SEWARD

July 25, 2016

Driving down to Seward was uneventful.  We keep watching the roadside for moose, but they don’t seem to want to show themselves.  Seward was kind of crowded, there was a cruise ship in, and the pink salmon were running, so we didn’t stay long.  There was still plenty of beautiful scenery, though.

The purple flowers are Fireweed.  It covers the roadsides and hills with brilliant purple color, some of the plants are 6 feet high. 

HOPE

A little goldrush era boom town, that is now a tourist stop and fishing area.  We stopped at a quaint little museum that had lots of gold mining relics complete with recorded stories of the old miners.  Some of the cabins dating back to that era are still lived in.

Gold mining tools

Quonset Hut from WW2, several of these are still being used throughout AK

Circa 1890's

 

KENAI PENINSULA

Well, my computer is slowing down to a crawl, and WI-FI is hard to find and pretty slow also.  I you are enjoying this blog, please give me some feedback, so I know it is all worth it.

June 17 - 24, 2016

This week we drove south out of Anchorage, on the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm.  Turnagain Arm, is an inlet or bay, with more beautiful scenery.  The story goes that it was named by Captain Cook, because he sailed up it but he had to turn around – again.

  We had stopped at a picnic area a couple of days ago, and as we passed that way again, there were helicopters scooping water out of the Arm, to put out a forest fire in that same picnic area.  No, we didn’t start it, the report was that it was started by lightning.  Later, we learned that because of the lack of rain, strong winds,  and difficult access that the area encompassed several hundred acres.  

WHITTIER

Next stop was Whittier, which can only be accessed by a tunnel through the mountain.  This tunnel is one lane and shared with a train!  Traffic is allowed through every half hour:  to Whittier on the half hour and from Whittier on the hour, while the train takes its turn several times a day in between.  Quite a system!   

While in Whittier, we took a boat cruise to see glaciers up close.  They had a National Forest Ranger on board, who explained about the region and how glaciers are formed.  Do you know why glacier ice is such a beautiful blue?  If you add a comment, I will tell you. 

ANCHORAGE

July 14 - 16, 2016

Mt. Sanford (16,235 ft), Mt. Drum, and Mt. Wrangell.  Zoom in on Mt. Wrangell, on the right, the little puff on top is not a cloud, it is steam from the active volcano.  Cool!

This momma struck a nice pose for us.  

Our next stop was at a Musk Ox Farm.  These animals are basically the same as their ancestors from prehistoric times.  At this farm, they are domesticated, and the underfur, called qiviut, is harvested, combed by hand each spring.  It is non-allergenic, and 6 times warmer than wool. It's knitted into scarves, hats, and gloves. I only wish I could afford some.  Whooee.  

GLENN HWY TO VALDEZ

July 11 - 13, 2016

 Gorgeous drive to Valdez through Keystone Canyon, with 2 beautiful waterfalls.  

Bridal Veil Falls

Horsetail Falls

 We stopped at a fish hatchery where hundreds of salmon were trying to fight their way through the weir to spawn upstream.  The seagulls, eagles, sea lions were there for the feast.  I guess we missed a bear by just a few hours.  

This eagle decided to take his lunch up into a tree to eat in peace.  

This is a replica of a fish wheel used by native people for centuries. Modern ones are still being used today and can be seen in the rivers along the highway.  In the background is a cache, used to store food and supplies along the trail.  I still think an industrious bear could get in.  

ALASKA HWY\

July 9 -10, 2016

 You just can't beat the scenery.  As we drive along, the next curve or hill reveals another incredible vista.  








These caches can be seen here and there along the highway.
This one is an original from the 1920's, used to store food and supplies along 
the trails and trap lines.  

 RVers have a mantra: "It's not a matter of if something will happen but when", and we try to take it in stride when it does.  We just didn't figure it would happen in the 1ST 100 miles of the Alaska Hwy!  A blowout of the inside rear dual also caused damage to the storage bay behind it.  Luckily, there was nothing in there that was damaged or lost.  I must say though, since we switched our insurance to Progressive over a year ago, we have tested them dearly, and they have responded with prompt and courteous service.  

Back on the road, though, with more incredible vistas ahead.  

HAINES, AK

WHALES

An excursion on a whale watching boat proved successful.  We saw 8 humpbacks in all, 2 of them calves.  

July 3 -5, 2016

Haines, AK is our last stop on the ferry system up the Inside Passage.  The rides on the ferries has been a great experience, the only way to see some of these towns.  The scenery has been incredible, we always found someone to talk to and share experiences with, but best of all, it slowed us down a bit, to relax and enjoy.  The ferry cruised along at a leisurely pace, and there was nothing we could do about it, so relax and enjoy.  I think we may miss it. 

July 4, 2016

Small town celebrations are great fun.  We started with a delicious pancake breakfast at the American Legion, then had front row seats for the 30 minute long parade.  There were no crowds stacked 4 to 8 deep on the sidewalk, I think most of the residents were in the parade(!).   After that, everyone gathered at the nearby park for craft sales, watermelon and pies, and games.  Races from the tiniest kids to energetic adults, the little ones were so funny, jumping the gun, running into each other, running the wrong way.  All in good natured fun. 

That was a good way to work up an appetite for the Salmon Bake.  Oh so delicious fresh sockeye salmon, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, and desserts.  All were homemade, of course. 

I guess the village of Haines decided that fireworks were getting too expensive, especially since it would be almost midnight before it was dark enough to make them effective.  There were plenty of personal fireworks, though, which went on well into the night. 

July 5, 2016

Just a day to drive around and enjoy the scenery.