Next we head south on the Sterling Highway to Homer Alaska.
Our first night (yes…pictured here is night) on the Homer Spit, we set up camp, build a fire and sit in awe of the Kachemak Bay.
To our disbelief, this guy swoops in…
…lands on a nearby log…
…with a snack…
…chows…
…then fly’s away.
This is our first taste of the Homer Spit!
(We camped at Heritage RV Park and loved it!)
Exit Glacier is a short distance from the town of Seward. It is a tiny sample of Kenai Fjords National Park and the only section that is accessible by vehicle.
http://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/index.htm
Exit Glacier looms in the background with the outwash plain in the foreground.
A short hike…
…gets you up close and personal to the glacier. This area offers other hiking trails that provide numerous views of the glacier.
http://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/upload/revised%20EG%20trail%20map%20July%2008.pdf
In hindsight we wish we had taken the time to explore more of Kenai Fjords on a boat tour. Hopefully we will get back someday.
We spotted this travel map on a camper in the parking lot…I would love to follow their blog!
On our way back to camp we found the perfect place for hungry, thirsty hikers.
After Anchorage we hit the Turnagain Arm (eye-popping stuff at all angles) down to the Kenai Peninsula.
Seward, Alaska…
…situated at the head of Resurrection Bay.
Alaska SeaLife Center…
…was a jackpot of information…
…a rehab center for…
…for rescued sea life.
They even had…
…a petting zoo.
No petting this guy!
We left Talkeetna and made our way to Anchorage just in time for the Summer Solstice Street Festival.
…No Bouncy House here! Mammoth sandbox…
Kayaking…
Wood carving
Hero Games…competiton between armed services, police and fire departments.
Reindeer sausage
Kodiak Brown Ale at Humpy’s Ale House, Downtown Anchorage.
Yikes! Is it really January 2013! As I write this I realize my last post was in August 2012 from Talkeetna, Alaska. My 9 months of travel throughout the USA, beginning in November 2011 and ending in August 2012, has long past ended. Sometimes tears stain my droopy, wrinkled face when I come to the realization that my Alaskan dream trip is past and gone. The last two of the nine months were spent galavanting through that incredible state with my best buddies Bridget and Neal. We bounced along on the Alaskan highways in our motor home hauling a 20 foot trailer with a Harley and Jeep Wrangler holding on for dear life behind us.
I am traveling again. We spent the end of the summer through Christmas replenishing our supplies. Neal and I chuckle at this…I say “WE” but Bridget was the one with the 6am departure spending day after day at work returning well past happy hour each day. Surprisingly, most days she returned home with a smile. I suppose nine months jammed in a camper with Neal and I could convince anyone that working can be fun…even a substitute teacher.
In true fashion of my blogging diligence, I still have a few Alaska shots to post before I move onto my present travels. I am looking forward to going back to Alaska even though it’s only through some snap shots.
My spot between the pilot and co-pilot in our motorhome as we bounce our way through Alaska.
We arrive at K2 Aviation at 8:30 am. We meet our pilot Mike, go over safety instructions and they load seven of us into a ten seat Otter.
We buckle up, put our headsets on and are cleared for take off.
The morning is still and bright as we head to the Alaska Mountain Range.
Our sight-seeing tour of Mount McKinely and neighboring mountains is spectacular!
Ruth Glacier is 40 miles long…
…and measured (in 1983) to be 3800 feet thick.
We see Mount McKinely and Mount Hunter…
…up close…
…and personal!
Mike surprises us with an announcement that we are landing on Kahiltna Glacier (the longest glacier in the Alaska Range at 45 miles long)…
…to pick up three McKinley climbers at Kahiltna base camp.
Mike points out the climbers trails up McKinley.
We line up for the landing.
How…
…cool…
…is…
…this?
We are warned not to stray…
…far from the plane. The glacier is fragile in places and very dangerous.
The climbers load their stuff into the Otter.
Time to head back 
This stuff endured three weeks of cold and snow on Mount Mc Kinley!
More stunning sights…
…on the flight back.
Whoa!
This afternoon in the beer garden at the Denali Brewing Company we chat with these three climbers from Boston Mass. They spent a month on the mountain and summited McKinley in 21 days. They were on the mountain when four Japanese climbers were killed in an avalanche in June. We were camping in Denali National Park at the time of the avalanche.
http://denalibrewingcompany.com/
They endure our questions for over an hour…Very nice men and very humble about their accomplishment.
