July 1-31 pictures to follow
July 4th
Friday at Petrusa’s cabin, beautiful weather, met Melanie’s parents, really
liked them. Got to talk with Kim Isley
and able to enjoy the big deck on the new cabin. Kids in the water having fun.
July
6-8 Drove north on Parks Highway to
Talkeetna and spend some time there. The
Roadhouse Bakery was open and got more cloth and found the porcupine quills. Tried the Black Squirrel Bakery, baked sweets
were okay but very fun inside and large menu as café. Drove back to Talkeetna Lakes Park. Would be a good hike with a group around the
lakes. Early dinner at Denali Brewing on
the Spur Road. Drove to Princess
McKinley Lodge. BOGO 50% off. Large camp of lodge buildings developed
mostly for the Princess Tour groups.
Central Lodge has upscale dining, large gathering area, huge wrap around
deck facing Denali, gift shop, bar and general purpose room; separate dining
hall for general population and limited menu; Hudson theater, a large area with
fire pits, selling drinks popcorn and smores.
Beautiful sunny evening. Sit on
the deck with drinks watching Denali show itself and surrounding peaks. Our room was in Building 17, second
floor. Very spare but comfortable and
close to all activities on the grounds.
Had TV and was able to get Internet access due to our location.
Awoke in AM
and took off north for Denali. We were
about an hour and a half away. Mostly
forested driving with good roads. But
drive through the summit near tree line was impressive. Drove into glitter gulch to visit the Denali
Princess Lodge. Very impressive and
large camp with a central gathering building and a variety of restaurants and
gift shops on the grounds. Drove into
the Park as far as we could go to Savage River, drove back down to the
Visitor’s Center, saw a movie and gift shop.
Headed further north to Healy for 49th State Brewery and
restaurant. There is a large fire north
of here but not immediate danger for the location. Had lunch and left in heavy downpour until we
got further south. Stopped at Beyers
Lake and campground. Lake looks
beautiful but high grasses in more remote camping means bugs and bears. Back at the Lodge we stop at the
treehouse. A guy builds treehouses all
over the nation and one is here. It is
an impressive structure and when the mountains are out the view must be
spectacular but now it is socked in.
Ended our day on the deck with no one around, we are in between the
bigger tour groups. Get up to drive back
to Anchorage, stop in Talkeetna for more earrings and stop at Palmer visitor
center for a browse. They are tearing
down the former library due to snow damage and will take two years to
rebuild. Back in Anchorage we meet Quinn
at her bus. It’s been a long day and so
it goes.
Chuck
painted the railing on the deck, it was almost bare of paint. Lowe’s matched the color with a water based
stain. Looks nice. Assessing how to set up the second bedroom
for Carrie and Seth when they come.
Queen air mattress and sheets are good to go and all new pillows. Bought a cheap table for inbetween our lounger chairs at Good Will. Ordering Ak Chips for Seth and Carrie. Took Quinn to Potter Marsh, she lasted
halfway. Chuck’s invisible Dog with
leash, named Rover by Dean is ready to go walking. Chuck golfing with AARP each week we are in
town as long as there is a space available. Chuck cut back the bush that hangs
over our car with Gene’s permission.
Had a Kid’s
Friday while Brenna flew to Kenai for the day; zoo, golf, park, taste
freeze. Saturday Farmer’s market found
rhubarb $5.00 per pound and a couple fresh veg; that night at Double Musky.
Chuck liked his prime rib, pat not liking the lamb, blueberry dessert not
great, chuck liked his triple chocolate.
Watched
Quinn during the week during school days, T, W, R until her final day for
summer school. The Bus attendant said
she has made a lot of advancement and adjustment. We gave the bus staff a box of treats and
thank you note. Lots of trips to Tastee
Freeze. Spent the week shopping,
prepping the apartment for Seth’s visit.
Dean made signs and brought creepy creatures, whoopie cushion and scary
scenery to welcome Uncle Seth and Aunt Carrie.
