Palmer to Kenny Lake - June 30, 2014

Jim and Dee went to the Iditarod museum this morning.  When we all got folded up and hooked up, it was about 11:30.  We headed back to the Glen Highway to the Richardson Highway and arrived at our destination, Kenny Lake.  When we got here, they had our reservations for July 3rd but they found three spots for us.

It started raining shortly after noon and has rained on us most of the trip.  Jeff reported a little while ago that it was going to get down into the thirties tonight and remain there tomorrow as well.  We will break out the heavy coats again.
There were turnoffs to view the Matanuska Glacier.  It heads in the Chugach Mountains and trends northward 27 miles.  Some 18,000 years ago it reached all the way to the Palmer area which is about 60 miles.  The glacier's average width is 2 miles;  at its terminus it is 4 miles wide.  The glacier has remained stable the last 400 years although I would have sworn it had receeded since we were here in 2010.


We stopped at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park visitors center learned some interesting facts and watched a film about the park.  It is the largest national park and much if it could only be seen from airplanes etc.  Jeff and Marcella are considering a hike in the park. It isn't looking like the weather is going to cooperate.

The fireweed is beginning to bloom and was shining along the road even in the rain.  The road had many frost heaves and pavement breaks so driving was a little more stressful and we had to open the doors to the cabinets and refrigerator carefully when we got set up.

 Our scene this morning

 Matanuska Glacier

 Jeff, Marcella, Jim, and Dee approaching the switch back at Matanuska River, I think

 Jeff and Marcella on the uphill climb after the switch back

 Jim and Dee on the bridge at the switch back

 Fish wheel that the residents are allowed to use - below:  What we met along the way

Hatcher Pass, Independence Mine - June 29, 2014

The drive along the Susitna River was beautiful.  We stopped many times along the 49 miles as we drove to the historical Independence Mine.  The mine operated in 1938-1941 and was one of the largest gold producers in the Willow Creek mining district.  There were over 200 men working the mine in cold, dangerous conditions.  They made $7.50 a day with room and board.  Many families also lived there.  They had their own school.  When we were there 4 years ago, it was not open and there was hardly anyone else there.  No so this time - there were many other tourist there.  There are a lot of hiking trails around the area and they were being well used.

One of the most amazing things we saw was a dozen or so hang gliders sailing off the peaks.  They could reach great heights and stay up for an amazing amount of time.

Prior to making that trip, we stopped and took a tour of a Muskox farm.  These animals disappeared from Alaska in the 1800s but were brought back from Russia I think in the 30s and today there are 2 farms and several thousand wild Muskox in Alaska.  Their qiviut (wool) is combed and collected once a year.  The items made from this qiivuit is quite expensive.  It is very light weight and is supposed to be much warmer that wool.  In fact a lady was pricing a bundle of yarn.  It was $95 a skein and it took 2 to make a hat.

We built a fire at out campsite after arriving "home" even though it wasn't very cold.  It fact it was the warmest day we have had since we arrived in Alaska.  It is enjoyable to sit around it and visit/tell stories anyway.

 Don't think I will apply

 Olive feeding the muskox named Olive

 Beside the rushing Susitna River

 The remains of the Independence mine

 The rail cars the gold was transported out of the mine

Below:  hang glider from the mountain peak

  Independence mine from trail above it

Homer to Palmer - June 28, 2014

This morning we made one last run to the Two Sister's Bakery and then Marcella and I walked a little ways on the beach collecting rocks.  Marcella also picked up pieces of coal, some pretty large.  I mentioned in yesterday's blog that lots of coal is washed up on the beach at Homer from the bluffs across the bay.  The Milepost says as much as 400,000,000 tons deposited (don't know if that is per year or not) but the locals collect it and heat with it during the winter.  Guess Marcella is ready for the winter. ha

We left Homer a little before 9, made a few rest stops along the way and arrived at Big Bear RV Park in Palmer about 5.  The drive today was as beautiful as we remember it.  We had driven the same highways on our way south but enjoyed it as much in the northerly direction as we remembered it in the southerly direction.  As we drove along the Turnagain Arm, the tide was low and as you remember in my earlier blog, the Turnagain Arm is known for having one of the world's remarkable high tides and so the low tide was amazing.  The news yesterday reported that a tourist, trying to get a picture of an Eagle, got stuck in the "mud/sludge" near Ninilchik and had to be rescued.  By the time they got him out, the water was chest high.  Good idea to observe the warning about not going out on it when the tide is down.

We did see a moose with twins but couldn't get much of a picture since there really wasn't a place to pull off.

You can kind of see the moose but have to use your imagination to see babies

We all decided we were too tired to cook so ate at a Mexican restaurant.  Jeff, Marcella, Gary, and I then stopped at wal-mart to replenish supplies.

 Collecting rocks on the beach

 Jellyfish on the beach

 Marcella with her collection of coal

 One last picture of one of the volcanic mountains with reflection on the bay

 They just seem to be saying,"I'm posing so take my picture"

 View along the way

 Another view - below:  Don't think you can see how low the tide is

Homer, AK - June 27, 2014

We are still in the campground on the Homer Spit where we have a fantastic view of the Kachemak Bay.  Kachemak is a Russian name meaning "high cliffs on the water".  Another interpretation of the name suggests it means "smokey bay"  from the smoke which once rose from the smoldering coal seams on the bluffs.  Today the erosion of these bluffs drops huge fragments of coal creating a plentiful supply of winter fuel for the residents.