We end our spectacular day with a spectacular meal at the Wildflower Cafe…Fresh Almond Encrusted Halibut…Oh Boy!
Bridget mopes as we leave Denali National Park but brightens at this view of the Alaska Range on our drive towards Talkeetna, Alaska.
From left to right Mount Foraker (17,400 ft.), Mount Hunter (14,573 ft.), Mount Mc Kinley (20,320 ft.).
We settle into our campsite at the Talkeetna Camper Park and unload the Harley for a ride. Bridget’s never-ending need to capture every angle of Alaska with a photo, back tracks us to the scenic area we passed on the way to Talkeetna. (Breathtaking Mount McKinley in the background)
Fish Lake on Talkeetna Spur Road.
We head out on Talkeetna Spur Road to the George Parks Highway then onto Petersville Road…not exactly Harley friendly. We brace ourselves for a bumpy dusty ride as the pavement ends…
…but we see pretty sights and wildlife along the way.
In Talkeetna Nagley’s Store &…
…the West Rib Cafe and Pub quickly becomes one of our favorite stops.
Neal continues on the road to adventurous dining…Caribou Burger & fries.
The Fairview Inn is bustling with activity in preparation for a wedding. It seems the whole town is talking about “The Wedding”. Every shop, bar & restaurant we poke our heads into appears to be taking part in the festivities.
Serving Talkeetna since 1923.
Our last stop is at K2 Aviation to schedule a sightseeing flight of Mt. Mc Kinley for tomorrow…Oh boy!
This bumper sticker speaks the truth. It is a great little town!
We stay five nights in Denali. Bridget gets a chance to explore, inside and outside the park, on her bike (thankfully I get to pass on these outings). Bike riding is allowed on the Park Road and a short bike path within the park.
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/cycling.htm
The bike path connects to a path outside the park that crosses over the Nenana River and into Nenana River Canyon. In the Canyon there are restaurants, shops, hotels, RV parks and a market.
Mount Fellows is in the background on the George Parks Highway.
One afternoon we enjoy a happy hour drink on the deck of the Grande Denali Lodge…
http://www.denalialaska.com/grande-denali-lodge/
…with a fantastic view to of the Alaska Range.
Sadly this is our last night in Denali National Park. We have a celebratory campfire…
Neal digs out his camo mosquito head net…not because of a sudden bug swarm …um…not really sure why…fashion statement perhaps?
Our entertainment in the park…emergency crank radio…Neal and I are ready for TV and real radio…
…Bridget says she could stay forever.
(this picture is snapped at 3am…I think I’ve mentioned…it never gets dark here)
Due to my inclination for snarling and lunging at other animals, I am expelled from today’s field trip. I am secretly grateful for this expulsion. I’ve discovered on my northern travels that Alaskans actually hook their dogs to sleds and expect them to pull loads of stuff through the snow and cold of the Alaskan frontier! Bridget tries to convince me that sled dogs are long-legged, strong and enthusiastic. HMMM…I’m not buying it…
…and the expression on my face says… don’t get any ideas…I may be strong… but I am NOT long legged…and even a truckload of Milkbones will NOT make me enthusiastic! I ain’t pullin’ nothin’ nowhere!
I snuggle into my bed and off they go…
They return from the Kennel and try to convince me the Denali Kennel is like a resort. The dogs are healthy, happy & love the work they do.
http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/kennels.htm
All the dogs have their own little cabin that they lay on or in.
They get loads of attention all day long.
Each dog has lots of friends to work and play with.
And their…
…feeling of…
…accomplishment is…
…very gratifying.
They do get Milkbones…no truckload in sight…I’m still out.
These little guys…
born this spring, should be warned!
It may look like a resort but I still have my doubts.
Where are the couches for napping?
Here we go…another dreaded hike.
Savage Rock Trail…mile maker 15 Park Road. We head up the trail…
…and up…
It’s hard to stop and smell the flowers when you’re gasping for air…but I try.
I am hoping this is high enough…but noooooo…we climb higher…
…until we can’t climb no more.
We watch sheep in the mountain above us… (Look closely…the tiny white specks are sheep)
…and caribou in the meadow below us. With the binoculars we also watch a moose foraging through the trees below us.
I sit, watch and listen. I have to admit this is spectacular! My mind wanders…perhaps there is a copter nearby for an air rescue.
I give up hope and start down this Savage Trail…
Back at camp I rest and scheme…play dead (thanks Hakeem) at the mention of the next hike!
