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This is Page 1 of 5 - the best of July 2021!
posted: August 2nd, 2021
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This page begins with a trip to Twelvemile and Eagle Summits on July 6th and 7th for the first 16 Rows.  Rows 17 through 25 show photos which we took on the first two days of our driving vacation around the state of Alaska - from Fairbanks to the Canadian Border, on the Top Of The World Highway.  Click on any thumbnail to begin.

Begin July 6th & 7th
  Near Twelvemile Summit there is an area which we refer to as "Diversity Gulch" due to the very diverse collection of plant species which naturally grow there compared to other nearby areas. These three photos all show Monkshood (Aconitum delphinifolium) - such beautiful flowers, though the entire plant is highly poisonous.
July6_052_AconitumDelphinifolium_DiverGulchRC
July6_052_AconitumDelphinifolium
_DiverGulchRC
July6th_063_TwelvemileSummit_AconitumDelphiniifoliumRC
July6th_063_TwelvemileSummit
_AconitumDelphiniifoliumRC
July6_053_AconitumDelphinifolium_DiverGulchRC
July6_053_AconitumDelphinifolium
_DiverGulchRC

  These three photos are all of Arctic Harebell (Campanula uniflora) - we did not find this one at Diversity Gulch though, this was on the mountain near Eagle Summit.
July7_14_CampanulaUniflora_EagleSummitAreaRC
July7_14_CampanulaUniflora_
EagleSummitAreaRC
July7th_070_EagleSummit_CampanulaUnifloraRC
July7th_070_EagleSummit_
CampanulaUnifloraRC
July7_15_CampanulaUniflora_EagleSummitAreaRC
July7_15_CampanulaUniflora_
EagleSummitAreaRC

  The first photo here shows Pink Plumes (Bistorta plumosa), while the second and third photos show Scamman's Springbeauty (Claytonia scammaniana) - this was at Diversity Gulch.
July6_116_BistortaPlumosa_DiverGulchRC
July6_116_BistortaPlumosa
_DiverGulchRC
July6_072_ClaytoniaScammaniana_DiverGulchRC
July6_072_ClaytoniaScammaniana
_DiverGulchRC
July6th_123_TwelvemileSummit_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC
July6th_123_TwelvemileSummit
_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC

  These three photos all show Scamman's Springbeauty (Claytonia scammaniana) - this is such a bright red color that it is amazing. The true colors never show up in photos of this one.
July6th_124_TwelvemileSummit_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC
July6th_124_TwelvemileSummit
_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC
July6_079_ClaytoniaScammaniana_DiverGulchRC
July6_079_ClaytoniaScammaniana
_DiverGulchRC
July6th_144_TwelvemileSummit_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC
July6th_144_TwelvemileSummit
_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC

  Here are two more photos which show Scamman's Springbeauty (Claytonia scammaniana) - the center shot is an overview. The third photo shows a Northern Larkspur (Delphinium brachycentrum).
July6_110_ClaytoniaScammaniana_DiverGulchRC
July6_110_ClaytoniaScammaniana
_DiverGulchRC
July6th_218_TwelvemileSummit_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC
July6th_218_TwelvemileSummit
_ClaytoniaScammanianaRC
July6_130_DelphiniumBrachycentrum_DiverGulchRC
July6_130_DelphiniumBrachycentrum
_DiverGulchRC

  These three shots all show Northern Larkspur (Delphinium brachycentrum) - and, as you can see, we have stumbled upon an Albino Form of this species. Our good fortune always astounds me.
July6_160_EagleSummit_Albino_DelphiniumBrachycentrumRC
July6_160_EagleSummit_Albino
_DelphiniumBrachycentrumRC
July6_172_EagleSummit_Albino_DelphiniumBrachycentrumRC
July6_172_EagleSummit_Albino
_DelphiniumBrachycentrumRC
July6_175_EagleSummit_Albino_DelphiniumBrachycentrumRC
July6_175_EagleSummit_Albino
_DelphiniumBrachycentrumRC

  Here are two shots which show the beautiful Frigid Shooting-star (Dodecatheon frigidum). Sandwiched between them is a single shot of Little Weaselsnout (Lagotis minor).
July6_015_FrigidShootingStar_DiverGulchRC
July6_015_FrigidShooting
Star_DiverGulchRC
July6_018_LagotisMinor_DiverGulchRC
July6_018_LagotisMinor
_DiverGulchRC
July6_017_FrigidShootingStar_DiverGulchRC
July6_017_FrigidShooting
Star_DiverGulchRC

  In this row are two shots of Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis asiatica) and sandwiched between them is another shot of Little Weaselsnout (Lagotis minor). Diversity Gulch is the only place in this area where we find the Alaska State Flower - the Alpine Forget-me-not.
July6_033_MyosotisAsiatica_DiverGulchRC
July6_033_MyosotisAsiatica
_DiverGulchRC
July6_159_EagleSummit_LagotisMinorRC
July6_159_EagleSummit_
LagotisMinorRC
July6th_059_TwelvemileSummit_MyosotisAsiaticaRC
July6th_059_TwelvemileSummit
_MyosotisAsiaticaRC

