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Our Celebration Senior Travel Adventure!
you the water was rough! But remember, she had never actually by John Ownby
seen water when she was growing up! Maybe it was a bit choppy
for a few minutes, but I don’t consider views. Some of the
water to be rough unless it’s coming over wildlife we spotted
the bow of the boat (or raft)! We didn’t included moose, dall sheep, snowshoe
get wet at all, and our guide did a great job hares, caribou, and a grizzly bear who was
navigating around the floating ice. digging for wild Alaskan potatoes near a
After seeing the Spencer Iceberg, we stream. This tour was so fascinating that 8
entered the Placer River channel and hours went by before you could say, “I saw a
floated downstream for 7 miles, with our grizzly bear digging Alaskan potatoes!”
guide pointing out different sights along The People of Alaska
the way. Pam not only survived her “water I can’t say enough good things about the
adventure,” she actually enjoyed it! Alaskan people we met. Alaskans are
very much in touch with their culture, their
Sled Dogs history, and the land where they live. You
Going on Mitch Seavey’s Real Alaska cannot separate the land from the people,
nor the culture, nor the history -- all is
Tour was something I couldn’t wait to do. tightly woven into a wonderful fabric. I
Mitch Seavey has won the Iditarod 1,000- won’t mention full names, but here are a few
mile dog sled race numerous times over examples of the people we met:
the years. At Mitch Seavey’s we learned
about how they select, raise, and train ● Elyssa was our guide in Seward. She is
sled dogs, and got to meet many of the a sled dog trainer who came to Alaska as
dogs they’re currently training, including a young child (and has a very interesting
puppies! The highlight for me was when story!). Elyssa was an interesting person
they hitched a team of dogs to a summer and a very entertaining guide.
sled (with wheels) and took us on a two- ● Justin was our guide on the Denali
mile trail. The dogs were amazing! Of Wilderness Tour. He came to Alaska 21
course, these are younger dogs that are years ago with a master’s degree to study
still being trained. wolves and never left! Justin can spot a
On our sled, we had two lead dogs. One grizzly bear digging potatoes in the distance!
was experienced, and one was not. That’s ● The young men and women we met
how they train dogs to be lead dogs -- serving customers on the train were all under
they pair an inexperienced dog with an 21 years old. They took in-depth courses
experienced lead dog, and the younger after normal school hours to get to work on
dog learns from the older one. Our the Alaskan Railroad in the summer. They
inexperienced lead dog was hilarious. He were all knowledgeable, polite, and hard
would periodically turn his head to look working.
at us with a “Just making sure you’re Alaska is a beautiful state populated by an
still there!” look on his face. Of course, equally amazing people. Pam and I have
when he did this, he would inadvertently taken a number of tours over the years
turn, and all the other dogs would follow! and have enjoyed them all, but Alaska
It was a 2-mile course, but I’m sure we will always stand out at the top of our list
traveled further, because we did a lot of because of its unique beauty, culture, and
zig-zagging on the trail. It was a lot of its people. And similarly, Celebration
fun! At the end of our ride we petted all Senior Travel stands out. The good folks
the dogs and told them they did a good job at Celebration Senior Travel leave nothing
to chance. They graciously take care of all
Tundra Wilderness Tour their travelers. Every aspect of their tour
This was an 8-hour tour of Denali National was excellent. We would love to go again!
Park -- a six-million-acre wilderness area For more information about Celebration Senior
filled with amazing wildlife and majestic Travel adventures give us a call at 469-532-
2622 or visit our website at celebrationmaazine.
page 42 | www.celebrationmagazine.com com. We do the work...You have the fun!
