Stampin Up Alaskan Cruise Part 3

Its time for Part 3 of our Stampin' Up! Alaskan Cruise trip. This was my most favorite day of the trip. In Part 2, we left off in downtown Skagway.

So, after we took the train and bus tour, we then had another excursion to Denver Glacier. We boarded a helicopter that took us over the mountains, forests, glaciers and the most amazing scenery on our way to Denver Glacier to go on an authentic dog sled ride!

But, first we all had to wear these fancy Glacier Boots to walk on the glacier snow and ice. The boots fit over top of our regular shoes. We also had to wear belts that had a floating device attached because we were flying over water.

Waiting to board. We were all weighed beforehand as the weight had to be evenly distributed on the helicopter.

We then boarded the helicopter. I was so excited. I rode a helicopter once before in Hawaii (on our honeymoon) and I got so motion sick. This time, I was prepared, because I wasn't going to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity. I was so excited for my kids to ride for the first time and witness their reactions.

We all had headphones so we could hear and converse with the pilot.

I must have been praying in this photo.

All thumbs up and ready to roll!

The beauty of the Tongass National Forest, down below was breath-taking.

The Tongass National Forest is the largest National Forest in all of Alaska. It covers over 16 million acres!

The Tongass is also the largest Rainforest in North America and the 5th largest rainforest in the world.

We soared over glorious glaciers and majestic mountains with crystal clear lakes in view.

We can see the dog sled camp, coming into view. The camp is directly located on the Denver Glacier.

And... we have landed!

This is the housing and transportation on the glacier. The campers live in these huts all summer long.

It was super sunny and warm that day. The best weather they have had in forever. In fact, the tour guides told us that this particular tour always cancels due to weather. We were lucky to get to take the tour as it doesn't happen often.

We were able to meet, make friends and cuddle with these sweet natured dogs as soon as we arrived. These are Alaskan Huskies, which is actually a mixed breed dog. That's why they all look so different.

There are many college students who work their summers at the dog sled camp. Everyone we talked to loved working with, playing with and taking care of these high energy dogs. These dogs live to run- they couldn't wait to take us for a ride.

This is cute little Juneau napping in the warm sunshine. They really love the snow and the care takers mentioned that it was a little too warm for their liking.

These dogs are THE dogs that run the famous Iditarod sled dog race across Alaska. So, they are pretty famous pups!

It was cool to hear the mushers explain each of the dogs personalities and who liked to have their ears scratched or which dog preferred their belly rubbed. They knew these dogs so well and we could tell how much they loved their jobs.

It was time to take a ride. We each had a turn at being a junior musher and got to help "drive" the sled.

There are always 12 dogs pulling the sled. 

There was one other person on our sled ride with us, besides the musher. He was from Mexico and this was his VERY FIRST time seeing snow! That's going all out on your first sight of snow- don't you think? It was fun to watch him. He kept giggling and giggling as he felt the snow in his hands.

And we're off! These dogs could not wait to run! In fact, the two lead dogs kept fighting over who was the real leader of the pack.

It was glacier, snow, mountains and sky, for miles and miles as far as the eye could see.

In fact, the camp workers fly to town only once a week to get a shower. Now thats what I call, "roughing it!" They do have a chef on the glacier that cooks all their meals, so that kind of makes up for the lack of baths. Right?

Afterwards, we got to "love" on the dogs again.

And cuddle puppies...

We had such an amazing experience with these friendly dogs and fabulous camp crew. We learned so much and experienced something that is beyond words.

Now, back into the helicopter we go.

More glorious scenery to be seen.

Flying over ice fields and glaciers...

and Rainforests and lakes..

Ready to land and we see our ship, Royal Caribbean, Explorer of the Seas, in the distance.

I think you can see why this was my most favorite day of the entire trip! And its not over yet!

Next, we were off to get dinner. Chase said he wasn't leaving Alaska until he had Alaskan King Crab legs. So this was our next stop.

These were the biggest Alaskan King crab legs we've ever seen. Even bigger that the ones Maci and I had the day before.

One and a half pounds each, to be exact!

We were pulling out chunks of meat the size of golf balls. Yum!

The shrimp wasn't bad either!  The restuarant was right on the water, so the seafood was literally scooped out and plopped on your plate!

And since this was a Stampin' Up! cruise- in case you forgot... I've leave you with a few samples from the displays on the ship, featuring the new Holiday Catalog!

Country Home stamp set.

Trick or Tweet stamp set.

Pleasant Pheasants stamp set.

I hope you enjoyed Part 3 of our Alaskan Cruise adventure. I have more to share and will do that soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until the next time...

Keep on Stampin' and Come back again soon!