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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Denali, the highest point in North America
Only seen on about 30% of the tours due to clouds.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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View from the Cassier Highway in British Columbia
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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We saw lots of fireweed, mostly by the side of the road.
They are the first thing to grow after a wild fire, and hence the name.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Stop and Smell the Fireweed.
       Once we made it to Fairbanks after lots of driving and challenges, we were not impressed, although glad we made it. It’s kind of a bland city but does have it’s special feel and history. From there we moved on to Cantwell with hopes of doing the Denali bus tour, but it was raining and the forecast called for lots more rain and overcast skies, so we moved on with a plan to return later when the weather was better. When we got to Palmer the weather was stellar and the campground was like a haven fit in between lush farm fields, a golf course and a beautiful mountain terrain. There’s also a drop zone (the only one in Alaska) where John did one jump and I could watch the landing from our campsite. Since Palmer is only about 45 minutes from Anchorage we were able to meet up with friends who were on a cruise and stopping there for the day. After a nice lunch we walked around town and had fun catching up.
       From Palmer we went to Seward where it rained 3 days continuously. We had booked a boat tour to see whales and glaciers, but ended up rescheduling for 12 days later. We moved on to Homer and the weather was better, so we booked on a smaller boat tour that took us to Seldovia Village where we got to experience how they celebrate the 4th of July. The weather was chilly, with spotty rain so the celebration was not as robust as it normally is according to the locals. We moved on to Soldotna where I ended up going to their Urgent Care facility. Both of us had what we thought was a cold, but mine progressed to the point that I knew it was something more that required some meds. The facility turned out to be top notch, took me right away and prescribed meds for a nasty sinus infection, that I was able to get filled directly across the street at the drugstore. It’s easy to forget you’re still in the US when you’re in Alaska because it’s so different, but I was glad I got sick there and not in Canada. They took my insurance no problem and I felt better within a couple of days. Not sure how it would have worked out in Canada, with their socialized medicine, especially in remote areas.
       Once back in Seward the weather cleared and we went on an incredible boat tour around the Kenai Peninsula. We saw the fascinating sight of Humpback whales using their bubble netting technique where they blow a ring of bubbles from their blowholes that encircle a school of fish. They then swim up through the “net” with their mouths agape taking in the food. The ones we saw were in groups of 3 to 5 or 6 of them together and the humpbacks are known to be seen feeding cooperatively. We could even hear them singing! We also saw seals, otters, small dolphins, eagles and puffins. Further on we saw glaciers and even a calving where the glacier ice breaks off and falls into the water.
       Back to Palmer and then Mat-Su which is about 20 miles from Talkeetna, for an aerial tour of Denali. But once again the weather was cloudy and not conducive for sightseeing the highest peaks. So we canceled and instead took a 5 hour bus tour all through the Denali area where we were blessed with clear skies that allowed us to see the glorious peak of Denali. The driver told us we now became members of the 30% club, as only 30% of those who take the tour actually see the very top of the peak so clearly, as it’s normally shrouded in clouds. Denali (also called Mount McKinley), is the tallest mountain in North America with a peak that reaches 20,310 feet above sea level. It is the third highest of the Seven Summits (the tallest peaks on all seven continents).
       We went back to Talkeetna for the aerial flight we had re-scheduled but the weather again was not cooperating. We could have gone, but was told the chances of seeing the peak from the air was slim, so we opted to cancel. We did walk around the small Village of Talkeetna though, that gave us good insight into Alaskan culture, and also enjoyed excellent Halibut tacos and burritos.
       We had an electrical system short in our trailer that needed to be fixed so headed back to Palmer where we knew we could get it fixed. Driving down the highway we heard a loud boom and immediately pulled over, to find we had blown one of the trailer tires. Fortunately John is very resourceful and managed to change it quickly using the spare. The blown tire was in shreds and the noise from when it blew was not one we would readily forget.
       After getting our trailer back in order we went to Valdez and spent 3 nights there. We went on yet another boat cruise and this one was even more spectacular. The boat took us through Prince William Sound, and besides all of the whales and incredible sea life, we saw the most magnificent glaciers. The captain brought the boat in as close as possible and the glaciers were stunning in size and color. We learned that 50% of the worlds glaciers are in Alaska and it’s a glorious sight. One thing to mention is that we met great people on every one of the 3 boat tours we took. It made the long tours even more pleasant and fun to share.
       It took us two days to get to Tok where we purchased another trailer tire. John noticed one of the other tires looked worn and thought it best to replace it, in anticipation of the long drive back. Then on to Chicken. This time we were prepared with a fixed water pump and low expectations. Here we encountered a caravan tour of 25 RVs that were traveling together, going in the opposite direction. We both felt that would not be the way we would want to do it. The phrase “group grope” comes to mind.
       With a deep breath we started out again towards the Top of the World Hwy that starts at the Canadian border. On our way in, the first 30 miles between Chicken and the border were awful, but we were pleasantly surprised that it had since been repaired, and much better, even though it was still slow going. As a humorous aside - there is nothing out there as you travel the Top of the World, and it is beyond what I think of as remote. There is no cell service or anything else, but we encountered a sign that said to report wild fires, and gave a number to call. Huh??