The Homer Spit is a ong narrow bar of gravel past the main town of Homer.  The Spit has quite a history of fishing industry and boat activity.  Today it is the site of a major dock facility for boat loading, unloading, servicing, and refrigerating.  In 1964, after the earthquake, the Spit sank 4 to 6 feet, requiring several buildings to be moved to higher ground.

This morning, we went into town and ate at a notorious bakery, Two Sisters.  It was nice enough to eat out on the porch.  Then I did some shopping in the unique shops on the Spit.  This afternoon, Jeff, Marcella, Gary, and I found another drive high above the bay and Spit to enjoy the beautiful scenery again.

Gary cooked steaks for all of us this evening.  We enjoyed the meal very much.

 Breakfast on the porch at Two Sister's bakery

'

 One of the interesting dwelling/RVs - don't think this one goes on the road

 Homer Spit high above the bay

 Don't know the name for these but they look like cotton balls

  Lupines blooming everywhere - so pretty

Homer area - June 26, 2014

After a lazy morning, the six of us headed out for a road trip around the area.  Our first stop was an art gallery.  The painter, Norman Lowell, homesteaded land on the Kenai Peninsula.  He, his wife, and their 5 children lived in the extreme wilderness in a tiny cabin.  He started painting in the 70s and has his art work displayed in a large gallery he and his wife have built and added onto several times.  It was a special treat to get to talk to him.  As is most art work, the ones for sale were pretty pricey.  Since none of us have houses or money (after this trip, ha) we didn't make a purchase.

Our next stop was Anchor Point, the western most point by continuous highway in North America.  The highlight of that stop was watching eagles (at least 20) and gulls feeding on fish carcasses that had been deposited along the bank.

On our way back to Homer, we drove a little traveled road by the name of East End Road.  It was an unbelievable view and ended on a bluff overlooking the bay.  As you will see in the picture below, the road was a challenge.  They were working on it in several places, some looking like it would not be navigable.  Jeff was driving and we made it to the "end".  Actually if we had wanted to drive a very steep winding road, we could have driven all the way down to the beach.  Jeff chose not to chance that.

We were all too tired to cook so ate out before coming back to the campground.

 We have found our next house

 Sandhill cranes doing a dance along the road

 Coming in for a landing

 On the bluff overlooking Kachemak Bay

 The road to the bluff

Ninilchik to Homer - June 25, 2014

We didn't get an early start today since we were only traveling south about 40 miles to Homer.  There were several opportunities to pull of in turnouts and view those awesome volcanic mountains across the inlet.  At one stop, we walked a short distance to the edge of a bluff overlooking the beach and a good view of the mountains again.  I never get tired of that view.

It was just a little after one when we arrived at our destination on the Homer Spit.  We are set up at the Homer Spit Campground with a great view of Kachemak Bay and mountains across the bay.  We walked up to some of the shops and watched the "Buttwhackers" whack "filet" fish, mostly Halibut, that were brought in.  The biggest one we saw was a little over 73 pounds.  They can get them cut up and ready to go in an amazing amount of time.

Jim and Dee fixed some of the Halibut they caught for all of us.  We sat outside and ate.  The wind had shifted and it was getting too cool for us to sit out very long.

Ninilchik - June 24, 2014

Jeff, Marcella, Jim, and Dee were scheduled to go on a charter halibut fishing boat.  They had to be there at 7 a.m.  We went to watch them launch.  Launching in this area is very different.  There are no docks so the boats, on a trailer, are backed into the water, usually at low tide, a by what I call a tractor with huge wheels.  The boat is backed far enough into the water for the propeller to clear the bottom and get off the trailer.  Then when they return, usually at high tide, the trailer is back into the water and the boat comes in at a pretty good speed, hits the trailer, is hooked on, and then pulled out by the "big tractor".  The rules for fishing are different this year.  Each person can only keep 2 fish, one large, but the other can be no longer than 29".  It has had a negative affect on the fishing charter business.  Marcella caught the biggest one, which weighed in the 20s I think.  They all got their two fish and we had some of Jeff and Marcella's for supper which we enjoyed very much.

Gary and I did laundry (not too exciting but necessary) then drove around the area.  I walked a path to a bluff overlooking the Cook Inlet and a wonderful view of

 Launching with the "ring of fire" in the background

 Launching

 Almost there

 Coming in

the beautiful mountains across the inlet.  The weather today has been sunny and pleasant.  The tops of the mountains cannot always be seen because of the clouds but today they were shining in all their glory.  This mountain range is known as the "ring of fire" because of its volcanic activity.  The names are Mount Iliamna, Mount Redoubt, Mount Augustine, and Mount Spurr.  Their snow covered peaks shine on a day like today.  Mount Augustine has erupted several times, most recently in 2006.  Mount Spurr last erupted on March 22, 2009 resulting in ash falling as far away as Anchorage.