NORTH TO ALASKA! – Anchorage to Denali Nat’l Park

TRIP DAY – 43, 44, 45, 46, 47

DAILY MILES  -  38 – 10 – 139 - 40 - 46

TOTAL MILES – 5,871

7/27 – Today finds us in Anchorage covering the sites.  First it was off to the Anchorage Museum downtown where we spent the morning viewing the exhibits.  This is a World Class Museum.  It contains over 600 Smithsonian Arctic artifacts plus full-sized replicas of native dwellings and a gallery with Sydney Laurence’s classic Mount McKinley painting.  We sampled buffalo stew at the café which Wayne declared nasty.  The texture and taste of the meat was strange but the broth and vegetables were very good.

Next we drove to Lake Hood to watch the floatplanes.  They have as many as 500 per day splash down and lift off.  I met a local lady there, about my age, who convinced me flying in one of these is pure terror.  I’m still thinking about taking a flight at Denali in a twin engine model.  It’s yet to be determined if I’m that brave. 

Then we headed to the Ulu (oo-loo) Factory to see the demonstrations and purchase a knife.  I love to cook and these are great for slicing and chopping and may make meal preparation easier in the RV; also yet to be determined.

The evening found us moving to the Anchorage municipal Centennial Camp Ground.  Ship Creek was just too noisy to get much sleep.  Between the trains and birds, I bet I didn’t get three hours rest.  Centennial just installed electricity and Wi-Fi and Wayne says if they would invest in some gravel and grading they would have a really nice park.

7/28 – Just as we were leaving Centennial campground we met “road trip” friends Linda and Dennis coming in.  I originally met them on a mountain ridge back in T. Roosevelt Nat’l Park in North Dakota.  They entered Alaska and took the northern route through Fairbanks, while we headed south to the Kenai Peninsula.  We have been corresponding via email to keep each other posted on what to see and where to stay per our experiences.  This is the third time we have passed in our travels and our friendship has been very beneficial.  We hope to see them again as we are both heading back down through Canada.

We are burning days on the way to Denali as we are ahead of schedule.  Today finds us just north of Anchorage at Eagle River Campground.  We are camped on a bluff above the river and it has a wonderful roaring sound.  I think afternoon naps are in order.  We still have three more nights before our reservations in Denali Nat’l Park so it will be spent camping our way up the Parks Highway, hopefully at sites as beautiful as this one.

7/29 – TODAY WE GOT OUR FIRST VIEW OF MT. McKINLEY – from just 150 miles away.  Some folks visit the area for days without a clear view of the mountain that tends to be cloud covered.  A stop at Denali South View Point gave us some great pictures and we reconnected with travelers from Illinois and met a couple from Florida that we exchanged information with.  We stayed at Byers Lake SP CG as recommended by Linda and Dennis.  The sites are located in a forest within easy hiking distance to the lake.  The afternoon was enjoyably spent resting and reading.  The campground is almost empty and therefore very quiet and pleasant.  (On the way we stopped in Wasilla and washed the RV at Mud Busters Self Wash and just $18.00 later it looks almost presentable.) 

7/30 – This morning we awoke at 5 AM, dressed and hiked over to the lake where we were treated to two graceful swans on the lake prior to the sun coming over the mountains.  It was truly a beautiful site.  We were the only ones on the shore and had the whole lake experience to ourselves.  This was one of those unforgettable moments that can’t be captured by a camera.  We then drove just 40 miles up the Parks Hwy and stopped at Chulitna River Wayside where we spent the day catching up “RV” housework and computer chores. 

7/31 – Today we drove to Denali Grizzly Bear Resort RV Park where we will have full hookup for the night.  We have been dry camping for three nights and look forward to charging up all the electronic gadgets, taking real showers and doing laundry. 

Tomorrow we head to Denali National Park and will camp at Riley Creek Campground for the next four nights.  We have a ton of activities planned for Denali and I’ll share that with you when I get time and a connection, probably in Fairbanks.  See you then. . .

 

 

NORTH TO ALASKA - PICTURES FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN

We have two grandchildren, six year old Lottie and four year old Dallas.  I promised them pictures of animals that Grandma and Grandpa saw at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.  Here are the pictures we took for you -

CARIBOU

ELK

MOOSE

WOOD BISON

MUSKOX

"BIG" BROWN BEAR



PORCUPINE

NORTH TO ALASKA! –HOMER back up the Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage

TRIP DAY – 39, 40, 41, 42

DAILY MILES  -  93 – 86 - 25 - 64

TOTAL MILES – 5598

7/23 – Left Homer and headed back north up the Kenai Peninsula to Kenai then Soldotna where we spent the night in the Fred Meyer Supermarket parking lot.  This was our first “boondocking” experience and it turned out very satisfactory.  By early evening the parking lot on one side of the building had filled with RVs.  We had a spot on the curb where we looked out into the adjacent woods and if you didn’t look out our opposite window you would swear you were in a state park.  The upside to this was I had all afternoon to shop inside the big box store.  They have everything from housewares to clothing in addition to the grocery products.  Prices weren’t bad by Alaska standards.

