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.

Northern British Columbia

Things really started to feel wild when we turned north on the Cassiar highway(37) about an hour east of Prince Rupert. Few services, but the most continuously gorgeous drive I have ever been on. One snow capped MT after another. Lakes, rivers, awesome! We have stayed at 2 provincial parks, Meziadin and Kinaskan, both with lakeside sites. Since the season is early we had our pick. Fished 2 days, and Joe had the big "one that got away". Although we ate fresh fish that was given to us, called Dolly Varden. It was tasty, a little oily, got 2 meals from it.

Joe biked 22 miles on the road to Stewart, and passed 2 bears, thank god they ran when they saw him. The bears love eating the dandelions along the roadside, so the next day we saw 6 and got some great photos.

We took a day trip to Stewart, saw our first glacier. Small town with Mts to the sea.

The next stop Boya Provincial park on a lake where we rented kayaks, the water was turquoise and absolutely clear to the sandy bottom. It felt like the Caribbean, but freezing temps. Nice hikes around the lake, moose, and beaver sightings. Very quiet.
All of the Cassier highway is practically deserted, only the provincial parks until close to Watson Lake. Some of the road was a little rough, but doable and very worth it!
No phone service in this area, so I will call some of you when I get a chance. All for now