July 28-July 29, 2009

Hurray, the mail came.  We paid bills and left and drove to a small lake on the Teslin Wildlife Refuge.  We camped by the water.  We met a nice couple from New Mexico and traveled with them to Congdom Lake where we camped on Wednesday.  Thursday we headed to Whitehorse .  Camped , washed clothes, cleaned the RV and went out to a great dinner at the Klondike Salmon and  Rib BBQ.  I had been told about this place by 3 couples so saved my dinner out for here.  Tomorrow on down the road and on to a new road, the Cassier Highway.

July 27, 2009

Went to get the mail but it had not arrived so we toured the town and bought fish and watch sea lions eat salmon.  It was rainy on and off.  We grocery shopped and walked. The mountains are covered with clouds but still this is a beautiful town.  This town is fishing.  The oil spill must have scared them about maybe losing the fishing.  There is a glacier out of town that is retreating quickly.

July 26, 2009

Arrived in Valdez about 10:30.  Checked in and then drove around .  It rained and misted all day.  We went to a visitor center and learned about Valdez before the earthquake and before it was moved to firmer ground.  I washed clothes, 6 loads.   A rather quiet day. 

I will post picture when I have better internet.

July 25, 2009

Left Chitina on the way to Valdez.  We decided to stay in a state campground on the pass above Valdez.  It was advertised as one of the prettiest campgrounds in the state and it was.  Above timberline with fantastic views.  It is clear today so we can see the mountains.  We drive into Valdez after setting up camp.  What a beautiful setting for a town.  Awesome is the only word.  Glaciated mountains all around.  In my mind it is what an Alaskan town should be.  If only it didn't get 25 feet on snow on average each year.  We stopped at a ranger station and found out some things to do and watched fish spawn the drove home for dinner and bed

july 24, 2009

We left our camp about 9 am and it was clear so we hoped to see mountains,but the farther we drove the smokier it got .  A big fire in the Wrangell-St Ellis.  We drove to Chitina and were going to stay at the only RV park there but it was a terrible place.  We got information at the National Park station there and found a state park by the Copper River.  There were many fisherman there.  It is a famous salmon stream Huge river. All the rivers are full of silt from glaciers, not beautiful mountain streams.  We drove up to McCarthy after we got set up.  Sixty miles on  DIRT ROAD.

It took 3 hours.  McCarthy is an old town that was started to provide housing and services for the Kennicott mine.  It is now a destination and run by a a company bringing kids from around the country.  We were shuttled to Kennicott on the side of the hill next to the Kennicott Glacier.  The copper mine was started in 1910 and closed in 1938.  A huge operation.  What a place to live all year around.  A company town. Very interesting and a good visit.  Then 3 hours back.  Dinner at 9 pm.

July 23, 2009

We left Sterling and drove to through Anchorage and Palmer.  We stopped at Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.  They take care of animals who can no loger be released.  It is like the Nature Center in Red Lodge only bigger.  

We stayed in a state campground at Glacier Park.  The glacier is Matanuska Glacier and we were able to walk out on it.  I appears to be owned by a family.  They offer ice climbing and walking on it for a price of course.  I don't understand how a glacier can be owned unless it was park of an early claim.  

We saw a mother moose and 2 babies standing in the middle of the road.  Many moose get killed on highways up here. 

July 22,2009

Today has been a real day off.  We washed clothes, cleaned house, mailed a package and read.  No sightseeing, no pictures, no more rain today.  On the road tomorrow.  We are rounding the bend toward home.

July 21, 2009

Woke to sunshine.  Conrad decided to hike to Russian Falls.  It is on the Russian River which is famous for its fishing.  All the things we read said bears most often were fishing below the falls.  Conrad had high hopes for bear activity.  He say men fishing, sea gulls, and lots of salmon below the falls.  Perfect for bears. But no bears were getting breakfast.  They were climbing up the falls, falling back, and trying again.  On the way back he did see bear scat.  Just like the mountains they are there but not for us to see.  Conrad enjoyed his hike.

Otto and I drove the 19 mile scenic drive through the animal reguge.  I saw a bear, 2 loons, and 1 moose.  After I picked up Conrad we drove home on that road and saw ravens and the bear.

Tomorrow wash clothes and get ready to leave Thursday.

June 20, 2009

Another rainy day.  We have yet to see any of the fantastic mountains that I know are around here.  Mt Redoubt for one.  It doesn't look like we will see any today.  We head down to Homer which is on the otherside of the Kenai Pennisula.  It is a 90 mile drive and it drizzles and is foggy.

Homer is a fishing town, mostly halibut.  It is one of the nicer towns we have seen,which is a surprise. So many of the small towns don't seem to have much to hold them together.  No center. It is quite lovely town center and all.  We go through a visitor center and drive out onto the "spit',a long skinny piece of land barely above water level, and have lunch, drive to the end of the east road.  Still I know there are high mountains across the bay,but can't see them. There are many houses and lots for sale.

Driving home we stop at Norman Lowell's Art Gallery.  We were told about it  in the RV Park.  Not expecting much but are knocked over when we open the door.  The painting are breathtaking in their depiction of Alaska.  He and his wife homesteaded in 1958 and lived in a one room long cabin which is still on the property.  They have since built a gallery, house and studio.  Back to his paintings.  If I had $32,000 I would buy one.  Christmas is coming maybe Santa will remember me.  Anyway the paintings and the artist were wonderful.  He is 83 now and charming.  I want to buy a print.  Will have to substitute enough times.

We stopped at an old Russian village.  The old church is preserved and has a great cemetry overgrown with flowers.  beautiful.  The Cow Parsnip is taller than I am.  Wish ours grew so tall.

July 18 and 19 2009

We drove to Sterling today and will stay here 5 night and go around the Kenai Pennisula.  The Red Salmon so camp openings are hard to find.  It is Saturday so folks are here from Anchorage.

We looked around the area and watched some fishermen.  They line almost every bank of the rivers.  Where the Kenai River enters the Cook Inlet there we fishermen with nets lining the banks and boat all over.  Quite a show.  I keep trying to get Conrad to go, but he isn't sure he wants to fish.  We went for a 3 mile hike today in a Wildlife Reserve, but saw more flora than fawna. Heard loons again, wonderful sound.  We drove out to Cook State Rec Area and saw canoers.  Alaska seem to have many canoe trail.  Go from one lake to another.  One couple had a min pin with a life jacket on.  Cute.

The very old town of Kenai has 2 old Russian churches and a couple old cabins left.

Tomorrow to Homer and the Spit.  Taking the car so I guess Otto wil go so not sure about going to Halibut Cove on Ferry.  Takes too long.

July17,2009

Onward to Seward by the ocean.  We passed through Anchorage and stopped at Fred Meyers for groceries.  On we went and the scenery got more lush and greener.  Seward is surrounded with mountains carved by glaciers and some glaciers left hanging in the high mountains.  We hiked to Exit Glacier named early by men who hike across the icefield and could exit on the glacier.  It is sad how it is retreating fast.  After the hike we had a good halibut fish and chips dinner. Washed clothes and showered and slept great.   Otto too.