7/24 – We are running ahead of schedule a few days so decided to camp our way up the peninsula through the Chugach National Forest area.  Headed to USFS Bertha Creek Campground where we were lucky enough to get #6 which has a waterfall across from the site.  Wayne said each site was close to an acre and you couldn’t see your neighbor for the dense forest.  There were only 12 sites in the whole valley.  We met an Alaskan who was panning for gold in the creek that ran through the campground.  He came to fish for salmon but said it appeared they hadn’t reached this far up-stream yet. 

Our campsite at Bertha Creek Campground

7/25 – Still camping our way up toward Anchorage, today finds us headed to Portage Glacier and the USFS Williwaw Campground.  We first stopped in the Visitor Center at Portage Lake which was really fantastic.  They had the best informative movie that we have viewed thus far, and we have seen a bunch.  The Ranger recommended the adjoining lodge for lunch and the food was wonderful.  They even served big squares of cornbread with honey that really hit the spot.  Then it was on to the campground where we setup and did a couple short trail hikes.  There are six major glaciers in the Portage Valley and we are camped right below the Middle Glacier. The remainder of the afternoon was spent reading and resting.

One of the six glaciers at Portage Glacier Park

7/26 – Today is my birthday and I am planning to see a MOOSE.  I keep looking for one in the wild but they don’t come near the roads during the day.  Lots of moose get killed on the highways in late evening and early morning but I’m asleep during those hours.  We are going to visit the Wildlife Conservation Center where I’m guaranteed seeing an adult moose – I hope.  WELL I SAW LOTS OF MOOSE THIS MORNING AT THE CENTER!  THEY CAME RIGHT TO THE FENCE TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  Both sons called me before 10 AM to wish me a Happy Birthday and that was the best present ever – that and being in Alaska.  We drove on up to Anchorage and are camped in the Ship Creek RV park right next to the train tracks and near the airport.  I plan on seeing the museums tomorrow and getting out of here. . . . too much civilization. 

My birthday moose

 

Wayne's idea of a Birthday Party for me!

I may not have another connection until Fairbanks, but stay tuned for the next adventure.

NORTH TO ALASKA! –SEWARD to COOK INLET BEACH to HOMER

TRIP DAY – 36, 37, 38

DAILY MILES  -  153 – 0 – 58

TOTAL MILES – 5330

7/20 –
Left Seward after five marvelous days and headed to Soldotna where we stopped to resupply.  Then it was on to Kenai where we went to the Visitor Center to see the exhibits and videos.  Next we visited Scout park which is on a high bluff overlooks the Cook Inlet where hundreds of people were standing in the cold water with long nets waiting for the tide to ebb to catch salmon.  Most wore waders but some were just in jeans standing in 40 degree glacial water.  Next we made a stop at the local McDonald's for ice cream where we decided to leave town, too many people and cars after such solitude.  We headed to Deep Creek State Park where only a few RV’s and fishermen were about.  We are camped right on the Cook Inlet beach across from two of the four active volcanoes along the opposite shore.  Mount Redoubt erupted in 2009 sending ash 7 miles high.  Mount Iliamna vents steam frequently.  I’m trusting the giants to sleep until I get back to Kentucky.  If bears aren’t enough to worry about you have volcanoes and earthquakes up here. 

Camped right on the Cook Inlet beach

Mount Iliamna Volcano across the Inlet  - about 70 miles

7/21 – We stayed on the beach another day.  I just couldn’t leave Cook Inlet and the sound of the waves.  The water elevation increases by as much as 30 feet at high tide.  At low tide the locals are out on the flats digging clams.  We camped by a nice couple from Texas and enjoyed conversation around our campfire well into the evening.  Three soaring eagles circled our camper daily and  I snapped tons of pictures of specks in the sky. 

Homer Spit from bluff above town

7/22 – Finally we headed for Homer.  When we arrived we drove the Skyline Drive and took pictures of the Homer Spit (strip of land that extends into the bay) from the bluff.  We then drove into town and all the way to the end of the Spit.  All camping on the Spit was in the full sun and I’m already a bit red from sitting on the beach so we headed to Ocean View RV Park in town where we can get some shade.  A visit to the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center and Pratt Museum filled the remainder of the day.  I think we’ll pass on the crowded shops and restaurants out on the Spit and head back north in the morning.  We plan on stopping for a day at Portage Glacier and also seeing the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center before heading for Anchorage.  I probably won’t have Internet until we  reach Anchorage, so I’ll see you up the road.  


Shops and restaurants out on the Spit





Campgrounds in full sun on the Spit

Pratt Museum - Whale skeleton



Pratt Museum -Live camera on lake across the bay from Homer

Collection from the Island and Ocean Museum

 



NORTH TO ALASKA! – SEWARD

TRIP DAY – 32, 33, 34,35

DAILY MILES  -  0 – 31 – 0 - 0

TOTAL MILES – 5119

7/16 – We love Seward!  For one thing it is very bike friendly.  Today we rode up to the library to use the Wi-Fi and then back to the camper for lunch.  Then it was off to the Alaska SeaLife Center where we spent the afternoon enjoying the exhibits and Ranger talks.  There were many sea creatures in large tanks that could be viewed from above or a floor below.  We then headed in the opposite direction back to the pier where we spied a Subway Sandwich Shop that provided a take-home supper that we enjoyed before settling in to read.  These 21 hour days allow you to pack in a lot of activity.
 

