Today was horseback riding on the bay here in homer. Traveled out about 12 miles out of town to the horsemans house and meet two other people that were riding with us. They loaded the horses and we drove another 12 miles or so to where we offload to begin the trek out to the bay. This was to be about 4 hours and turned into about 6 hours so it was a long time in the saddle saw some interesting things, eagles and couple seals. But most of the adventure was listening to mark talk about his life ranching in Alaska and the area. Also saw a Russian village along the route so that was neat to see there way of life and the somewhat remoteness they live. Once we made our way back I was feeling like crap trying to kick this cold I seemed to get while here. So I layer down and slept for a few hours and woke we were in the park/campground for the night. Tonight is similar to last night city CG on the spit for 15$ and it is overcast and dreary. Right now watching tv and have to meet the water taxi at 830 for a kayaking adventure on the bay. That's it for today and onto tomorrow in Alaska.
Friday, August 31, 2012
8/30/12 traveling to homer Alaska
Today was moving day from the campground down to Homer. There was a couple stops along the way for scenery views but the rain and wind are whipping today. Made it to homer and travelled out to the spit to see the stores and sites. Did some shopping and scoped out the two city campgrounds on the spit. Decided to stay at mariner point which is basically a gravel lot on the bay/water. Since it was raining not much we could do other then watch tv eat and look out into the bay watching the sea otters. After it showed some times of stopping raining mom and I went for a walk there was a bald eagle just sitting up on a tower right above us, not something you see in the lower 48. Went back and crashed for the evening, going horseback riding into kachemak bay tomorrow.
8/29/12 traveling from Denali to south of anchorage
So today was initially going to be a day to hang out in Denali and hike see everything in the visitor centers. Well a couple weeks ago we changed plans to get to the kenai peninsula one day earlier and use this as a moving day. So we went a a easy hike in he morning to horseshoe lake near the park entance. This was a hike that was about 3 miles round trip from campsite to finish. Was good saw some different aspects of the park, beaver dam and some of the larger trees that I have seen here.
Back at the campsite got settled in and took showers as this may be the last place we stay in with great facilities. Showers were 4 dollars a person so we doubled up on the key, one in and let the next in then returned the key. Dumped the rv tanks filled up with fresh water and started driving south. We had no plans on where to stay and were looking for spots in the book milepost and settled in on tenderfoot CG, which is 80 miles south on ANC and on a lake. Hope to get some fishing in today but CG host said it will be difficult on the lake edge, oh well see what happens.
As for scenery on the drive down we stopped at the two viewing points for Denali mountain. We figured we would see it at the north point as we saw it driving down barely through the clouds. Well when we got there it was clouded over so ate lunch. This was great to be in a rv this time, stopped turned on the generator heated up food and looked out. While there was told that the mountain was seen at the south viewing point so we held out hope. Left and about 40 mins later stopped and saw both peaks of Denali. The mountain is huge, you see the smaller ones the Denali in the background and it towers above. Our viewing point was 43 miles away and still was impressive. After accomplishing that proceeded to pound the pavement and get some miles down. Filled up the rv in anchorage for another 132 dollars and onto Seward highway.
This highway wraps around Turnagain arm which is a big inlet. From what I can tell seems to be a large tidal region but high tide must have been up due the water almost at the road. Then all of a sudden people were stopping everywhere and couldn't figure it out staring at the water and sun. Well while looking there was a breach in the water so we found the next stopping point to look as well. We had a breach close to shore an it appeared to be Beluga wales. Pretty neat considering we were not expecting that. After that decided to get on the road again as we only had about hour left to the CG which we accomplished. Got a good site lakeside for 18$ and crashed for the night. Out of movies and DVD I have sucks so looked at photos and down for the count soon.
Back at the campsite got settled in and took showers as this may be the last place we stay in with great facilities. Showers were 4 dollars a person so we doubled up on the key, one in and let the next in then returned the key. Dumped the rv tanks filled up with fresh water and started driving south. We had no plans on where to stay and were looking for spots in the book milepost and settled in on tenderfoot CG, which is 80 miles south on ANC and on a lake. Hope to get some fishing in today but CG host said it will be difficult on the lake edge, oh well see what happens.
As for scenery on the drive down we stopped at the two viewing points for Denali mountain. We figured we would see it at the north point as we saw it driving down barely through the clouds. Well when we got there it was clouded over so ate lunch. This was great to be in a rv this time, stopped turned on the generator heated up food and looked out. While there was told that the mountain was seen at the south viewing point so we held out hope. Left and about 40 mins later stopped and saw both peaks of Denali. The mountain is huge, you see the smaller ones the Denali in the background and it towers above. Our viewing point was 43 miles away and still was impressive. After accomplishing that proceeded to pound the pavement and get some miles down. Filled up the rv in anchorage for another 132 dollars and onto Seward highway.