Saturday 7/26. Final packing and off to Homer. Day clearing as we drive south on the Seward Highway. (Friday was full day of heavy rain). Tide very high on shoreline and into rivers and overflow. Snow still low on some mountains and avalanche areas. Drove back to Portage Valley. Stopped at the Lodge for coffee, passed the lake and visitor’s center. Turnagain Pass has low snow. Took the Hope spur for brief visit. Walked to the river with much fishing for Pink’s, sun shining. The small café is closed and no yurts. The camping area is full. Stop at the Library gift shop, no purchases. There is a nice selection of café’s and restaurants in the perimeter areas of the old town. Stopped off at Princess Lodge at Copper Landing. Snagged a balcony table overlooking the Kenai River. Food was excellent. Traffic not bad following the river with lots of fishing in the water and in drift boats. The Sockeye count as exceeded expectations and they have opened up more fishing. The day is sunny and warm. Got into Homer, the volcanoes are fairly visible with Augustine in full view.
Visitor Center is closed. Lands
End has closed their deck with renovations.
Seals are in the fishing hole with the jumping salmon. Stop at Bishop’s Beach, a little windy, no
sign of Sandhill Cranes, water is choppy, no sea life observed. Stopped at Homer
Brewing, Chuck having dark porter.
Checked into Best Western Bidarka.
It was difficult getting a room with it being sold out. Tired after a long day of travel ready to
relax and ready for sleep. Day in Homer
tomorrow before getting on the ferry to Kodiak.
Sunday. Sunny and warm. They gave us a room with an adjoining door which we always say no to. The people next door were two women who made so much noise and inappropriately so we went to front desk and told them when we return next week we did not want adjoining rooms and they took care of it. Breakfast was free at hotel and so so in quality. We drove up Skyline Road for the panoramic view and it was all clear with volcanoes and glaciers in full view. We took in various retail shops on the Spit and retail on Main St. Nothing of interest to buy. The Spit is parked full but we were able to find a spot. Late lunch at Harbor Grille and it was delicious although Chuck’s Kachemak oysters were small. We visited the Bunnell Gallery in Old Town with a show ending and got info on the Mike Sirl Kachemak Bay map that we have framed from a yard sale. Ours is numbered but curator wasn’t clear on its value over non numbered. Regardless it will be passed down. Waited at Ferry terminal in line for over 2 hours. The Tustumena is an older ship and they much raise and lower the elevator and then vehicles land on a giant turn table to get offloaded and parked. It’s a miracle the huge semi rigs they have parked on board. Cafeteria is closed, the vending machines are bare, a lone beef and cheese on white is all available and it is passable for Pat. Sat on the deck watching the volcanoes march in line; Redoubt, Iliamna with the sun setting behind it, Augustine and Douglas. A thrill to see them so vividly since they are often in cloud.
The current changes the ferry starts rolling. Pat takes a Dramamine and both of us go to
bed with our long day behind us.
Monday We got messages from Seth that their flight was delayed coming out of MN but landed safely. We had prepared the apartment for them with food and ready bed. They were able to settle in fairly quickly. On the ferry Pat slept soundly through the rolling surf and we awake to sun landing at the village of Port Lyons. A very simple small village and not much we can see from the dock. Pick up one passenger and a couple vehicles. We are in the Shelikof Straights with shorelines closing in. Stop at tiny village of Quzinski and pick up one passenger and no vehicles.
We see a
few otters and seals and jumping salmon.
Back in open water we round the island of Kodiak navigating around lot
of rocks. Our departure was as hairy was
our embarkment, but the staff are very competent, professional a friendly, it
makes it better to deal with it.
Kodiak has wind turbines on the mountain above town. The bay is tight with lots of boat activity and a large fishing fleet. We depart the ferry that sits in the middle of town. Kodiak is oldest white village in the state with the first ever licensed bar. We are in the heart of downtown and somehow miss the Visitors Center.
So taking the maps we had we took off, too early to check into the hotel at 11AM. We drive over the one bridge to Near Island and check out the parks and the Ak State fishing/aquatic research center where we will return when it is open. We drive north to Fort Abercrombie left over defense station during WWII. What a delight to walk through the rain forest thick with moss and tall pine trees. Some cement battlements are still existing. A beautiful cliffside view of the ocean where we had to turn into the bay. A huge pile of bear scat and a sign saying they are in the area made us watchful, red raspberries in full bloom.
Driving to a few beaches that are white or black sand and fun for swimming and fishing.