 

 

 

7/17 – The morning found us headed to Exit Glacier about 10 miles from town for a hike.  The Glacier View hike was a mile long and where I left Wayne to wait for my return from the Edge of the Glacier hike, a couple miles uphill.  The trail became very rocky and narrow but I made it to the top and back.  Next it was to the Seward Visitor Center to get information on the rest of the Kenai Peninsula.  We did some resupplying at the local grocery and gas station. 
 

 

7/18 – Today we decided to stay a couple more days in the same camping spot to finish some sightseeing and also to just spend one day doing absolutely nothing.  There is a nice museum at the new library and they show a movie on the 1964 earthquake that totally devastated all seven piers here in Resurrection Bay.  That event totally wiped out the local economy and it has taken years to reestablish.  Next we rode to the Brown & Hawkins Store, a National Landmark location and checked out the “old town” area around it.  A bike ride back to the RV provided the much needed afternoon nap.

(7/19) – This is to be our rest day and we plan to sit around and watch the boats in the bay and catch up on some reading that we can’t stay awake to do in the evening.  From here we are headed to Kenai (the town – we are already on the peninsula) which I’ll report on later.

NORTH TO ALASKA! –VALDEZ to PALMER and SEWARD

TRIP DAY – 30, 31

DAILY MILES  -  261 - 170

TOTAL MILES – 5088

7/14 – We left Valdez on Sunday morning headed back up the Richardson Highway.  There are very few roads in Alaska and most stopovers have to be reversed some distance before you encounter another major road to continue in a new direction.  The Glenn Highway then took us west to Palmer where we saw the exhibits and demonstration gardens at the Visitor Center.  Palmer provided the first McDonalds seen in over three weeks.  Our campsite at Matanuska River Park was provided by the local borough (county) at only $15 including electric, a real find in Alaska.
  

The roadways are flanked by these Fireweed plants everywhere.

 

One of the houses used by the Depression Era homesteaders.

 


Palmer Museum and Demonstration Gardens

7/15 – Yesterday we traveled from Palmer around Anchorage to Seward, a coastal town on the Kenai Peninsula.  All the RV parks in the town belong to the city and are directly on the shore of the Resurrection Bay.  We have an incredible view of the bay and mountains beyond.  The afternoon was spent riding our bike on the trail into town and visiting the Kenai Fjord National Park Information Center.  We spent a couple hours here watching a series of videos on the area and wildlife.  Next we went to the city pier just as the charter fishing boats were arriving and watched the process of weighing and cleaning the huge fish catch.  One halibut weighed in at 76 pounds.  Considering we just paid $12.95 for a single halibut sandwich that means it must be worth about a million dollars.
  

The view from our RV site at Seward, Alaska

 

Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center

 

 

 

 

Seward waterfront on Resurrection Bay

We plan to stay here for a few days as there is a lot to see.  I’ll keep you posted. 

NORTH TO ALASKA! - VALDEZ

TRIP DAY – 28, 29

DAILY MILES  -  0 - 0

TOTAL MILES – 4,657

7/12 – Yesterday we spent the day with Captain Fred and crew on the Lu-Lu Belle cruising the Prince William Sound here in Valdez, Alaska.  The Lu-Lu Belle is an amazing yacht, with her plush atmosphere of teak, mahogany and oriental rugs.  Our group was out for over eight hours and sailed through icebergs to within a mile of the Columbia Glacier face, over 350 feet high at the water’s edge.  Also along the way we saw Stellar sea lions, otters, bald eagles, puffins and one whale. This will be hard to beat as a trip highlight. 

7/13 –Today we visited the Maxine and Jesse Whitney Museum which has a collection of Native art and artifacts.  It was our favorite museum thus far.   On the previous day we visited the Valdez Museum of Local History which was very informative.  Valdez was a part of the Gold Rush era and is remembered more recently for the 8.6 magnitude 1964 earthquake; being the 1973 Trans-Alaska Pipeline terminus; and the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.  The current population is around 4,000 and is mainly employed in the oil industry, tourism, or fishing and shipping. 

The people here are unbelievably helpful and friendly.  Today, while out biking along the pier we were approached by a fellow who asked where we were from and if we had tried any red salmon. When we replied we hadn’t, he went to his truck and brought us back a frozen vacuum pack of fillets he had caught and just picked up from the processing plant.  This was no small gift as the local value for such an amount is well over $30.00 retail.  He refused to take any payment and just said to “enjoy”.  I now know why I’ve always wanted to come here – the people.

The Columbia Glacier is 350 feet high at the water's edge.

Tomorrow we are headed north west to Palmer and then down to Seward.  It may be a while before I’ll have a connection, but I’ll catch you up . . . .