in the hospital in intensive care. She was paralyzed from the waist down and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. We were in a state of shock trying to figure out how our daughter, a perfectly healthy woman, could become inflicted with something that we knew nothing about and could hardly pronounce the name of it.
Upon arriving home in Alabama we knew that our top priority was to recuperate from our trip and then go north to help out our daughter in Alaska.
The early season flowers in our yard were starting to bloom. We do love Mother Nature and all her beautiful colors so of course we made time to record the elegance of the iris and clematis.
We
also listed our house with a real estate agent. We had taken it off the market
during the winter months, but were anxious to restart the process of selling
and moving out west.
Next we packed our bags and drove to Atlanta, Georgia, to catch a flight to Anchorage, Alaska. Arriving in Atlanta with about 12 hours to spare before our flight time we decided to take in the Atlanta Zoo. It was a great distraction for us to watch the animals with all their funny antics and to snap their pictures when they held still enough to accomplish it.
These flamingoes were quite stoic.
Next we packed our bags and drove to Atlanta, Georgia, to catch a flight to Anchorage, Alaska. Arriving in Atlanta with about 12 hours to spare before our flight time we decided to take in the Atlanta Zoo. It was a great distraction for us to watch the animals with all their funny antics and to snap their pictures when they held still enough to accomplish it.
These flamingoes were quite stoic.
The
Giant Panda was very active--most of the time, they are just lying around and
snoozing. What an awesome creature.
Orangutans
just make us laugh. They are one of our favorites to photograph. This guy
seemed to be posing for his portrait.
Without
a doubt this big “silver back” gorilla munching leaves was king of the mountain.
This
baby gorilla, although curious, wasn’t straying too far from its momma.
Our
flight to Alaska was long. Our plan upon arrival was to assist our daughter with
household chores and to get her to doctor appointments, physical therapy
sessions, and of course moral support. Doctors and therapists were very
optimistic that with hard work and a good attitude she would regain the use of
her legs.
Whenever we had some spare time we took her on rides through the beautiful Alaska countryside. Alaska’s magnificence helps refresh the mind and the soul. It provides the opportunity to put your troubles on hold, put your worries aside, and just take in the awesomeness of it all. As opportunities availed themselves we snapped photos to capture wildlife or scenic moments. The following are some of those photos.
This photo was taken from the town of Nikiski looking across Cook Inlet at Mt. Redoubt. It was a beautiful clear spring day. Mt. Redoubt is one of the many active volcanoes in Alaska.
Whenever we had some spare time we took her on rides through the beautiful Alaska countryside. Alaska’s magnificence helps refresh the mind and the soul. It provides the opportunity to put your troubles on hold, put your worries aside, and just take in the awesomeness of it all. As opportunities availed themselves we snapped photos to capture wildlife or scenic moments. The following are some of those photos.
This photo was taken from the town of Nikiski looking across Cook Inlet at Mt. Redoubt. It was a beautiful clear spring day. Mt. Redoubt is one of the many active volcanoes in Alaska.
Here
is a snowshoe hare that visited our daughter’s backyard every morning--they are
snow white during winter months and brown during the summer. As you can see in
the following photo taken in April, it is in-between the winter and summer
color phases. They get the name “snowshoe” because of the large size of their
hind feet. These large feet prevent them from sinking into the snow when walking
or hopping. The feet also have fur on the soles to protect them from freezing
temperatures.
April
is “breakup” season for much of Alaska. After the long winter months it is
always nice to see the snow starting to melt and ice on the lakes start
disappearing. This is the time of year that waterfowl start arriving and a
little ice on the lakes doesn’t deter them in the least.
It
is the time of year that waterfowl start pairing up for the upcoming mating
season. In this photo a pair of Mallard ducks were taking a little break on a
thin ice shelf.
And
wherever we went there were always majestic Bald Eagles keeping an eye out for
an easy meal.
Here
are a couple of cabins on serene Lower Summit Lake where the highway dissects
the Kenai Mountains. They are lovely retreats for both winter and summer
activities.
And
this is the mighty aqua green Kenai River. In another month it would be loaded
with fisherman trying to catch a limit of salmon or rainbow trout. It is a
world renowned fishing destination. During the summer months the State of
Alaska provides ferry service to spread the hoards of fishermen to both sides
of the river. It’s quite a site to see.
After
a month of lending a hand in Alaska it was time for us to return to Alabama.
Our daughter had progressed nicely and was now walking with the assistance of a
walker. We were so happy with her hard work and progress.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns