Our 2023 Adventures

 The drive to Valdez was not disappointing at all.  The views were spectacular as we travelled over the Chugach mountains.  There are over 300 glaciers in Alaska.  The more we see and learn about these is both exciting and depressingly sad.  More on this later. Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier. At 27 miles long by 4 miles wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States.  It has remained stable for the last 400 years.  (This information as well as most in the blogs, comes from "The Milepost" the bible of North Country travel and Alaska/Canada travel planner. The highest altitude gained during this drive was Thompson Pass at 2678' elevation and a drop of 10 degrees in Temperature.  Viewed Worthington Glacier.  A National Natural landmark After dropping almost to sea level and just outside Valdez and entering Keystone Canyon you encounter these falls: Bridal Veil Falls Horse Tail Falls Welcome to Valdez.  The nor...

 Hi again everyone.  Before moving on to Valdez, we have to share this picture and story that goes with it.  Every morning since full timing, we have our coffee outdoors.  While waiting for motel / restaurant to open before leaving Moose Pass", we sat outside as always and enjoyed the coffee and the beauty around us.  A young teen age girl thought the view of us sitting there was "cute" and took this shot.  As we walked back to check if restaurant was open, she came over to us explained as above and shared the picture with us: On the way to Valdez, a 7 hour trip from Moose Pass; we made plans to stop at an animal sanctuary that has become  famous due to one of the many Alaska shows.  One of these is "Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet" in National Geographic.  One of her many patients/clients is this Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) just outside Anchorage.  Most of the residents are either orphaned or injured and given a permanent home at t...

 Two very small towns in the middle of nowhere in the Kenai Peninsula.  We will not bore you explaining why we stayed here but we are glad we did.  The motels are rustic and basic but very busy.  The attached restaurants are also busy morning thru night.  Fresh food, brought in from Soldotna! We just keep being thankful the reservations were made back in September. Cooper Landing;  A stop over for many interested in lake and river fishing.  Several businesses are thriving providing fishing tours along the Russian River.  Others are going white water rafting.  No, we did not take any of these.  The great part was the fact that Kenai Lake was within walking distance from our motel.  We went there daily and enjoyed the beauty, serenity of the place while fishing.  Wendy walked the lake each day, birding.  Unfortunately, this author did not even get a nibble.  Tried every lure  in creation.  Bait and no bait; bo...

 Just a few more pictures for beautiful Homer Spit.  We spent a lot of time walking by Kachemak Bay.  Couldn't get enough!  Robert fished for salmon, twice, besides the Charter.  Didn't have luck, but still found it fun! We have been in Seward, since Tuesday.  It has been interesting, revisiting this place.  We found it had expanded and noticed the improvements and growth.  The marina is busier than ever.  The campgrounds here are FULL!       Our hotel is adjacent to Resurrection Bay.  This is a Fjord, (long, deep body of water with steep walls of rock on each side) on the Kenai Peninsula. As you can see, there are a couple of glaciers in those mountains.   We have spent each day, birding, sitting on benches, and walking by the Bay.  We have seen otters and harbor seals playing and hunting in their Bay playground!   It has rained here for 2 days.  We took the opportunity of the bad weathe...