  Here is another shot of the Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis asiatica) and then two shots of Yukon Saw-wort (Saussurea angustifolia var. yukonensis).
July6th_074_TwelvemileSummit_MyosotisAsiaticaRC
July6th_074_TwelvemileSummit
_MyosotisAsiaticaRC
July6_043_SaussureaAngustifoliaVarYukonensis_DiverGulchRC
July6_043_SaussureaAngustifoliaVar
Yukonensis_DiverGulchRC
July6_042_SaussureaAngustifoliaVarYukonensis_DiverGulchRC
July6_042_SaussureaAngustifoliaVar
Yukonensis_DiverGulchRC

  In first position here is a shot of Oeder's Lousewort (Pedicularis oederi) and that is followed by two more shots of Yukon Saw-wort (Saussurea angustifolia var. yukonensis).
July7th_022_EagleSummit_PedicularisOederiRC
July7th_022_EagleSummit_
PedicularisOederiRC
July7th_146_EagleSummit_SaussureaAngustifoliaVarYukonensisRC
July7th_146_EagleSummit_Saussurea
AngustifoliaVarYukonensisRC
July7th_147_EagleSummit_SaussureaAngustifoliaVarYukonensisRC
July7th_147_EagleSummit_Saussurea
AngustifoliaVarYukonensisRC

  In first and second positions in this row are photos of Marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus) and those are followed by a single shot of Moss Campion (Silene acaulis).
July6th_289_TwelvemileSummit_SaxifragaHirculusRC
July6th_289_TwelvemileSummit
_SaxifragaHirculusRC
July6th_290_TwelvemileSummit_SaxifragaHirculusRC
July6th_290_TwelvemileSummit
_SaxifragaHirculusRC
July6_003_SileneAcaulis_DiverGulchRC
July6_003_SileneAcaulis
_DiverGulchRC

  In first place in this row is a shot of some Willow (Salix sp.), but who knows what specific species. In the center is a photo of Black-tipped Groundsel (Senecio lugens) and in third position is an example of Northern Marsh Violet (Viola biflora).
July6th_052_TwelvemileSummitRC
July6th_052_
TwelvemileSummitRC
July6th_258_TwelvemileSummit_SenecioLugensRC
July6th_258_TwelvemileSummit
_SenecioLugensRC
July6_027_ViolaBiflora_DiverGulchRC
July6_027_ViolaBiflora
_DiverGulchRC

  Here is another shot of the Northern Marsh Violet (Viola biflora) and that is followed by two scenery shots which were taken at Diversity Gulch.
July6_028_ViolaBiflora_DiverGulchRC
July6_028_ViolaBiflora
_DiverGulchRC
July6_055Rotate_DiversityGulchSceneryRC
July6_055Rotate_
DiversityGulchSceneryRC
July6_059_DiversityGulchSceneryRC
July6_059_
DiversityGulchSceneryRC

  Here are three more scenery shots. The first and third ones were taken near Twelvemile Summit and both show Kazuya. The center image is a two-shot panorama at Eagle Summit.
July6_084_DiversityGulchScenery_KazuyaRC
July6_084_DiversityGulch
Scenery_KazuyaRC
July6_154_155_ReposPanoAdj_EagleSummitSceneryRC
July6_154_155_ReposPanoAdj_
EagleSummitSceneryRC
July6_149_DIversityGulchOverThereRC
July6_149_DIversity
GulchOverThereRC

  Just as we were arriving at Eagle Summit, this lone Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) stepped out in front of us - WHAT? July 6th is too early for these animals to be here. The second and third shots were taken at 2:25 AM and show sunrise time.
July6th_296_EagleSummitRC
July6th_296_
EagleSummitRC
July7th_007_EagleSummitRC
July7th_007_
EagleSummitRC
July7th_008_EagleSummitRC
July7th_008_
EagleSummitRC

  In the first shot in this row you can see that we are in the clouds at 3:54 AM, but there is some visible blue sky there. The center shot was taken at 7:04 AM and we are still in the clouds. The third image is a collage which Kazuya created to show some of the flowers which we saw on this trip.
July7th_011_EagleSummitRC
July7th_011_
EagleSummitRC
July7_03_EagleSummitWayside_MorningRC
July7_03_EagleSummit
Wayside_MorningRC
July6th_ForgetMeNotCollage01RC
July6th_Forget
MeNotCollage01RC