We find the Visitors Centers, get some maps
and information. We drive out to Women’s
Bay past the US Coast Guard Station, largest in the nation. We look for bears fishing for pinks but no
sign. There is a large landslide area
near the base, similar to what we are seeing in other coastal towns. The low fore mountains are thick with under
growth looking like green velvet.
Reminiscent of Hawaii’s mountains.
Kodiak is vulnerable to tsunamis with earthquake activity so evacuation
is taken seriously. Back in town check into Compass Suites, brand
new hotel with full kitchen, seating area and balcony overlooking downtown and
the harbor. They hotel is only partially
finished but our room is very nice. Have
dinner at Henry’s, an old local standby just a block from our hotel. Chuck’s Kodiak scallops were small but tasty
and he liked the chowder. Pat’s Kodiak
cod and chips and coleslaw as extra side were good, fish was fresh but pretty
routine. Back at hotel we catch up on
the day and map out what to do in our next four days. We are further south so we may have some
dark, but it’s still very light after 8PM.
Until tomorrow. Grateful for all
of our safe travels, may it continue.
PS Chuck got a call from cousin Will that his
mom Aunt Claire died at 91. We are
unable to go but Chuck made sure his siblings knew what has happened.
Tuesday. Awake to full sun, continental breakfast is very basic. We go to newly renovated Alutiq Museum and it is beautiful. $8.00 senior rate. The exhibits are very well done and learn some new things. The gift shop has lovely native and other items. Buy an Alutiq vocab mug, some wish stones and local deer antler sections that Pat will make into Christmas ornaments. The St. Herman Russian orthodox church is across the street with its onion domes and tiny graveyard.
We drive out to the Alaska State Fish and Game exhibit on Near Island. Interesting facts on aquatic statistics and harvesting. A two story fish tank with mature fish, anemones, crabs and huge starfish is on lower floor with loaded tidal tank that has animals that can be touched. Rate is free.
Go to Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center with short video, hands on animal samples, display of bears (Kodiak’s are in their own class as largest bears in the world) and aquatic displays. Nice gift shop, free entrance and info materials.
Drive to
Big Ray’s looking for Kodiak themed items.
They have lots but expensive Alaskan items we can buy at Ray’s in
Anchorage, there is high sales tax here.
Chuck already bought a sweatshirt at KNWRV. Drove out of town to Walmart and found lots of
Kodiak themed items, including the insulated Alaska bags. Stopped at the library, it is modern
beautiful building with three story black stone fireplace and log
structure. It sits next to the high school
that is relatively new and very stunning in design. Back at the room for a couple hours
recoup. 6PM dinner reservation at Hana
that sits on the narrow bay, we have a reserved table on patio overlooking the
water. The menu is mostly Asian with
sushi etc. We try the miso marinated
black cod, that is excellent except for on end that is salty and fishy. Shrimp steamed tiny steamed dumplings are not
exceptional. Chuck gets Captains Plate
that is a deal at $33.00; deep fried veg, cod, salmon, scallop, shrimp and two
large pieces of Tanner crab with brown rice.
Pat had panko shrimp with veg.
All good to excellent. The Tanner
crab was a hit and usually very expensive so this was a deal. A seal swims by and salmon are jumping and a
few boats motor by. The sun has gone
behind high clouds so very pleasant outdoor dining. Back at hotel catching up on email. Pat bought a giant book of short stories at
the library for $1.00. No tsunami action
for Kodiak, the Aleutians had small effect from Russian earthquake.
Wednesday
Awoke to
anticipated rain. First rain since we
left Anchorage and anticipated. Slow
morning start. The Tustumena ferry is in port ready to depart tonight. They will return for us on Friday taking us
back to Homer. Left for Kodiak History
Museum just a few blocks away, fee $10.00.
The longest standing structure in Alaska in the oldest white community
in Alaska. The original structure is
still intact and fascinating. Finnish
builders were commissioned to build it out of local Sitka Spruce using their northern
techniques. The logs were hewn with a
gash on one side that shake when earthquakes hit but resettle back into their
groove. The chinking is moss from the
first building. It is on the national
register so nothing permanent or marking can be done to the inside. The second floor is off limits but just as
original. Well done displays showing
Kodiak through the ages and they do no mince on the history including the
slavery of the local natives and unequal business practices. The natives who married outside their race
were called Creoles; a term I learned is used universally for mixed races. Fur trapping, fishing, whaling and sports
hunting have funded the island over time.
