Denali

We had a mixed experience at Denali and area. Started out chilly in our campground 13 miles into the park. Took the 5 hour bus trip to Wonder lake and ran smack into mosquito ville. On with the head nets and bug spray. Nice little spot on an incline near the lake, should have been lovely but in turned out to be our rainiest day in 8 weeks! One night in the tent for Joe and I, not too bad, but poor Phil, wet, and failed air mattress, left him looking sad after spending the night trying to sleep in a gravel pit covered shelter covered with mosquitoes!

Regular attempts to see "the mountain", everyone looking, it is the big draw of course beside the wildlife. On the bus we saw 2 cute little short eared owl juveniles sitting in a pine tree, 2 grizzlies, a wolf, dall sheep on the hillside. The park was overwhelmed with a peak population of snowshoe hares, which means, there will be a peak in the lynx and wolf populations in the next few years. We also spotted some red fox pups playing, nice sight. A golden eagle roosting on the ground, a jaeger ( pronounced with a y), gulls, and sandpipers in the woods! And of course old Mr Raven follows us everywhere taking advantage of left overs. Everyday we see more and more wildflowers, so many varieties, such as blue bells, lupine, dogwood, fireweed, wild rose, ect., I am amazed at the numbers. We had the treat of watching a dog sledding demo with the rangers, including 6 husky pups. Huskies come in many different colors and types and are bred by their ability to lead, and good temperaments. Dog sleds are used exlusively for patrolling the park by rangers in winter, snow mobiles are prohibited.

Denali is enormous and mostly closed to tourists unless you backpack. Just a few days before we came 2 young women were lost in the park and finally found, following a braid ( rivers separating as a result of glacial runoff). One must really be prepared to venture out into this wilderness.

The day after rain comes the sun, and with it Mt McKinely, over 20,000 ft, which is very grand and quite exciting. Two more days of boon docking and we head back to Anchorage where we bid a farewell to Phil as he heads out to visit his cousin in Kotzebue, a remote area in the Arctic circle, we look forward to hearing about his travels.

Seward Alaska

On June 18th we picked Phil up in Anchorage and traveled to Seward which is on the coast of the Kenai Penninsula. A much bigger town than Valdez, tours, and lots of fishing. Joe and Phil decided not to spend 11 hours on a halibut charter, perhaps with sea sickness. Instead the 3 of us went on a tour of Kenai Fiords National Perserve. It was an 8 1/2 hour trip along the coast. The day was a bit chilly (as usual) and cloudy but no rain. We saw quite a variety of wildlife. Both horned and tufted puffins, harbor seals, sea lions, orca and humpback whales, common murres and gulls nesting on rocks that protect them from predators. A very cooperative bald eagle sat for a photo op. We also got an upclose view of Northwestern glacier while pieces that had calved bumped the boat. All along our captain narrated with stories and history. A cold but very enjoyable day. Topped off with a delicious salmon buffet!

Camped near the coast in a rather delapitated campground while Phil stayed in an even worse cabin. Next morning toured the Seward Sealife Center to see sealife up close and personal. One of the nicest aquariums we have ever seen. We were able to see those cute little puffins diving under water. They swim much better than they fly.

Camped on our way back to Anchorage on beautiful Kenai lake and hiked to another small glacier lake, always keeping our eyes peeled for bears.

Joe and I were glad to have Phil's easy company, and he was very excited to be in Alaska.

Seward Alaska

Valdez, Glenn Highway to Anchorage

We stayed 3 nights in Valdez and really enjoyed it. Lots of wildlife, birds mostly. we biked a path that surrounds the sound 26 miles. I guess they must receive lots of money from the oil companies. The local folks were friendly and helpful. We bought fishing licences and poles and tried our luck there.....no bites.

Boondocked on a quiet little lake in chitina (pronouced Chitna). Great spot, but the winds nearly blew us over. Joe was determined to get a fish and boy did he! A nice lake trout, probably 8-10 lbs. He fought it in with a small pole and we had it for dinner the following night...yummy!

Drive to Anchorage along the Glenn highway was pretty incredible. Views of Matanuska Glacier. The road follows deep ravines between the Chuguch and Alaska Mt ranges. Still snow in many areas.

All of Alaska and Canada are about 2 weeks behind with their spring weather . We finally had a sunny cool day with a nice bike ride through Anchorage. Their bike paths are the most extensive and longest I have ever been on. Surprized by a moose on the side of the path, he pretty much just ignored us, and we were in middle of the city! Great planning left them with a lovely green belt, where you have access to the path from almost anywhere in the city.

Tomorrow Phil joins us for about a week, where we will head to Seward and then to Denali. Tune in soon for more!

Northwest Yukon to Valdez

The drive north of Haines Junction continued with high snow capped Mt's. Stopped for a hike with our little bells on, were able to see the dahl sheep high on a steep hillside. Their lambs are only 2 weeks old, so they stay high to protect against predators. We were thrilled to see our very first grizzles just meandering along the access road, got quite a bit of attention. Another young one about 5 Min's. later on the side of the road. Much of this area is desolate, businesses closed and boarded up.

6 miles after crossing into Alaska is the Tetlin Wildlife Refuge. Absolutely breathtaking. Great visitors center and one of the best campgrounds we have stayed in and it was free! We were camped next to a lake where we watched Loons, barrows golden eye, Trumpeter Swans, scooters, and a cute little muskrat swimming back and forth in front of us.

More open country and even larger Mt's as we pass by St Elias and Wrangle Mt ranges. As we got closer to Valdez the Mt's got closer and cloud covered similar as the road into Skagway, only even higher. Lots of RV parks in Valdez and of course the lovely pipeline, and fishing businesses. Cold and windy, burrr... so far one glimpse of a sea otter, but we plan to fish today. The view from our trailer is awesome, camping right on the water!

Yukon: Whitehorse and Haines Junction

Whitehorse is a great little city. The capital of the Yukon with only 30,000 people. They have done a nice job with the downtown. We camped 1 mile outside the city in a wooded park called Robert Service. A bike path runs through it, and makes a loop that crosses the Yukon river and ends in town, near visitor center and shops. It is an older town with a western look. I ate great char and Joe had Muskox stroganoff. We are seeing more elk, bison, and other exotic foods on the menus. And of course lots of yummy salmon, smoked and fresh. A great quilt shop too!

Most of these photos are of the Elias Mt's located in Kluanne National Park. We hiked 11 miles through both wooded and meadow areas. Lots of wildflowers. Wore bear bells which kept the wildlife away, I would be nervous to hike without them. We did see many different kinds of scat, so we know they are out there! Kluanne is just outside the town of Haines Junction about 100 miles from Alaska border. Quiet town, lots of First Nations folks, and small business' that cater to outdoor activities like rafting and fishing. Listened to folk music outside last night at a cute little cafe in the woods.

We are headed out today, may cross to Alaska, unless something else calls to us!

Skagway

Eerie and majestic drive through MT s to get to Skagway. Glaciers, low lying clouds, giving it a surreal look. The road was built long after the fishing village was established. We stayed in an RV park near the cruise ships at the waterfront. Crowds of tourists all around the town, taking trains, tour buses, and shopping. More jewelry stores than imaginable. Later in the afternoon, suddenly the streets are almost empty as the cruisers return to their ships. Pretty little town, very green, with high Mts all around. Road bikes, walked, and took a drive to Dyea, a quiet area just north of Skagway. After 2 nights we move on to join the Alaska Highway, route 1 in the Yukon.