Alaska day 7

Our last full day in Alaska, and I have saved the best for last!  It was almost impossible to find a tour company that does winter tours but after posting on several message boards I was given the name of a company, Salmon Berry Tours that seemed to be exactly what I was looking for!  Our tour guide, Brent, picked us up at the hotel and whisked us away for a day of adventure.  We arrived near the Eagle River to meet some new friends . . .

. . . and he was hooked!  He loved these dogs and could not stop talking to them and petting them.  This was his favorite . . . Mango!  These dogs are owned by Dallas Seavey . . . probably doesn't mean anything to you but he won the Iditarod in 2012 at the age of 25!  Let me say I can not imagine doing this race . . . almost 1,000 miles across the super cold state of Alaska.  You really must be tough and this family is super tough.  Last night Dallas's dad won the 2013 race . . .  talk about some competition within the family.  Anyway, while the dogs were being harnessed we were able to visit with the pups.  They are much smaller than I imagined and super sweet!  I think if Colin could have figured out a way to get one back home with us he would have!

Can you tell which one he spent the most time with?  They are ready to roll!

As soon as they starting getting them ready they came alive and were so loud.  You could tell they loved being out and ready to go!

We took a few breaks and you could tell these pups were well cared for.  Our guide was Christine and she was all about making sure they were good.  She would massage their muscles and check their paws often.  You could tell she loved her job!  Not to mention she was super nice.

Colin liked the breaks so he could have more time hanging with the dogs.

It was much safer than the time we went dog sledding in Colorado, and we both had fun!

This was probably the perfect picture . . . just as Christine went to snap the picture one guy was ready to be the focus of the photo!

We headed back to the starting point and it was time for a snack!  Brent had set up the picnic table with S'mores!  The only catch was instead of a chocolate bar we had peanut butter cups . . . it was yummy!  By the way the peanut butter cups were frozen solid but edible.

And someone could not just have one!  Next on our tour was to strap on some snowshoes and head out for a hike on the Eagle River.  Colin was so not impressed with snowshoeing earlier in the year so was expecting full out drama.  He was ready to go and all smiles!

I loved it!  I wish we lived somewhere we could actually do this on a regular basis!  It is an excellent workout.

Still all smiles and having a blast running wild and exploring . . .

. . . oh how I wish I had half his energy!  It was time to head back to the picnic area and guess who was hungry?  This kid can eat . . . 

It was  a great tour!  I highly recommend Salmon Berry.  Our tour only had four people so was really nice especially since the other people were not annoying!  I am certain that the tours aren't that small in the busy season but this company really has it down!  We zipped back to the hotel so we could change hotels . . . I told you I wanted a whirlpool!  Moose's Tooth was so yummy we went back again for dinner.  I ordered the Popeye pizza and it was yummy of course!  We headed back to the hotel for a warm soak in the hot tub and to pack our stuff.  All we heard all day was tonight was going to be the night to see the Northern Lights . . . okay whatever!  Since we had to be at the airport at 3:30am we decided to head to a park that was recommended to see the lights.  Do you see them?

Me neither because they were not out!  Oh well . . . two things I wanted to experience while in Alaska were the temperatures that were way below 0 and to see the Northern Lights . . . both were a bust!  I do not expect to be back in Alaska in the winter ever again!  I know, I know never say never but seriously this was a one and done trip.  And that finally concludes our Spring Break trip to Alaska!