Kodiak is having a rejuvenation period right now to bring up the town’s
vitality. Lots of history of the Russian
influence and the white invasion, both imposing their religions on the natives. Then downtown to the new Market Place just
recently opened. A mall like structure
the houses wellness clinics and services as well as an upscale independent book
store, well stocked children’s toy store, bakery, outdoor gear and an Alaska
souvenir/grocery store. Stopped at Kodak
Smokehouse and Fish Processing. Lots of
cold seafood products and catch frozen and or refrigerated. No smoked fish available in cans just
refrigerated. Had a few Ak mementos but
nothing of interest. Fisherman in with
their salmon catch getting pricing for processing, flash freeze and
mailing. Drove out to the nine hole golf
course that sits on CG property with public access, the road to Anton Larson
Bay runs aside the Buskin River, famous for fishing and bears. Driving range is closed, club house adequate
but not over the top. Best Western Chart
Room for $16.00, burger, fries and brew night.
The hotel is going through much needed renovation and the clientele is a
lot of older fishermen tourists. Burger was
very good and we get a window seat looking over the marina, binoculars
provided. Stop off at Kodiak Brewing
located downtown with funky old Ak ambience.
Brews and their own distillery.
Chuck not too craze about the stout.
Across the street is Double Shovel Cider. Drive out to Women’s Bay with salmon creeks
and see no bears. Stop off at Buskin
State Park. Rutted road back but good
views of the bay and exiting Buskin Creek.
Rain has resumed with low cloud cover.
Supposed to stop tomorrow. Our
room remains comfortable and enjoyable with balcony view of downtown and
harbor. The next cruise ship is due
August 7 and we’ll be gone.
Thursday
7/31 Awoke to having a night of heavy rain. The fog was set in and creepy into the marina
and downtown at one point we only have about 100 ft of visibility from the
balcony. Things start clearing and we
take a chance to move south. We travel along the Chiniak Road, it borders a bay
but not many pull offs and lots of thick roadside growth. The pavement ends and we negotiate a gravel
road. The growth on the road sides
precludes views until we get near the end of the road. We access a wide pull off
and the view was worth waiting. Craggy cliffs with a variety of native flowers,
where the bay meets the ocean. The fog
bank is hanging in the distance waiting for an entry back on land. We see at least 100 sea otters rafting in
small groups and at least 4 sea lions swimming about them. Can’t get to the point as the road crosses
native land and looks worse than what we just traveled. There is a small school with playground and a
tiny library. We reverse our course to
the junction and take the Pasagshak Bay Road.
Such a beautiful valley surrounded by green velvet craggy
mountains. We travel over the pass and
descend to the Pasagshak Bay area with a small settlement of nice homes. Cattle and horses are free to roam and have
to avoid them on the road. We travel to
the State Rec area leading to the mouth of the Pasagshak River. We move into high county passing the Pacific
Space Port Complex onto the road to Fossil Beach. The road is nearly impassable with potholes,
loose gravel and steep grades. We reach the top parking area and walk down to
the beach of black sand. High cliffs on
either side of the beach have a couple fossils seen in the steep rock
wall. We also see stone nodules ready to
fall off the side, there is the sound of small stone flaking from the cliff,
seems it could fall at any time. We
negotiate the difficult road back to the junction. We arrive at the Olds River
Inn for dinner. The setting is
beautiful. overlooking the valley with velvet green mountains as backdrop. We
are able to sit on the covered veranda with views, cattle run down the
road. Chuck has raw oysters, chowder,
Pat has smoked black cod, both have cod stuffed with Tanner Crab, a bottle of
Romberger Chardonay and a rhubarb crumble.
Everything excellent, not crazy about the crumble. Drove the Anton Larsen Road past the boat
launch. Road is difficult but the valley
is close between interesting mountain shapes.
Larsen Bay is very calm and seems to be popular with locals to launch
their boats out into the ocean on the north side. No sight of any bears. Partly sunny, the fog holding off. Returned to hotel under low clouds. Stayed warm but breezy all day. Pasagshak is a favorite road. We see a fox and a buck and eagles. Tomorrow we are back on the ferry at 3PM so
time to pack and organize. What a nice
visit to Kodak. We know the weather
during our time was special and added greatly to our visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment