Category Archives: Road Trip to Alaska

Friends ~ Creede ~ and Uh Oh … Where’d My Feet Go?!

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September 11, 2012

We are now on the road headed home from Creede, Colorado … a place we had planned to camp with our friends for two nights … and stayed four!  What a FUN time!  Thank you Pam and Tom!!!

We met up with Pam and Tom at Cottonwood Ranch RV Park … getting in about 4:30 PM on Sept. 7th … just in time for some wine and conversation … realizing it had been more then a year since we saw their smiling faces.  We went to dinner at Kips in downtown Creede … sitting on the patio with live music coming from the upstairs windows … as we talked about our plans for the following day.  Turns out that Tom had rented a large 4-wheel drive jeep and we were going off roading to a waterfall up deep in the canyon.

We packed lunches and headed out at 10:00 AM … paved road

 

 

 

 

 

… dirt road

 

 

 

 

… and then it was a road that looked more like a hiking trail …

 

 

Truly AMAZING how these jeeps crawl over the rocks!!! Not to mention how well we all did hiking on up to the waterfall :-)

Back at camp we grilled up some of our Pink Salmon from Valdez … along with Pam’s roasted sweet potatoes with onion and asparagus … I think we ate and drank and laughed till nearly 11:00 PM and decided to stay another day … Pam so wanted us to see Love Lake

 

 

 

 

and all the Aspens dressed in such flaming colors …

 

not to mention that the trout fishing was supposed to be good …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and it was … as long as you had worms … and we did!

 

 

 

 

Tom grilled up some wonderful rib eye steaks for dinner and started talking about an amazing off-road drive across the mountains to Silverton … and we found ourselves staying another night … This area is so beautiful

and so interesting … So many abandoned mines …some being re-opened and re-explored with new technology … then you have that it is Elk hunting season … and there are many hunting camps set up all through the back country …

and then just others out exploring … like us … Taking a Sunday Drive (not really sure what day it is :-) .  I thought the road to the waterfall was rough … There were a few places along this route that you might think better fit for a mountain goat! 

Speaking of goats we did see quite a bit of wildlife on today’s adventure (Sept. 10th) from Creede to Silverton on the 520 … coming back Engineer Pass to Lake City to Creede … We saw moose in the valley …

 

 

 

 

 

and a young bull moose on hwy 149 between Lake City and Creede …

 

 

 

 

 

We saw hawks,

 

 

 

 

 

marmots …

several in different places along the route. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw chipmunks

and squirrels …

we saw some elk,

mule deer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

picas. 

 

 

 

 

And even a Sherpa herding a huge herd of sheep!

In Silverton we had a wonderful lunch at Grumpy’s …where a young lady sits and plays the piano … one song after the other … even engaging in conversation, never missing a note.  The sign on the wall reads “Not a player piano playing, but a player playing the piano” … and boy did she play.

So … Where did my feet go?!!  Crossing over the mountains via 4-wheel drive …

In and out of the vehicle we were taking pictures of the vast and changing scenery …

and out I went … and my feet went backwards right out from under me and I did a face plant … yes … a nose dive right into my camera in the dirt.  I recall Pam’s voice asking if I was alright and I slowly moved my head left and right saying no as I’m trying to assess the damage … tasting blood in my mouth … and thinking I may be under the jeep … sure hope Tom doesn’t back up. Pam was worried that I had hit my head on the rocks … but luckily it was just a slightly cut and bruised lip an an area between lip and nose … Today as we are driving … headed home … I am feeling some aching on my shoulders and arms … The camera?  Well, it seems the door that holds the battery in was broken … but I can hold it closed … being sure to hold it until the picture records … so I was able to take pictures as we finished our day’s adventure …

Putting an end to this summer’s great journey … North to Alaska and Back.

Today and tomorrow … the plan is to just follow the gps home … tonight we are camped in the Amarillo Walmart parking lot … Tomorrow’s road should take us home.

Pebble Creek ~ Yellowstone

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August 25, 2012

We are camped at Pebble Creek Campground … and we got the last “pull through” site here … the only site that would fit our 22′ trailer … the camp host is friendly and likes that we put our hiking boots to good use.  In fact the canyon here is a little known secret … just those who camp here and venture up the trail even know about it’s beauty.  We enjoyed our little walk.

