Rocky Goes to Alaska

Day 72, 5 August 2015

Anchorage to Denali National Park 244 miles

Since sunshine was predicted for the next few days, we headed for Denali National Park hoping to see Mount McKinley on the way. And we did. At the south viewpoint of Denali State Park, we got a nice glimpse of the mountain. Wonderful. They made significant progress on the Parks Highway construction since we were here last, but there were still a few miles of mud just south of Denali National Park – enough to really soil our vehicles, especially the Jeep and bicycles. But at least this time it wasn’t raining. Before setting up camp at the Rainbow Village RV Park, we stopped at the Wilderness Access Center to pick up our tickets to the shuttle bus to the Eielson Visitors Center. They don’t allow visitors to drive beyond the 15-mile paved road to Savage River, so, in order to see any wildlife further into the park, you need to take the park’s shuttle bus. We chose the shuttle to Eielson, since we heard that most of the wildlife sightings are in this stretch. Having teenagers in the RV made it more lively and fun!

First camping meal with the Clarks

View of Mt McKinley from the south end of Denali State park

They found a place to lounge

Day 73, 6 August 2015

It was quite foggy and cool, with forest fire smoke in the air, so the visibility was not good. The shuttle to Eielson Visitors Center, 66 miles inside the park, is an 8-hr round trip. Long haul, but much shorter than the time it took in the 1930s when the road was built. Somewhat disappointed at the foggy conditions that hid the distant mountains, but excited to get deeper into the park, we boarded the bus in anticipation of seeing some animals in the wild. And see them we did. Just a few caribou and ptarmigan on the way out, but not only caribou on the road on the way back, we also saw bear and moose and both pretty close to the road. The bus driver, Manuel, was great, stopping for all the animal sightings and waiting until all the excited passengers were finished taking pictures. The road was pretty exciting in some spots where there were steep drop-offs and no guardrails. The weather also improved on the way back, turning into a bright sunny day, although still a bit hazy due to a nearby fire.

Boarding the bus

Running Caribou

Hanging out at one of the stops

Enjoying the bus ride

Very steep sides and no guardrail

Beautiful mountain views

Grizzly bear eating berries

Mountain high yoga

Chloe and Gramma

Another beautiful spot

Munching moose

Gramm acting silly with the eagle

Beautiful view on the way back to the campground

Day 74, 7 August 2015

Denali National Park to Talkeetna 157 miles

The hike around Denali National Park’s Horseshoe Lake was a refreshing change from yesterday’s long bus ride. A little up and down, but not too strenuous. We saw some rafters on the Nenana River, a beaver dam, and some remnants of an old mining operation. The National Park service also maintains a sled dog kennel, where they raise Alaskan huskies and train them as “canine rangers” who help patrol the park where snowmobiles can not go. These dogs are bred for strength, rather than speed, for hauling cargo and breaking winter trails. We picked up some more mud from the road construction heading south to Talkeetna. What a great little walking-around town. Mt McKinley was hidden in the clouds, but the beer and the food was great at the Denali Brewing Company.

Walking the tracks

So fun to do some hiking with Pam

Beaver dam along the trail

Chloe checking out the beaver gnawed trees

Nice bridge over the creek

Found some old rusty mining equipment

Sam & Grumpy- Nenana River

Rafters down the Nenana River

I see wildlife!

Cool shot from the bridge

Horseshoe Lake

Chloe with one of the canine rangers

Panty Peeler beer (no kidding) with the 30 topping Mountain High pizza

Day 75, 8 August 2015

Talkeetna to Seward 234 miles

Lots of traffic headed south from Anchorage. We learned later that lots of folks were headed to the Seward Silver Salmon Derby – an annual fishing contest with thousands of dollars in prizes. On the hike up to the Exit Glacier, we learned that it was named by a 1997 expedition that climbed one of the mountains, crossed the ice field, then “exited” on skis over the ice on this glacier.

Beluga Pt on the way to Seward

Uh-oh

Happy to share some of Alaska with our daughter

Goofing off at the Exit Glacier

Enjoying a chilly night in Rocky

Day 76, 9 August 2015

We took a 6-hr Major Marine cruise through Fjords National Park to the Holgate Glacier. Although it rained the whole day, we saw plenty of sea life, including sea otters, sea lions, and humpback whales. A real treat on the way back from the glacier was the rare sighting of Orcas – at least three swimming together! We visited the Alaska Sea Life Center where they care for and conduct research on birds and mammals. And, of course, we sampled the craft beers and had dinner at the Seward Brewing Company.

Comfortable boat ride

Cute otter

Orca whales

Harbor seals on rock

Another beautiful glacier (Holgate)

Alaska Sea Life Center - nice facility

Horned puffin

Sea lions

Weird sea creature

After the 1964 earthquake

Sampling brews at Seward Brewing Company

Day 77, 10 August 2015

Seward to Anchorage 133 miles

This is a nice drive, passing by Summit Lake, the Skookum and 20-Mile Glaciers, among others. We stopped in Girdwood, the home of the Alyeska Ski Resort. Enjoyed lunch at the 5^th Chair Pub. Got its name 30 years ago, when the ski resort had only 4 chair lifts. The 5^th chair, like the 19^th hole, was the place to go for après ski. When Alyeska added more chairs, they reserved “5” for the restaurant and, instead named their next chair Turnagain, then 6, 7, and 8. Couldn’t resist taking the tram to the top of the mountain and hiking around. We could see seven glaciers. In fact there is a fine dining restaurant at the top called “Seven Glaciers.” Back in Anchorage, we really enjoyed the food and brews at the Moose’s Tooth pub. Started by a lawyer who made beer in his bathtub and an IT guy who liked to cook, rather than work at their chosen professions, followed a passion to open a brewery and pizza joint, and they succeeded tremendously.

At Summit Lake

20 Mile Glacier

Skookum Glacier

Love these guys

Chloe on Rocky

Inside the Alyeska tram

Alyeska tram

Hiking the mountain

View from the top of Alyeska

Sure would be nice to come back here to ski!

Day 78, 11 August 2015

The Anchorage Museum is the state’s largest. Lots of interesting exhibits, particularly about native cultures. It also had a hands-on and interactive physical science area that was fun. Since Sam has only a year before he graduates from high school, he is starting to look at potential colleges, so we toured the University of Alaska – Anchorage, just for fun. Nice campus, and a nice tour guide named Al studying electrical engineering (what a coincidence). We spent a wonderful week with Pam, Sam, and Chloe, and we wish they could stay longer, but we had to take them back to the airport for their scheduled flights home. We are starting to feel like we moved to Anchorage, and family and friends are visiting us. Very, very happy to see them.