End July 6th & 7th, Begin July 12th
  Now you have joined us as we begin our vacation - a drive to some spots we love in the State of Alaska. The first two shots were taken along the Richardson Highway between Fairbanks and Delta Junction. They show the Tanana River and the Alaska Range. The third shot is of the Gerstle River and Bridge and was shot along the Alaska Highway between Delta Junction and Tok.
July12th_012_OnTheWayToDeltaJCTRC
July12th_012_On
TheWayToDeltaJCTRC
Jul12_03_04_AutoPano_FairbanksToGerstleRiverRC
Jul12_03_04_AutoPano_
FairbanksToGerstleRiverRC
Jul12_11_FairbanksToGerstleRiverRC
Jul12_11_Fairbanks
ToGerstleRiverRC

  We kept seeing this strange plant as we drove and so we had to stop and shoot some photos of it. When we got home and keyed it out we found it to be Yellow Mountain-Avens (Dryas drummondii) which has gone to seed.
Jul12_12_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_12_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_13_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_13_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_16_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_16_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC

  The first shot shows that even here in Alaska the heat rising from the highways can create water mirages. The second and third shots snow more of the Yellow Mountain-Avens (Dryas drummondii). Of course the person in the center shot is Daniel.
Jul12_21_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_21_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC
July12th_017_OnTheWayToTok_DryasDrummondiiRC
July12th_017_OnTheWay
ToTok_DryasDrummondiiRC
Jul12_30_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_30_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC

  Now we are on the Taylor Highway, headed north towards Chicken and Eagle, Alaska. In the first seven miles of this highway are these sand dunes which blew into here some 10,000 years ago, according to the literature we read. Of course the person is Kazuya. The third image was created from photos which were taken on the 13th and it shows Mount Fairplay from the Mount Fairplay Wayside.
Jul12_61_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_61_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_62_GerstleRiverToMile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul12_62_GerstleRiverTo
Mile5TaylorHighwayRC
Jul13_02_03_04_AutoPanoAC_MountFairplayWaysideAreaRC
Jul13_02_03_04_AutoPanoAC_
MountFairplayWaysideAreaRC

End July 12th, Begin July 13th
  Here is where we spent the night of July 12th in our Topper Motel - the Mount Fairplay Wayside, at Mile 35 of the Taylor Highway. The center shot shows a nice specimen of Alpine Knotweed (Polygonum alpinum), while the third shot shows a Windmill Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis detonsa).
Jul13_MtFairplayWaysideRC
Jul13_Mt
FairplayWaysideRC
July13th_009_TaylorHWY_PolygonumAlpinumRC
July13th_009_TaylorHWY
_PolygonumAlpinumRC
July13th_018_TaylorHWY_GentianopsisDetonsaRC
July13th_018_TaylorHWY
_GentianopsisDetonsaRC

  The first two shots in this row show additional shots of the Windmill Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis detonsa). The third shot shows the namesake of Chicken, Alaska - home of the Annual Chickenstock Music Festival.
Jul13_12_MountFairplayWaysideAreaRC
Jul13_12_Mount
FairplayWaysideAreaRC
Jul13_11_MountFairplayWaysideAreaRC
Jul13_11_Mount
FairplayWaysideAreaRC
Jul13_28_TaylorHwy_ChickenAlaskaRC
Jul13_28_TaylorHwy
_ChickenAlaskaRC

  Here is a zoomed in shot of the Chicken, Alaska Chicken. In center position is a shot of Beautiful Downtown Chicken, Alaska. As we continued our drive we stopped at a spot where we found a great number of Northern Lady Slipper Orchids (Cypripedium passerinum), though they were finished blooming for this year.
July13th_035_ChickenRC
July13th_035_
ChickenRC
Jul13_31_TaylorHwy_ChickenAlaskaRC
Jul13_31_TaylorHwy
_ChickenAlaskaRC
Jul13_38_TaylorHwy_ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC
Jul13_38_TaylorHwy_
ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC

  Here are two scenery shots which were taken along the Taylor Highway as we continued towards Eagle. In the center is a photo of Foxtail Grass (Hordeum jubatum).
Jul13_45_TaylorHwy_ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC
Jul13_45_TaylorHwy_
ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC
Jul13_46_TaylorHwy_ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC
Jul13_46_TaylorHwy_
ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC
Jul13_49_TaylorHwy_ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC
Jul13_49_TaylorHwy_
ChickenToTopWorldHwyRC

  Now we have left the Taylor Highway and are driving on the Top Of The World Highway, which crosses into Canada after about 13 miles. The first shot shows the scenery. The center shot shows some Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) and the third shot shows that we have arrived at the Alaska/Canada Border, and due to COVID, the border is closed.
July13th_088_TopOfTheWorldHWYRC
July13th_088_Top
OfTheWorldHWYRC
July13th_103_TopOfTheWorldHWY_ChamaenerionAngustifoliumRC
July13th_103_TopOfTheWorld
HWY_ChamaenerionAngustifoliumRC
Jul13_52_TopWorldHighwayRC
Jul13_52_Top
WorldHighwayRC

End Page 1, but July 13th continues on Page 2
Thanks so much for taking the time to look at this page.  Now, please go on to Page 2 for the continuation of our vacation adventures, beginning at 11:44 AM on July 13th. Go To Page:

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