Pebble Creek, though, is like the most north eastern location in the park … with so much to explore we just plan to stay two nights.  Tomorrow AM we will try some fishing … then check out the Tower Falls … they looked so AMAZING as we dove past them … then we will go check out Indian Creek’s campsites, as we are thinking we will move over that way … more central to exploring the wonders of Yellowstone.

 

I Think I Wore My Camera Out!

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August 25, 2012

So we were in Glacier National Park … those are the last pictures I had taken … and … Thank God … I had up-loaded them to my lap top.  We moved from St. Mary’s Campground down to Two Medicine and took a walk over to the lake to check it out.  I went to take a picture and my camera wouldn’t work! (Here’s a picture of Wild Goose Island along the Road to the Sun in Glacier National Park).

I tried all kinds of things, but it just wouldn’t respond.  I was actually surprised at my reaction, being that I am ALWAYS taking pictures … I just put it away.  Actually I took the battery out, and put the camera down … I’m sure I was hoping that I would put the battery in later and it would work fine.  The truth is I’ve noticed that it hasn’t been working quite right for awhile.  It’s been letting in too much light, not always responding, the picture in the look-back screen has not been very clear … so I guess in was inevitable … But we are headed to Yellowstone!!!  What to do?  I got out the GPS and put in a search for Camera Repair and came up with Bozeman Camera in Bozeman Montana … which just so happens to be right on the way to Yellowstone’s West Entrance … so that’s where we made our way to … after spending a couple of nights at Two Medicine having some fun fishing.  I caught the prettiest Brook Trout (too bad I couldn’t get a picture) … and since I didn’t catch another, and Tom hadn’t caught a fish yet, and, like I said, it was so pretty (I must be getting soft) I actually let it go (and you know how much I like fresh trout) … and of course, then Tom caught a really nice lake trout, which did get gutted and put into the freezer.

We went through Great Falls, MT and looked up a pharmacy to get Tom’s prescription filled … and that is where we met Ed, the pharmacist at Discount Pharmacy on south 10th.  What a nice guy … we got to talking about our trip and it turns out that his family has a fishing business on an island near Juneau … and he gave us 30 days of Tom’s prescription … we’re sure we will be home by then :-)

We camped in the Lewis & Clark National Forest … then yesterday morning we put Bozeman Camera into the GPS and made our way there … We discovered that it would be $180 to send my camera to Nikon for repair and it would take about a month!  Well we explained that we were on the road headed to Yellowstone … It turned out that they had a used Nikon D60 (same camera) that would sell to us for $229.  He explained that it only has 1500 clicks on it … which surprised me that they could find that information … it turns out the memory card records all kinds of stuff so I asked him to give me a read on mine … 29,000 clicks!  Tom got the price down to $220 and then asked about a trade in on mine … they gave us $50 for it … so for less then the repair of $180 I got a lesser used camera and no down time.  I kept my lenses, batteries, charger, etc … and am a “happy camper”. 

We camped at the Bozeman KOA, got our shopping done at the local Walmart Super Store (not groceries but other incidentals) … did our laundry and are getting ready this morning to motor on down the road.  See you in Yellowstone!

Note:  All the pictures in this post are from Glacier National Park … the last place I had a working camera …

I’ve Never Felt So Out of Touch

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Traveling through the Yukon Territory, British Columbia and Alberta headed south and back to the states was a most fabulous drive.  More wildlife then we had seen in Alaska!  We saw a mother grizzly with her three cubs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

… a moose …

 

 

 

bison …

 

 

 

 

a couple of sightings of stone sheep

 

 

 

 

and several black bears. 

 

 

 

 

 

We traveled through Jasper National Park, (no, I did not adjust the color on this photograph … that is the real color of the lakes in this area! Something to do with glacier waters)

The Lake Louise area (where we did a hike to a tea house, quite a steep trail gaining some 1200 feet in elevation, but the reward was worth it!).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also traveled through Banff National Park and the Columbia Ice Fields.  A wonderful journey, but I have to say … the best was hearing my boys voices, my parents voices and my sister’s voice … the first phone calls I made when I crossed over into Montana.

We tried in several stops, to make connection via the internet through the wireless … The RV park across the street from the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake advertised FREE Wireless … but alas it didn’t work for us … so we pulled on out of there.  It just got to be that it wasn’t worth the effort … when you could get on it was so slow!  You know you always hear about the remote wilderness of Alaska … let me tell you … Canada is quite remote as well … it’s just that it is more covered with dense forest too!  And the Canadian Rockies!  Amazing!!  So we just gave up on trying to find wireless and enjoyed the journey through Nature’s amazing gift.