This highway wraps around Turnagain arm which is a big inlet. From what I can tell seems to be a large tidal region but high tide must have been up due the water almost at the road. Then all of a sudden people were stopping everywhere and couldn't figure it out staring at the water and sun. Well while looking there was a breach in the water so we found the next stopping point to look as well. We had a breach close to shore an it appeared to be Beluga wales. Pretty neat considering we were not expecting that. After that decided to get on the road again as we only had about hour left to the CG which we accomplished. Got a good site lakeside for 18$ and crashed for the night. Out of movies and DVD I have sucks so looked at photos and down for the count soon.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
8/28/12 Denali Alaska
Today was going to be a long day as we had planned to take the Denali park shuttle bus all the way to the end, 92 miles. Doesn't seem bad but this is a 12 hour trip total so it was going to be a long day on a school bus. So basically the park has two modes of transportation into the park a shuttle or tour. They take the exact same routes, as there is only one road, but the tour gives you a box lunch and a guide. Well the price for the shuttle is $50 all the way in and a tour is $169 per person. From reading information the shuttle is the way to go as you can get off anywhere walk the road pick up another shuttle, come back on another shuttle if you don't want to go further in, and the driver is almost a guide. The driver talks gives info but isn't really dedicated to do that so I equate it to a junior guide they are knowledgeable but sometimes they don't have little details but good enough for everything we asked on our bus. So that is a little detail on what we had planned to do here in the park.
Up and at em at 6:00 am to get ready as we needed to be at the bus stop at 7:30. Took the short walk from the campground to the stop and waited there. Seemed like we were going to have a crappy day weather wise as it was raining on the walk up and chilly. But as it came time to leave the clouds started to break and we were hopeful of better things to come. Well it go sunny with partly cloudy sky's and was perfect cool weather for the long journey. We also had a unique experience as it had snowed at night in the upper elevations so this capped all the mountains and put a dusting down lower. As for the trip we saw a moose, grzlly with 2 cubs twice, dall sheep, and caribou. Some were very close but others were super far away so difficult to see but good to catch a lot of variety. Because to the way the clouds were forming we could not see mount McKinley so hopefully the next day on the drive home. This is something that you have to wait around for days and we don't have that in the plans.
It was a great day came back after 12-13 hours on the trip made spaghetti and eat. I got a case of beer which cost 18 dollars to cap off the night and was passed out by 930ish. Been good up here but looks like we are going to move south to get onto the kenai pennesula tomorrow for a lot of our planned trips. This is a huge park and see why people can come up here and stay for a long time just backpacking the wilderness. There are very few trails in the park so most of the time people just walk around on there own path seeing the wildlife and nature at its most purest.
Up and at em at 6:00 am to get ready as we needed to be at the bus stop at 7:30. Took the short walk from the campground to the stop and waited there. Seemed like we were going to have a crappy day weather wise as it was raining on the walk up and chilly. But as it came time to leave the clouds started to break and we were hopeful of better things to come. Well it go sunny with partly cloudy sky's and was perfect cool weather for the long journey. We also had a unique experience as it had snowed at night in the upper elevations so this capped all the mountains and put a dusting down lower. As for the trip we saw a moose, grzlly with 2 cubs twice, dall sheep, and caribou. Some were very close but others were super far away so difficult to see but good to catch a lot of variety. Because to the way the clouds were forming we could not see mount McKinley so hopefully the next day on the drive home. This is something that you have to wait around for days and we don't have that in the plans.
It was a great day came back after 12-13 hours on the trip made spaghetti and eat. I got a case of beer which cost 18 dollars to cap off the night and was passed out by 930ish. Been good up here but looks like we are going to move south to get onto the kenai pennesula tomorrow for a lot of our planned trips. This is a huge park and see why people can come up here and stay for a long time just backpacking the wilderness. There are very few trails in the park so most of the time people just walk around on there own path seeing the wildlife and nature at its most purest.
8/27/12 alaska
Toda we were up early around 6-7am local time. Made some breakfast and dad did a little fishing. Nancy lake state rec area is a nice campground for 10 dollars a night. Had a spot right on the lake for some fishing and canoeing if you are up to that but we didn't have much time nor rent the canoe. At 10 decided to hit the road and make it to Denali national park early enough to explore. It rained for most of the trip so couldn't really see any mountains or views other then the trees on the side of the road. But we did make one stop on the way up as we were looking in milepost (an Alaskan/Yukon road guide) for gas and grocery store before at mile 195. Seemed like some good views there as the clouds were breaking and a large parking area. Sure enough as soon as we stopped people were picking blueberries all over. So we did the same and will have wild blueberry pancakes in a couple days.
