Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park
This is the way the day started out when we left the hotel at 8 AM. Our competent guide, Cassie, told us that only 30% of park visitors actually see the mountain. and even then it is usually bits and pieces of it. She drove us 62 miles into the park and then the 62 miles back, about 8 hours round trip. There were stops for the facilities and a box of snacks and we had ordered a box lunch, too. There is not even a water fountain once you are in the park.
This is what it looked like in the morning. 43 degrees
we were driving through clouds in the Denali National Park and Preserve
But looked what happened as the day unfolded
We got to see a clear view of “The Great One” which is what Denali means to the Athabaskans.
It was a great birthday for Mary as the gift was we got to see the mountain.
We saw some wildlife- two grizzly bears, Dall Sheep, two caribou and two moose.
There aren’t guard rails along the route and the road turns from paved to gravel/dirt and gets narrower
Another tour bus
Don’t look down is my best suggestion!
Fellow tourists try on antlers for photo ops.
This is the stop where Alaska Geographic was selling gorgeous books in a big tent.
Another view of Denali
This post is just the highlights of our tour today.
Eleven Years Old Today
Everyone loves Michael.
Happy 11th birthday, August 21st.
(Top left-at your baptism by your namesake Fr. Michael Joseph Zeps, S.J. Then your Godfather Joe, Dad, FF Marlene, Uncle Joey again, Aunt Lala-August bday club and your Mom holding you on the bottom)
He is one loveable young man. (Last year I might have said boy)
Concentrating on his yo-yo skills in Pittsburgh. Summer 2016
Language camp last week -photo by parents
After your swim meet-June 26, 2015 with new cousin Charlie at the hospital
Teasing old Grandma, making me think your head was stuck!
Michael if you want to see how quickly you are growing up, here are some blog posts documenting your growth!
Seems as if you just turned 10- tenth birthday post
A Florida Rainbow appeared when you were born. 9 years old
*Seems you were 8 not so long ago 8th birthday post
* Here’s your 7th birthday
Laura made you an Alvin and the Chipmunks cake when you were Five – Chipmunks Cake
Don’t know what happened to six but you were my first photo on the blog with Murphy the Airedale.
And here you are with Henry the Airedale
Love you lots
Happy 11th Birthday to you Michael Joseph
Love,
FF Ruthie
P.S. I need a photo of me with you, please. Birthday mail on the way.
Happy Birthday Lala
You were one not so long ago.
Now you’re mom to a one year old!
Happy Happy Birthday to you Laura.
You make life nice.
Love,
Your Mom
P.S. Refer to last year’s birthday post to see how time flies.
(It’s something old people say to younger people and then suddenly you experience it.)
Summer Bouquets
Love to all, near and far.
Count the Places You See Numbers
Count the places you see numbers.
Numbers tell time
Reading Terminal Philadelphia
Numbers keep score
LazerKraze Columbus Ohio
Numbers on a bus, train, trolley or flight number
Numbers to phone
Numbers to remember
Numbers to celebrate
Numbers identify players and participants
Numbers for weight and price per item or pound
Numbers determine which lane you swim in and times determine which ribbon or medal you receive
Numbers from another time, WW2, a ration book
Numbers to play
Numbers found in odd places
It was Forty Years Ago Today
“You don’t remember, I’ll never forget …”
Me holding Mark, Fort Knox, Kentucky – a Polaroid
May, 1976. Bicentennial baby!
My mom and dad with first grandchild, Mark. Philadelphia PA – July 1976
My mother was the exact age in this photo that I am now. (63)
Quick, the photo albums with the sticky lines are ruining all the old photos!!
Young mother but oh, those glasses….
Aunt Bobbie needlepointed that patriotic bear.
Anyone else have a plaid Herculon couch?
Two proud grandpas -Mark’s first birthday! (or maybe the month after)
And I will title this one Jubilant
It seems one minute you have a baby-`
and then they become grown up with a family of their own!!
Happy fortieth birthday, Mark.
love, Mom
(I never did embroider Fort Knox on this birth sampler I found, folded up in my dresser drawer recently) Forty years goes by fast!!
and there was the year I got you the gift you never got as a child
John Patrick is 9
Here’s your birthday post, Jack. 
Happy Birthday Jack!
9 is fine!
Dear Jack,
Have a great day! I hope your present came in the mail. I’ll see you very soon.
Love from your Grandma, FF Ruthie
p.s. If you want to see your past blog posts, here are a few
Jack Runs to First Base and Guest Blogs
Happy Diamond Birthday, Bonnie
A special birthday wish for a good friend, blog follower, dog lover (actually all animals) and former colleague. Bonnie! We taught together at Greenfield School.
And we worked the After School Program together for about 5 years. I can’t tell you how many students she taught to swim.
Another of our friends hosted a fun surprise party and we gathered together to honor Bonnie as she celebrates 75!
May your birthday wish come true.
Here’s Bonnie surrounded by former colleagues and friends. Surprise!
Arleen took the one on the left so I could be in it, too. Thanks Arleen.
Happy Birthday Bonnie. Love, Rutie
Here Comes the Sun for your Birthday
On your birthday today and everyday, I wish you much love and happiness. Thirty five years seemed to go by pretty fast.
I photographed a few of my kids special toys from childhood when I took a Polaroid Transfer class.
Barker and Little Green Doggie were Matthew’s favorites.
A few pictures from the past
A few pictures from this year. Love you, Ma
Remembering when we went to the Richie Havens concerts together and you met him in the hallway at the Carnegie Lecture Hall?
Maura Clare Celebrates #7
Maura Clare born November 17, 2008. Celebrating her seventh birthday today.
Happy 7th Birthday Maura Clare. Thanks to FF Marlene for the Last Pic as Six.
I thought about adding a couple of your selfies that keep showing up on my phone!!)
Love from your Grandma Ruthie
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