 

 

 

I did keep a written journal … but I feel I would bore you going back through it just now … maybe at a later time as I reminisce while going through my photos.  Let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like to hear or know about.

We did make connection with Tom’s nephew yesterday, and we took him to dinner … We are camped at St. Mary’s on the east side of the park …

 

 

 

so we took the Going to the Sun Road across to the west side …

 

 

stopped for our picnic lunch sitting on the rocks along the Sacred Dancing Waters … ending up at West Glacier where we received Jeff’s message and found out that he was working at north fork and would be able to meet us at the Cammas west entry at 5:00 … how perfect is that!  We did meet up and then followed him in to Columbia Falls where we took him to dinner and had some good conversation.  He then went on to his home in Whitefish, and we drove the Going to the Sun Road back across the continental divide catching the sunset along the way.  A beautiful day in Glacier National Park.

Today we are getting ready to head on down the road (not very far) to Two Medicine Lake where our plan is to camp and try some fishing.

I almost forgot to mention that Bob and Patti have headed for home.  They left us in  Banff … two months to the date, since we started our travels together.  What a GREAT time we had.  I’m sure there were some who wondered how our friendship would survive a two month travel time … well, we can say that it more then survived!  It thrived!!!  Our trip and our relationship is all the richer for their being a part of this wonderful adventure.  We so love you guys and are so grateful for your most valued friendship.  You would LOVE the fresh, ripe blueberries that are all around our campsite.  We had fresh blueberries on our cereal yesterday morning, and in our oatmeal today.  LOL … I just can’t help but rub it in (just for you, Bob) … and yesterday we came across some small red berries …. plump and sweet that tasted like raspberries … but smaller … maybe that it just how they are in the wild.  We trust that you have had a wonderful trip home.

Good Bye Alaska

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August 5, 2012

Today will end our trek through Alaska …

we’re just about to Tok, where the plan was to head up the Taylor Highway to Chicken, then on up the Top of the World Highway to Dawson City … However, during this morning’s drive I started reading the actual mile log and the description of the road a you go along … sounds down right scarey!  For instance, at mile 7.8 The Mile Post warns in red:  “Watch for dangerous sunken places, potholes and dips.  Avoid deteriorating highway edge.”  Mile 70 warns in red: “Expect winding sometimes narrow road with hairpin curves next 2.5 miles and little or no road shoulder and no guardrails. This is very dangerous.  Do not pull over too far or the shoulder may give way.”  Then there is an added “Note:  Watch for approaching signed Pilot Trucks leading motor coaches.  Pull over for on-coming motor coaches.”  WHAT?!!  You just told me not to pull over as the road shoulder might fall away!!!  Then at mile 78 you are cautioned in red:  “Approximately 1,000 foot drop off, no guardrails, soft shoulders … and the warnings continue … and frankly scared me off.  I started reading them to Tom and when we pulled off for a break and to make sandwiches, we told Patti and Bob about what I’d been reading and they were amazed!  Turns out they had been doing the same thing … and coming to the same conclusion. So we are staying on the Alaska Highway to the border crossing at Watson Lake … where we will then find our way to the Liard Hot Springs Provencial Park in British Columbia.

Today is Patti’s birthday … we are camped at Snag Junction Yukon Government Campground,

and she doesn’t know it yet, but we picked up a little cake and some candles yesterday at our Fred Myers stop … so it will be fun to surprise her with it after dinner :-)   It was special to have her say that our feelings about the Top of the World Highway were actually an answer to prayer … as she was worried that it was something that we really wanted to do ..l. Synchronicity!  I love the way Spirit works!  Happy Birthday to my dear friend Patti!

No Campsites Available in Denali National Park

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Funny, it’s 4:00 pm on a Wednesday afternoon, and we are told there are no campsites available for tonight … but we can make reservations for tomorrow night, and we are encouraged to take a walk through the Riley Campground, here near the entrance,

to see which sites we might want for tomorrow, and the campground appears more then half empty!

Though we are not deterred … as we had noticed … about 17 miles back down the Parks Highway … there was a lovely, long, level, paved double ended pull out that would work superbly for tonight’s camp-over. So back to Mile 220.5, where our view out our window is of the Nenana River …

popular with river rafters in the warmer days of summer.

