Firm buns of steel propell us Serene birds of prey regurgitate on us. Fed by glacial run off, the water is a murky gray… There's my happy girl. She's found bear tracks. Excitedly awaiting the bus that will take us river… Suiting up 352 Back on the river and a chill was blowing in. Time… "Not that tight, Bruce" Still in there? Back on shore at last and then a short stroll into… Dodging traffic on Talkeetna's main street. Midnight at the hotel Fortunately, the train was just a short, soggy, wa… We made a vain attempt at perky too. Early morning… Day 9: Off the ship at an ungodly hour to catch th… On board the train and striving to look perky. Bye, bye, Island Princess The Cooke Inlet at low tide. They have the second… On our way to Talkeetna Moving inland Denali Brewing Co. log walls are chinked with the… Perking up! High walls of slate surround us. 333 Ready to put in Apparently we are! Are we having fun yet? It says "CAUTION: Bears were observed on the hotel… Alaskan rock stars Ta Da!! "I can see Russia from up here." Climbing "picture rock" Let's take a walk. Maybe we'll see a bear. Hey, yo… "Do you think if we just stare at him long enough… Adding to the cairn "Help me!" Bruce is ensnared in a web of tourist-e… 303 The Talkeetna River runs behind the hotel This hotel has a river too Arrived at last at the Denali Princess Hotel, Mary… Come on. kid, the first one's free. Unusual monolith poking out of the valley floor 394 384 At this point Mary and I sensed we were in trouble