Jul 27 2014
We are back in Canada and can finally dispose of our empties! They don’t seem to have bins for recycling in Alaska, just garbage. We are spending 2 nights at Kluane National Park at the Kathleen Lake Campground. Although it is in a National Park, there is no fee charged for admission – unlike the National Parks in the Rockies.
Soaking their toes in Kathleen Lake
Kathleen Lake. Beautiful and serene
Jul 25 2014
Both Homer and Seward are not exactly places you visit along the way. They are both interesting places you go out of your way to visit. When in Seward, we went to the Kenai Fjords National Park and walked on a trail that led to the Exit Glacier. Exit Glacier is one of numerous glaciers that is part of the Harding Icefield which is a vestige of the last ice age.
We visited the Alaska SeaLife Center which is a non-profit, world-class, cold water marine research facility, aka Alaska’s premier public aquarium and marine wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre. Part of the capital funding for this facility was made possible through the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Settlement. We enjoyed seeing the puffins and seals. As we left Seward, we saw a Celebrity Cruise Ship docked at the pier.
We left the Kenai Peninsula and onwards to Palmer. Palmer is famous for their giant sized vegetables. We went to the Palmer Visitor Center which has a garden beside it showcasing some of their flowers and vegetables. We stopped by a produce stand to pick up some of their local vegetables. It was a tad pricey but when we are travelling, we like to buy local.
Our last stop for the day is Wrangell St-Elias National Park, the largest in the US. We considered going all the way into the Kennicott/McCarthy area but decided against driving 3.5hrs on a gravel road. Instead we spent a couple hours at the park’s visitors centre and attended a ranger talk and watched a short and informative documentary about the park. And despite a short stay, the kids were able to earn another Junior Ranger Badge.
As this is the halfway point of our trip in terms of distance – we will start to make our way back home. We will spend a night in Eagle River just outside of Anchorage and another night in Tok again.
Jul 24 2014
We are travelling to the Kenai Pensinsula and this drive is one of the most beautiful we’ve been on – along the coast of Cook Inlet, taking in the view of water and mountains (some with glaciers) along the way. We also drove through little fishing communities where you saw nothing but fly fishermen and small fishing boats on the the lake and rivers.
Volcanos across Cook Inlet
Homer is our first destination but we are spending the night at Anchor Point instead. We are at a State Recreation campground on Anchor River called Halibut. It is a beautiful place and also the most westerly point that you can drive to in the North American Continent. We are right next to the beach and this is where some of the halibut fishing boats are launched – even in low tide as they use a big tractor to launch the boat.
Eagle at our campsite
We visited the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Saw some interesting exhibits on how the people used to live. After that, we drove to the spit – apparently this is where all the action is in Homer. It is an interesting place – it has an ice-rink, marina, restaurants, wildlife tour operators, fishing charters, gifts/souvenir stores, seafood wholesalers etc.
We had dinner at Captain Patties which was recommended by the someone at the visitor’s centre. We had Alaskan King Crab – USD130 for 3 pounds! It’s the best king crab we have ever tasted, and so was the salmon and halibut.
Jul 23 2014
We left Denali a couple days ago and finally caught a glimpse of Denali/Mount McKinley, but not in its full glory..
Denali – “The high one”
The drive to Anchorage is pretty scenic but we did not see any wildlife.
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city with a population median age in the early 30s. One thing we noticed driving around is that there are churches of various denomination every couple of blocks.
We are camped at the Centennial Campground and it is close to the city. When we first arrived here, the first order of business was to stock up on supplies – and with Anchorage being a big city, we were able to find a Costco. The prices are slightly cheaper than back home.
The weather here in Anchorage changes drastically, cool in the morning and warm in the late afternoon. This morning we went for a hike at Flattop Mountain. It is the most climb mountain in the state – it’s somewhat like a mini Grouse Grind with some scrambling at the top but way more scenic.
After the hike, we went to the Alaska Zoo as the kids wanted to see the polar bears. That was a disappointing visit as all we saw was a bear plopped on a rock.
The Alaska Zoo is small, and a zoo in the classic sense – small space and cages. Jeff and I did not enjoy the zoo.
Tomorrow we are leaving for Homer for a day and then off to Seward after that.
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