Day 32

Fall colours on the plateau near the USA – Canada border on the way to Haines.
A meadow full of paintbrush and fireweed.

Drove from Kluane Lake to Haines Alaska through some of the most stunning scenery we have yet seen. Got settled in the campground and then had dinner with our new polish friends at Fireweed which has very good pizza and lots of choices in cold beer.

A view of Haines from the ferry to Juneau.
Chilkoot lake above the bridge and weir where we saw several bears and bald eagles fishing.
Harbour seal hunting salmon on the way under the bridge at Haines.

Day 31

Met a lovely Polish couple at the campground and had a dry night. Took off in the morning and arrived at our campground at Kluane Lake where there had been no rain since July 1st.

Kluane Lake campsite.

During the drive down to Kluane we met a woman from Anchorage who had retired and her youngest son was off to university so she has decided to find a warm spot for the winter. She showed up again at the campground and spent the night next to us and shared wine and dinner.

Midway Lake where we met Deb from Anchorage.

Day 30

Manatuska Glacier which went all the way (15 km) to Palmer Alaska 15,000 years ago. It has stabilized recently.

Drove up to Palmer where we tried to get some boots for Mary. Had to backtrack a bit but were successful and then drove on to Tok.

Day 29

Left Homer after meeting up with Pete who had been out on a pilot job. He gave us some great tip about where to fish at Anchor Point and gave me some of his favourite hooks.

The famous spit in Homer.

Drove up to Anchorage and then on to the campground for the night.

Day 28

Wandered around Homer for the day. Lunch down on the spit and then a fabulous steak dinner prepared by Teena complete with all vegetables from her garden.

Day 27

Cooper Landing down to Homer and a warm welcome from Teena.

Viewpoint across the inlet to Lake Clark State Park. Interesting discussion of the three big volcanos in the park.
Picture of Kenai volcano.

Stopped in Kenai for a visit to the town, a little snack and some historical investigations.

Chapel to the original Priests in Kenai. He and his wife are buried under the chapel.
Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox church in Kenai.
Early Russian Orthodox church in Kenai.
A tribute to St. Juvenaly in Kenai.
Mary standing beside a “Kenai Leaner”.
European exploration of Cook Inlet by Captain Cook.
Across the inlet to Kenai volcano.
Veronica’s…a lovely place for a good cup of coffee and pastry in Kenai.

Day 26

Drove from Willow through Anchorage to Cooper Landing. Visited the Anchorage Museum which was a real treat.

A lovely depiction of the 6 mass extinctions documented through geological time.
Viewpoint message about endangered Beluga whales in Cook Inlet.
Peninsula near Kenai.

Day 23

Our second day in Denali and we took a “Hop on, hop off” bus out to Eielefson centre. Had a good hike at the end of the road and then returned to camp after lots of animal sightings.

Denali with some clouds.

Famous Wanted poster.
On the ridge above Eielson observation post.

A few of the alpine flowers above Eielson.

Denali with clouds.

The short video below is a panorama view of part of the valley we saw from the Denali Road.

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Day 22

Denali, the highest peak in North America. Fewer than 30% of visitors get to actually see it.

Toured on a bus through a good portion of the only accessible road in the park. The weather was marvellous…blue bird clear and we were treated to a spectacular view of Denali as well as lots of wildlife -10 bears (4 cubs), bull moose, caribou, lynx and Dall sheep.

BIG bull moose feeding.

Mother with 2 cubs.