We are still praying for the clouds to clear so we can get a view of Mt. McKinley … known locally as Denali … Though I must say … the lower mountains that are in view are beautiful in their rich brown and green hues.

August 4, 2012

It’s Not All Hype!  Our first day in Denali we went to the visitors center and watched the movie The Heartbeats of Denali … which took us through the different seasons and showed us the wildlife that makes this land their home … of course this was after we got settled into our site at the Riley Campground. 

Notice our attire … Summer in Alaska!!! The temperature is in the high 40′s.  Know that I have on layers … including long johns, a long sleeved t-shirt, a heavy sweater, a scarf knitted by my daughter-in-law, beaver ear muffs and my jacket!!!

We took the free shuttle to the dog sled presentation, where we learned about (and met) the dogs. 

One was being brushed and since I had seen some hats in Skagway that had been made from spun dog fur, I asked if they contributed the fur and I was told that they actually sell it to someone in Fairbanks who spins it into yarn to be used for knitting garments like hats and sweaters.  It’s been so cold these past couple of days, I have borrowed Patti’s beaver ear muffs … I think I might look for a hat in Fairbanks, as I’m wishing I had bought the one I tried on in Skagway.

Yesterday we took the green shuttle bus to Eielson (there are several choices) … it’s 8 hours round trip … you are on and off several times

… and it is how you get into the interior of the park.  On the journey in we saw Dall Sheep … specks of white way up on the mountainside

and caribou … moving specks of brown down in the valley …

By the time we neared our destination, I was thinking what a bunch of hype this place is … especially for those, like us, who have driven all through the vast wilderness just getting here in the first place, and not seeing any more or less wildlife … and if we do see grizzly … they will be 3 miles away!!  And then I spotted one … a large guy …

and enjoyed watching it come near the bus …

We were surprised by the large white claws that stood out against the green grass and flowers as he made his way across the tundra.  And then there was a second bear … and on our way back a third, following a wolf

… and two separate spottings of lynx … I sure never even anticipated seeing a lynx in the wild … it was all very exciting and rewarding.  I found it interesting too, to think that you can get off this bus … anytime you want … except in the midst of wildlife viewing … and you can walk the wilderness … out there, there are no trails … you can walk anywhere except a 5 mile area where you have to stay on the road … and just in case you are wondering … The park encompasses 6 million acres!  No fences … just natural wilderness and there’s never been a human incidence with the bears, because of the way its all managed .. The bears do not associate people with a food source; nor as a threat … they just turn and walk away … and that’s the way we like it.  I almost forgot to mention that we did see the Alaska state bird, the ptarmigan

and even our first moose in the wild.

Today we will be heading in to Fairbanks.  Several people along this journey have told us that when we are in Fairbanks not to miss the Discovery Riverboat Cruise … which is interesting, as our friends, Paul and Pepper are good friends with Jim, the owner.  Pepper gave us his email address and his phone numbers … I feel kind of funny a bout calling … I guess I am weird that way (and in many others), but I did go ahead and send off an email to see if we might have a chance to meet with him and learn all about the Discovery … That was night before last … so far … no answser.

We sure love the free camping!  It is so amazing to me how much free camping is available … especially here in Alaska … it seems very few miles is a turn out … some closer to the road then others … but it doesn’t take long to find one that is suitable to camp for the night … many with trees between us

The Peanut Farm

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August 1, 2012

After re-uniting with Patti & Bob, we took a walk to down town Anchorage, from the Ship Creek RV Park where we are all camped … First stop was the Ulu Factory, then on down town for some souvenir shopping and dinner at Humpy’s … which serves GREAT food!  Somehow the kitchen lost our ticket … and our meal didn’t arrive … though several around us were being served … those who had come in later.  Our waitress stopped by to let us know that she was checking with the manager to see how we could be compensated, as something was definitely wrong … as she had noticed the same thing we had.  It was very busy … and since we had to wait so long … the manager picked up the food tab!  How’s that for Service?!! Patty had a blackened salmon burger, both the guys had hamburgers, and I had the halibut tacos … We all agreed that our meals were GREAT!  Thanks to my cousin, Tracey, and several others who mentioned that Humpy’s has good eats!

We gave Patty Schwalenburg a call … She lives in Anchorage, and it was a delight to be able to meet up with her and to meet her daughter and granddaughter for breakfast at The Peanut Farm, one of her favorite breakfast spots. 