About 40 mins later we were in Denali and filled up the gas tank for 125 dollars at 4.67/gallon and checked into Riley creek campground in denali NP. Searched around and got a decently close spot to the store and trail to shuttle bus pickups which we need to be there at 730 for a 745 departure. So we settled in for lun h and decided to hike around the entrance area to the visitor center and watch a couple free films. Wasn't bad a very easy hike of 3.4 miles total. Got the obligatory welcome to Denali photo where the news crew was setup. Apparently just a couple days ago a grizzly bear attacked a man and killed him, first one every in Denali.
Back at the rv we all showered up made dinner, burgers and mashed potatoes, and got meals ready for tomorrow. Not sure if I mentioned it but doing a total 12 hour bus trip into Denali and need to bring in our own food. So lunch was made and also got dinner prepped as well so that won't take long to heat up and get ready. So I am settling into bed now, I would stay up to try and see some auroras but to cloudy out right now. Alright that is it for now will check back in tomorrow as I venture into the park further than 2 miles.
About 40 mins later we were in Denali and filled up the gas tank for 125 dollars at 4.67/gallon and checked into Riley creek campground in denali NP. Searched around and got a decently close spot to the store and trail to shuttle bus pickups which we need to be there at 730 for a 745 departure. So we settled in for lun h and decided to hike around the entrance area to the visitor center and watch a couple free films. Wasn't bad a very easy hike of 3.4 miles total. Got the obligatory welcome to Denali photo where the news crew was setup. Apparently just a couple days ago a grizzly bear attacked a man and killed him, first one every in Denali.
Back at the rv we all showered up made dinner, burgers and mashed potatoes, and got meals ready for tomorrow. Not sure if I mentioned it but doing a total 12 hour bus trip into Denali and need to bring in our own food. So lunch was made and also got dinner prepped as well so that won't take long to heat up and get ready. So I am settling into bed now, I would stay up to try and see some auroras but to cloudy out right now. Alright that is it for now will check back in tomorrow as I venture into the park further than 2 miles.
Alaska 8/26/2012
Arrived in anchorage around 145p local time. Hit a 45 min delay out of Baltimore due to surprise storms
Picked up bags and called great Alaskan holidays and was picked up in about 20 mins. Sat through 1 hour demo video and checked out the rv. By this time it was almost 430 and haven't eaten all day, so picked up subway in Walmart center. While there picked up all the provisions for the week or what we think we need. Got stuff for sandwiches burgers dogs and other various dishes. We will see how far we can stretch it but we spent about 200 on food and general items for the next 10 1/2 days.
After loading up headed out of anchorage north towards Denali. The plan was to make it to nancy lake for camping/rving. This is a state run park and the fee is 10 dollars for the night. Got a good spot on the lake but it has been raining ever since we got to wasilla, so no pictures hopefully some in the morning. we are all exhausted so unpacked and got situated in the rv and everyone is down and out at 9pm this night. The rain is making some good white noise so I should be able to sleep but still very dusk like outside so having a hard time to fall asleep.
Tomorrow plan to make it all the way up to Denali and rv there for 3 nights in the park. We will have no hookups so boon docking it to conserve water but I think we can do it if we plan carefully. That is it for today.
Picked up bags and called great Alaskan holidays and was picked up in about 20 mins. Sat through 1 hour demo video and checked out the rv. By this time it was almost 430 and haven't eaten all day, so picked up subway in Walmart center. While there picked up all the provisions for the week or what we think we need. Got stuff for sandwiches burgers dogs and other various dishes. We will see how far we can stretch it but we spent about 200 on food and general items for the next 10 1/2 days.
After loading up headed out of anchorage north towards Denali. The plan was to make it to nancy lake for camping/rving. This is a state run park and the fee is 10 dollars for the night. Got a good spot on the lake but it has been raining ever since we got to wasilla, so no pictures hopefully some in the morning. we are all exhausted so unpacked and got situated in the rv and everyone is down and out at 9pm this night. The rain is making some good white noise so I should be able to sleep but still very dusk like outside so having a hard time to fall asleep.
Tomorrow plan to make it all the way up to Denali and rv there for 3 nights in the park. We will have no hookups so boon docking it to conserve water but I think we can do it if we plan carefully. That is it for today.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
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