07/04/2010 - Sunday (posted 07/04)

Today we drove from Homer to Anchorage.

Once again the mileage driven were close to 250 miles.

On our way today we stopped again at several wonderful sights. We also stopped at Portage Valley, home of several glaciers. Unfortunately the main glacier is no longer viewable from the parking lot and you must take a boat to it. we opted not to, but chose to take a walk to Bryon Glacier.

The photographs above are in a somewhat reverse order. The bottom photograph is from the deck of the cabin in Homer, taken about 11:15 last night - I have not touched the lighting, it was still bright enough to take a photo. Actually the light lasted most of the night. We were up until after midnight and it was still light out. Homer gets somewhere around 19 hours of 'sunlight' this time of the year.

The top left photograph is of Bryon Glacier. the remaining photograph is of the two ladies in our traveling party playing 'snow angles'.

We arrived in Anchorage late afternoon, and after checking in did a little walking around of the old town.

Signed;

The Wayward Travelers

07/03/2010 - Saturday (Posted 07/04)

Today was a free day in the little fishing town of Homer. We took our time relaxing and driving around. The photograph above was taken near the beach.

We did visit the Aleutian Islands and Ocean ???? (I do not have my notes in front of me for the proper name). The facility displays and informs people about the studies being done in the Aleutian Islands and the surrounding sea life.

There were a number of motorcyclists (bikers) in town. Evidently this is the first year of a charity ride. The motorcycle challenge started in key West and went 7,000 miles to Homes, with the bikers needing to arrive Saturday.

On the north side of town there is a drive, Skyline Drive, that has terrific views of Homer, the bay, and the many snow capped mountains on the other side.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

07/02/2010 - Friday (posted 07/04)

Today was a drive of around 250 miles from Seward, on the Southeast corner of the Kenai peninsula, to Homer, on the Southwest corner of the peninsula. The road does not go straight there, it is drive north, then west, then south (think of an upside down "U"). There were many wonderful sights to stop and look at. Just west of the town of Soldotna we came across this cow moose and calf along side the road.

The middle photograph is of the cabin we had the use of for two days and nights.

The bottom photograph is from the deck of the cabin, across the bay.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

07/01/2010 - Thursday (posted 07/04)

Today was a free day in Seward.

We visited several local attractions, including the Ocean Sealife Center (I may have the name wrong). This center was set up to display and inform people what types of studies are being done in Alaska.

In town this Sunday there is a Mount Marathon race. It was the talk of the town and was even on the Anchorage news. It is a race from in town at sea level, 3,000 feet up a rocky mountain and back down. This is the 83rd year for it. The trail up is different than the trail down. One of the problems encountered is that the runners in the lead often loosen rocks as they are running, and the rocks roll downhill onto the runners behind.

Later in the day we drove out to Exit Glacier, a short distance from our cabin. We did see a brown bear across the stream, but it ran into the underbrush when it saw us.

The photographs are of a pair of Puffins and of Exit Glacier.

I forgot to mention that on Tuesday, after we arrived, we visited a sled dog kennel near our cabin. the owner won the Ididarod in 2004.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

06/30/2010 - Wednesday (Typed 07/04)

Today was an all-day boat tour of the Kenai Fjords National Park. The boat left at 10:00 a.m., and returned at 6:30 p.m.

Many different types of sea life were viewed, including mammals, birds and fish. We also was VERY close to an active glacier. I have only included a few photographs here that I thought you would like.

From top row, left to right, they are:

Fin Whale (2nd largest whale)

Sea Lion

Glacier (caving if you look close)

Seals

and

Sea Otters

It was a long but enjoyable tour, which included a picnic-type lunch as well as an all-you-can-eat Prime Rib and Salmon dinner near the end of the tour.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

06/29/2010 - Tuesday (typed 07/04)

Please excuse the slight delay in this posting and those through 07/03 as the places we have been staying did not have wireless Internet access.

Today, Tuesday, 06/29, we drove from Wasilla to Seward. Seward is south of Anchorage, on the Kenai Peninsula. Along the way there were many places that deserved a photograph. You can see them later.

The road went from sea level along the Turnagain Arm of the Cook Inlet, across a small width of land, then up and over some snow capped mountains.

We arrived in Seward, mainly a fishing town, but also know for the tours of the Kenai Fjords operated out of here.

However, the photo here is of the cabin we stayed in on the outskirts of Seward.

Signed:

The Wayward Travelers

06/28/2010 - Monday

Today we drove from McCarthy west to Wasilla. No, Shara was not home. She sends her regards.

When we left McCarthy we had to drive back over the 60 mile dirt road, and it was raining so the drive was done carefully because mud is slippery.

Along the way between GlennAllen and Palmer there were several glaciers along the south side of the highway. This is a photo of one of them.

The stop in Wasilla was shortly after we left the Musk Ox Farm.

Tomorrow on to Seward. Many more interesting sights along the way are expected.

Signed:

The Wayward Traveler

When we reach Palmer we stopped at the Musk Ox Farm.