Patty lost her husband, Wallie, almost a year and a half ago.  He was in the SEAL Teams with Tom, which is how we met Patty.  Wallie and Patty were on a dive trip in Mexico.  They came up from a dive … and were swimming back to the boat, talking about what they had seen when Wallie started saying he was having trouble breathing … and his chest felt tight.  Patty shared with us that they had talked about how they wanted to … and he had always said that if he ever got so crippled or just mentally gone (classic Wallie) to just strap a couple of tanks to his back and he would swim until his air was gone.  He went out doing what he loved … God Bless You, Wallie … may you rest in peace.  Patty is carrying on her work with the local villages … work that she and Wallie had done together.  It was great to see you, Patty, and we will look forward to seeing you in Virginia Beach next July … HOOYAH!

One thing that really surprised me in Anchorage was the gridlock of traffic!  To go 5 or 6 miles took more then 25 minutes!!!

We are back on the road … the four of us!  Yippee!  Patti is All Better … she must have passed the stone.  We are on the Glenn Highway headed for the junction of the Parks Highway toward Wasilla and on to Denali.

Texas has its bluebonnets … In Alaska its fireweed … and it’s totally edible!  Each day, as we drive the fireweed appears larger and brighter too … making for an even more beautiful drive through this vast land.

Let’s Play a Little Catch Up

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So, after Bob and Patti headed to the Anchorage ER, July 27th … we headed toward Homer … stopping at the Russian River Ferry Landing. 

This is where you hear about “combat fishing” or “fishing shoulder to shoulder” … Luckily, for us it was not so crowded as to be true “shoulder to shoulder” … and it was actually Fun to be a part of the experience.  It’s a very interesting ferry system, rigged with wires, ropes and pulleys … And the best fishing seems to be on the far side, which you are charged a fee to access via the ferry (of course).  Neither Tom nor I caught a fish … but I did get hooked into a BIG one … one fella said it might very well have been a King … whatever it was it snapped my line … 10 lb test is not enough.

We got a message from Patti this evening that she does indeed have a kidney stone, and it is right on the border for treatment, so they are having her wait through the weekend to see if she can pass it.  They hydrated her and released her with a pocket full of meds.

Tom and I headed on down to Homer the morning of the 28th.  And it was a beautiful drive, especially once the Aleutian Mountain Range came into view with Mt. Redoubt looking so awesome. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped at the overlook looking down on Homer and the Homer Spit … Our plan was to take a 1/2 day charter out for some of Homer’s world famous Halibut fishing … which we did on Sunday the 29th.

 

 

We found a camping spot out on the spit,

 

 

 

 

 

 

close to the harbor …

 

 

 

 

walked around the quaint town …

 

 

 

 

 

 

made our fishing reservations at Inlet Charters on the Sizzler …

 

 

Tom even took me out to dinner …

 

 

 

 

 

We went to bed early and got up at 4:30 AM … The morning was a bit breezy … and cold … so I dawned my long johns under my jeans, two pairs of socks with my rubber fishing boots, a long sleeved t-shirt, a short sleeved t-shirt, a turtle neck sweater and my jacket.  I was not over-dressed. As the morning wore on the weather got colder!  The fishing was fun.  I brought the second halibut on board the vessel, and it was suggested that I throw it back … you can only keep two … then I caught a flounder, which had to be thrown back as we were fishing for halibut … the next halibut I caught the deckhand said “we’re throwing this one back” … when I asked why, he said “trust me, we’re throwing it back” … well it was the last one I caught :-( … Everything you read about the halibut fishing in Homer talks about the size being 30 to 400 pounds … with most under 100 pounds … Then when you get on the boat they tell you that you’ll probably catch butts in the 8 to 12 pound range … 10 pounds seemed to be about the average and the good news is, Tom caught a couple of those.

With weather turning quite snotty, once we were back at the trailer … it was change into sweats … take a nap … then Tom fixed dinner, his wonderful Greek Fish Bake,

 

 

 

as we listened to the wind blow and the sound of a light rain tapped on the roof … a glass of wine and a couple games of Skip Bow … and we tucked it in for another night.  The perfect ending to a fun day.

It’s been strange not having Patti and Bob with us … though we did enjoy the town of   Homer … spending most of our time out on the “spit”.  I found it to be a picturesque place and had to include some photos of this final resting place for old boats.

