Thanks to all the readers for taking your time to read my story.

Chapter 8: "FALL"ing Glaciers

As Kayaker's cruised into the 4000-year old Glacier Bay in Southeast Alaska the picturesque landscaping took on a beauty of it's own. The wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve included blue iced tidewater glaciers, snow-capped mountain ranges, ocean coastlines, deep fjords, and freshwater rivers and lakes. This diverse land and seascape hosts a variety of marine and terrestrial wildlife and presents many opportunities for adventuring and learning. "Wow I never realized this type of nature still existed." Rachel, like many other visitors to the Last Frontier, was softened by these natural surroundings. A loud clap suddenly sounded in the distance. Just as Ross and Rachel spotted the location of the large clap, a large chunk of ice broken off the glacier and crashed into the ocean.

"This virginal scenery is one of it's own", Ross wrapped his arms around her as spoke into her shoulder.

Rachel returning to reality suddenly broke away, "Oh my, Phoebe is due here within a few minutes. Ross, could you pour her some coffee while I take a shower and get dressed?"

Ross nodded as Rachel tantalized him by dropping her robe to the floor on her way to the bathroom. To repress his desire he walked over to Rachel's makeup cluttered vanity and poured Phoebe's coffee.

Phoebe leaned back on the balcony chair as she sipped her coffee. Peeking through the sliding glass window her eyes scanned the interior of the exclusive cabin. The surroundings left Phoebe feeling envious and out of place. Rachel's expensive luggage, clothing along with her style further reiterated her above average social standing. Comparing these exclusive surroundings to her small cabin made her feel as though she was still wandering through the streets of New York City.

Ross sensed Phoebe's discomfort. Perhaps he could help her relax, "So Phoebe, where are you from?" As Phoebe related her story she was pleased to find Ross showing an interest in her. He listened without judging her checkered past.

"Listen, Rachel and I are going on the Musher's Dog Sled tour today, would you care to join us?" Phoebe sat there stunned. Finally someone had accepted her for whom she truly was. She really was warming up to Ross.

Rachel stepped out on the balcony, "Guys, I'm heading up on deck to do some needed fashion spying. You are both welcome to stay and finish your coffee", Rachel informed them as she leaned over and kissed Ross goodbye.

Skagway

Chandler and Monica stepped up into the mini-van and took seats towards the rear of the mini-van. The Saddle and Paddle tour was an hour and a half drive away. Chandler acting somewhat nervous leaned over and whispered in Monica's ear, "You know I get motion sickness real easy?"

"Oh, don't worry, you'll be ok, this is going to be fun." Monica brushed off his concerns while mocking paddling a canoe.

Two miles up the Klondike highway Chandler's color began to turn sallow. Monica noticing the change stood up pointed at Chandler while hollering at the bus driver, "He's not feeling well at all…can you please stop so he can get out into some fresh air?"

Ross Rachel and Phoebe stepped out of the mini-van into a desolated wilderness outside the Musher's dog camp. Consistent barking from dogs from the camp interrupted this quiet atmosphere. Suddenly an Australian standing solo at one of the vans began stuttering in a somewhat excited manner, "Oh my God…bear…bear…over in the distance a bear." The bear disappeared from everyone's view for a short second before popping his head straight up checking out his viewers. The bear then rolled down the hill got up on all fours and headed straight for the group. The tour guide realizing the impending danger ordered everyone into the vans.

Rachel Ross and Phoebe stepped onto the wheeled sled, custom made for running in the summer months. The Musher stepped on the back of the sled as the husky team whisked them away through a wooded trail in the temperate rain forest. Spruce and hemlock trees, glacially fed water falls and view of the Taiya inlet surrounded them on the one-mile excursion. After the mile ride the musher brought one of the dogs over for everyone to pet. Next the group walked through the musher's camp becoming familiar with equipment required for Iditarod competition. With 15 minutes to spare, the tour group headed off their own directions. Some cuddled puppies while others went into the souvenir store to warm up with some hot cider and muffins.

Monica and Chandler gently led their chosen riding horses out of the corral. After mounting, they followed the rest of the group down the chosen Yukon trail. As the riders reached the destination, everyone dismounted and walked over looking out over the breathtaking horizon. Aspen trees displaying their fall foliage of deep yellow, combined perfectly with the green forest furs.

The tour guide placed lunches on the picnic table. As the group completed their lunches, they finished up the meal toasting marshmallows over an open fire. Monica and Chandler wanting to spend time alone together went their own direction. "Monica, I would have never had the courage to ride a horse if it hadn't been for you, "Chandler admitted while clearing them a seat on a huge rock. Monica embarrassed looked down at the ground moving her feet back and forth. Suddenly she felt confused. She really liked Chandler…he was different. His compassion towards her was something she was not used to. She snuggled up against him as they shared the special moment together while looking out over the beautiful horizon.

Ross feeling a sudden passion for Rachel, forcefully grabbed her hand pulling her into the forest. He forcefully wrapped his arms around her slender waist as her pulled her over to his awaiting body. As their bodies touched their passion grew. For support they backed up next to a tree for support. He began their foreplay by kissing her neck while she wrapped her legs around his waist. Rachel continued the passion by playfully running her hands up and down his back while nibbling on his ear.

Phoebe decided to walk solo thorugh the forest. As she began her walk she suddenly stopped. In the distance she spotted Ross and Rachel making love. Phoebe, suddenly felt jealousy overcoming her. To relieve her feelings of jealousy and clear her mind, she quickly ran out of the forest back to the camp.

to be continued

Note: The bear story actually happened to me while we were awaiting our dogsled ride outside the musher's dog camp. The bear moved so fast that everyone began falling all over one another trying to get into the two available vans. Husbands and wives found themselves in different vans. Later on a musher informed us that the bear had been so aggresive that he had to shoot a gun in the air a few times to get him to regress.

Each camp had several dogs. When the mushers went into each individual camp to pick out a dog to pull the sleds, they all barked their heads off. Our guide related to us they were relating "put me in coach, I'm ready to play". If the dogs didn't get picked they howled for close to a minute. I was surprised to find that most of the dogs were not of the huskie type. The musher informed us that the Disney Movies put forth that myth.