       We saw a lot more travelers going both ways, which meant a lot more dirt and dust. The road is 66 miles long and it seemed easier than on the way in. The sky was full of smoke this time, and the vistas were not as good as our first time coming in. We were glad that when we first drove in we had clear skies and could view all the natural raw beauty. Once we made it to the ferry we had to wait 2 hours in line to get across. The ferry boat only accommodates a few at a time and is the only way to cross. There was another caravan of 12 RVs waiting to cross and we ended up encountering them in spots further along the way.
       We spent 2 nights in Dawson City before driving 8 1/2 hours over gravel, pot-holed, sometimes muddy roads where lots of construction was going on. We made it to Whitehorse where we got our slide out diagnosed and partially fixed. They did as much as they could with the parts they had, but at least now we know what the issues are and what we need to fully fix it. We then continued further south and on to the Cassiar Hwy through British Columbia, where we were surprised we had no cell service for 450 miles.
       Before reaching Stewart we stopped at the Meziadin Lake Provincial Park for the night. It was right on the lake and we were told there were bears around. Sure enough, the following morning there was a Mama bear with 2 of her cubs in the pine tree a few feet away from our trailer. John managed to get a clear photo of her. We took a side trip to Stewart and the ride in was stunning. The high cliffs on either side of the river were beautiful to drive through and we stopped several times to take in the views, and went back the next day to see them again. Bear Glacier is directly across the river and one side of the cliffs has numerous waterfalls they call the Wall of Tears. In such amazing natural surroundings we came upon the first cell service we had in days. We laughed as our phones lit up with missed calls and messages after the days of silence. The town of Stewart was small (population 400) but the most civilized we’d been in for what seemed a while.
       The closer to civilization we got, the roads become progressively better. After a few more stops we made it to Prince George where we spent 4 nights regrouping. John got the oil changed in the truck, I got my hair done, and we stocked up. There was even a Costco!
       We’re now making our way to Vancouver and planning a route that will allow us to avoid wild fires/road enclosures. Even though we did lots of planning for this adventure, we never took into account wild fires, or continuous bad weather. The fires were of course more scary, and some of the worst Canada has dealt with in years. The weather in Alaska we were told was the rainiest summer they’ve had in 35 years.
       As usual we did the best we could with what was presented to us, and chose to have a good time. On down days we frequented the local libraries that almost every town, even the more remote places, had. For one thing, that was where we could get a good enough connection to upload our photos. Libraries are also great places for me to get some writing done and I always seem to be able to focus once I’m settled into a quiet corner of the library surrounded by books. Even with all of the touring and adventures I managed to finish writing my 3rd book, that will very soon be sent off to the editor and hopefully published in the fall. It was challenging sometimes to keep up with it, but also very rewarding. There were some days I was able to write while John drove, but often the roads were so bumpy, it was impossible to keep my hands on the keyboard. John does all of the driving and he’s an excellent driver. But that doesn’t keep me from my commentary or gasping from the passenger seat, or stomping on my imaginary brake pedal.
       The ever present magenta Fireweed lining the roads in the later part of summer is a beautiful sight mixed in with all the green and lush foliage. Alaska’s state flower is Forget Me Nots, but the Fireweed is more predominately on display. In Alaska, Fireweed has a lot of meanings but is purportedly a harbinger of the first snow. It begins blooming in late summer, and by the time the blooms at the top have begun to wilt, they say the first snow is less than 6 weeks away. I’m already missing the first blooms and also the continuous daylight. We’ve learned that most people live in Alaska because they love it. It seems the only reason they leave is because they can’t take the winters any more. Many leave for a few months in the winter, but always come back. The people we’ve met and talked with love the raw natural beauty, the fishing and hunting, and yes the snow. I can’t imagine the darkness of winter in Alaska, but I feel special I got to experience what I did.
For all the photos see <a href="www.flickr.com/photos/johndale/sets">John</a> and <a href="www.flickr.com/photos/charwoodland/sets">Charlotte’s</a> flickr sites.   Just click on either of our names.</div>
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Columbia Glacier in Prince William sound, Alaska
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Had a flat on the trailer. It was difficult to find the leak so we replaced it.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Momma Bear in a tree near our campsite at Meziadin Lake. There were 2 cubs in the tree with her. She was not too concerned with all the gawkers.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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A Crested Puffin aka Tufted Puffin
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Lupins! They grow everywhere.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Sea Otter with a pup
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Homer Spit, the result of glacial moraine before they started receding thousands of years ago.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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The fairies are apparently spreading fairy dust over the falls at Solomon Gulch, near Valdez, Alaska
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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The Stellar Sea Lions feast on pink salmon as they return to the Solomon Gulch hatchery.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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The Bear Glacier, on the road to Stewart, British Columbia
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Tourist gawk at the Columbia glacier in Prince William Sound
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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The Humpback whales swim vertically together through a bait ball with mouths agape.
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footloose-travel · 7 months
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Humpback whale tails
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