 

 

 

 

Of course a stop in Homer wouldn’t be complete without a venture into the Time Bandit Store … after all, Deadliest Catch is one of our favorite TV shows.

 

 

 

 

 

So today is Tuesday, July 31st.  We pulled into the Russian River Ferry Landing yesterday at 2:30 in the afternoon and tried our hand at the red salmon again … I managed to hook quite a few, but could not land a one!  Tom did bring one in, and we had some for dinner … reds are also known as sockeye … and they are much better then the pinks!  We were hoping to get some more this morning … but no luck.  We got back to the rig around a noon and were able to talk to Patti after her doctor’s appt. this morning … they did another xray and now cannot see the stone … so she either passed it … or it’s hiding.  She had pain again last night but is feeling really good right now.  We are all praying … and you can too … that she has passed it and that she will have a good night tonight … seems that when you are still the kidneys get inflamed and painful when they are dealing with a stone … so if she has a good night tonight it will be a good sign that it has passed … keep the prayers coming!  We are heading into Anchorage today too … we are only about 100 miles away.  I want to do some shopping and looking around … as we all hope to be heading toward Denali tomorrow.

 

A Bit of Wierdness

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July 30, 2012

So, I haven’t been on line here for a couple of days because it has been a bit weird … you see, Patti and Bob haven’t been with us now for 3 nights … this is our 4th night without them.  All was going so well … we were camped at the Johnson Pass Trailhead … with plans of maybe going in to the historical town of Hope the next morning, as we were headed to Homer.  Bob built a lovely campfire … I even set up the tri-pod and took some group photos

… would you believe it was 10:00 PM … still can’t believe how light and blue the skies stay until quite late.  We said our good nights …

 

 

 

and when we got up in the morning Patti wasn’t feeling well.

 

 

 

We suggested that she just get some rest and Tom and I would go ahead to the town of Hope,

 

 

 

 

 

then we checked out the local fishing (pinks, which we have plenty of)

 

 

 

and besides I thought I might make a pot of chicken soup for Patti … but upon our return we learned that she had got progressively worse and they were packing up to head to Anchorage to the ER.  Patti was pretty sure that it wasn’t just a tummy illness, but that she quite possibly had kidney stones and she would feel better if we went ahead and made our trip down to Homer … we have to come back up through Anchorage to head north anyway … so we went our separate ways for now … reluctantly …

Moonscapes … Or … Matanuska Glacier

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July 25, 2012

We woke up this morning to glorious weather … and our morning drive along the Matanuska River valley was a true delight … full of wonder and beauty … a treat to the senses.  But then I guess this whole journey has been that way … leaving us so in awe.

 

 

 

 

Yesterday we had the treat of actually stepping foot on a glacier …

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Matanuska Glacier, outside of Palmer, Alaska … Via Glacier Park

The entrance fee is $15 to walk on your own, directed to follow the bright orange cones. 

 

$50 per person for a guided tour where you also wear crampons to trek the glacier ice.  The guys … that would Tom and Bob, decided they were experienced enough to continue past the signs warning about continuing without guides unless you are experienced in hiking glaciers

 

… Not sure where they believe they received that experience … but then we are talking about a retired Vietnam Era Navy SEAL and a Vietnam Army Military Helicopter Pilot … surely a different breed then the average Joe!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Driving along we have seen many signs about the Moose …Moose Crossings … Moose Crash Danger … Moose Range Area … But so far … no sign of any Moose … And I can’t even find the photo of the Moose Crossing sign I took.

We were going to go into Palmer today and do some laundry … but then we found this abandoned campground at Moose Creek. 

The Dolly Varden fishing is supposed to be good on eggs … Our three-day license we got in Valdez is good until 4:00 PM today … So guess what!  YEP … we’re going fishing :-) the laundry can wait until tomorrow.

I caught a couple of nice trout … and we saw some beautiful king salmon … One was HUGE … like 4 foot long!  Really something to see.  Then there’s the Moose Creek Salon … Roberto is Patti’s trusted hair dresser …

 

 

 

 

 

Hooray for outside showers too … and Roberto … he did a wonderful job! Bet there are other travelers who’d love your “roadside salon” …

Today we are passing through Anchorage … headed to Homer … and points in between as we continue our travels north … through Alaska … by the way the temperature today is 74 with sunny blue skies.